Iran’s president says US memorandum is best path out of stalled war, and other Middle East news

Iran's Supreme National Security Council head Mohsen Rezaei warned that the country will respond with a "seismic" retaliation if any country supports new U.S. economic measures against Iran. Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian defended a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. as the best way out of the ongoing conflict. Iran's president stated that Tehran cannot attract investment nearly six months after the war began, despite the interim deal opening a 60-day period for talks aimed at ending the war and reaching an accord on Iran's nuclear program.

The interim deal has not seen any signs of compromise or an extension. No attacks were confirmed on the Strait of Hormuz over the past 48 hours, but there are new restrictions as an Iranian authority lists dozens of ships that will face future restrictions. Pakistan's army chief is expected to visit Iran on Monday as mediators try to revive talks.