Bessent warns: 'Endgame' with Iran is near

Iran's hardline Supreme National Security Council chief, Mohsen Rezaei, has issued a stark warning to any country that backs the United States' new economic measures against Iran. Rezaei, speaking on Sunday, called such support an "act of war," as diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent the conflict from spiraling out of control.

The warning comes a day after Rezaei delivered his most extensive public statements since his appointment to the post earlier this month, signaling a more aggressive approach from Tehran in response to potential US actions.

Rezaei, a former Revolutionary Guard commander and military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, also hinted at the possibility of retaliatory actions if Washington takes further steps. "If (Trump) wants to do something, we will retaliate in a seismic manner," he told Iran's state broadcaster in an interview aired on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended a memorandum of understanding recently signed with the United States, describing it as the best way out of the current state of "neither war nor peace." Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran is still struggling to attract foreign investment nearly six months after the conflict began, underscoring the economic pressures faced by the country.

The interim agreement established a 60-day window for negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict and reaching a broader agreement on Iran's nuclear program. However, that deadline passed last week without any breakthrough or agreement to extend the talks.

Despite a temporary easing of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, tensions remain high as Iran imposes new restrictions on vessels using the strategically important waterway. While no confirmed attacks were reported in the strait during the previous 48 hours, shipping traffic has significantly decreased. The US military has blocked 70 commercial vessels and disabled three since Sunday.

Iran's newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority, also sanctioned by Washington, has published a list of dozens of vessels breaching the arrangements for transit through the strait, threatening future restrictions, fines, or seizures.

Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is scheduled to lead a delegation to Tehran on Monday as part of Islamabad's efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the United States. The visit is seen as a diplomatic push to de-escalate tensions and encourage Washington and Tehran to return to the negotiating table.