U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear that the ceasefire in the Iran war is "over," but Washington has agreed to continue peace talks with Tehran. Trump made the comments in a Friday morning post, noting that Washington has paused its attacks on Iran in hopes of easing tension between the two countries and letting diplomacy take over.
Despite a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, the two countries traded airstrikes in the past two days. While the U.S. has halted attacks for now, an official said its military is ready to resume fighting if needed. The comments come as Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was buried on Friday at the Imam Reza shrine in the city of Mashhad, after a week-long funeral procession with tens of thousands of Iranians mourning the loss.
President Trump also stated that he has left instructions for the U.S. to strike Iran if he is assassinated by the country, in an interview with a major news outlet. Trump's comments come as banners calling for the president's death hung in the streets of Iran during the funeral procession for slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been engaged in regional diplomacy, discussing developments in the area with senior officials from neighboring countries. Araghchi talked about the Strait of Hormuz in separate calls with Omani and Turkish foreign ministers, as well as the Pakistani Army chief, discussing the aggressive U.S. attacks and stating it violated ceasefire terms.
Israel has shared intelligence with the U.S. that Iran had a plan to assassinate President Trump, according to a news outlet. The Israeli report is said to have been an effort to influence Trump's decision-making as he decides whether to amp up military action against Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated that his country will remain in southern Lebanon "as long as necessary to ensure the security of our communities in the north." Netanyahu also spoke with U.S. President Trump, discussing the U.S. moves in the Gulf and continued coordination between the countries in various sectors.
The U.S. has been attacking Iran and then pausing on purpose to avoid escalation and let diplomacy work, according to an American official. The official stated that Washington is maintaining a target list as leverage, and fighter jets aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln are armed, with pilots practicing drills, staying ready for any potential strikes.
