Iran’s central military command, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, announced on Sunday that it has received intelligence suggesting the United States is preparing to resume military strikes against the country. The warning follows months of reduced direct hostilities after a 60-day memorandum, established in June, expired last month.
In response to the reported threat, Iranian officials stated that any renewed assault would result in retaliation against American bases and interests throughout the Middle East. The military command further cautioned regional nations against providing support to the United States, noting that any country allowing its territory or facilities to be used for such attacks would be considered complicit and subject to an Iranian response.
United States President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that he is currently evaluating his options regarding Iran, which include potential military action, increased economic pressure, or a diplomatic deal. Trump also indicated an openness to meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezskian on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed for New York on Sunday, with a scheduled stopover in Qatar. Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran should utilize military force to secure its position before engaging in diplomacy. Ghalibaf added that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States fulfills previous commitments.
Tehran has communicated to mediators from Qatar and Pakistan that conditions for resuming negotiations include an end to US attacks, the release of frozen Iranian funds, and the lifting of the naval blockade on Iranian ports. Qatar continues to mediate between the two nations, with officials reporting that they are exchanging proposals to restart talks.
The ongoing confrontation has significantly impacted the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy shipments. Shipping data indicates that vessel traffic through the strait has declined, with 12 commodity ships crossing over the weekend compared to 35 during the previous weekend.
Article source: www.aljazeera.com | Image credit: www.aljazeera.com