Tehran says it does not trust Washington, but maintains that the standoff with the United States cannot be solved by force. The New York Times reports that the United States and Israel are accelerating preparations for renewed hostilities against Iran and could launch attacks as early as next week, according to unnamed officials familiar with the plans.
Indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. have stalled since a fragile cease‑fire was reached in April after more than a month of fighting. Both sides have dismissed each other’s demands as unrealistic and continue to claim the upper hand. Meanwhile, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified, affecting global shipping and contributing to worldwide oil shortages. Iran announced a new mechanism to regulate maritime traffic in the waterway, but Washington rejected the proposal and has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports in retaliation.
U.S. officials told the newspaper that the options under consideration include intensified bombing of Iranian military targets and infrastructure, as well as a possible raid to seize Tehran’s enriched‑uranium stockpiles that were buried after the June 2025 U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that the United States will resume attacks, describing the current cease‑fire as “unbelievably weak.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is prepared to respond to any aggression but emphasized that a military solution is impossible. “We have every reason not to trust the Americans,” he said, adding that diplomatic engagement remains the only viable path forward.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides positioning for further escalation while diplomatic overtures continue to falter. Observers note that any renewed conflict would likely exacerbate disruptions to oil shipments through the Hormuz corridor and could have broader implications for global energy markets. The next few days will be critical in determining whether diplomatic channels can reopen or whether the region moves toward renewed combat.
