Iran’s authorities project a hardened stance toward the United States after failed mediation efforts in Pakistan, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating he has yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy.
Araghchi met Pakistani officials before departing for Oman and Russia
Abbas Araghchi held talks with senior Pakistani officials in Islamabad on Saturday before leaving for Oman and later Russia, according to the Al Jazeera report. He was not accompanied by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who had joined him in a previous negotiation round earlier this month. Araghchi said he was “yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy” following the cancellation of a planned second round of direct talks.
Trump cancelled the US delegation’s trip and blamed Iran’s leadership
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been expected in Pakistan after the White House said Iran requested a second round of direct negotiations, but President Donald Trump cancelled the trip. Trump stated, “we have all the cards, they have none,” and reiterated his claim of “infighting and confusion” among Iran’s leadership, adding in an online post: “If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!”.
Iranian authorities release synchronized messages of unity amid internet shutdown
During a state-imposed near-total internet shutdown in Iran nearing two months, officials and supporters of the Islamic Republic emphasize unity in opposing concessions to Trump. Military, security, judiciary, and government authorities have issued synchronized messages with near-identical wording, circulated through state media using similar graphics and fonts but different colours, proclaiming everyone in the country is “revolutionary” and exercises “complete obedience” to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
For more on this story, see Iranian Foreign Minister Heads to Pakistan for Ceasefire Talks Amid Rising Hopes for US-Iran Dialogue.
Over 30 million Iranians registered in state campaign to express readiness to sacrifice
The authorities claim more than 30 million people – a third of Iran’s total population – have registered in a state-run campaign to express readiness to “sacrifice” their lives if necessary, though no documentation has been provided to prove this figure. The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated on Saturday that armed forces would retaliate against the US if it continues its “blockade, banditry and piracy” in Iran’s southern waters.
IRGC asserts control over Strait of Hormuz and threatens severe damage to US forces
The IRGC said it is prepared to monitor enemy behaviour in the region, maintain control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and inflict more severe damage on American-Zionist enemies in case of another aggression. On Saturday, the IRGC took a state television presenter to broadcast near two vessels seized days earlier in the strait to report that Iran exercised “total control” over the waterway.
This follows our earlier report, Trump Cancels US Envoy Trip to Pakistan Amid Iran Talks Uncertainty.
Why did the US cancel its delegation’s trip to Pakistan for talks with Iran?
President Donald Trump cancelled the trip after stating the US had “all the cards” and Iran had “none,” whereas reiterating unsubstantiated claims of infighting among Iran’s leadership.
What actions have Iranian authorities taken to project unity during the internet shutdown?
Officials have released synchronized messages through state media using similar graphics and fonts but different colours, claiming national unity and complete obedience to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
What did the IRGC say about its readiness to respond to US actions in the Strait of Hormuz?
The IRGC stated it would monitor enemy movements, maintain control of the Strait of Hormuz, and inflict more severe damage on American-Zionist forces in case of another aggression.