Diplomatic moves to contain the conflict between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other have intensified, as Tehran continues its missile escalation. This situation keeps both de-escalation and confrontation paths open simultaneously.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated yesterday that his country is currently engaged in "negotiations now" with "the right people" in Iran to reach an agreement that would end hostilities, indicating that Tehran "strongly desires" this outcome.
Details of the Developments
Trump added that Iran has offered a "big gift" related to the oil and gas sectors, likely connected to the Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as "very positive," without disclosing further details.
He also announced a five-day postponement of strikes on Iranian energy facilities after what he termed "very good and constructive talks."
Background & Context
In contrast, Tehran denied engaging in any direct negotiations, with Reuters reporting that Iranian sources indicated a hardened negotiating stance, insisting on conditions that include guarantees against repeated attacks and compensation, while rejecting any restrictions on its missile program.
Pakistan has officially offered to host talks between Washington and Tehran, amid Israeli skepticism regarding the possibility of reaching an agreement.
Impact & Consequences
The Iranian military command stated that it will continue fighting "until total victory."
The Revolutionary Guard announced the launch of at least ten waves of missiles towards Israel, utilizing multiple warheads and drones, according to their statements.
Regional Significance
Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced it would continue to carry out extensive strikes inside Iran, targeting command centers, military production facilities, and storage and launch sites for ballistic missiles, confirming that it has conducted over 3000 strikes since the beginning of its operations, focusing on undermining Iranian "firepower" systems.
The Pentagon is considering deploying around 3000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East to support operations, without making a decision to send ground forces into Iran, a move that would provide Washington with additional military options alongside the diplomatic path.
A memo reviewed by Reuters today revealed that Iran has informed the UN Security Council and the International Maritime Organization of the possibility for "non-hostile vessels" to transit the Strait of Hormuz, provided they coordinate with Iranian authorities.
The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has led to a near-complete halt of about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passing through the strait, causing disruptions in oil supplies.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry sent the memo to the UN Security Council and to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday.
The message was then circulated today to 176 member states of the International Maritime Organization, a UN agency based in London responsible for regulating the safety and security of international navigation and preventing pollution.
The message stated, "Non-hostile vessels, including those belonging to other countries or associated with them, are allowed to benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the relevant Iranian authorities, provided they do not engage in combat against Iran or support it, and fully comply with the declared safety and security regulations."
It added that Iran has "taken necessary and proportionate measures to prevent aggressors and their supporters from exploiting the Strait of Hormuz to launch combat operations" against it, indicating that vessels, equipment, and any assets belonging to the United States or Israel, "as well as other participants in the aggression, are not entitled to passage."
The Financial Times was the first to report on the dissemination of the message to member states of the International Maritime Organization today.
The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization accused the United States and Israel on Tuesday of attacking the Bushehr nuclear power plant, stating that a projectile fell in the vicinity of the plant without causing any damage.
The organization stated in a statement: "As the American-Zionist enemy continues its aggression (...) a projectile hit the vicinity of the Bushehr plant," without resulting in "any material or technical damage, or human casualties," according to AFP.
Shortly thereafter, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that Iran had informed it of a projectile falling on the grounds of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, reiterating its call for "restraint."
The agency wrote on the platform X: "The Director General of the agency, Rafael Grossi, renews his call for the utmost restraint to avoid nuclear risks during conflicts."
Last Wednesday, the agency announced that the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran was hit by a "projectile" the evening before, which did not cause damage to the infrastructure or any injuries.
The Bushehr plant, which is Iran's only operational nuclear power plant, has a production capacity of 1000 megawatts, covering a small portion of the country's electricity needs.
French President Emmanuel Macron called on Iran on Tuesday to "engage in good faith negotiations" aimed at "de-escalating" the ongoing war in the Middle East, following a conversation he had with Iranian President Masoud Bezhakian.
Macron wrote on platform X: "I called on Iran to engage in good faith negotiations, to open a path for de-escalation and provide a framework to meet the international community's aspirations regarding Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as its destabilizing regional activities."