Iran Says Diplomacy Channels Remain Open Amid Tensions

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, stated that diplomatic channels with the United States remain open, with messages being passed through intermediaries. This comes as concerns rise about a potential escalation of conflict in the Middle East, particularly with crucial elections approaching in the United States and Israel. Baghaei indicated that while diplomacy persists, the U.S. appears to maintain unilateral demands, including the phrase "complete surrender," which he asserted is unacceptable to Iran.

President Donald Trump addressed the possibility of a strike against Iran, initially responding cryptically before stating, "No. There will not be a strike today." Concurrently, the head of the U.S. Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, was observed over the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting that over 3,000 commercial vessels have transited the waterway with U.S. military support in the past six months.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated warnings that Iran or its proxies might launch attacks ahead of Israel's close elections on Tuesday, citing intelligence. He asserted that the Israeli military is prepared for both defense and offense, promising disproportionate retaliation.

Reports emerged Sunday night of a confrontation between Netanyahu and his military chief of staff over a political directive related to Iran, shortly before the election. The report, aired on Channel 12, caused concern among some Israelis, including Netanyahu's chief rival, Gadi Eisenkot. Some critics have suggested that Netanyahu, facing the possibility of losing power, might be inclined to initiate an attack on Iran to influence the election outcome. Netanyahu dismissed the report as "nonsense" in an appearance on another channel, with no immediate military comment.

In other regional developments, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has resumed receiving lists of Palestinian detainees from the occupied West Bank and Gaza. This follows an order from the Israeli Supreme Court for the government to reinstate the practice and allow ICRC visits to detainees in Israeli prisons. These practices had been suspended since the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza. While lists are being received, ICRC spokesperson Gilad Grossman noted that prison visits had not yet resumed but expressed hope for their near-future restart. Thousands of Palestinians were detained in the West Bank and Gaza following the Oct. 7 attacks; around 9,000 remain imprisoned or detained under harsh conditions.

Meanwhile, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reported that terminals 1 and 2 were open for domestic and international flights, after Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen fired drones and missiles toward the Saudi capital. Saudi military spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki confirmed that air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile and a drone targeting Riyadh. Debris from intercepted missiles in other areas wounded two people and damaged property.

The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks, including one on King Khalid air base, stating they were a response to "Saudi aggression." The Saudi-backed Yemeni government later accused the Houthis of targeting displacement camps near Aden with ballistic missiles.

In Gaza, Israeli strikes resulted in seven reported deaths, according to Palestinian hospital officials. The Israeli military has not yet commented on these reports. The Ministry of Health in Gaza, run by Hamas, states that over 1,500 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began, with women and children comprising nearly half of the casualties, though the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants.