Reactions and statements from the international community
The IRGC issued a propagandistic statement claiming to have prepared POW camps for various scenarios, including potential ground operations, as part of psychological warfare efforts amid increasing pressure.
Air raid sirens sounded multiple times in northern Israeli cities recently amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, despite a three-week ceasefire. The Israeli army announced it had targeted Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon the previous night.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a communiqué stating that it has prepared prisoner-of-war camps as part of its operational and defensive plans to confront potential ground operations by enemies.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent responded to reports that the Islamic Republic of Iran is disguising oil sales as "cooking oil," criticizing the regime's economic mismanagement and the Revolutionary Guard's efforts to transfer financial resources abroad. Bessent emphasized the U.S. commitment to supporting the Iranian people's freedom and dignity.
Emmanuel Macron, President of France, announced that France is focusing its efforts on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to restore full maritime traffic in the waterway in the coming days and weeks.
Fars News Agency, a media outlet affiliated with the IRGC, has called for a "preemptive strike" against the United States and Israel, escalating the aggressive tone of the Islamic Republic regime amid growing regional instability.
Two rockets were launched from Lebanon towards Israel on an unspecified date; one was intercepted while the other landed in an open area.
Lord Maurice Glasman, a member of the British House of Lords, stated at a gathering of Iranians in London that the King of the United Kingdom will officially list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization in the coming weeks, in response to a question from Aydin Moghimi of Iran International.
NBC News, citing MarineTraffic data, reported that the sanctioned ships "Ocean Jet" and "Lumina Ocean," alleged to facilitate the sale of Iranian drones and oil, transited the Strait of Hormuz from Friday to Saturday. Additionally, a Russian recreational boat named "Nord" also passed through the strait on Saturday.
Pakistani sources report that the Islamic Republic of Iran is avoiding meetings with the American delegation and insists on the complete end of the maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a prerequisite for negotiations. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's senior diplomat, has departed Islamabad after discussions with Pakistani officials, according to Al-Mayadeen and Reuters.
Polymarket predicts a 32 percent chance that the US will invade Iran before 2027, despite an existing ceasefire, with limited ground incursions possible if peace talks stall.
Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, stated that any comprehensive agreement with Iran must address its nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and the activities of its proxy groups in the region. He also highlighted the potential consequences of closing the Strait of Hormuz for Europe's energy security and the need for enhanced cooperation with Europe on energy supply security.
