Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Sunday that Iran would respond more forcefully than before if its adversaries again chose military action and added that Tehran remained committed to diplomacy.

“If the enemies once again choose the path of military confrontation and war, Iran’s response will be much stronger and more decisive than in the past,” Araghchi told ambassadors, diplomatic mission chiefs and representatives of international organizations in Tehran, according to a post on his Telegram channel.

He, however, demonstrated willingness to pursue diplomacy, saying “...if they seek diplomatic avenues, we remain ready to reach a fair and honorable solution through diplomacy to end this war."

Restore security in Strait of Hormuz

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlined Iran’s proposal to restore security in the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, saying Tehran had demonstrated its “good faith and continued seriousness” in using diplomacy to prevent further escalation.

“It became clear to everyone at this meeting that the Islamic Republic of Iran is serious about diplomacy, just as it is serious and determined in defending itself,” he said.

Iran official says US has shared proposals

The US recently put forward proposals through a mediator, Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, told an open session of Parliament, without details.

US President Donald Trump last week said he rejected Iran’s latest peace offer because it’s not good enough. Qalibaf, the lead negotiator in rare direct talks with the US earlier this year, said Americans “say something different in the media.”

Qalibaf said “the era of dragging out time and dictating unilateral demands is over” and that Iran's seven conditions for fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz remain.

Yemen's government declares a major operation against the Houthis

Yemen's internationally recognised government announced a major military operation against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Rashad al-Alimi, head of the ruling Presidential Leadership Council, made the declaration as the Iran-backed rebels advanced in the outskirts of a key southwestern city, Taiz.

The Houthis launched a major offensive in recent days against government forces and their allies on the outskirts of Taiz, disrupting a major road linking the city to the port city of Aden, the seat of al-Alimi’s government. The rebels have besieged Taiz for more than a decade.

The escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has revived Yemen’s civil war after a four-year ceasefire.

Major General Turki al-Maliki, a spokesman for the Saudi-led Coalition fighting in Yemen, says the group continues to “provide full operational support” to Yemeni government forces in order to “restore the state and end the Houthi coup”.

In a statement on X, al-Maliki condemned Houthis attacks on Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Saudi vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab. He said Saudi Arabia would continue to defend its security and sovereignty, as well as regional and international security.

The renewed hostilities are the most serious since a United Nations-brokered truce halted large-scale fighting in 2022.

Yemen’s internationally-recognized government launched a full-scale military bid to recapture all areas under the control of the Houthis following weeks of escalation between the Iran-backed group and Saudi Arabia.

All branches of Yemen’s army were told to begin operations and fight “until the liberation of the country from the grip of the terrorist Houthi militia,” the head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, said Sunday in a public address.

Akriti Anand is a Deputy Chief Content Producer at LiveMint. She is a digital journalist with more than six years in the news industry.<br><br> In her current role, she covers both national and international politics, and also keeps a close watch on the latest trends in science and space exploration. <br><br> Akriti joined the LiveMint team in October 2023. Before this, she built a strong career at other major media houses. She worked as a senior sub-editor at India Today. Later, she moved to CNBCTV-18. There, she covered high-pressure topics like breaking news and major elections. She spent much of her time analysing Parliament bills and complex political debates. She is also a skilled editor who knows how to polish a story for a digital audience. <br><br> One of her career highlights happened at CNBCTV-18. She made her first television debut during the Chandrayaan-3 mission. She also provided special on-air coverage for the Karnataka Elections. <br><br> When she is not busy with breaking news, Akriti loves to write explainers and interview experts on a wide range of issues. She also enjoys making complex space missions easy for everyone to understand. <br><br> Her education helps her tackle these diverse subjects. She holds a BA in English Literature, a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication, and a Master’s degree in Development Studies. She is currently expanding her knowledge in climate journalism.<br><br> Connect with Akriti here<br> LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/akriti-anand-868285199">https://www.linkedin.com/in/akriti-anand-868285199</a><br> Twitter/X: <a href="https://x.com/AkritiAnand7">https://x.com/AkritiAnand7</a><br> Email: akriti.anand@htdigital.in

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