Bold headline: Iran’s stance in nuclear talks hinges on Washington’s restraint and realism. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in a phone call that nuclear discussions with the United States will bear fruit only if Washington avoids missteps and excessive demands. Araghchi urged the U.S. to be practical and show resolve to enable progress. The third round of Iran–U.S. indirect talks wrapped up in Geneva on Thursday.
Iranian armed forces warn: The Iranian military says it is closely watching American and Israeli activities in the region. Spokesperson Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi warned that any provocative move by the United States would be met with a swift and decisive response, and warned that reckless actions could spark a regional war. He dismissed the U.S. president’s threats as rhetoric and fantasy, stating that if a confrontation occurs, American soldiers and U.S. assets in the area would be destroyed. Separately, Iran’s Army Ground Force declared its readiness to confront any threat and to act against what it calls conspiracies and plots led by global arrogance.
Pakistan–Afghanistan clashes intensify: Tensions have flared again, with renewed clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan has declared an open war after Afghanistan claimed to have struck Pakistani border posts. Islamabad reports conducting air and ground strikes against Taliban headquarters and ammunition depots. A Taliban spokesperson said Pakistan’s jets targeted Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar. Pakistan claims 133 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed, while the Taliban government reports eight of its fighters killed and nearly a dozen wounded, and it says 55 Pakistani soldiers died. The latest escalation follows months of ongoing border skirmishes. Pakistani officials accuse the Taliban of permitting Afghanistan to use its territory to harbor terrorism; the Taliban faction denies these charges.
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