By Desmond Nleya
The United States says it is keeping communication channels open with Iran, but President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington is taking a cautious approach while economic pressure on Tehran increases.
Trump said the US was “semi-negotiating” with Iran, suggesting that formal discussions remain limited as both sides remain divided over key issues.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, however, said there are currently no direct negotiations between Tehran and Washington. Iran has also maintained that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US meets its demands, including lifting the naval blockade.
The tensions come amid continued uncertainty across the region, with the dispute over the strategic waterway raising concerns about its potential impact on global energy supplies and regional security.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a US-brokered 15-point peace proposal aimed at ending the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu said Israel would not withdraw its forces until Hamas is fully disarmed, putting him at odds with the US initiative and raising fresh questions over efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire.
The rejection comes as Gaza continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis, with civilians struggling to access food and other basic necessities.
Elsewhere, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement has renewed attacks in the Red Sea. At least seven people were reportedly killed in an attack on the port of al-Makha, which is controlled by Yemen’s internationally recognised government, according to an army spokesman.
The latest developments highlight the increasingly interconnected crises stretching from Iran and the Strait of Hormuz to Gaza and the Red Sea, with diplomatic efforts facing major obstacles and the risk of further regional escalation remaining high.
Source: Aljazeera
