Iran has tied any possible diplomatic opening with the US to clear guarantees that war will not resume, adding fresh pressure to an already tense regional backdrop. A meeting between US and Iranian officials had been expected by some observers, yet no formal announcement was issued. Tehran denied the negotiation narrative, while Trump said throughout the week that talks had been taking place.
Tehran disputes claims that talks are underway
According to Tasnim, one source described the negotiation reports as a “deception project.” At the same time, the report noted that senior-level contacts have often happened behind closed doors in past episodes. With Trump’s ultimatum set to expire on Saturday, attention is now fixed on whether Iran will make a concrete move; absent progress, the risk of escalation remains in view.
Iran sets conditions for any diplomatic track
Iran’s demands were laid out in direct terms. Tasnim said Tehran wants any halt in hostilities to apply across all fronts, including those involving resistance groups. Iranian officials also insisted that the country’s legal sovereign rights over the Strait of Hormuz must be recognized, and that other parties must provide assurances they will honor their commitments. Iran also said attacks and assassinations by its adversaries must stop.
Tehran is waiting for a response to its position on the latest US proposal. In an update released at 16:58, a senior Iranian official said the US proposal had been delivered through Pakistan, and Iran’s initial reply was also sent back through Pakistan. In Iran’s view, the proposal was “one-sided and unjust,” serving only US and Israeli interests and lacking the basic conditions needed for a workable outcome.
Arakchi’s Hormuz remarks sharpen the message
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi gave more detail on Tehran’s approach to the strategic waterway. He said Iran had allowed passage through the Strait of Hormuz for countries it considers friendly, naming China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan. He added that Iran saw no reason to allow an enemy to use the strait. Arakchi also said Tehran had warned all countries that any deployment of hostile armed forces in the region would raise tensions.
He called on neighboring states not to let their land or waters be used against Iran. Arakchi said Iran does not target its neighbors, but instead focuses on American bases and interests. He also said that even in infrastructure warfare, Iran had only targeted assets with American stakeholders.
Turkey and Pakistan continue to look for common ground
The same senior Iranian official said there is still no consensus on launching negotiations, and that planning a meeting at this stage would not be realistic. Turkey and Pakistan are still trying to establish common ground between Tehran and Washington. Iran’s message remains mixed: it rejects the idea that talks are ready to proceed, yet says diplomacy has not stopped; if Washington chooses pragmatism, a viable route could still emerge.
The source article also noted that debate in Turkey over new cryptocurrency tax measures is ongoing, while price swings in digital assets such as Bitcoin reflect the region’s uncertainty. No additional tax details or market figures were provided in the report.