[ANALYSIS] Iranian War Day 76: US pushes diplomacy, Iranian Foreign Minister says “We do not seek war”

OVERVIEW US VP Vance said the US is still focused on a diplomatic pathway with Iran, although Washington continues to insist Tehran must not obtain nuclear weapons. Iran warned new confrontations with the US remain possible and said it is preparing new navigation laws for the Strait of Hormuz. Reports suggested China and regional actors continued to deepen involvement around the conflict and its wider geopolitical fallout. Hezbollah and Israeli operations in southern Lebanon continued alongside wider regional security incidents. US-IRAN Vance said the US thinks it is making progress in talks with Iran and remains focused on diplomacy “for now”. Vance reiterated that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons. US Secretary of State Rubio said the US hopes to convince China to play a more active role in persuading Iran to back down in the Gulf. Iran’s NSC spokesperson said new confrontations with the US are possible and Tehran is preparing legislation regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The spokesperson said Iran forced the US to back down and blamed Washington for escalation. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said Iranian forces are prepared to deliver a “crushing and devastating response” to aggressors but added “We do not seek war”. Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping provided vessels cooperate with Iranian naval forces. Araghchi said Iran hopes the situation ends with the lifting of the “illegal blockade imposed by America”. IRAN-KUWAIT Iran’s Foreign Minister accused Kuwait of unlawfully attacking an Iranian boat and detaining four Iranian citizens in the Persian Gulf. Iran said the incident took place near an island allegedly used by the US to attack Iran. Tehran demanded the immediate release of the detained Iranians and reserved the right to respond. SHIPPING Iran is reportedly using the Caspian Sea, highways and a railroad to China to bypass the US blockade of Hormuz. UKMTO reported a vessel northeast of Fujairah was taken by unauthorised personnel while at anchor and was heading toward Iranian territorial waters.