US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States and Iran held 'very good and productive conversations' over the past day, with 'major points of agreement' reached. The remarks appeared to avert a potentially severe escalation of the conflict, but Tehran has denied any direct contact since the bombing campaign began 24 days ago.
Trump extended his deadline for Iran to allow free shipping through the Strait of Hormuz by five days, after threatening over the weekend to 'hit and obliterate' Iran's power stations and energy infrastructure. Iran had retaliated with threats to destroy infrastructure across the Middle East, raising fears of a global economic crisis.
A European official said Egypt, Pakistan and Gulf states were relaying messages between the two sides, while a Pakistani official told Reuters that direct talks could be held in Islamabad this week. The White House confirmed a call between Trump and Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, but declined to confirm a possible visit by Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to Islamabad.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told a parliamentary committee on Monday that the UK was aware discussions were happening, after speaking with Trump by telephone on Sunday. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called for an immediate end to hostilities, describing a 'critical' situation for global energy supply chains.
In response to the intensifying energy crisis, Japan announced it will release part of its strategic oil reserves from Thursday. Meanwhile, early Tuesday, Iranian state media reported another round of missiles fired at Israel, with no casualties reported, and Lebanese state media said Israel carried out seven air raids on south Beirut overnight.
