US and Iran see mediation progress as regional drone attacks continue
US and Iran see mediation progress as regional drone attacks continue
US and Iran see mediation progress as regional drone attacks continue
Mediators have achieved progress in getting the United States and Iran back to negotiations, regional officials said, after both sides paused attacks following a period of rapidly escalating tensions. However, scattered attacks by armed groups across the region underscored the lingering tensions.
Saudi Arabia said it had shot down drones fired by Iran-backed militias in Iraq that had targeted its petroleum facilities. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen meanwhile claimed to have attacked Saudi oil facilities as part of a separate but related conflict. It was unclear if they referred to the same attack.
Neither the U.S. Nor Iran reported carrying out any attacks for three days — a respite after about two weeks of sustained bombardments that had led to increasing fears of a return to all-out war.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran had asked for more discussions, reaching out directly “because we’ve been hitting them very hard.” However, Iran has said there are no direct talks underway.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei dismissed the notion that the US could influence Iran's decisions on conflict or negotiations, saying that Tehran "will not allow the United States to determine when there is war or peace." Baghaei also denied reports claiming Iran had sought to resume direct talks with Washington, insisting that all communication between the two countries continues only through intermediaries.
The diplomatic efforts come amid heightened tensions across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted drones targeting petroleum facilities in its eastern province and Riyadh, alleging they had been launched from Iraq by Iran-backed militias. Jordan said it had shot down two drones.
The US could resume expanded military action if the ongoing negotiations fail. Trump stated he would not wait indefinitely for a breakthrough, saying "We are in very deep talks with Iran. If they don't work out, we will go back to very strong military action."
Global energy supplies and the economy remain in the balance as gasoline prices have risen again. Commercial shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz was at a three-week low, a maritime body overseen by the U.S. Navy said, adding that no new attacks had been confirmed in the past 72 hours.
