Day 157 | Trump pauses Iran strike plans as Oman talks near final stage

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US President Donald Trump said that current negotiations are addressing the full reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz waterway by tomorrow.

US President Donald Trump announced that negotiations with Iranian officials are currently taking place at Tehran's request, calling the discussions the country's final opportunity to reach a deal.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Forces Commander Mohammad Karami said on Monday that Iranian fighters are prepared to respond decisively to any security threats, warning against what he described as potential "miscalculations" by foreign adversaries and armed groups.

In a post on X, Karami said forces under the Hamzeh Seyyed al-Shohada Headquarters in western Iran remain on high alert and are ready to confront any challenge.

He said the forces, supported by intelligence capabilities, operational preparedness, and modern technology, were fully equipped to respond to threats.

"The fighters of the Hamzeh Seyyed al-Shohada Headquarters, backed by intelligence, operational readiness, and leveraging faith, technology, and modern sciences, are prepared to deliver a decisive response to any threat," Karami wrote.

The commander also warned against any "miscalculation by extra-regional enemies or terrorist groups," without identifying any specific country or organization.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate phone calls with Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi to discuss regional developments, diplomatic efforts, and cooperation aimed at promoting stability, Iran's Foreign Ministry said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in the Iraqi city of Najaf, according to Iran's Tasnim News Agency.

The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee has approved a government request to extend ‘Israel’s’ emergency military mobilization until Sept. 30.

The measure passed by a 4-2 vote and authorizes the ‘Israeli’ military to call up a maximum of 240,000 reservists during the extension period.

Emergency mobilization orders have been renewed every few months since the outbreak of the genocidal war on Gaza in 2023, providing the military with continued authority to maintain large-scale reserve forces amid ongoing operations.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it shot down an MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz, according to the IRGC-affiliated Sepah News.

The report said the unmanned aircraft was brought down by an air defense system operating over the strategic waterway. It did not specify the drone's origin, though MQ-9 Reaper drones are primarily operated by the US Air Force.

According to Sepah News, Iran has intercepted more than 30 US Reaper drones since the start of the US-'Israel' war on Iran on February 28. The claim has not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate comment from US officials.

Iran's foreign ministry said Monday there were currently no negotiations with the United States but talks were taking place with Oman on management of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

"We are not currently negotiating with the United States. Our negotiations are with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz," said ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei during a weekly press briefing.

Iran has kept control of Hormuz since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East on February 28.

It has insisted that ships transiting the waterway, which is crucial for the global energy trade, should use a route designated by Iran after requesting permission and paying service fees.

Baqaei described the talks with Oman as "constructive", saying they were aimed at reaching an agreement on a new route.

"We hope that both regional and extra-regional actors will appreciate this responsible move by Iran and adopt a constructive approach," he added.

He maintained Iran's position that as long as a US naval blockade on Iranian ports continues, "the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain unchanged".

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the situation in Yemen is a domestic issue that should be addressed through dialogue.

Speaking to reporters, Baghaei rejected attempts to connect developments in Yemen with the war against Iran, saying such claims amount to avoiding responsibility.

He blamed the US and its allies for what he described as ongoing instability in the region, saying Washington bears primary responsibility for regional developments, followed by countries supporting what he called aggression.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said China is concerned about the escalation of conflict and insecurity in the region and is using its diplomatic capacity to help prevent further tensions.

Baghaei said China, along with other countries, is contributing to efforts aimed at reducing escalation, but stressed that Beijing is not a new mediator in Iran-US talks.

He added that Pakistan continues to serve as a mediator on issues between Iran and the US, while Qatar provides assistance when needed.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the US war on Iran is not solely directed at Tehran but poses a threat to the security of the entire Middle East.

Speaking to reporters, Baghaei said the US military presence and the use of military facilities in Gulf countries over the past five months have "exacerbated insecurity and instability" across the region.

He added that it is therefore natural for regional countries to seek ways to prevent the situation from escalating further, arguing that continued military tensions undermine the security of all states in the region.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tehran and Oman are holding talks to establish a temporary safe shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.

The spokesperson said that reaching an agreement with Oman alone would not be sufficient to reopen the strategic waterway, stressing that US attacks on Iran must end before the strait can fully resume normal operations.

The official also denied reports of ongoing negotiations with the United States, saying there are currently no talks taking place between Tehran and Washington.

Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported that 'Israeli' forces dropped phosphorus bombs on olive and pine groves in the towns of Yaroun and Arnoun, as well as the city of Bint Jbeil in the Nabatieh governorate.

According to the NNA, the attacks triggered large fires that spread through the targeted areas.

In separate incidents, the agency reported two 'Israeli' missile strikes on the Ali al-Taher hill near Nabatieh and said an 'Israeli' drone dropped a stun grenade in the town of Bayt al-Sayyad in the Tyre district.

Iran has executed two people accused of spying for 'Israel' and providing sensitive military and security location coordinates during the Iran war, according to Reuters, citing the state-owned Fars news agency.

Iranian authorities alleged that the two nationals transmitted information on military and security sites to 'Israel' during the hostilities.

According to Amnesty International, at least 26 people linked to the January 2026 protests had been executed by July, with Iranian authorities using broad national security charges, including espionage and collaboration with hostile states, in many of the cases.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that a deal with Iran covering the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran's nuclear program is "imminent," while claiming divisions remain within the Iranian leadership over whether to proceed.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the proposed agreement would address maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and the "denuclearization of Iran."

Trump also said Saudi Arabia supports a diplomatic resolution rather than military action, adding that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prefers a deal because an attack could trigger wider regional instability.

"We would much prefer a deal as opposed to an attack because you don't know where these attacks lead," Trump said, warning that further escalation could result in humanitarian and security consequences across the region.

An 'Israeli' airstrike on western Gaza City killed a pregnant Palestinian woman, her husband, and their five-year-old son, according to local reports.

A senior officer at US Central Command (CENTCOM) sent an email to military analysts requesting "new creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran," according to CNN, citing sources familiar with the message.

The email, sent to a broad group of intelligence analysts last week, reportedly sought fresh ideas for dealing with Iran, an unusual crowdsourcing approach that officials said reflects a reassessment of current US strategy.

CNN reported that the request highlights the limited options available to President Donald Trump as his administration seeks to pressure Iran into accepting US terms while avoiding further escalation.

In response to the report, CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Timothy Hawkins said the command has a long history of encouraging innovative thinking, adding that Admiral Brad Cooper regularly seeks ideas from personnel at all ranks to improve operational performance.

The reported email came before Trump threatened new strikes on Iran but later decided against military action following calls from regional leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, urging de-escalation, according to CNN.

⁠Oil ⁠prices have fallen by more than $4 a barrel after Trump called off planned attacks on ‌Iran’s infrastructure.

Brent crude futures slid $4.08, or 4.64 percent, to $83.85 by 23:52 GMT on Sunday, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $80.66 a barrel, down $4.01, or 4.74 percent, according to Reuters.

Both contracts had jumped more than 20 percent last month after the US resumed strikes on Iran, and Tehran’s forces launched attacks on several tankers around Oman.