Latest Developments in Iran-US War, 20 Mehr 1405: From Third Oil Supertanker Hit in Strait of Hormuz to Continued Negotiations

Latest developments in the Iran-US war on Monday, 20 Mehr 1405, point to ongoing review of Washington's response to Iran's seven-day proposal and Tehran's insistence on conditions for a return to normal in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the IRGC has said a third supertanker was hit, Israeli officials have said the war's goals have not been achieved, and China has called for de-escalation and resolving disputes through dialogue.

Ambassador Arjan-Political: The developments of the Iran-US war on Monday, October 20, 1405, were followed simultaneously in several diplomatic, military and regional axes. While the exchange of messages about Iran's 7-day plan continues, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the report of hitting another oil tanker, the warnings of Iranian officials and political discussions in Israel about the outcome of the war have been in the spotlight.

On the diplomatic front, Tehran says that the response of the American side to Iran's proposed plan has been received and is being investigated; On the other hand, the statements of the Israeli officials about the failure of the war goals and the possibility of the resumption of conflicts have added to the uncertainty about the future of the region.

negotiations between Iran and America; Washington's response to the 7-day plan is under review

Kazem Gharibabadi, deputy of legal and international affairs of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced on Sunday evening, October 19, that Iran's 7-day plan was conveyed through mediators and mediators, including Qatar, and the American side's comments about it have reached Tehran.

According to Gharibabadi, these opinions are being investigated and after the internal summation, Iran's response will be announced through the same channels of communication. He also emphasized that the return to normal conditions and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz depends on the return of the US to its previous commitments, and any subsequent actions of Iran will also be placed in the same framework.

Esmail Baqaei, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also said in a press conference on Monday that the exchange of messages between Iran and the United States continues through mediators. He explained that the 7-day plan includes demands such as lifting the naval blockade, stopping the war on all fronts, and freeing Iran's assets.

Baqaei emphasized that Iran is examining the points raised by the American side and will convey its view to the mediators after the investigation is over. He also said that from a technical point of view, Pakistan and Qatar continue to play the role of mediators in the relationship between Tehran and Washington, and Iran's consultations with Russia on various issues, including the nuclear issue, continue.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to the American claims about the return of the Strait of Hormuz to normal, said that these statements do not match the facts on the ground. According to him, as long as the maritime blockade and Iran's protested actions continue, the return of security to this waterway will face serious obstacles.

Also, in response to the discussions raised about the possibility of Iran withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, NPT, Baqaei said that the recent developments have caused the question to be raised among some of Iran's elites and representatives, what are the benefits of continuing to be a member of this treaty. Referring to the assassination of Iran's leader, who according to him was the owner of the fatwa banning nuclear weapons, he criticized the positions of Western countries in this regard.

In another development, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the developments in the region with Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister. Emphasizing that the crises in the region do not have a military solution, Araghchi announced Iran's readiness to help start a dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen and reach a political solution.

Strait of Hormuz in the center of tensions; The IRGC announced that the third supertanker had been hit

The public relations of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announced on Monday that the third large oil tanker of the super oil tanker type was hit and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz in the last two days.

According to the IRGC's announcement, this tanker intended to cross the Strait of Hormuz by turning off its navigation system and ignoring the warnings of the Navy. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that any cooperation of commercial ships and oil tankers with the US military in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf region will be met with decisive action by Iranian forces.

This news was published in continuation of last day's IRGC warnings about ships that turn off their navigation systems in this area. However, independent details about the identity of the tanker, the extent of damage and the condition of its crew were not specified in the information provided.

In this context, Baqaei, rejecting the American claim that the flow of energy transfer has returned to normal, said that Iran's measures in the Strait of Hormuz have been adopted in response to the developments of the war and what Tehran considers to be the actions of the United States and Israel. He emphasized that the security of this waterway is of special importance for Iran, but the continuation of the naval blockade and conflicts will affect its situation.

In a statement, Abolfazl Shekarchi, the chief spokesman of the Iranian Armed Forces, also criticized what he called maritime piracy and fuel smuggling by the United States and said that Washington's claims about controlling the Strait of Hormuz do not change the realities on the ground. He also asked the countries of the region to reconsider their security reliance on America.

