The UKMTO British maritime security agency said an Iranian gunboat fired at a container ship off the coast of Oman on Wednesday, causing damage but no casualties, marking the latest development in the Middle East conflict amid the extension of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran until further notice.
Just hours before the two-week ceasefire was set to expire, US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the truce with Iran, which had threatened to end oil production in the Middle East if the Islamic Republic faced attacks launched from its Gulf neighbours’ territory.
Trump said that Iran was “financially collapsing” as a result of the closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz.
In this context, the United Kingdom announced that it would host military representatives from approximately 30 countries on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the formation of a joint force, led by London and Paris, to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that the reason for not participating in the negotiations is not hesitation, but rather the contradictory messages, behaviors, and unacceptable actions from the American side.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran is ready for negotiations in Islamabad as soon as Washington lifts its naval blockade and ends its ceasefire violations, quoting Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Amir Saeid Iravani.
IRGC stressed need for vigilance during “silent battlefield” and for monitoring enemy actions during the so-called ceasefire. (Agencies)
