that if confronted militarily again, Iran's response "will be stronger than before." He added that neither military force nor new sanctions could end the conflict—only "negotiations based on justice and fairness." Talks appear to be at an impasse.

The war, launched by the US and Israel in late February, has not been decisively resolved despite heavy bombardment. Washington has recently reduced military operations in favor of economic pressure. The central dispute is Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical conduit for Gulf oil and gas. On Sunday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported another tanker struck by an unknown projectile in the strait, damaging its engine room, though the crew was safe and no environmental impact occurred.

Since the war began, Iran has sought to control the shipping lane, striking vessels transiting without authorization. The US has imposed a counterblockade of Iranian ports and struck vessels it accused of violations. Iranian and US officials held indirect talks during the UN General Assembly. Tehran presented seven conditions for reopening the strait, including a Middle East ceasefire, unfreezing Iranian assets abroad, lifting oil-sector sanctions, and ending the US naval blockade. Trump rejected the proposal but left open the possibility of further talks or renewed military action. An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman described the latest US counterproposal as consistent with previous proposals on nuclear issues, reiterating that Iran's focus is the Strait of Hormuz and that reopening it requires ending disruptions to Iranian commercial maritime traffic and lifting sanctions. The US and Israel justified the war as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons—a goal Iran has long denied. However, attention shifted to reopening the Hormuz after its closure disrupted world energy markets. The US has not struck Iran since September 1 but is pursuing a military buildup in the region. Axios reported additional Patriot missile batteries deployed to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and that the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group is heading to the Middle East Top. Trump cabinet members met Friday to discuss the Iran war and the conflict in Yemen. (Bssnews)