Iran Threatens 'Full Offensive' as U.S. Rules Out Ceasefire Extension

Iran is poised to shift from a military stance to a "full offensive" as diplomatic efforts to broker an end to the Middle East war have reached an impasse, according to an Iranian official speaking to Reuters. This potential escalation coincides with the United States signaling it will not extend the temporary ceasefire agreement, raising fears of a prolonged conflict.

The paralysis in diplomatic efforts threatens to extend the war, which began with an attack on Iran on February 28. Iran's armed forces and its allies are reportedly preparing to "escalate" their actions in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region. Tehran is reportedly nearing decisions to "take action," the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

This source also announced a future "timely and precise" Iranian military operation to break the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Gulf, should diplomatic processes fail. A mid-June understanding, signed by the U.S. and Iranian presidents, had set a 60-day deadline, renewable, for a final peace agreement. However, this deal, which called for an "immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts," derailed in July due to disputes over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically vital waterway through which about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes.

When asked by reporters if his administration sought an extension of the June deadline, U.S. President Trump gave a negative response. U.S. media reports have mentioned informal contacts between the Trump administration and the Revolutionary Guards, whose role has been enhanced since the outbreak of the armed conflict. According to Axios, a U.S. message was sent in mid-May via an Iraqi Kurdish official to the head of the Guards, General Ahmad Vahidi, seeking to confirm if Iranian negotiators represented the Islamic Republic's ideological army. The general reportedly responded affirmatively. Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and envoy, spoke of "ongoing" Washington-Tehran contacts from Israel to Fox News, avoiding further details.