The United States and Iran could resume negotiations as early as next week in Islamabad, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing people familiar with the matter. The report said that the two sides are working through mediators on a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding that aims to establish a framework for a month-long negotiation process aimed at ending the conflict.
One major sticking point is the scope of potential sanctions relief on Tehran.Meanwhile, a fragile ceasefire appeared to be holding on Saturday after the US struck two Iranian oil tankers, while Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s regional headquarters, said it had arrested 41 people it claimed were linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Bahrain is led by a Sunni monarchy, but, like Iran, has a Shiite majority.
Rights groups said the kingdom used the war as a pretext to suppress dissent.
Iran issued a warning to Bahrain. Ibrahim Azizi, head of the National Security Committee in the Iranian parliament, said on social media: “Siding with the resolution supported by the United States will have serious consequences. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital lifeline; do not risk closing it to yourselves forever.”The British Ministry of Defense said it would send a warship to join a possible mission to protect commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities end.
The ministry said that the ship HMS Dragon will be stationed in the region, ready to join the security plan led by the United Kingdom and France. France announced this week that it would move its aircraft carrier strike group to the Red Sea.In response to voices from the United States that they expect a response to their proposal soon, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the country does not care about “deadlines.” A senior Iranian official also said that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in “full health” and will eventually appear in public. Agencies