Key facts
- Middle East peace talks are in doubt following US air strikes on Iran.
- President Trump threatened further strikes if Iran does not immediately agree to a peace deal.
- Despite the attacks, Iranian sources report intensified preliminary talks focused on releasing frozen funds.
- The US military conducted strikes on Iranian surveillance, communication, and air defense sites.
- Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed counter-attacks on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
Middle East peace talks face uncertainty after Iran announced it would reassess its participation following overnight US strikes. President Donald Trump threatened renewed and harder strikes if Tehran does not immediately agree to a peace deal, accusing negotiators of deception. Despite the escalating hostilities, which have included tit-for-tat attacks and US strikes on Iranian military capabilities, Iranian sources indicated that preliminary negotiations have intensified.
The US military stated its strikes targeted surveillance, communication, and air defense sites across Iran in response to "unwarranted and continued aggression." Trump indicated that strikes would cease shortly but would resume if an agreement was not signed immediately. In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have launched counter-attacks on multiple US military targets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
Negotiations are reportedly focusing on a mechanism for releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds, with Iran seeking $6 billion to $12 billion and Washington preferring staged releases for humanitarian goods. Iran's broader demands include an end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, sanctions relief, and recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump insists Iran must cease shipping restrictions and prevent nuclear weapon development.
US Central Command denied claims that the Strait of Hormuz was closed or that its ships were struck, asserting that commercial vessels continue to transit. The US has maintained a blockade on Iranian ports, recently firing on a tanker carrying oil from Iran, which resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors. Iranian news agencies reported explosions in several cities, causing injuries.