US and Iran May Resume Talks Next Week Amid Escalating Gulf Tensions

The United States and Iran may resume negotiations as early as next week in Islamabad, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter. Both sides are working through mediators on a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding intended to launch a month-long negotiating process to end the ongoing conflict, with sanctions relief for Tehran remaining a key point of contention.

A tenuous ceasefire held Saturday following US strikes on two Iranian oil tankers, while Bahraini authorities announced the arrest of 41 individuals alleged to have links to Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Bahrain, a Sunni-led kingdom with a majority Shia population and host to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, has faced criticism from rights groups accusing it of using the war to suppress dissent. Iran responded with a warning: Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran's parliamentary national security commission, said on social media that siding with US-backed resolutions would bring "severe consequences" and cautioned against risking the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The UK's defence ministry said it is deploying the warship HMS Dragon to the region to support a potential mission protecting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after hostilities cease. The vessel will "preposition" in the area ahead of a UK and French-led security initiative, following France's decision to move its aircraft carrier strike group into the Red Sea.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that Tehran was not recognizing any deadlines set by the US for a response to its proposal. A senior Iranian official added that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was in "complete health" and would eventually make a public appearance. The court will resume hearing on Tuesday.