Iran closes door to US dialogue as tensions rise

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi ruled out any possibility of negotiations with the United States on Saturday, dismissing speculation of meetings as media assumptions amid rising international tensions. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ordered military commanders to respond to any attack from the US or Israel with an "immediate, forceful, and geographically unrestricted" counterstrike. Araghchi also warned Europe that 100 billion euros in conflict costs were insignificant compared to the "devastating blow" Iranian forces would inflict on aggressors. The Revolutionary Guard reported a supertanker carrying over two million barrels of crude oil struck a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz, bringing Friday's total to six affected vessels and 26 incidents in three weeks. Diplomatic efforts, including a Qatari delegation visit, have shown no concrete progress despite US President Donald Trump's claims that dialogue continues.