As the conflict entered its fourth week, Iran stated that it has not held any negotiations or discussions with the United States since the war began. This response came after US President Donald Trump said that Washington and Tehran had engaged in “very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East”.

However, Iranian officials clearly denied this claim, signalling that no diplomatic engagement is currently taking place between the two sides.

Warning Over Strait of Hormuz Escalation

Earlier, Iran’s National Defence Council issued a strong warning. It said that any attack targeting its coastline or islands would trigger serious retaliation.

The council stated that such a move could lead to “all communication lines in the Persian Gulf to be mined”.

This warning comes as a deadline set by Donald Trump for reopening the Strait of Hormuz expires today. The strait remains one of the most critical global shipping routes, especially for oil supplies.

Israeli Strike Destroys Key Bridge in Lebanon

In a separate development, Israel carried out an airstrike that destroyed the Qasimiyah Bridge over the Litani River. The bridge is an important route connecting southern Lebanon to other regions.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reacted strongly to the strike. He described it as a “prelude to ground invasion”.

Rising Tensions Across the Region

The latest developments show that tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate. While diplomatic channels appear stalled, military actions and warnings from multiple sides are increasing concerns about a wider conflict in the region.