Tehran rejects Washington's answer
A senior Iranian official on Tuesday cast doubt on efforts to broker a peace deal, calling the Trump administration's response to the latest proposal "not convincing," according to CBS News. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, wrote on X that Washington "must fully and explicitly address Iran's seven conditions and act upon them; only in this case will the Strait of Hormuz be reopened."
His comments suggest that mediation by Qatar and Pakistan still faces significant hurdles, CBS News reported. The remarks came after President Trump said on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections that a deal to end the war "could happen," insisting Tehran "wants a settlement, as soon as possible."
Strikes near the strait and a defiant IRGC
Multiple U.S. officials told CBS News that American forces launched limited, defensive strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. They described the action as a response to an apparent Iranian attack targeting a U.S. aircraft.
On Tuesday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the country's armed forces and leadership would determine "the time and conditions for ending the enemy's attacks." In a statement carried by the IRGC-linked Fars News agency, the force said the supreme leader's orders had been conveyed to senior commanders in line with "maximum deterrence" as its top priority. According to CBS News, the statement did not reveal clear plans for retaliation.
What Iran says it wants
Senior Iranian figures have said for weeks that any agreement must include a complete cessation of hostilities not only in the Persian Gulf but also in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, CBS News reported. They have also demanded that the U.S. lift its blockade of Iran's ports and release Iranian financial assets held abroad.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei told reporters Iran was "not afraid of diplomacy," provided it safeguards the interests of the Iranian nation and prevents regional insecurity from escalating. He said Iran joins any diplomatic process "with the utmost caution and complete distrust," citing the U.S. record of violating earlier agreements. He added that any understanding depends on an "unequivocal commitment to stopping the war on all fronts, including Lebanon."
Shipping, oil and sports feel the strain
The UK navy's Maritime Trade Operations center said it was aware of an Indian government report of an attack on an Indian-crewed dhow leaving the Strait of Hormuz. Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the MSV Al Jusufi carried 14 Indian seafarers. Thirteen were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard, and one, Gandhar Nahim Ajij of Gujarat, died of his injuries. No one immediately claimed responsibility. CBS News noted that Iran has attacked numerous cargo ships and tankers it accuses of using unauthorized lanes in the south of the strait, which U.S. officials say are safe.
Saudi Aramco reported a 35% rise in third-quarter net profit to $36.3 billion, helped by higher oil prices and the sale of a stake in PRefChem. The company said it sold crude at an average of $95.20 a barrel, up from $70.10 a year earlier. Aramco has kept exporting by using its East-West pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, which was attacked Sept. 10 but has resumed flows. Saudi oil is also moving through a U.S.-protected corridor near Oman's coast.
The Asian Football Confederation postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia from Jan. 7 to Dec. 23 after consulting organizers, following deadly attacks on the kingdom. Other events have also been disrupted by Houthi attacks. The WTA Finals moved to Indian Wells, California, and Netflix's Six Kings Slam moved to late December. The 2026 Saudi Formula 1 race was canceled. WWE still plans to hold Crown Jewel in Riyadh this weekend.
Trump on aid to Israel
Separately, Trump told Fox News on Tuesday that U.S. aid to Israel, which he put at $4 billion a year, would end by the close of this year. He said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to the plan months ago. Trump said Israel is fine with it because it has "become a very successful country." He gave little additional detail, and the source's account of his remarks was cut off mid-sentence.
