West Asia war: US weighs possible military strikes on Iran

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian (left) receives Pakistan’s Army Chief Syed Asim Munir (right) in Tehran on Saturday to help mediate and expedite efforts for a peace deal between Iran and the US. Pics/PTI

The United States is weighing new military strikes on Iran, US media outlets reported on Saturday. The reports, from CBS and Axios, come just hours after US President Donald Trump said that he would not travel to attend his son's wedding this weekend due to "circumstances pertaining to the government and my love for the United States of America." Trump said, "It was important for me to remain in Washington, DC, at the White House during this important period of time." However, a final decision on new strikes hasn't been made.

A White House spokesperson, Anna Kelly, said, "The President has been clear about the consequences if Iran fails to make a deal."

US President Donald Trump

Tehran accused the United States of "excessive demands", Iranian media said on Saturday. The White House refused to comment on it.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Tehran was engaged in the diplomatic process despite "repeated betrayals of diplomacy and military aggression against Iran, along with contradictory positions" by the United States, according to
the ministry.

US media outlets, citing unnamed sources, said the White House was considering strikes on Iran, although a final decision had not been made yet.

Iran and Pakistan hold talks in Tehran

Pakistan Army Chief, ‌Asim Munir, held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi ‌in Tehran on Friday as ‌Islamabad⁠steps up ⁠diplomatic efforts to help mediate between Iran ‌and the United States, Iran's state media ‌reported on Saturday. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi - believed to be close to Munir - was already in Tehran and engaging in talks with top Iranian officials when the field marshal arrived, according to the Army. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, "In recent days, many countries, both regional and non-regional, have been trying to help bring the war to an end. However, Pakistan remains the official mediator."

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