Iran says contacts with US continue despite diplomatic impasse as Trump pauses military escalation
Iran says it remains in contact with the United States through indirect message exchanges but argues that conditions for formal negotiations no longer exist, accusing Washington of undermining diplomacy through military action.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told Austria's ORF television that Iran's immediate priority is safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity and population rather than pursuing negotiations.
"We are exchanging messages, but our priority now is defending Iran's sovereignty, territorial integrity and people," Baqaei said.
He argued that recent US military operations had destroyed the conditions necessary for diplomacy, describing them as part of an "illegal war" and accusing Washington of failing to honor previous understandings. Baqaei also criticized European signatories to the 2015 nuclear agreement, saying they had failed to fulfill their commitments after the United States withdrew from the deal and "owe Iran a great debt."
Dispute over Strait of Hormuz intensifies
The strategic Strait of Hormuz has emerged as another focal point of the dispute between Tehran and Washington.
Iran said early Monday that six vessels attempted to transit the southern route of the strait after switching off their navigation and positioning systems, describing the move as "illegal and unsafe."
According to Iranian state media, one vessel was involved in an unspecified incident, while the remaining five were redirected into the Persian Gulf under Iranian control. Iranian officials alleged the ships were attempting to provoke US forces operating in the area, although no details were released regarding the vessels' identities, flags or crews. The US military did not immediately comment on the claims.
Baqaei said Iran remains committed to ensuring the security of international shipping but insisted it would not allow the waterway to be used in ways that threaten the country's national security.
The competing positions reflect broader disagreements over navigation through the strait. Washington has called for unrestricted maritime passage, while Tehran maintains that vessels should use a shipping channel near the Iranian coast under a navigation mechanism administered by Iran.
Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said a naval blockade against Iran remains in effect. According to the command, US forces had redirected 12 commercial vessels attempting to breach the blockade by July 25, disabled two vessels that failed to comply and boarded two others for compliance inspections.
CENTCOM also said US forces recently boarded the Comoros-flagged tanker *M/T Charminar* before allowing it to continue its voyage and disabled the Mozambique-flagged *M/T Lavine* after its crew allegedly ignored repeated warnings.
Trump pauses broader military campaign
As diplomatic contacts continue indirectly, multiple US media reports indicate President Donald Trump has temporarily halted plans for a broader military escalation against Iran.
According to reports by *The New York Times*, CNN, *The Wall Street Journal* and Axios, senior military officials advised Trump against expanding the conflict, citing concerns over dwindling stocks of Patriot interceptor missiles and other munitions, the risk of significant civilian casualties, possible regional escalation and humanitarian consequences.
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reportedly warned that while expanded military operations remained feasible, they would substantially reduce US air defense capabilities protecting American personnel and regional allies. Officials also expressed concern that attacks on civilian infrastructure could leave millions of Iranians without electricity, food and essential services, while increasing the risk of refugee flows and retaliatory attacks against Gulf energy infrastructure.
Separately, Axios reported that CENTCOM Commander Gen. Brad Cooper concluded that nearly two weeks of intensive air operations had significantly reduced Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping and that most designated military targets had already been struck, reducing the strategic value of continued bombardment without a major escalation.
No US or Iranian strikes were reported for a second consecutive night following the reported decision to suspend additional attacks.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump was allowing "some space" for diplomatic discussions with Iran.
Trump leaves door open to renewed military action
Despite the reported operational pause, Trump indicated that military action remains an option.
In an interview with France's LCI television, the US president said he would resume a full-scale war with Iran "if we don't get 100% of what we want, absolutely."
Trump also defended US military readiness, dismissing concerns about ammunition shortages by saying the United States possesses "far more munitions than anyone in the world, and far more than we need."
The president also criticized the European Union over regulatory actions targeting major US technology companies and again threatened to impose tariffs on the bloc.
Pentagon reporting changes raise transparency questions
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has introduced a new casualty reporting category that separates more recent losses in the Iran conflict from earlier figures.
The Defense Casualty Analysis System now includes an "Overseas Operations" category covering casualties since July 7, one day before Trump declared a ceasefire with Iran to be over. The new category records four deaths and 207 injuries.
Combined with figures listed under "Operation Epic Fury," the overall reported US toll stands at 18 military personnel killed and 624 wounded since the conflict began on Feb. 28.
The reporting change follows media reports questioning the Pentagon's handling of casualty disclosures. *The New York Times* reported that the department had revised casualty figures on its website, while CNN reported fluctuations in the military database.
Twelve Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee have requested clarification from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the reporting changes.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the department is working to resolve systematic issues affecting the casualty database, while officials have not publicly explained why recent losses are now being reported under a separate category.
Source:AA
