Iran broadcast a warning to maritime traffic on Thursday, announcing plans for live-fire exercises in the Strait of Hormuz next week, AP reported. The drills could obstruct a shipping lane through which 20% of global oil passes.
The VHF radio notice sent Thursday by Tehran warned of "naval shooting" on Sunday and Monday. The message was initially detected by EOS Risk Group and later verified by AP.
Regional diplomatic efforts to avert a conflict between Washington and Tehran are stalling, The Wall Street Journal reported. Both nations have entrenched themselves in their respective positions as American military strength in the region grows. Israel Hayom revealed this week that Oman-led talks between Tehran and Washington have tried to defuse the situation, but a CNN reported Thursday that the discussions have so far failed.
President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric on social media, threatening an attack if a deal is not reached, The Wall Street Journal noted. While the US has stiffened its requirements, Iran has not moved from its long-held negotiation limits.
Discussion on Wednesday between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, the Iranian foreign minister, and United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff failed to progress, per The Wall Street Journal. Sources told the publication that Tehran objected to US terms and threatened to strike regional targets if attacked.
Turkey is also urging Washington toward a diplomatic path to prevent regional destabilization, The Wall Street Journal reported. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is known to have a close rapport with Trump. An official informed The Wall Street Journal that Erdogan proposed a three-way summit between the US, Turkey, and Iran during a call with Trump on Wednesday.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also consulted with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday regarding tension reduction, The Wall Street Journal reported. Araghchi is due in Turkey this Friday.
"Iran is ready to renegotiate on the nuclear file," Fidan stated to Al-Jazeera. He cautioned that the US should settle files individually, noting to The Wall Street Journal that a comprehensive demand might seem "humiliating" to Tehran.
