In four days the Iran war will complete one month. Everybody it seems wants the war to end, for peace to prevail but the signals are conflicting. Al Arabiya quoting Israeli media said Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has agreed to enter into negotiations with the US for a potential peace deal.
But the White House told the BBC that “talks with Iran remain fluid”, this was after Iranian officials denied any contact with the US. CBS reported that an Iranian foreign ministry acknowledged receiving points from the US, through mediators, as a potential precursor to talks.
Iran’s Speaker Mohammad Qalibaf however denied any negotiations with the US. In a post on X, he wrote “No negotiations have been held with the US and fake news is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi posted on X that he had “Received a call from President Trump and had a useful exchange of views on the situation in West Asia. India supports de-escalation and restoration of peace at the earliest.
“Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is essential for the whole world,” the post said. “We agreed to stay in touch regarding efforts towards peace and stability.
Fresh strikes were heard in Tehran and also in Bahrain. In Tel Aviv an Iranian strike was reported with several injured. Israel has issued evacuation warnings in South Lebanon as it prepares to take control of the area up to the Litani River, 30-km from the Israel border.
Israel plans to establish a security zone up to the Litani River and displaced Lebanese residents will not be allowed to return until northern Israel is safe. Israel said it had completed a wave of strikes on Lebanese fuel sites, the aim being to deny the same to Hezbollah.
