Iran signals continued diplomatic channels with US despite escalation fears

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran has not closed the door to diplomacy, with messages continuing to flow between the two countries via intermediaries. The comments signal that despite weeks of stalled negotiations, both sides maintain backchannel communication at a time of heightened regional tensions.

The diplomatic overtures come as concerns mount about a broader conflict in the Middle East ahead of crucial elections scheduled in the United States and Israel. Baghaei's statement appears designed to signal Tehran's willingness to engage, even as military posturing continues on both sides.

US President Donald Trump separately said there would be no American strike against Iran "today," though he did not rule out future military action. The cautious language reflects the delicate balance being maintained as negotiations remain stalled.

In a separate development, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it has resumed receiving lists of Palestinian detainees from the occupied West Bank and Gaza following an Israeli Supreme Court order directing the government to share such information. The move marks a shift after months of restricted access to detainee information.