While diplomatic efforts continue to end the war that started with the US and Israel's attacks on Iran, negotiation messages and mutual military threats came to the fore between Washington and Tehran at the same time.
In a telephone interview with CNN, US President Donald Trump stated that it is extremely unlikely that new attacks will be launched against Iran if the talks to end the war progress.
In his assessment of the possibility of a new military operation, Trump said, "It depends on whether they sign a very strong agreement. It is extremely unlikely that we will need to attack again." he said.
However, Trump also said that the US has identified infrastructure targets for possible attacks in Iran.
Claiming that there were 38 bridges among these targets, Trump claimed that these bridges could be demolished "literally in an hour."
CNN did not specify which question Trump made these statements in response to.
FROM IRAN TO THE USA: DEAL OR WAR
Following Trump's statements, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi also addressed the Washington administration and announced that Tehran's offer to end the war is still on the table.
Pointing to the results of the November 3 midterm elections in the USA in his post on his X account, Arakçi said, "American voters have made their choices. Now it is the White House's turn to make a choice." he said.
Stating that Iran's offer of an agreement that can be implemented within two days remains valid, Arakchi said, "Accept our demands, including ending the war on all fronts, and see the results." he said.
Iranian Foreign Minister warned that if the USA launches a military attack again, they will respond harshly.
"Or choose war and witness how our alert, battle-experienced warriors will rain down a fiery hell on you," Arakchi said. He addressed Washington with these words:
It is stated that the seven-stage proposal presented by the Tehran administration in September has been rearranged so that it can be implemented within two days. In the indirect negotiations carried out under the mediation of Qatar, ending the war on all fronts and reorganizing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz are among the prominent topics.
THE CLAIM IS THAT THE USA ASKED FOR HELP FROM CHINA TO END THE WAR
While diplomatic contacts between the parties continued, it was claimed that the US administration appealed to China to use its influence on Iran.
According to information by The Washington Post newspaper writer David Ignatius, based on a US official, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with the support of Trump, asked the Beijing administration to help end the war with Iran.
The news stated that the Chinese administration conveyed the message from Washington to Tehran.
It was stated that following the increasing public reaction to the war in the USA and the losses suffered by the Republicans in the midterm elections, finding a diplomatic solution in Iran has become one of the priority issues of the Trump administration.
On the other hand, it has been claimed that the Iran issue will be on the agenda during the meeting that Trump is expected to hold with President Xi Jinping in Shenzhen, China, on November 18. It was claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was also expected to attend the meeting.
DIPLOMACY MOVE FROM CHINA TO REGION COUNTRIES
The Beijing administration has also intensified its diplomatic initiatives to end the conflicts in the Middle East.
China's Special Representative for the Middle East, Zhai Jun, is expected to visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia in order to reduce tensions in the region.
While the Chinese administration calls on the parties to return to negotiations, the effects of conflicts in the region on global energy supply and maritime trade also have an important place in Beijing's diplomatic initiatives.
OIL TANKER CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STRAIT OF HORmuz
While diplomatic initiatives were continuing, it was reported that a new tanker incident occurred in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important transit points of global energy trade.
In the statement made by the Iranian Navy, it was stated that the oil tanker, which was stated to have turned off its navigation and identification systems in the east of the Bosphorus and was traveling on an unauthorized route, hit a sea mine.
It was reported that a fire broke out in the tanker after the impact. Detailed information about the identity of the ship, the cargo it carries and the status of the crew were not shared. The circumstances of the incident could not be verified by independent sources.
Iran announced that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz again on July 12, after the USA resumed its attacks on July 8.
The Tehran administration had warned that it could target ships that pass without permission outside the routes it has determined.
Security issues in the strait, which has strategic importance for global oil transportation, are among the most important topics of the negotiations to end the war.
