Iran, US Escalation Continues as Mediators Seek to Prevent Wider War

Tehran (Web Desk)— Iran said on Monday that it was continuing talks with mediators from Qatar, Pakistan and Oman in an effort to prevent further escalation in its conflict with the United States.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the mediators were working to reduce tensions and preserve diplomatic channels between Tehran and Washington.

“The role of the mediators is to continue their efforts to prevent an escalation of tensions,” Baqaei told reporters at a press conference in Tehran.

He warned that Iran would stop following the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States if Washington failed to fulfill its commitments to end the war.

“Each time that the other party has failed to meet its obligations, we did not uphold ours. We will continue to act in this manner,” Baqaei said.

The Iranian spokesman said Tehran had entered negotiations with “meticulousness and seriousness” while considering the interests and concerns of the Iranian people. He added that Iran had always honored its commitments once agreements were reached.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has never been the first to violate its commitments,” Baqaei said, claiming that Iran had fulfilled its obligations under the agreement.

Iran Strikes US Targets in Gulf Region

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched attacks against US military targets in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait in response to American strikes inside Iran.

Iranian state media reported that the IRGC targeted Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan, a US drone command center in Bahrain and military facilities, including Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.

Jordan’s military said it intercepted and destroyed four Iranian missiles that entered its airspace from Iranian territory. Officials said there were no reports of casualties or property damage.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry activated air raid sirens and advised residents to move to safe locations following reported attacks targeting the island nation.

Kuwait’s armed forces also said they were responding to “hostile aerial targets” inside Kuwaiti airspace.

Iran later claimed it had targeted US military facilities in Bahrain and destroyed radar systems in Oman, although the claims have not been independently verified.

US Says It Targeted Iranian Military Capabilities

The US military said it had carried out another round of strikes in Iran aimed at preventing Tehran from attacking shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces targeted Iranian air-defense systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats using fighter aircraft, naval vessels and unmanned systems.

The latest attacks followed around 140 US strikes conducted the previous night, according to CENTCOM.

Iranian media reported American strikes across southern and western parts of the country, including areas near the Strait of Hormuz and Khuzestan province.

Strait of Hormuz Becomes Key Flashpoint

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, has become the center of the escalating confrontation.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that the waterway would remain closed until what it called the end of US intervention in the region.

The US military rejected the claim, saying the strait remained open and that American forces were prepared to protect freedom of navigation.

The renewed fighting began after Iran reportedly attacked a commercial vessel in the strait, forcing its crew to abandon the ship after it caught fire.

International Calls for De-escalation

The conflict has caused growing international concern, with global leaders urging both sides to return to diplomacy.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Iran and the United States to stop the fighting and warned that further escalation could have serious regional consequences.

Oman, which has traditionally maintained relations with both Washington and Tehran, summoned Iran’s ambassador and issued a formal protest following reported attacks on its territory.

The latest developments have further threatened efforts by mediators to revive a diplomatic agreement aimed at ending the conflict.