Trump urges Vance to target Democrats

WASHINGTON: Tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified amid fresh threats, attacks on commercial shipping and renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

US President Donald Trump has urged Vice President JD Vance to focus on alleged crime and corruption in cities governed by Democrats, arguing that tackling these issues could save the country more money than reaching an agreement with Iran.

In a social media post on Thursday, Trump claimed that addressing criminal activity and corruption could help balance the US budget. He also dismissed the need for a deal with Tehran, saying Washington had already secured significant financial and strategic gains.

Vance, who had been involved in efforts to resolve the conflict, recently questioned the cost of the war and linked it to the Republican Party’s poor performance in the midterm elections. He also defended his earlier recommendation to bring the conflict to an end.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Assembly of Experts expressed distrust in international organisations, saying repeated threats against the country’s nuclear capabilities had demonstrated that Tehran could not rely on international institutions for protection.

In a statement broadcast by Iranian state media, the clerical body said threats against Iran’s nuclear knowledge showed that international organisations offered little hope in confronting what it described as hostile actions.

Maritime security concerns have grown following an attack on a vessel near the United Arab Emirates.

British maritime agencies reported that an unidentified projectile struck a vessel approximately 14 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al-Khaimah on Wednesday. The impact caused a fire in the engine room.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said firefighting operations were underway and all crew members had been evacuated.

Maritime security firm Ambrey reported that the vessel was struck near its stern while departing the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries or environmental pollution were reported.

The incident comes amid an increase in attacks on commercial shipping across the Gulf and surrounding waters. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy route through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil passed before the US-Israel conflict with Iran.

Oman has also stepped up monitoring after an oil tanker ran aground near Al Qibliyah Island. The country’s National Emergency Management Committee reviewed operations to manage the vessel and its cargo, along with possible environmental risks in territorial waters near Musandam.

Omani authorities did not disclose the tanker’s identity or the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has claimed that two oil supertankers were disabled following powerful explosions in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the IRGC said the vessels had ignored warnings against using an unauthorised shipping route before being struck on Wednesday night.

The development came as Iranian officials issued fresh warnings against any renewed US military action.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned that military bases involved in an attack on Iran would become legitimate targets, including those located in Europe.

He said Tehran would not recognise geographical limits when responding to further aggression. Iranian military officials also warned that countries allowing their territories to be used for attacks against Iran could face retaliation.

Rezaei further ruled out transferring any enriched uranium out of Iran, saying the country intended to retain and use its nuclear material domestically.

He said Iran wanted to develop nuclear-powered ships and submarines and had informed Russia that its enriched uranium would remain inside the country.

Russia had previously offered to remove uranium from Iran as part of a possible agreement aimed at addressing US concerns over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said the responsibility for advancing diplomatic efforts now rests with Washington, as Tehran awaits a formal response to its proposed conditions for negotiations.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Ghalibaf said Iran had communicated its position to the United States through a seven-point framework but had yet to receive a specific response.

He said Tehran remained prepared to reach an agreement if Washington respected its previous commitments and recognised Iran’s legitimate rights.

Ghalibaf identified the lack of trust between the two countries as the biggest obstacle to negotiations, citing Washington’s history of hostility and failure to honour commitments.

Iran’s demands include an end to the US naval blockade of its ports, a halt to interference in the Strait of Hormuz, the withdrawal of additional American forces deployed to the region and the lifting of sanctions.

The proposed framework also calls for an end to the war against Iran and its regional allies, a ceasefire in Lebanon and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.

Ghalibaf described the naval blockade as an act of war, arguing that it had disrupted food supplies, trade and healthcare services.

He said Qatar and Pakistan were serving as the main mediators between Tehran and Washington, while Russia, China and other regional countries were also working to bring the two sides closer.

In a separate development, two Iranian nationals have been convicted in Britain of spying for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to London’s Metropolitan Police.

Mostafa Sepahvand, 41, and Farhad Manesh, 46, were found guilty following a six-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

Police said Sepahvand was also convicted of conducting surveillance, reconnaissance and online research intended to facilitate serious acts of violence against individuals in Britain.

The surveillance targets included two journalists, a lawyer and a media production professional.

Manesh was found guilty of assisting Sepahvand with surveillance but was acquitted of a separate charge alleging that he intended to facilitate serious violence by others.

Counter Terrorism Policing said investigators examined thousands of messages written in Persian and used mobile phone location data to establish the suspects’ activities.

The surveillance operation took place between August 2024 and March 2025.

Saudi Arabia’s air defence systems intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi group, with debris falling in Sabuhah village in the Makkah region, Saudi authorities said on Thursday.

Saudi Civil Defence confirmed that the missiles had been intercepted before their debris landed in the area.

Separately, Saudi-led coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said air defences had destroyed a drone over the Eastern Province.

The coalition had also reported intercepting five missiles and two drones on Wednesday. These included three cruise missiles heading towards the Riyadh region and two ballistic missiles directed towards western Saudi Arabia.

Two additional drones were intercepted over the Makkah and southern regions.

Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance is considering direct negotiations with a senior Iranian security official as Washington explores diplomatic options to end the conflict, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Citing American and Middle Eastern officials, the newspaper said discussions about a possible face-to-face meeting remained at an early stage, with no date finalised.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly indicated to aides and foreign counterparts that he would support Vance taking the lead in renewed negotiations with Tehran.

According to the report, Vance sent a letter in October to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, requesting a meeting.

The proposed diplomatic engagement could carry considerable political risks for Vance, particularly if negotiations fail. However, a successful agreement could strengthen his position as a key figure in bringing the conflict to an end.

The report also said Trump had privately questioned an earlier framework agreement negotiated with Vance’s involvement, reportedly arguing that it allowed Iran time to recover economically and generate oil revenue before a US naval blockade was imposed.

A White House official rejected claims that Trump had reconsidered the agreement, saying the negotiators had acted in good faith.

Vance has meanwhile faced growing domestic political pressure over the conflict after linking the war to Republican losses in the recent midterm elections.

The diplomatic developments come as attacks on shipping, military threats and disagreements over Iran’s nuclear programme continue to complicate efforts to end the conflict.