Day 88 | Progress of US-Iran peace talks slows down
Progress on a deal to end the US-‘Israel’ war that broke out in late February has slowed as both sides talked down the prospect of an imminent agreement, with Tehran saying they were not close to signing and Trump warning he was in no hurry.
US and Iranian forces have observed a ceasefire since April 8 while diplomats push for a negotiated settlement, although Iran has maintained controls on Gulf shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the US Navy has sought to blockade Iran's ports.
A high-level Iranian delegation that includes the country's top negotiator and foreign minister was in Doha on Monday to discuss an agreement with the US and the release of frozen funds, a source briefed on the matter told AFP.
Trump said earlier on Monday that a deal with Iran would either be "great and meaningful" or there would be "no deal."
“Critical moment”
On the Lebanon front of the war, ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that he had ordered the military to intensify its offensive in Lebanon in an effort to "crush" Hezbollah, accusing the group of targeting ‘Israeli’ forces with drone attacks.
"I have ordered an even greater acceleration of our operations," Netanyahu said in a video statement posted on his Telegram channel.
The ‘Israeli’ leader said on Sunday that he and Trump had agreed that "any final agreement with Iran must eliminate the nuclear threat entirely" before peace was reached.
Iranian officials have stressed that, despite the long-standing US demand for an end to its uranium enrichment, talks on the issue of the Islamic republic's nuclear program have been deferred until after an initial agreement.
US and ‘Israel’ carried out attacks on Iranian boats: Fars News Agency
Iranian media said Monday that US and ‘Israeli’ jets attacked Iranian boats south of Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to Fars News Agency citing Iranian state TV.
“Four people were killed in the attack, with the total number of casualties still unclear,” Fars News Agency said.
Iranian state TV says the situation in Bandar Abbas now is “calm and normal”.
The statements come after CENTCOM said it carried out “self-defense strikes” in southern Iran, according to Fox News.
US carried out “self-defense” strikes in Iran: CENTCOM to Fox News
A spokesperson for the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), cited by Fox News, said the US forces carried out “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran on Monday.
Earlier, Iranian media reported that explosions were heard in the city of Bandar Abbas and areas near the Strait of Hormuz.
Mehr News Agency said the situation is “under control” and there is no cause for concern after the explosions were heard.
Hebzollah says targeted three barracks, military post in northern ‘Israel’
Hezbollah said it staged several attacks Monday on three barracks and a military post in northern ‘Israel’ in “response to the violation of the ceasefire” by ‘Israel’.
The Iran-backed group claimed responsibility for at least four drone attacks on the Shomera barracks, as well as attacks on two barracks in towns in northern ‘Israel’, and another on a military post in Misgav Am, carried out around midday at short intervals.
Trump says Tehran’s uranium to be destroyed in US or in Iran
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Iran’s enriched uranium, which he calls nuclear dust, will either be destroyed in the United States or “preferably, in conjunction and coordination” with Iran inside the country.
“The Enriched Uranium (Nuclear Dust!) will either be immediately turned over to the United States to be brought home and destroyed or, preferably, in conjunction and coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran, destroyed in place or, at another acceptable location, with the Atomic Energy Commission, or its equivalent, being witness to this process and event,” Trump said on Truth Social.
Netanyahu admitted to hospital for dental treatment, says office
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was admitted to a hospital in Jerusalem on Monday, his office said in a statement.
Netanyahu was receiving “dental treatment” at the Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital, the statement says, but did not add any more information.
Last month, the ‘Israeli’ premier revealed he underwent a successful surgery for prostate cancer at an earlier time, adding he held off revealing the information claiming Iran would use it to spread “propaganda” amid the war.
Netanyahu, 76 years old, was admitted several times into hospital in recent years, one of them was for installing a pacemaker in July 2023.
He had another surgery for a hernia in March 2024.
Previous day
For coverage of the previous day, visit the link below.
Read more: Day 87 | Trump says US will not “rush into a deal” with Iran