At the same time, oil prices increased in the world markets. According to figures published in reports on Monday, Brent crude oil increased by 76 cents to $105 and 48 cents per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was traded with an increase of 59 cents, $92 and 44 cents.

Reports about the security of shipping and aviation in the region also continue. The Wall Street Journal has reported that increasing threats against airports and air routes in the Middle East have forced airlines to reroute and cancel some flights. According to this report, the narrowing of safe routes between Europe and Asia has put more pressure on alternative corridors.

Israel involved in a dispute over the results of the war; Warning about the possibility of resuming the confrontation

In Israel, the statements of several political figures about the performance of Benjamin Netanyahu's government in the war with Iran formed an important part of Monday's developments.

Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar party in the Israeli Knesset, said that the goals of the war against Iran have not been achieved. He also declared that he does not trust the decisions that Netanyahu may take in the coming weeks and claimed that there have been rearrangements in the Prime Minister's office regarding the minutes of the meetings and the narrative of the events.

Yair Golan, the leader of the "Democrats" party and one of Netanyahu's critics, also accused him of trying to continue the war and made promises to America about Iran without having a clear political strategy about the post-war phase. Golan also warned against the possibility of postponing the Israeli elections citing security considerations. These statements are his critical stance towards the Prime Minister of Israel.

Naftali Bennett, the former Prime Minister of Israel and Netanyahu's political opponent, also said that he intends to remove him in the upcoming political competition. Bennett further criticized the performance of Israel's national security minister and claimed that the internal security situation has worsened during his tenure.

On the other hand, the Hebrew newspaper "Maariu" reported, citing estimates attributed to Israeli security institutions, that if Iran does not attack in the current situation, the confrontation is likely to be postponed until after the elections. This report also pointed out the operational problems of the Israeli army and the casualties caused by non-combat incidents during multi-front wars; However, this media assessment does not mean a definitive decision to resume war at a specific time.

The Hebrew channel "Kan" also claimed that about 20 American refueling planes will be returned from the United States to Europe; The news has been published in the context of increasing speculations about the possibility of escalation of conflicts again. The information provided does not provide more details about the final destination of the planes or the definite connection of this transfer with the military decision against Iran.

In another incident in the north of Israel, the country's media reported that 20 people were injured due to the explosion of war munitions remnants in the Upper Galilee region. According to the initial reports, the condition of one person is very serious and several other injured are stated to be serious or moderate. The exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

regional and international reactions; From China's position to increasing security concerns

On Monday, China called for the reduction of tension-causing measures and the resolution of Middle East disputes through dialogue. Mao Ning, the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed concern about the casualties and the escalation of conflicts, and declared Beijing's opposition to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and emphasized the need for immediate efforts by the parties to establish peace and stability.

Meanwhile, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern about the increase in tension between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Beqaei said that Iran has repeatedly declared its readiness to help dialogue between the parties, and the escalation of tensions could benefit other actors in the region.

Security developments in Saudi Arabia have also affected the status of flights in the region. The Wall Street Journal reported that missile and drone threats against airports and air routes have forced airlines to reduce their use of Saudi airspace. According to the report, the alternative route passes through Central Asia and Afghanistan and faces challenges including congestion and security risks. Also, the representation of the American government in Saudi Arabia has announced restrictions on the travel of its employees near the border of Yemen and the use of some airports in this country.

In Iraq, some news sources reported that loud explosions were heard in Erbil, but the exact details about the cause and cause of these explosions have not been specified in the information provided.

At the domestic level of Iran, President Masoud Mezkiyan said about his seven-hour meeting with the leader of Iran that he suggested that a specific group be responsible for selecting managers and handing over responsibilities based on competence, experience and accountability. These statements were made while the Iranian officials emphasize on the continuation of their positions in the negotiations, maintaining the country's security and defense readiness.

In general, the developments on Mehr 20 show that the process of exchanging messages about the 7-day plan continues, but the final result of the negotiations has not yet been announced. At the same time, the situation of the Strait of Hormuz and the report of the hit to the oil tanker, the different positions of the Israeli authorities about the achievements of the war and the increasing concerns about the security of the region, have continued to affect the political and military atmosphere of the Middle East.