Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that indirect talks between Washington and Tehran over a potential deal to resolve the Iran War had seen “a little bit of movement, and that’s good,” as a ceasefire to the conflict entered its 45th day on Friday.
Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir departed for Tehran on Friday to discuss the status of peace negotiations. His visit comes as Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi held another meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Friday.
Bloomberg reported Thursday that Iran felt the latest U.S. deal proposal has “narrowed the gaps,” citing the Iranian Student News Association. ISNA did not disclose the source for that information.
Reuters reported that Iran’s conditions to end the conflict, per the proposal over the weekend, have not changed. Iran seeks sanctions relief, the release of frozen funds, the exit of U.S. forces from areas close to Iran, an end to the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, where Israel has waged a deadly military campaign.
The New York Times reported Thursday that Iran and Oman are in discussions over a joint system to charge vessels fees for transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio rejected the proposal, saying it would make a deal “unfeasible,” while President Donald Trump has said he wants the strait “free.”
The Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao told Congress on Thursday that the Pentagon would pause a planned $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan “in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury—which we have plenty.”
The decision comes after Iran War hostilities drained critical missile stockpiles including more than half of America’s prewar inventory of Patriot interceptors, and also follows requests from Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Trump last week in Beijing that the U.S. not arm Taiwan.
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The Washington Post reported Thursday, based on Pentagon assessments described to the outlet by U.S. officials, that the U.S. has expended more than 200 THAAD interceptors, roughly half its total inventory, defending Israel during the conflict, while Israel fired fewer than 100 of its own Arrow interceptors. “Israel is not capable of fighting and winning wars on its own, but nobody actually knows this, because they never see the back end,” one administration official told the Post.
The price of Brent Crude oil was above $104 on Friday morning as gas prices remained elevated. AAA reported the national average price of regular gas at $4.55 per gallon.
Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon killed seven paramedics, a photojournalist, and at least two civilians on Thursday, with additional Israeli airstrikes reported on Friday. The Israeli military activated warning sirens on Friday morning due to expected Hezbollah attacks.
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