Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday said Tehran does not want to escalate tensions in the Middle East but will “act with its full capabilities” to defend the country’s security, national interests and territorial integrity, even as US President Donald Trump warned that Iran had been given a “last chance” to reach an agreement.According to Iranian state broadcaster Press TV, Pezeshkian said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek to escalate tensions or instability in the region. However, it will act with its full capabilities to defend the country’s security, national interests, and territorial integrity.”His remarks came hours after Trump claimed negotiations with Iran were under way and said Washington had paused a planned large-scale military strike after requests from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iran to give diplomacy another opportunity.
Trump says Iran has ‘last chance’, Tehran denies talks
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office after signing an executive order establishing the first-ever Presidential Military Spouse Commission, Trump said Iran had been given a final opportunity to reach a deal.“This is a last chance. This is not something that if it doesn’t happen, this is a last chance for them to sign a good document,” Trump said.He claimed the talks were taking place at Iran’s request and were backed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and several other countries.“We are talking right now, we’re talking and we’re talking at the request of Iran, backed by Saudi Arabia, backed by UAE, and backed by Qatar in particular, but others also. Many countries called… they all wanted to give this a last chance,” Trump said.The US president also alleged that Iran had earlier denied negotiations despite holding extensive meetings with American officials.He further said discussions were under way to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the first phase of the talks would focus on restoring navigation through the strategic waterway.However, Iran rejected Trump’s claims.Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran was not engaged in any direct or indirect negotiations with the United States and no meetings were planned.Baghaei said Iran’s only ongoing diplomatic engagement was with neighbouring Oman and that those discussions were limited to establishing a temporary safe shipping passage through the Strait of Hormuz.He stressed that while such an arrangement was necessary, it alone would not be sufficient to fully reopen the vital maritime chokepoint.As per Reuters, Baghaei said all Iranian negotiators were currently inside the country, except foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, who was on a religious pilgrimage in Iraq.
Tensions remain high despite diplomatic claims
The conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran have added to uncertainty surrounding efforts to end the nearly six-month conflict between the two countries.Trump’s comments followed his weekend announcement that he had called off what he described as “massive attacks” on Iran after deciding to pursue diplomacy instead.This fits a pattern seen during the conflict, with Trump repeatedly threatening military action before citing diplomatic contacts as a reason to step back.Later on Monday, Trump also posted on Truth Social that Iran’s leadership was “unbelievably duplicitous”, claiming the country had requested a meeting and that more talks were scheduled in the “immediate future”. He further asserted that the US Navy maintained complete control over the Strait of Hormuz.Meanwhile, shipping activity through the strategic waterway remains subdued.One cargo vessel broadcast that it had been struck by an unknown projectile near the Strait of Hormuz off Oman’s coast, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).Data from maritime analytics firm Kpler showed only six vessels transited the strait on Monday, down from seven the previous day.Analysts quoted by Reuters said Iran appeared to be using regional shipping lanes and energy infrastructure as leverage to increase pressure on the United States and its allies.
IRGC attacks US base in Kuwait
Amid the diplomatic war of words, military tensions continued to rise.According to The Jerusalem Post, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday launched a drone attack on a US military base in Kuwait. The report said at least three drones were used in the attack.Heavy explosions were heard in Iraq’s Basra province, bordering both Kuwait and Iran, citing Iranian and Arab media reports.Separately, senior Iranian military adviser Mohsen Rezaee said Tehran had prepared retaliatory strikes on three targets in Ukraine after an Iranian commercial vessel was hit in the Caspian Sea last month, but suspended the operation after Kyiv said the attack had been accidental.“We were ready to attack three areas in Ukraine,” Rezaee said, adding that Iran halted the planned response to assess Ukraine’s explanation, while insisting compensation would still be required.
