Tehran reports diplomatic stalemate with Washington as Kuwait suffers casualties from Iranian strikes
Iran defends Gulf attacks as self-defence while Israel conducts drone operations in Lebanon following a renewed ceasefire agreement
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has confirmed that diplomatic discussions with the United States have yielded no progress, although he emphasised that communication channels between the two nations remain open. Speaking on day 97 of the ongoing conflict, Araghchi addressed the escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, noting that while negotiations have stalled, dialogue has not been severed.
Araghchi vigorously defended Iran’s recent missile and drone attacks against US allies in the Gulf region, characterising the operations as acts of self-defence. He issued a stern warning to international counterparts, stating that additional sanctions or further military action would not alter Tehran’s strategic course or compel a change in policy.
The human cost of these hostilities was underscored by reports from Kuwait, which confirmed that Iranian missile and drone attacks on Wednesday resulted in one fatality and more than 60 injuries. The casualty figures highlight the tangible impact of the conflict on regional neighbours as the diplomatic impasse continues.
In a separate development within the broader regional conflict, Israel carried out drone attacks on Lebanon. These strikes occurred following an agreement to renew a ceasefire between the two parties. The timing of the operations adds complexity to the fragile security arrangement, which had previously been contingent on the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces.
The situation in Lebanon remains precarious, with historical context indicating that US President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to decouple discussions regarding Lebanon from the wider war with Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have previously warned that any attack on Beirut would trigger a full-scale resumption of hostilities, and Hezbollah officials have reiterated their refusal to accept a partial ceasefire.
