US-Iran Negotiations Proceed Cautiously as Regional Tensions Linger

Getty Images

Indirect discussions between American and Iranian officials are continuing, though under conditions of considerable mistrust, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has acknowledged. In parallel, senior Iranian parliamentarian Ebrahim Azizi delivered a strong caution, stating that any threats to Iran’s security or its regional allies — including the Houthis — would trigger a firm and significant counter-response.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged all parties to demonstrate the highest level of restraint to avoid further destabilising the situation.

The conflict began on 28 February with US and Israeli strikes on Iran. A ceasefire was established on 8 April, but periodic incidents have continued. President Trump has emphasised that any final agreement must permanently block Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran, meanwhile, is seeking the removal of international sanctions, access to frozen assets, and formal acceptance of its control over the Strait of Hormuz, which it has effectively closed to most shipping since the war started.

Although the recent halt in direct attacks provides a short-term respite, fundamental disagreements and active conflicts on several fronts suggest that a stable, long-term solution will require extended diplomatic commitment.

Separately, Britain’s media regulator Ofcom has introduced updated expectations for social media and online platforms to strengthen their preparedness for rapid escalations in illegal content during crises.

In its published protocol, Ofcom explained: “Given the speed at which online harms can escalate during a crisis, and the serious risks this can pose to public safety, we have decided to accelerate our work on these crisis response measures.”

Platforms are now expected to activate temporary specialist teams, scale up moderation efforts, perform detailed post-crisis evaluations, and — for larger services — maintain dedicated channels for direct coordination with law enforcement authorities.

These obligations stem from the Online Safety Act, one of the most stringent digital regulatory frameworks worldwide. The rules focus on around 140 defined criminal offences related to terrorism, hate, harassment, and threats. Companies themselves remain responsible for determining appropriate actions, guided by Ofcom’s recommendations.