FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Washington struck military targets near the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran acknowledges progress in talks but denies a deal is imminent.
US forces have launched new attacks in southern Iran, hitting missile installations and naval vessels that, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM), were attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
The new military escalation comes as negotiations continue between the United States and Iran on a possible de-escalation deal. Tehran has acknowledged progress in the talks but has rejected claims that a final agreement is imminent.
CENTCOM statement
US Central Command announced that the attacks were carried out in "self-defense", with the aim of protecting US forces from threats that Washington attributes to Iranian armed forces.
CENTCOM spokesman Tim Hawkins stated that the US military "continues to protect our forces, demonstrating restraint during the ceasefire that remains in effect."
According to him, the targets were hit near Bandar Abbas, a port city in southern Iran and an important Iranian naval base in the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by the New York Times.
Earlier, Iranian state media reported that local authorities were investigating reports of explosions in the area. So far, Tehran has not officially reacted to the latest US strikes.
Progress in negotiations, but no agreement
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said progress had been made in talks with the US, but stressed that an agreement to end the crisis "is not imminent."
The statement came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted that an agreement could be reached as early as Monday.
"It is fair to say that we have reached conclusions on a large part of the issues being discussed. But to say that this means that the signing of an agreement is imminent, no one can claim this," Baghaei declared.
The memorandum of understanding being discussed reportedly includes extending the ceasefire for 60 days, the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a new round of negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program.
Trump's statements on enriched uranium
Donald Trump declared that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium must either be handed over to the US or destroyed under international supervision.
In a post on the Truth Social platform, the US president called enriched uranium "nuclear dust" and said it should either be transferred to the US for destruction, or disposed of in the country or at another acceptable location, under the supervision of an international atomic energy body.
Trump did not clarify whether he was referring to just the approximately 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium that Iran is thought to possess, or the country's entire stockpile.
According to American media, US officials are demanding the removal of the entire stockpile of enriched uranium as part of a possible agreement.
Open issues in negotiations
Despite progress in diplomatic contacts, the talks are not expected to immediately lead to a final agreement.
US media report that key issues, such as sanctions relief, the unblocking of frozen Iranian funds and Washington's demands for restrictions on Tehran's nuclear program, will be part of the new negotiations.
CBS News reported that, according to US intelligence services, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in an unknown location, which is making communication with his envoys difficult and slowing down negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Iranian chief negotiator and foreign minister were in Doha for meetings with the Qatari prime minister, according to Reuters.
Fragile ceasefire and pressure on markets
US and Iranian forces have been observing a ceasefire since April 8, but the situation remains very tense.
Iran has maintained control over shipping in the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, while the US Navy has attempted to blockade Iranian ports.
The conflict began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched wide-ranging attacks on Iran. Tehran responded with attacks on Israel and Gulf states considered Washington's allies, while the virtual blockade of the Strait of Hormuz caused severe shocks in international oil markets.
Over the weekend, Trump had hinted that the parties were close to an agreement, but then stated that he had asked negotiators "not to rush."
Despite the new military escalation, the price of US oil fell significantly in Asian markets.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell more than 5% in Tokyo and was trading at $91.33 a barrel at around 03:30 Greek time, down 5.46%.
Meanwhile, Brent crude rose 1.6%, reaching $97.68 per barrel.
Investors appear to be anticipating a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz if negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue to make progress./ Adapted from "Pamphlet", from "Protothema"
Dje Trump tha se gjithçka ishte në rregull. Çfarë ndryshoi? Urani? 200 miljare EUR jo USD! Irani do t'i tregojë vetëm gishtin e mesit Trumpit! Asgjë më shumë.