Iran questioned the seriousness of American diplomacy on Saturday, May 9 in negotiations to resolve the Middle East conflict, without revealing its response to Washington’s latest proposal. One month after the ceasefire was established, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed skepticism during a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, following new clashes in the waters of the Gulf. “The recent escalation of tensions by US forces and their multiple violations of the ceasefire reinforce suspicions about the motivation and seriousness of the American party in the path of diplomacy,” said Mr. Araghchi, as reported by the Iranian agency Isna.
The Ministry’s spokesperson, Esma’il Bagha’i, mentioned on Friday, May 8 that Tehran was still reviewing the American proposal aimed at ending hostilities permanently. Donald Trump expects to receive a response “very soon,” as reported on Saturday, May 9 by the LCI television channel after a brief meeting with the US president. Trump had already stated the day before that he expected to receive “a letter” in the evening.
Two Tankers Neutralized
Since the start of the war triggered by an Israeli-American attack on Iran on February 28, Tehran has locked the Strait of Hormuz, to which Washington responded by imposing a blockade of Iranian ports on April 13. The US military announced on Friday that it had “neutralized” two Iranian tankers in the Gulf of Oman, the gateway to the strait and a strategic passage for global hydrocarbon trade.
While the vessels were not carrying cargo according to the military, images released by the US central command for the region (Centcom) show thick columns of smoke emanating from the control rooms. Tehran denounced to the UN a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire. A military source cited by Tasnim agency indicated that Iranian forces had retaliated. After exchanges of fire, “calm has returned,” the source confirmed.
The war has claimed thousands of lives, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, and shaken the global economy. The standoff between Tehran and Washington in the Hormuz region has caused oil prices to soar, with the Brent barrel ending the week once again above $100. The UK announced on Saturday that it would “preposition a destroyer in the Middle East,” currently in the Mediterranean, in anticipation of the deployment of a future international security mission for transport in the Strait of Hormuz, a joint initiative with France.
