(AFP) – The latest developments in the Middle East war:
– **Vance says talks failed to reach agreement**
US Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that 21 hours of talks with Iran failed to reach an agreement, stating he was leaving after putting forward a “final and best offer.” “The simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon and will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon,” he told reporters in Islamabad, highlighting the main sticking point for talks moving ahead.
– **Iran says talks hinged on avoiding ‘excessive demands’**
The success of peace talks between the United States and Iran depends on Washington avoiding “excessive” and “unlawful” demands, according to the Iranian foreign ministry’s spokesman. After marathon talks in Islamabad, Esmaeil Baqaei wrote on X, “The success of this diplomatic process depends on the seriousness and good faith of the opposing side, refraining from excessive demands and unlawful requests, and the acceptance of Iran’s legitimate rights and interests.”
– **Iran and US spar over strait**
Iran denied Washington’s claims that two US Navy warships crossed the Strait of Hormuz to clear the strategic waterway of mines. Tehran warned that military ships attempting the passage “will be dealt with severely.” US Central Command’s claim that mine detection operations were already underway was echoed by President Donald Trump, who stated, “we have mine sweepers out there. We’re sweeping the strait.” A fifth of the world’s crude oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
– **Trump says Iran deal ‘makes no difference’**
Trump told reporters Saturday it “makes no difference” if a peace deal comes out of the trilateral US-Iran talks in Pakistan, insisting the United States has already won the war. The 79-year-old Republican’s comments came as Vice President JD Vance was leading the US delegation in Islamabad, with discussions heading into a second day. Earlier, Iranian media reported that the United States was making “excessive demands” on the Strait of Hormuz during the talks.
– **Iran nuclear programme crushed: Netanyahu**
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran had succeeded in “crushing” the Islamic republic’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. “They wanted to strangle us, and (now) we are strangling them. They threatened us with annihilation, and now they are fighting for survival,” he said. He added that he agreed to Lebanese requests for peace talks on two conditions: dismantling Hezbollah’s weapons and establishing a lasting peace agreement.
– **Lebanon death toll past 2,000**
Lebanon’s health ministry reported that the death toll since the onset of the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah has now reached 2,020. This new toll includes 248 women, 165 children, and 85 medical and emergency personnel, with 6,436 people wounded since Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on March 2. Earlier Saturday, reports indicated that Israeli strikes on a village near Sidon in the south killed eight people, following previous strikes that resulted in ten fatalities, including three emergency workers. Israel’s military stated it had targeted over 200 Hezbollah sites in Lebanon in the last 24 hours.
– **Pope denounces warmongers**
Pope Leo condemned warmongers while urging billions globally to embrace peace and “believe once again in love, moderation and good politics.” In one of his most impassioned appeals to end the conflict in the Middle East, the American pope asserted that faith is necessary “in order to face this dramatic hour in history together.”
– **Macron appeal**
French President Emmanuel Macron urged his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian to use the ongoing talks to achieve “a lasting de-escalation.” Macron emphasized the importance of seizing the opportunity presented by the discussions launched in Islamabad to pave the way for a significant agreement that ensures security in the region.
– **Iran says lacks ‘trust’ with US**
Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated shortly after arriving in Pakistan that previous experiences negotiating with the United States have resulted in a lack of trust. “Our experience in negotiating with the Americans has always been met with failure and broken promises,” he was quoted as saying by Iranian state media.
– **Israel won’t discuss ceasefire**
Israel’s US ambassador Yechiel Leiter informed his Lebanese counterpart in Washington that he “refused to discuss a ceasefire with the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” according to a statement following their meeting. However, Israel has “agreed to begin formal peace negotiations” with the Lebanese government, with which it has no diplomatic relations. Lebanon’s presidency announced that a meeting would be held at the US State Department on Tuesday “to discuss declaring a ceasefire and the start date for negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under US auspices.”
© 2024 AFP
