The United States and Iran have offered conflicting messages regarding the state of negotiations to end the war in the Middle East. Donald Trump has indicated that talks have been "very good" and a deal is "very possible." However, Iranian officials have sought to dampen expectations, with state media reporting that Tehran is merely reviewing the US peace proposal and considering its response via Pakistani mediators. Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson of the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy commission, described the proposal as an "American wish list" and "not a reality."
Trump's Optimistic Tone
Speaking to journalists in the Oval Office, Trump struck a positive tone, stating, "We've had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it's very possible that we'll make a deal." He added, "We'll see whether or not they are agreeing. And if they don't agree, they'll end up agreeing shortly thereafter. That's the way it is." In an interview with US broadcaster PBS, he said there was a "very good chance" of the war ending, but warned, "If it doesn't end, we have to go back to bombing the hell out of them."
Project Freedom Suspended
News of a possible deal followed Trump's abrupt U-turn on a US military operation to guide ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, dubbed "Project Freedom." Trump said the decision to pause the mission on Tuesday, two days after its launch, was to give peace a chance. However, NBC reported that the operation was suspended after Saudi Arabia refused to allow the US military to use its bases and airspace. US officials told the broadcaster that Gulf allies were caught off guard by the sudden announcement, angering the Saudi leadership.
Iranian President's Concerns
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, that US behaviour had "deviated the path of diplomacy towards threats, pressure and sanctions" and that Tehran could not trust Washington. In a statement carried by Iranian state-run Press TV, Pezeshkian said Iran had entered into dialogue with the US twice, but on both occasions, "military aggression against Iran took place concurrently with the negotiations. Such behaviour is effectively like 'stabbing from behind'."
Other Developments
- Iran has denied any involvement in damage to a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which suffered an explosion and fire on Monday. Trump blamed the incident on an Iranian attack, while South Korea's foreign ministry said the cause would only be confirmed after inspection. The Iranian embassy in Seoul rejected the allegations, stating that safe passage requires adherence to Iranian regulations.
- According to analysis by the Washington Post, Iranian airstrikes have damaged or destroyed at least 228 US structures or pieces of equipment across the Middle East, including hangars, barracks, fuel depots, aircraft, and key radar and communications equipment. The US Central Command declined to comment.
- In Lebanon, three people were killed in Israeli strikes on Nabatieh, according to the Lebanese National News Agency. The Israeli military reported that one soldier was seriously injured by a Hezbollah drone in southern Lebanon.
- In Gaza, an Israeli airstrike killed Azzam Khalil al-Hayya, son of Hamas political bureau leader Khalil al-Hayya, according to senior Hamas official Basim Naim. He is the fourth son of the exiled Gaza chief to have been killed in Israeli attacks.
