Iran weekly briefing: Trump demands changes to peace plan

Negotiations aimed at ending the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran remain uncertain, despite signs that a deal might be closer than it has been in weeks. Iran's lead negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who was re-elected speaker of the Iranian parliament, stated that Tehran will not sign any agreement that fails to secure the rights of Iranians. He emphasized that the country is awaiting "tangible results" from ongoing discussions.

Meanwhile, US media outlets report that President Donald Trump has demanded further amendments to the deal. This process could lead to additional delays, particularly given the challenges in communicating information and instructions to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. Khamenei has reportedly been in hiding and sustained serious injuries since an attack on the first day of the war.

In a potentially positive development, Iranian state media reported that 28 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz in a 24-hour period. While this is still below usual traffic levels, reopening the vital shipping channel has been a key demand for Trump. He insists on an unrestricted reopening, whereas Iran maintains its sovereignty over the waterway.

Concurrently, Israeli forces have intensified their operations in southern Lebanon, capturing the strategic Beaufort Castle. This advance marks the deepest Israeli incursion into Lebanese territory since 2000. The move was hailed by Benjamin Netanyahu as both a symbolic and strategic success for Israel. This follows a weekend of sustained Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks targeting Israeli forces and border communities, prompting air raid sirens across northern Israel and the closure of some schools.

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tangible results