Day 197 | Muscat talks loom as new 'Israeli' strikes hit southern Lebanon
Nearly 200 days into the war between Washington and Tehran, developments continue on multiple fronts.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Iran is "in a state of war," describing the ongoing naval and economic blockade as an act of aggression. He stressed that Tehran’s measures to counter the blockade are defensive and in accordance with international law. He also underscored the importance of diplomacy, but said negotiations would not be possible unless the other side is willing to engage.
Amid diplomatic efforts, Tehran announced that a meeting is expected to take place in Muscat on Monday, bringing together Iran, Iraq and Gulf states to discuss the outcome of Iranian-Omani talks aimed at establishing safe routes for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, US Central Command said it has diverted the routes of 99 commercial vessels since the blockade of Iran began. Reuters, citing two informed sources, reported that the White House is considering invoking the Defense Production Act to expand oil-refining capacity amid risks of supply disruptions and higher prices.
Militarily, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck a US unmanned vessel at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, claiming it hit the vessel and thwarted its mission.
On the Lebanon front, new ‘Israeli’ airstrikes targeted the Ali al-Taher heights, the outskirts of al-Qantara and Wadi Zibqin. The strikes came after the ‘Israeli’ army announced its withdrawal from the Ali al-Taher heights and redeployment to the Shiqif area, following explosions that it said involved more than 1,100 tons of explosives.
WATCH: Houthis declare control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast
Large crowds gathered in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, to celebrate after the Houthis announced that their forces had taken full control of all access points along the Red Sea coast and seized three strategic islands.
The announcement followed a week-long military offensive against Saudi-backed forces, according to Houthi statements.
Iran slams Hegseth’s 9/11 anniversary comments targeting Tehran
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has condemned US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s remarks marking the 9/11 anniversary, in which Hegseth defended the US war on Iran.
Hegseth said the US was "still sending terrorists where they belong, to hell" as it continues its war on Iran.
Responding on X, Baghaei said Hegseth’s remarks were "riddled with fundamental contradictions," arguing that Washington cannot wage what he described as aggression, carry out assassinations and cause civilian casualties while claiming sole authority to define terrorism and determine which violence is legitimate.
"The perpetrators of 9/11 were not Iranians," Baghaei added, saying they were "the very same people whom the US itself had armed, organised, or otherwise cultivated in the preceding decades."
Oman hosts Iran-Gulf talks on Strait of Hormuz security
Oman will host a regional meeting of foreign ministers Monday involving Iran, Iraq and six Gulf states to discuss regional issues, particularly maritime security and safe shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Friday that Tehran plans to participate in the meeting in Oman, according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency.
Baghaei said the talks will also address the outcome of recent Iranian-Omani discussions on establishing safe routes for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran, Russia use local currencies, crypto in trade
Iran and Russia are currently using local currencies and cryptocurrencies in their trade to bypass Western sanctions, Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madani-Zadeh said.
Speaking to the Iranian news agency ISNA, Madani-Zadeh said, "We and Russia are under sanctions, but we currently use local currencies and cryptocurrencies in our trade."
The comments come as Tehran and Moscow continue efforts to expand economic ties and reduce their reliance on traditional international payment systems.
Iraq to investigate attack on Saudi’s East-West pipeline: Iraqi army
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has ordered an urgent investigation into the attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, according to the Iraqi armed forces.
The Iraqi army spokesperson said the government appreciates Saudi Arabia’s position and its response to Iraq’s efforts to contain the situation.
Al-Zaidi directed authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those responsible, with legal measures to be taken against anyone proven to be involved, the spokesperson said in a statement published by the state-run Iraq News Agency.
Day 196 of the US-‘Israeli’ war on Iran
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Read more: Day 196 | ‘Israel’ blows up Ali Al-Taher heights as Tehran strikes US boat
