[ANALYSIS] Iranian War Day 76: US pushes diplomacy, Iranian Foreign Minister says “We do not seek war”

OVERVIEW

• US VP Vance said the US is still focused on a diplomatic pathway with Iran, although Washington continues to insist Tehran must not obtain nuclear weapons.
• Iran warned new confrontations with the US remain possible and said it is preparing new navigation laws for the Strait of Hormuz.
• Reports suggested China and regional actors continued to deepen involvement around the conflict and its wider geopolitical fallout.
• Hezbollah and Israeli operations in southern Lebanon continued alongside wider regional security incidents.

US-IRAN

• Vance said the US thinks it is making progress in talks with Iran and remains focused on diplomacy “for now”.
• Vance reiterated that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons.
• US Secretary of State Rubio said the US hopes to convince China to play a more active role in persuading Iran to back down in the Gulf.
• Iran’s NSC spokesperson said new confrontations with the US are possible and Tehran is preparing legislation regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
• The spokesperson said Iran forced the US to back down and blamed Washington for escalation.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said Iranian forces are prepared to deliver a “crushing and devastating response” to aggressors but added “We do not seek war”.
• Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping provided vessels cooperate with Iranian naval forces.
• Araghchi said Iran hopes the situation ends with the lifting of the “illegal blockade imposed by America”.

IRAN-KUWAIT

• Iran’s Foreign Minister accused Kuwait of unlawfully attacking an Iranian boat and detaining four Iranian citizens in the Persian Gulf.
• Iran said the incident took place near an island allegedly used by the US to attack Iran.
• Tehran demanded the immediate release of the detained Iranians and reserved the right to respond.

SHIPPING

• Iran is reportedly using the Caspian Sea, highways and a railroad to China to bypass the US blockade of Hormuz.
• UKMTO reported a vessel northeast of Fujairah was taken by unauthorised personnel while at anchor and was heading toward Iranian territorial waters.