Iran-US deal still out of reach despite heightened diplomatic efforts
USO•Iran and the United States remain far from a deal to end the war, a senior Iranian official said, despite diplomatic efforts. The US carried out strikes on Qeshm island, while Iran said it downed a US drone near the Strait of Hormuz.
1. Deal remains distant
A senior Iranian official said Iran and the United States were far from reaching a deal to end the war, despite efforts by mediators to narrow differences. Qatari mediators travelled to Tehran for talks on a draft deal that has been under negotiation for eight days.
2. Strikes and warnings
The US carried out what it called defensive strikes on Iran’s Qeshm island, targeting surface-to-air missiles, a US official said. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they downed a US MQ-9 drone near the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian official said Tehran’s conditions must be met before the strait is reopened and nuclear talks can begin, and warned Iran would respond forcefully to US strikes.
3. Regional talks continue
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said talks with Saudi Arabia were ongoing as Tehran sought new regional security arrangements without foreign military involvement. Officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met Iranian officials in Tehran last week, as fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis intensified.
