US-Iran tensions deepen despite diplomatic push
Tensions between the United States and Iran remained high on Friday despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, as both sides exchanged sharp rhetoric following recent military activity in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran accused Washington of undermining diplomacy through what it described as provocative military actions in the Gulf, while US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could expand its military operations if negotiations with Tehran fail to produce a final agreement.
According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks during a phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan regarding regional developments.
Araghchi said recent “provocative” US naval actions in the Persian Gulf, along with what he described as offensive rhetoric by senior American officials, had deepened Iranian doubts about Washington’s commitment to diplomacy.
He also accused the US of repeatedly violating the ceasefire, saying such actions were damaging diplomatic efforts and increasing mistrust among Iranians toward US intentions.
The Iranian foreign minister stressed that ending what he called illegal attacks and “unreasonable and excessive approaches” by the opposing side was necessary to move the diplomatic process forward.
Araghchi also briefed Fidan on Iran’s diplomatic initiatives aimed at securing a permanent end to the conflict, according to the report.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, for his part, emphasized the importance of continuing diplomatic engagement and reaffirmed support for efforts to end the war through negotiations.
The diplomatic contacts came amid heightened tensions following overnight exchanges involving Iranian and US forces near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic global shipping route.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump warned that the US could intensify its military posture if an agreement with Iran is not finalized.
“We’ll go a different route if everything doesn’t get signed up, buttoned up,” Trump said.
Asked whether Washington would resume “Project Freedom,” a US naval operation in the region, Trump replied, “I don’t think so,” but added that the US “might do it.”
“We may go back to Project Freedom if things don’t happen,” he said. “It’ll be Project Freedom Plus, meaning Project Freedom plus other things,” without elaborating on the possible additional measures.
Trump said Pakistan, which has been mediating talks between Washington and Tehran, had urged the US not to resume the operation.
Regional tensions have sharply escalated since US and Israeli strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, which triggered retaliatory actions by Tehran against Israel and US allies in the Gulf, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
A ceasefire brokered through Pakistani mediation took effect on April 8, although negotiations in Islamabad have so far failed to secure a permanent settlement. The truce was later extended by Trump without a specified deadline.
Since April 13, the US has maintained a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strategic waterway. Trump announced earlier this week that the US military would temporarily pause “Project Freedom” to help restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while insisting that the American blockade would remain “in full force and effect.”
Source:AA
