Three diplomatic sources from the region say China is involved behind the scenes in the contacts between Iran and the US, and is trying, among other things, to pressure the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to soften their position. Trump is willing to grant a brief extension of just a few days, sources in Washington say, but recent developments indicate even those few days could drag on.
After the US Treasury Department announced new sanctions and Tehran said it would not attend talks in Pakistan, Trump is extending the ceasefire without setting a new deadline. At the same time in Israel, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee has been summoned back to Washington for “consultations,” apparently regarding the issue of Lebanon.
US Navy forces boarded the oil tanker Tifani on suspicion it was involved in illicit Iranian trade, in an operation that met no resistance.
Oil-producing states across the gulf are drawing up contingency plans for a scenario that leaves the regime in Tehran intact. Even so, for the US and Iran to reach an agreement, they will have to overcome what appears to be an almost insurmountable barrier: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ahmad Vahidi.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, the US Navy is using a mix of manned and unmanned systems in the mine-clearing mission. Experts said that after mines are identified in an initial sweep, a second wave of sea drones is sent in to neutralize the charges, either with explosives or by detonating them remotely.
Ahead of talks set to open in Pakistan, it appears one of the most significant disputes may be resolved. The regime still shows no willingness to give up its ballistic missile program. If Iran’s trend toward flexibility continues, the US will announce an extension of the ceasefire.
US President Donald Trump said a cargo ship called the TOUSKA tried to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and was intercepted. He said US Marines boarded the vessel and it is now being inspected to determine what it was carrying.
The US president remained optimistic despite the latest developments: “We’re offering a very fair and reasonable deal. It will happen, one way or another.”
A confusing weekend in the Gulf saw Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declare the Strait of Hormuz open, US President Donald Trump celebrate on Truth Social, and then Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps opened fire at tankers. While the US president is threatening that "we'll have to start bombing again," Tehran is weighing a proposal to release $20 billion in exchange for giving up its uranium. The clock is ticking, with Trump's ultimatum expiring on Wednesday.
Tehran claims the US violated the ceasefire and is demanding “security fees” for passage. At the same time, reports say the US military is preparing to seize Iranian tankers in international waters. President Donald Trump’s ultimatum expires on Wednesday.
