With the in-between being up in the air, since neither side has practically made any move on it except in the background through Pakistan – whose leadership has constantly expressed its optimism for the resumption of negotiations -, the possibility of the truce expiring is becoming more and more likely and both sides appear to be preparing for another round of confrontation in the field.
With the US continuing to not back down on its naval blockade and Donald Trump’s threats to resume bombing if the deadline expires without a deal, Iran is also hardening its stance further with moves and threats beyond closing the Straits of Hormuz.
Tough attitude from Iran
A typical post by the Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who clarified that: “Trump, by imposing a blockade and violating the ceasefire, seeks – in his opinion – to turn the negotiation table into a table of surrender or to justify a new bellicose attitude. We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats and, in the last two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield.”
In addition, Iranian lawmaker and member of the parliament’s National Security Committee, Mohammad Reza Mohsen Shani, openly expressed his opposition to the possibility of negotiations with the US under the current circumstances.
According to his statements reported by the Mehr news agency, the negotiations are “not acceptable”, accusing Washington of making “excessive demands” and trying to gain domestic political benefits.
“Given the current circumstances, the recent attacks and our record in previous negotiations with the United States, the next round of talks is, God willing, off the agenda,” he said.
At the same time, Iranian state television denied international media reports that an Iranian delegation was about to go to Pakistan for peace talks with the United States.
“So far, no Iranian delegation has left for Islamabad, Pakistan, whether it is a main delegation or a secondary delegation,” state television reported, denying reports of scheduled meetings and specific times for US-Iranian talks.
Meanwhile, a senior Islamic Republic military commander, cited by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, warned that Iran’s armed forces are ready to give an “immediate and decisive response” to any new hostile action by the country’s adversaries.
The “game” with Vance’s departure and Trump’s threats
Correspondingly conflicting information about the US position on the issue also comes from the US government, as Vance is supposed – according to Trump’s statements yesterday – to be in Pakistan from yesterday, today it was leaked that he would go later today and other sources say that he will go tomorrow.
For his part, US President Donald Trump said in a post that Iran has repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreement, while earlier he made it clear that there will be no extension to the ceasefire.
What about Lebanon?
At the same time, tension remains high on the Lebanese front as well. Israel’s defense minister has threatened to kill Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, despite a ten-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon being in place.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), Israeli forces launched a series of attacks in southern Lebanon. The agency reported that artillery hit areas near the town of Kunin in Bid Jbail province, while buildings and infrastructure were also demolished in several villages.
The same media reported that Israeli forces bombed houses in the villages of Beit Lif, Shamaa, Biyada and Nakura, which were then razed.
At the same time, the Israeli army warned the residents of southern Lebanon not to move further south than the line of specific villages, which are depicted on a map made public by the Israeli authorities.
Intense concern in Europe
The situation in the Middle East is causing increasing concern in Europe, both for the developments themselves and for their implications in Europe. Spain, Slovenia and Ireland have asked the European Union to discuss the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The request was made by Spain’s foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albarez, ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
A similar position was expressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Maxime Prevo, who called for at least a partial suspension of the agreement, after he had first characterized the actions of the Israeli forces in Lebanon as “absolutely unacceptable”.
At the same time, the head of the International Energy Agency warned that the war between the US and Israel with Iran has caused the worst energy crisis ever recorded at the global level.
In this context, the European Union Transport Commissioner warned that if free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is not restored, the consequences for Europe and the world economy will be “disastrous”.
