Gulf Source Says Iran-U.S. Gaps Remain Wide Despite Talk of Progress

An Arab source in the Gulf, involved in talks with Iran, told Channel 13 on Thursday evening that the gap between Washington and Tehran remains “still large.” The source said Arab states are still pushing for an interim agreement between the United States and Iran, but the Islamic Republic’s demands are not yet acceptable to the American side.

The assessment contradicts President Donald Trump’s public remarks that progress is being made in contacts with Iran. Trump also warned that if the Iranians do not make a deal with him, the war will resume. Earlier in the day, he wrote on Truth Social that the United States would strike Iran heavily again that night, claiming Tehran’s defenses, including its navy, air force, radar and air defense systems, and most of its offensive capabilities, were no longer there. He also said the United States would in the “not too distant future” take control of the Kharg oil island and other oil and gas infrastructure.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya central headquarters commander, Gen. Ali Abdollahi, said that if America tries to attack Iran again, it will face a harsher response than before, and that “the fire of war will spread further and further, in addition to the insecurity in the region.” He accused the U.S. of talking about talks while also committing “evil acts,” and said that this “open contradiction” is the main cause of regional instability and endangers global trade, the world economy, and especially the Strait of Hormuz.

After a series of threats on Wednesday night, the U.S. military struck Iranian targets overnight in Tehran, Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Qeshm and other areas across Iran. In response, Iran again launched ballistic missiles and drones at American targets in the Gulf states and Jordan. During the American strikes, Trump told Fox News, “If the Iranians don’t sign an agreement, we’ll bomb the hell out of them tonight.” A CNN source said the talks between the U.S. and Iran are still continuing. Another U.S. source told CNN the strikes were meant as a warning shot and would not hurt negotiations to end the war. Iran’s Mehr news agency also reported a distant explosion on Qeshm island, possibly linked to activity in the Strait of Hormuz.