Key facts
- Negotiations between Iran and the US are facing delays due to security concerns and Israeli actions in southern Lebanon.
- Pakistan's Prime Minister expects a deal to be finalized within 24 hours.
- Iran's top negotiator vowed to stand firm until victory, accusing the US and Israel of targeting civilians.
- A tanker was struck by a projectile off the coast of Oman.
- Israel conducted air raids and issued new displacement orders in southern Lebanon.
- A senior Iranian scholar cautioned negotiators to adhere to the supreme leader's directives.
Talks between Iran and the United States aimed at reaching an agreement are encountering delays, complicated by regional conflicts and security concerns. Pakistan, which has been mediating the discussions, anticipates a potential finalization of the deal within the next 24 hours, followed by electronic signing and technical discussions.
Despite the progress in US-Iran negotiations, military activity in southern Lebanon has not ceased. The Israeli military claims to have struck over 70 Hezbollah sites in the past day, reporting the killing of fighters and destruction of rocket launchers. The Lebanese army stated that a soldier was severely injured in a double Israeli attack. At least five people have been killed in separate Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon.
Adding to the cautious atmosphere, a senior Iranian scholar, Ayatollah Mohsen Araki, has advised Iranian negotiators to remain within the framework of the supreme leader's directives and red lines, emphasizing the need to demonstrate power. Meanwhile, Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has vowed to stand firm until victory, accusing the US and Israel of targeting civilians.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile six nautical miles east of Oman. The crew is reported safe, and authorities are investigating the incident. The Israeli military also reported the fall of a suspicious aerial target in southern Lebanon and activated air raid alerts due to a hostile aircraft.