Iranian Security Chief Mohsen Rezaee declared that not a single gram of enriched uranium will be removed from Iran. He stated there will be no negotiations until the United States takes steps to build trust by fulfilling Tehran's conditions.

Rezaee emphasized that the process must begin with the complete fulfillment of all Iran's conditions, though he did not outline specific details in his initial statement. This stance aligns with earlier remarks from Iranian officials who noted that while the US accepted some of seven key demands, the response remained inadequate for Tehran.

Core Demands for Negotiations

According to reports, Iran's preconditions for resuming talks with Washington include:

• Lifting the US blockade on Iranian ports
• Removing sanctions on oil exports
• Ending hostilities across regional fronts

These demands are directly tied to Tehran's position on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The US has imposed significant restrictions via sanctions under the Treasury Department's "Operation Economic Outcast," led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Diplomatic Engagements and Sanctions

Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir met with top Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. During these discussions, Tehran reiterated its demand for Washington to lift sanctions and port blockades before entering negotiations.

President Pezeshkian explicitly stated that Trump must remove pressure, lift sanctions, and end threats to Iran. The diplomatic impasse highlights the continued tension surrounding nuclear efforts and regional security dynamics.

Iran has changed its offensive tactics in the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to maintain elevated global oil prices and influence the upcoming November US midterm elections. This strategic shift follows a series of recent attacks on regional shipping and infrastructure.

The new approach involves using unarmed spotters in small boats to identify targets, a response to the degradation of Iran's radar capabilities by prior US strikes. Iranian officials confirmed that operations will expand beyond the strait into the Gulf of Oman and other waters. The stated objective is to frustrate efforts by the United States and its allies to bring down global oil prices.

Houthis strike Saudi Arabia for third consecutive day

The Houthis followed up with strikes on Thursday in Saudi Arabia, forcing residents to take cover for a third consecutive day. A Saudia Airlines commercial plane was heavily damaged by fire at an airport terminal after being struck by shrapnel from an interception or another projectile at Riyadh's international airport.

The following table summarises the key incidents reported across the region:

Two tankers set ablaze south of Hormuz

Reuters, citing Iran's Revolutionary Guards' Navy, reported that two tankers were set ablaze by mines. The vessels were brought to a halt south of the Strait of Hormuz. This incident underscores the expanding geographic scope of maritime disruptions beyond the primary chokepoint.

Rising attacks threaten key oil routes

The latest incidents add to a week of worsening tensions across major energy corridors. Over the past weekend, Saudi Arabian and Yemeni government forces launched a counteroffensive against the Houthis after the group seized territory weeks earlier. The Houthis aim to retake the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital route for Saudi oil exports, and have struck a Saudi Aramco refinery. The group could also target Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, which recently resumed operations.

Shipping risks expanded beyond the Strait of Hormuz. Brett Erickson, Managing Principal at Obsidian Risk Advisors, warned that a reported fire aboard a Marshall Islands-flagged supertanker near Fujairah could threaten ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Gulf of Oman. He said disrupting the network, which is also used by shadow fleets to evade sanctions, could severely affect regional oil flows, stating, "It's game over."

At the time of writing, crude oil prices reflected the heightened uncertainty, with both benchmarks rising despite previous volatility:

US-Iran tensions rise despite ongoing talks

Donald Trump said the U.S. will not take military action against Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, citing ongoing and productive discussions with Tehran. U.S. officials believe delaying a decision on renewed military action could pressure Iran into making major concessions, particularly on its nuclear program, according to the Wall Street Journal.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Al Jazeera that Trump still wants a diplomatic resolution but that Iran must decide whether to negotiate or face further consequences. Pigott reiterated Washington’s position that Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon. He noted that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have surpassed pre-conflict levels, excluding Iranian oil, which remains under a U.S. blockade.

Pigott also rejected reports that Iran transferred $200 million to Hezbollah last month, alleging the group’s remaining revenue comes from drug trafficking and cooperation with criminal cartels rather than Iranian financial support. Washington stated it would honor its commitments to Saudi Arabia amid escalating Houthi attacks, while declining to disclose any potential U.S. response.

Andreas Krieg of King's College London told the publication that Iran is escalating pressure as Washington strengthens its rhetoric and military posture, even as both sides keep diplomacy open. He warned that efforts to gain leverage could trigger a wider war if a serious incident occurs. "This is precisely what makes the moment so dangerous," he said.