Iran intensifies diplomacy as US President Trump hints at renewed strikes

Iran has stepped up diplomatic activity after President Donald Trump suggested the United States could resume large-scale strikes against Tehran. A U.S. official, cited by Axios, said CENTCOM was ready to restart major operations pending orders from Washington. Trump told reporters the U.S. may have to "destroy" the rest of Iran and that the public would "know soon enough" if he acts.

Tehran responded by presenting a new nuclear and peace proposal through Qatari mediators, with a senior Iranian official saying it would be discussed only after Washington meets seven Iranian demands, including sanctions relief, the unfreezing of assets and an end to the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s top security official, Mohsen Rezaei, told Russian officials that the Strait would remain closed and negotiations would not start until those conditions are met.

Iran also deepened its cooperation with Russia. Rezaei met President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, delivering a message from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. While details of the message were not disclosed, Russian media reported that Russia has agreed to supply Iran with helicopter-mounted launchers for precision-guided missiles and has assisted Iran in developing supersonic cruise missiles and other weapons systems.

In parallel, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, held phone calls with foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey, Qatar and Oman to discuss regional stability and de-escalation. The discussions included the safety of maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has granted limited exemptions to Iraq, Qatar, India and China.

Despite a setback for his party in recent U.S. midterm elections, President Trump has not ruled out further strikes. Former Iranian diplomat Hadi Afghahi told Al Jazeera that Trump "really does not want to go to war" but is surrounded by hawkish officials. Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, discussed diplomatic efforts with Trump in a phone call, reviewing Doha-led mediation aimed at a comprehensive regional agreement.

Iran warned that any renewed U.S. aggression would be met with broader retaliation, stating that any country assisting the United States could become a legitimate target. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also reported that several tankers caught fire after striking mines in the Strait of Hormuz, which it attributed to U.S. actions.

The United States maintains a naval presence in the strait and has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, while maritime organisations have not independently confirmed the recent incidents.