Iran signaled growing confidence during ongoing ceasefire negotiations with the United States, as diplomatic exchanges continued through regional intermediaries and officials on multiple sides emphasized both the risks of escalation and the need for a negotiated settlement.
Analysts and officials described a tense but restrained environment in which neither Tehran nor Washington appears willing to return immediately to open conflict, while both sides continue signaling readiness for further confrontation if talks fail.
Rob Geist Pinfold, a lecturer at King’s College London, said Iran and its adversaries were caught in a “strange situation” where both sought to avoid renewed war while maintaining pressure through military signaling.
He said Tehran likely believes “its hand is strengthening” and that “time is on its side” because of its influence around the Strait of Hormuz.
Geist Pinfold cautioned against portraying Iran as having total control over the strategic waterway, noting the presence of Oman, the United Arab Emirates and significant US naval forces in the area.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was reviewing Washington’s latest response to Iran’s proposed 14-point framework for a ceasefire agreement.
According to Iran’s Nour News Agency, messages between Tehran and Washington have been exchanged several times through Pakistan.
Iran’s ISNA news agency reported that Pakistani military chief Asim Munir was expected to visit Tehran in an effort to narrow remaining gaps between Iran and the US and help secure a memorandum of understanding.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the crisis could only be resolved through diplomacy that respected Iran’s interests.
She added that Moscow was prepared to assist both Iran and the US in implementing any negotiated outcomes and said Iran alone should determine the future of its uranium stockpiles.
Separately, an Iranian military source told Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency that Tehran possessed advanced domestically produced weapons that had not yet been deployed or tested in combat.
The official said Iran was fully prepared for any escalation with the United States and added, “This time, we do not intend to act with restraint.”
Iran also announced the execution of two men accused of disrupting national security and belonging to what authorities described as a terrorist organization.
Meanwhile, IRNA reported that 20 Iranian sailors held on a vessel captured by the US had returned to Tehran after consultations involving Iran, Pakistan and Singapore.