Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
EA-The Focus Special: The World That Donald Trump Damaged
UPDATES: US-Israel Wars, Day 72 — US and Iran Exchange Fire in Strait of Hormuz
The Trump Administration had said it expected Tehran’s response on Friday over issues such as Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, US sanctions, and guarantees against a future war.
But the Iranian Foreign Ministry repeated on Saturday that officials are studying the Trump camp’s reply to Iran’s 14-point proposals. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the Administration’s “destructive approach” to the diplomatic process.
Recent escalation by American forces in the Persian Gulf and their repeated violations of the ceasefire have increased suspicions regarding the American side’s intentions and seriousness on the path of diplomacy.
The Revolutionary Guards threatened, a day after US strikes on two Iranian tankers in the Gulf of Oman, “Any attack on Iranian tankers and commercial vessels will result in a heavy attack on one of the American centers in the region and enemy ships.”
On Sunday morning, a bulk carrier caught fire after being hit by an unknown projectile off the coast of Qatar, reported the UK Maritime Trade Operations center. The blaze was soon extinguished.
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Donald Trump’s envoy, real estate developer Steve Witkoff, in Miami, Florida on Saturday.
A “source familiar with the matter” said Qatar has been quietly operating as a go-between while Pakistan is the main channel for messsages between Washington and Tehran.
On Friday, al-Thani met Vice President J.D. Vance in the White House.