Direct communication between senior U.S. and Iranian officials has broken down as tensions rise over Tehran’s crackdown on protests and fears of U.S. military action.
Contacts between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff have been suspended, citing a senior Iranian official.
The development comes as President Donald Trump warned of possible U.S. military strikes against Iran following reports of protesters being killed during antigovernment demonstrations. The warning follows a brief war in June, when U.S. forces bombed Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict launched by Israel.
Iran has responded by threatening retaliation against U.S. military bases across the region if it is attacked.
Amid the escalating tensions, some personnel have been advised to leave the U.S. military’s Al Udeid airbase in Qatar - Washington’s largest base in the Middle East — by Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, Iran’s judiciary signalled a tougher response to the protests. Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei said trials and punishments must be carried out quickly to maintain deterrence.
“If we want to do something, we have to do it now,” he said in comments broadcast by Iranian state television, warning that delays would weaken the impact of punishment. Activists fear the remarks point to fast-tracked trials and possible executions of detained protesters.
Iran’s Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh also issued a strong warning, saying Iran had “many surprises” for any attacker. He added that countries assisting strikes against Iran would be considered legitimate targets.
“If these threats turn into action, we will defend the country with full force and until the last drop of blood,” Nasirzadeh said at a security meeting.
The breakdown in diplomacy has raised fears that the standoff between the U.S. and Iran could move closer to direct confrontation.
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Iran has launched missiles and drones targeting U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, according to Iranian state media and a U.S. official, in retaliation for recent U.S. strikes on Iran.
A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said, after the United States and Iran each launched strikes in the worst escalation since they signed their interim peace deal.
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has accused World Cup co-host the United States of treating his team "very unfairly", saying logistical restrictions have disrupted the team's tournament.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 27 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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