Talks between the United States and Iran to end the ongoing war are still on track despite renewed hostilities between both sides that threatened to derail a delicate ceasefire since April, according to a report.
The United States military launched a new round of strikes against targets in Iran after US President Donald Trump warned that American forces would continue attacking the country after Tehran shot down a US Army helicopter. Iran launched counterattacks at 18 US military targets at airbases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain.
Despite the exchange of fire, talks to reach a deal between the US and Iran are still on track after overnight negotiations, a diplomatic source familiar with the situation told CNN. This came despite Iran’s repeated threats of a harsher response in response to Trump’s aggressive rhetoric.
Efforts to reach a preliminary deal have intensified as negotiators discuss a mechanism to release frozen Iranian funds, Reuters reported citing Iranian sources and a European official.
Iran Declares Hormuz ‘Closed Until Further Notice’
Furthermore, Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), an Iranian government agency tasked with overseeing transit through the vital Strait of Hormuz, said the waterway was “closed until further notice.”
“Due to the tensions created by the US aggression forces in the region and the announcement by the Iranian armed forces last night, the strait of Hormuz will be closed until further notice,” it said.
The US military had earlier disputed Iran’s closure claim, saying that commercial ships continue to transit in and out of the strait.
Three Indians Killed After US Strike On Tanker
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed on Thursday that three Indian seafarers have been killed after a US strike on an Iran-linked oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday.
“It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello. Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified,” said Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Iran Denies Reaching Final Deal
Meanwhile, Iran’s Tasnim news agency has denied reports that Iran and the United States had reached a final text for an understanding, calling the reports “fabrication.” Tasnim cited what it said was information obtained by its reporter and said the reports were not accurate.
This came after Iran’s foreign ministry said that recent US attacks on Iran have effectively rendered the April 8 ceasefire “meaningless“, and warned that Washington would bear responsibility for the “very dangerous consequences of the escalation.”
Iran Attack Injures One In Bahrain
Bahrain’s interior ministry said an 11-year-old girl was injured from falling debris after Iranian drones were intercepted by air defences in the capital Manama and Hamad Town, according to The Guardian.
Moreover, the Jordanian military said its air defence systems intercepted 20 missiles launched from Iran. “The interception resulted in the fall of missile debris in the area, but no injuries or material damage were reported,” a military official said.
Escalation Alarms Regional Players
Meanwhile, the recent escalation in the war sparked alarm in other countries. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres likened the ceasefire to a “lesser-fire” and urged all parties to “work towards a diplomatic settlement.”
Pakistan said the country will continue with mediation efforts to end the war despite an escalation in hostilities between the US and Iran. Turkey has also called on the United States and Iran to halt their new round of attacks.
