US Issues Warning to Iran amid Ongoing Tensions and Ceasefire Talks

Oman's Maritime Security issued a caution on Saturday regarding a suspected floating mine spotted in the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement on social media platform X, officials advised all maritime users to maintain a safe distance from the object and report it to authorities. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping lane, particularly for oil transport.

In an increasingly strained atmosphere, the Iranian military announced that it downed a US drone over Qeshm Island, with state media citing the country’s air defence systems. Mohsen Rezaei, an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, accused US President Donald Trump of undermining diplomacy by maintaining a naval blockade and demanding extreme concessions.

Trump indicated on Friday that he would soon decide on a proposed extension of a ceasefire with Iran. He stated his intention to convene in a secure room at the White House to make a "final determination" regarding a truce that would extend the early-April agreement by another 60 days. This would provide additional time for negotiators to work towards a lasting resolution to ongoing conflicts.

A White House official indicated that Trump aims to secure an agreement that prioritises American interests. He reiterated that Iran must forgo its ambition to develop nuclear weapons. “Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb,” Trump said, insisting that unrestricted shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz must also resume immediately.

Comments from Iranian sources suggested that while a deal might be imminent, significant disagreements remain unresolved, particularly regarding nuclear capabilities. Esmaeil Baghaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, stated that management of the strait should be a matter for Iran and Oman to decide. The Iranian semi-official news agency Fars claimed that Trump's assertions were a bid to falsely display victory.

In a related development, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that a gradual lifting of the blockade could occur. Reports that Iran's frozen assets, estimated at around $12 billion, could be released were also highlighted. However, Trump clarified that no financial transactions would be made until further decisions were reached. Oil prices fell while markets responded positively to news of potential resolution.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for an immediate ceasefire in response to what he termed an escalated Israeli military offensive in southern Lebanon. He condemned what he described as a "scorched-earth policy" by Israel, claiming it endangers both Lebanese and Israeli security. His remarks followed the issuance of new evacuation orders for residents in certain villages in southern Lebanon.

In military dynamics, the United States is reportedly accelerating the process of troop withdrawal from European bases, revealing plans to present these changes to NATO partners next month. The German newspaper Welt am Sonntag cited an unidentified Pentagon source regarding the impending troop reductions, initially announced in May. While there has been no confirmation on the specific timeline for this expedited withdrawal, approximately 35,000 active-duty US troops are stationed in Germany.

Additionally, US military forces intercepted a Gambia-flagged merchant vessel that allegedly attempted to breach the blockade of Iranian ports. Details revealed by an Associated Press report indicated that the vessel ignored explicit warnings and was ultimately disabled in the Gulf of Oman, although no US personnel boarded the ship. These incidents exemplify the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, as diplomatic avenues continue to be explored amidst military confrontations.