In Tehran, a senior advisor to Iran’s supreme leader has declared that negotiations between the US and Iran to end the war are “at a deadlock” – and that it is up to Donald Trump to break it by releasing billions of dollars in frozen assets. The blunt assessment came as Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of lacking “the will to reduce tensions and return to the path of stability”, warning that its “adventurist actions” are putting regional security at risk.
The ministry, quoted by the semi-official Mehr News Agency, specifically condemned a US attack on Iranian coastal radar and surveillance facilities in the Sirik region and Qeshm Island. That strike was itself a retaliation for the US military shooting down four Iranian drones heading towards the Strait of Hormuz, Kuwait and Bahrain. The back-and-forth violence continues despite a partial ceasefire agreement brokered by the US between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, where attacks persist.
“Iran says US talks at deadlock as Trump insists Tehran has no choice but to deal”
Trump, speaking on Friday, said Iran’s leaders have not yet agreed to a deal because they are “proud” but predicted they would ultimately do so because “they’ve got no choice”. The US maintains a blockade on Iranian ports, while Tehran restricts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The standoff shows no sign of breaking, with each side blaming the other for the impasse.