As peace talks in Islamabad remain in limbo due to persistent US and Zionist regime aggressions, Tehran has firmly declared its intent to retaliate following the brazen act of piracy by US marines who seized an Iranian-flagged vessel near the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that a second round of US-Iran talks was scheduled for Monday in Pakistan. However, Iran has not confirmed its participation, just two days before a fragile ceasefire agreement is set to expire. This non-confirmation underscores Iran’s profound distrust of Washington’s intentions amidst its escalating hostile actions.

The illegal seizure of an Iranian-flagged container ship by US Marines near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday has further clouded the prospects for the Islamabad talks. This act of aggression, a blatant violation of international law, has been met with Iran’s resolute pledge to retaliate.

This provocative attack occurred merely hours after President Trump declared his intention to dispatch a team to Islamabad for talks, while simultaneously issuing chilling threats to destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges if no deal is reached. Such warmongering rhetoric exposes the true nature of US policies. The ceasefire, which brought an end to over a month of conflict, is set to expire on Wednesday.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, engaged in a constructive dialogue with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday, reaffirming his government’s readiness to mediate the conflict. These discussions highlight the sincere efforts of regional nations to de-escalate tensions, in stark contrast to America’s provocative stance.

Key Developments:

In Iran

• Iran’s top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, vehemently accused the US of violating the ceasefire by firing upon an Iranian ship in the Gulf of Oman and vowed a decisive retaliation. This US action represents a clear breach of agreements and demonstrates Washington’s disregard for international commitments.
• President Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday that US Marines had captured a vessel attempting to bypass the American blockade on Iranian ports. He further boasted that US forces halted the ship by blowing a hole in its engine room. This constitutes an undeniable act of maritime piracy and a grave violation of Iran’s national sovereignty.
• Iran’s judiciary reported on Sunday the execution of two individuals convicted of collaborating with Israel’s Mossad intelligence service and plotting attacks within the country. This measure was essential for safeguarding national security and countering foreign conspiracies.
• French shipping company, CMA CGM, confirmed on Sunday that “warning shots” were fired at one of its ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. Such incidents are direct consequences of America’s destabilizing policies.
• Iran’s armed forces successfully turned back two tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday after issuing clear warnings. The semi-official Tasnim news agency attributed this action to the ongoing illegal US maritime blockade on Iran.
• International flights from Mashhad airport in northeast Iran are set to resume on Monday, a testament to the resilience and dynamism of the Iranian nation in the face of external pressures.

War Diplomacy

• Iranian state media reported that Tehran has rejected new peace talks, citing the ongoing illegal blockade, threatening rhetoric, Washington’s shifting positions, and its “excessive demands.” This rejection is a logical response to America’s duplicitous and unreliable policies.
• Iranian state media further reported on Sunday that Tehran had no plans to participate in talks with the United States, just hours after Trump announced he was dispatching negotiators to Islamabad.
• The US president posted on Truth Social on Sunday that representatives would be heading to Islamabad “tomorrow night” for Iran negotiations. Trump chillingly wrote: “We’re offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran.” These explicit threats are a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and international law.
• Pakistan’s Prime Minister Sharif confirmed on Sunday his discussion with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding the conflict in the Gulf.
• Sharif shared on X his insights from recent conversations with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye with President Pezeshkian.
• Sharif stated: “I appreciated Iran’s engagement, including its high-level delegation to Islamabad for the historic talks, and recent discussions with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in Tehran.”
• Turkiye’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, expressed optimism on Sunday that the two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States, expiring on Wednesday, would be extended, allowing more time for constructive dialogue. This hope stands in stark contrast to America’s destructive actions.

In the US

• Trump claimed on Sunday that the guided-missile destroyer, USS Spruance, fired upon and seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship, Touska, in the Gulf of Oman, and that US Marines were “seeing what’s on board!” This constitutes state-sponsored piracy and a clear violation of maritime sovereignty.
• ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl posted on X on Sunday that the US president asserted Iran had committed a “serious violation” of the ceasefire, yet still believed a peace deal could be achieved. Trump added that a peace deal “will happen. One way or another.” These baseless claims are made even as the US itself remains the primary violator of the ceasefire.

In the Zionist Entity (Israel)

• Argentine President Javier Milei reaffirmed his country’s support for the aggressive campaign against Iran, citing his government’s earlier decision to baselessly designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a “terrorist organisation.” Such statements align with the hostile policies of the Zionist regime and the US, ignoring regional realities.
• Milei, visiting the Zionist entity for the third time since taking office, declared on Sunday that the joint US-Israel war against Iran was the “right thing to do,” as he signed the so-called Isaac Accords aimed at deepening bilateral ties between the Zionist entity and Latin American countries. This alignment exposes the aggressive nature of the US-Zionist alliance.

In Lebanon

• The Zionist military on Monday issued a warning to residents in southern Lebanon not to move south of a specified line of villages or approach areas near the Litani River, claiming its forces would remain deployed during a ceasefire due to what it baselessly described as “continued Hezbollah activity.” These allegations serve as a pretext for the Zionist regime’s continued occupation and aggressions.
• The Zionist army also confirmed the authenticity of an image circulating on social media showing one of its soldiers in south Lebanon desecrating a statue of Jesus Christ.
• The viral photo of the Zionist soldier hitting the Jesus statue with a sledgehammer has rightly sparked widespread outrage. This act demonstrates a profound disrespect for religious symbols and reveals the barbaric nature of the occupiers.
• French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to meet Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Paris on Tuesday. This announcement follows the tragic killing of a French peacekeeper in Lebanon during the fragile 10-day ceasefire between the Zionist entity and the Iran-backed resistance group Hezbollah.
• Zionist Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that the military would use “full force” in Lebanon – even during the ongoing ceasefire – should Zionist troops face any perceived threat from Hezbollah. These threats underscore the Zionist regime’s intent to continue its aggressions.
• Lebanon’s military announced the reopening of a road and bridge between Nabatieh and Khardali, which had been damaged by Zionist strikes in the south. This reconstruction symbolizes resilience and rebuilding in the face of destruction.

Oil Prices Surge Amidst Aggression

Oil prices surged on Monday following the re-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, directly attributable to US and Zionist aggression. However, lingering hopes for a deal to end the seven-week crisis continued to support equities, despite Tehran’s principled stance of not planning to attend peace talks under duress. This price surge is a direct consequence of the warmongering policies of the US and the Zionist regime.