Iran war day 85: Tehran says big gaps still remain in US talks | US-Israel War on Iran News

Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir has arrived in Tehran as efforts to secure a US-Iran peace deal intensify.

Pakistan’s most powerful army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran on Friday while diplomatic efforts to establish a peace agreement between Iran and the United States are gaining momentum. Pakistani officials say they are taking on an increasingly important role as mediators as governments push to stop a major conflict.

But Iranian officials have played down hopes of a quick victory. A spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the differences between Tehran and Washington remain “deep and important”, indicating that major obstacles still stand in the way of a deal.

Meanwhile, anger is growing over Israel’s treatment of Gaza activists after organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla said at least 15 prisoners had reported abuse, including rape, following their capture by Israeli forces in international waters. The allegations have increased international scrutiny over Israel’s crackdown on Palestinian activists and detainees.

Here’s what we know:

In Iran

• Hormuz ‘security guard’: Iran has said that the fines and fees associated with transit through the Strait of Hormuz are part of the “security” provided to ships crossing the waterway, as Tehran rejects US threats of escalation and seeks to control what it calls “new realities”. Iranian officials said more than 30 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz in cooperation with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a day earlier.
• It was just ‘important’: An Iranian official said a ceasefire “on all sides” is essential to any future talks with the US, stressing that no final agreement has been reached despite efforts to bridge the gap between Tehran and Washington. The source added that having a good relationship alone is “not enough” to secure a deal.

Discussions of war

• ‘Conversion’: Iran has said that diplomatic talks with the US have reached a climax, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei citing the presence of Pakistani officials in Tehran as part of efforts to reach a peace deal. He said Iran would not openly discuss nuclear talks after previous talks “led us to war”, and reiterated Tehran’s right to pursue peaceful nuclear power.

• Penalties are not very important: An Iranian official says ending hostilities, lifting the US border and ensuring stability in the Strait of Hormuz are Tehran’s top priorities in ongoing peace talks, stressing that lifting oil export sanctions and freezing cargo are “not our priorities”. The official also praised Qatar’s role in supporting Pakistan-led efforts.

• UN pushes Hormuz: France has drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an international operation to restore ships through the Strait of Hormuz, while the competing US-Bahrain proposal is facing the opposition of Russia and China, which have indicated they could block it. The dispute over the management of the waterway has become a major obstacle in the effort to end the US-Israel war on Iran amid rising oil prices and disruption of shipping.

In the US

• Diplomatic efforts continue: The US said “progress” has been made in talks with Iran, although major differences remain over Tehran’s heavy uranium program and control of the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan and Qatar will step up pressure on Tehran as Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns Washington still has “other options” if talks fail.
• Domestic pressure increases: Jason Campbell of the Middle East Institute said President Donald Trump is facing increasing pressure to end the war with Iran as oil prices rise and US midterm elections approach, although Trump insists the conflict will “end soon”. Campbell said Tehran believes it can withstand long-term economic and security pressures, while “time is neutral” in the White House.

In Lebanon and Gaza

• US sanctions on Lebanon: Washington has imposed sanctions on nine people in Lebanon, including two soldiers accused of links to Hezbollah, although the US continues to mediate between Lebanese and Israeli officials.
• Dangers in Lebanon: Israel’s airstrikes in southern Lebanon have killed at least 11 people, including several medical workers and aid workers, in the latest attack on a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. The strikes took place in several locations in the province of Tyre, including Deir Qanoun en-Nahr, Hannaouiyah and Nabatieh, where Israel says it will continue to target Hezbollah despite the deal.

• Lebanon’s economy has been disrupted by the war: Business owners in Lebanon say the wars involving Israel, Hezbollah and Iran are exacerbating the country’s economic woes, as rising oil and supply prices are fueling inflation and destroying livelihoods. In Beirut, barber Mario Habib says rising generator, petrol and commodity prices have slowed business, as economists warn Lebanon’s recovery could end if the conflict continues.

• Hamas criticizes Israel for wanting to flee Palestine: Hamas leader Osama Hamdan said Israel’s war on Gaza was aimed at “ending the Palestinian presence” in the region and not just occupying it, rejecting Hamas’s calls for disarmament and warning that the Palestinians would continue to resist what he said was an attempt to force them to leave their country.