Iran-US conflict newest: Tehran rejects new spherical of peace talks and claims Trump is ‘not serious’ about diplomacy
Tehran has warned it is ready to confront the US after an Iranian-flagged tanker was seized by American forces in the Gulf of Oman.
A spokesperson for the armed forces said they will take the necessary action against the US following its act of “aggression” after it can guarantee the safety of the crew and their families on board the vessel.
Following the incident, condemned by Iran as an “act of piracy”, the foreign ministry has declared it has no plans to begin a second round of negotiations with the US for now.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters that the Trump administration is “not serious” about peace, accusing it of “aggressive acts” and ceasefire violations.
Donald Trump had earlier said the vessel was seized while it tried to get past an American blockade on Iranian ports, adding that US forces stopped the ship by blowing a hole in its engine room.
Iranian state media earlier reported that Iran would not be taking part in the talks despite the US sending a delegation to Pakistan, citing “US excessive demands and unreasonable, unrealistic requests” as preventing progress.
Tehran says it is ready to confront US after tanker seizure
Tehran has warned it is ready to confront the US after the seizure of an Iranian-flagged tanker by American forces.
A spokesperson for the armed forces said they will take the necessary action against the US following its act of “aggression” after it can guarantee the safety of the crew and their families on board the vessel.
The military’s delayed response to the incident, it said, was due to the families being on board.
Tehran says its defensive capabilities and missile programme not up for negotiation – report
A senior Iranian source has been talking to Reuters news agency about the gaps in negotiating position between Washington and Tehran.
There are still significant differences regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, the source said.
It comes amid hopes that Iran and the US will resume peace talks after they failed in Islamabad earlier this month.
The senior Iranian source said that Tehran’s “defensive capabilities”, including its missile programme, are not open to negotiation with the US
“Continuation of the US blockade on the Strait of Hormuz undermines the peace talks,” they added.
Iran says there are no plans for more talks – and US is ‘not serious’ about peace
We’re hearing from Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, who is casting further doubt over the possibility that peace talks could resume between Tehran and Washington.
Baghaei says Tehran has no plans to enter a second round of negotiations with the US for now, lashing out at the Trump administration for not being “serious” about peace.
He says Washington’s “aggressive acts” and ceasefire violations demonstrate that it is not committed to the ceasefire process, after the US seized an Iranian cargo tanker in the Gulf of Oman.
China voices concern over ‘forced interception’ by US of Iranian ship
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson has voiced Beijing’s concerns over the “forced interception” by the US of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship.
They urged relevant parties to abide by the ceasefire agreement in a responsible manner.
“The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is sensitive and complicated,” said spokesman Guo Jiakun.
He said parties involved should avoid further escalation and “create the necessary conditions for normal transit through the Strait to resume”.
The US said earlier on Monday it had fired on and seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade of Iranian ports. Iran’s military said the ship had been travelling from China and vowed retaliation against what it called “armed piracy by the US military.”
Iranian president says diplomacy is critical – as is distrust of US
Iranian state media has been reporting quotes from Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian, in which he stresses hope for a peaceful solution with the US.
Every rational and diplomatic path should be used to reduce tensions with the US, he said. while stressing that vigilance and distrust in interactions with Washington were an “undeniable necessity”, according to state media IRNA.
A two-weeks ceasefire between Iran and the US is set to expire on Wednesday, with representatives from Washington set to reach Islamabad for Iran negotiations on Monday – while Tehran is yet to announce whether it will send a delegation to Pakistan.
Oil prices jump again
Oil prices climbed more than 5 per cent on Monday, while Asian shares also advanced, as a standoff between Iran and the United States prevented tankers from using the Strait of Hormuz.
The Persian Gulf waterway was closed again after Iran reversed a decision to reopen the strait, and President Donald Trump said a US Navy blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect.
US benchmark crude gained 5.6 per cent to $87.20 a barrel, while Brent crude, the international standard, was up 5.3 per cent at $95.16 a barrel.
More here.
Hezbollah claims explosives destroyed Israeli tanks
Hezbollah this morning said it detonated explosives yesterday afternoon in an attack against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
The group said in a statement that bombs planted by Hezbollah fighters exploded and destroyed four tanks in a convoy of eight tanks that was passing the village of Deir Siryan.
It was the first claim of an attack by Hezbollah since a 10-day ceasefire went into effect at midnight Thursday.
Iran resumes international flights
Iran has resumed international flights from today, its civil aviation authority said.
The aviation body said it has approved the resumption of international flights from Mashhad International Airport in the northeastern province of Khorasan Razavi.
Helicopter carries US Marines from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli
Iran ensures safe passage through Hormuz, says Iranian envoy
Iran is ensuring the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz under a new legal regime, the Vedomosti newspaper quoted Iran’s ambassador to Moscow as saying.
“Iran ensures safety of passage. Based on the security measures and the legal regime of the Strait of Hormuz, ships and vessels can pass through,” ambassador Kazem Jalali said.
He added that US and Israeli attacks on Iran had failed in their intention to enact regime change.
Source: independent.co.uk
