Iran confirmed that it is continuing negotiations with intermediaries from Qatar, Pakistan and Oman to prevent further escalation in the conflict with the US, AFP reported.
The role of the intermediaries is to continue efforts to prevent escalating tensions," said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.
US and Iranian forces launched attacks with missiles and heavy unmanned aerial vehicles, in which Tehran targeted Washington's facilities in the Gulf countries on July 12 as well as announced the re-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
These attacks are the latest developments in a cycle of attacks and counter-attacks in the context of Iran seeking to assert control over maritime activities through the Strait of Hormuz. However, this series of attacks marks an escalation in speed and scope.
Iran's attack has expanded to Qatar - an intermediary in ceasefire negotiations and a country that has not been attacked since April. The United Arab Emirates, a country that has not been targeted since the beginning of May, said that its air defense system intercepted missiles and drones from Iran.
The US Central Command said that the US military has launched more attacks on Iran "to further weaken the ability to attack civilian ships and free trade ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz". Spokesman for the US Central Command Tim Hawkins said that US aircraft shot down an Iranian cruise missile and a one-way attack drone.
These tense developments increase concerns about the future of the temporary agreement between the US and Iran signed last month to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the conflict after 60 days of negotiations.
