The United States and Iran have agreed to resume diplomatic negotiations even as their fragile ceasefire unravels, with President Donald Trump confirming that Washington accepted Tehran's request to continue talks while stressing the truce is over.
Tensions remain acute following renewed hostilities triggered by Iranian attacks on three commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz this week. Qatari negotiators met Iranian officials in Tehran on Thursday to de-escalate the crisis, while Iran's Foreign Minister traveled to Oman for further discussions. Daily tanker traffic through the strait has slowed, though dozens of vessels continue to transit. Unclaimed airstrikes hit Iranian territory even after Washington said its campaign had concluded, raising questions about other actors.
The conflict, which began on Feb. 28 with US and Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, pressed on as the late leader was buried in Mashhad on Wednesday. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Tehran is prepared for comprehensive defense if Washington violates the June memorandum. The US Treasury sanctioned Dubai-based banker Ali Ansari for financially supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.