Iran announced that negotiations with the United States to end the eight-month war between the two countries are continuing. These statements came after the completion of a round of negotiations mediated by Qatar and the presentation of new proposals, but without reaching an agreement.
Details of the Negotiations
Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, emphasized the intensity and focus of consultations through mediators, stating: "We have presented our conditions and proposals, and everything depends on Washington's political wisdom." Meanwhile, Iranian sources believe that the likelihood of a new US attack on Iran is greater than reaching an agreement.
Ismail Baqeri, spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, noted that Iran's seven-step plan presented in September remains the focus of the negotiations, but he also confirmed that this proposal could be shortened. He added: "The basis of discussions between Iran and the US through mediators remains the same seven-step proposal from Iran, which has now been condensed and can be implemented within two days."
Background of the War and Recent Developments
The war, which was suddenly initiated by the United States and Israel on February 28, has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran and the sanctioning of Iranian ports by the United States. This war has involved repeated drone and missile attacks by Iran on Gulf countries and an escalation of conflicts in Yemen.
The Iranian government has repeatedly stated that it will respond to any new attack with severe retaliation and has plans to target sites inside and outside the Middle East. Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of China and Russia have also expressed concern about the possibility of new military action against Iran and emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts.
In another incident, a Qatari oil tanker was attacked in the Persian Gulf by unidentified objects, raising concerns about global energy supply security. While attacks on tankers in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea have been common during this war, attacks on LNG ships have been rare.
Read more: Emirati Tanker Selt Storm Attacked in the Strait of Hormuz
