Iran: New US strikes as talks reach critical point
The United States struck Iranian military targets while diplomatic efforts in Qatar aimed at ending hostilities and addressing Iran's nuclear program continued with mixed signals.
According to the U.S. CENTCOM command, American forces struck missile launch positions and vessels attempting to lay mines near the Strait of Hormuz. The Americans characterized the operations as “self-defense” against Iranian threats to their forces, while emphasizing they continue to show restraint during the ceasefire.
Iranian media reported explosions in the Bandar Abbas area. At the same time, Iran’s top negotiator and the country’s foreign minister were in Qatar, where they met with the emirate’s prime minister in an effort to advance an agreement to end the war.
“Serious Proposal on the Table”
Marco Rubio, speaking from New Delhi, stated that the U.S. is willing to give diplomacy every opportunity before considering alternative paths. As he said, there is a fairly serious proposal that could lead to the resumption of operations in the Strait of Hormuz and time-limited talks on Iran’s nuclear program.
A few hours earlier, Donald Trump had posted on Truth Social that the talks are “going well,” but warned that new strikes would follow in case of failure. “Either there will be a great deal for everyone or there will be no deal at all,” he noted characteristically.
The American president reiterated that Iran’s enriched uranium must be immediately handed over to the United States for destruction or destroyed on site or at an agreed location under international supervision. He called it “nuclear dust” and stressed that its fate is a fundamental prerequisite for any agreement. The process, he said, must be carried out in the presence of the International Atomic Energy Commission or a similar body.
The Difficult Points of the Agreement
The discussions in Doha focus on the Strait of Hormuz, the enriched uranium stockpile, and the possible release of frozen Iranian assets. Tehran is demanding a framework agreement for ending the war first before proceeding to substantive talks on its nuclear program.
Regarding navigation, Iran states it is ready to allow increased traffic, but without returning to the pre-war regime of complete free passage. No tolls are envisaged, but there will be costs for navigation services and environmental protection. The Revolutionary Guards reported that in the last 24 hours, 32 ships and five tankers passed through the Strait with Tehran’s permission – a significantly lower number than pre-war levels. Iranian media also reported that a “hostile stealth drone” was shot down with a new air defense system.
Lebanon Ceasefire “Up in the Air”
On the parallel Lebanese front, Benjamin Netanyahu announced an intensification of Israeli attacks against Hezbollah. In a Telegram video, he made clear there will be no reduction in intensity. “We are not slowing down. On the contrary, I have asked that we accelerate. We will intensify the strikes, increase their power, and crush Hezbollah,” he stated.
Ministers from the extreme wing of his government took an even tougher stance. Bezalel Smotrich stated that for every explosive drone, ten buildings in Beirut should fall, while Itamar Ben Gvir called for the resumption of intensive war and expansion of Israeli control north of the Litani River.
Developments show that war and diplomacy continue to move in parallel, with both sides maintaining hard positions while simultaneously seeking a way out.
