By Staff Reporter

US President Donald Trump has denied that Washington is negotiating with Tehran, saying the escalating situation involving Iran will be resolved “fairly soon” as attacks and military threats raise tensions across the Gulf.

Trump made the remarks as Iran reported attacks on vessels involved in oil transfers in the Gulf, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened to invade any country that attacks Iran.

The IRGC said its navy had struck four ships involved in oil transfers and claimed that three other vessels caught fire after hitting mines near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

The military also announced a shift towards an “offensive and asymmetrical” defence doctrine, according to its spokesman, Hossein Mohebi, warning countries against launching attacks on Iran.

Meanwhile, Israeli fighter jets reportedly conducted a training exercise along Iran’s western borders in what US media reports described as a demonstration of military strength.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remained committed to pursuing a peaceful settlement but was fully prepared to defend itself against any attack.

The growing regional tensions have also affected Saudi Arabia, where two people were killed and two others injured by falling debris after air defences intercepted a drone targeting the Shaybah oilfield in the southeast of the country.

In a separate incident, one person was killed and eight others injured in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

Trump’s remarks come amid mounting security concerns over the Gulf region, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international shipping route for global oil supplies.

Source: Al Jazeera