Iran war: What’s happening on day 53 as ceasefire deadline nears?

Iran war: What is happening on day 53 of the US-Israel conflict?

Diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israel war on Iran are stalled as Tehran rejects talks under pressure.

US President Donald Trump has said he is “ready to go” back to war with Iran if no deal is reached by the end of the ceasefire tomorrow, raising the stakes as the fragile truce nears its expiry.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s information minister said Iran’s response on whether it will send a delegation for talks with the US is still awaited, highlighting continued uncertainty around diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israel war on Iran.

Tehran has already signalled its position, saying it will not negotiate under the “shadow of threats” or while a US naval blockade remains in place, casting doubt on the prospects for a breakthrough.

Here is what we know:

In Iran:

End of ceasefire: The two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran will expire at midnight GMT Tuesday, Iran state television said.
Iran comments on next steps: Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the country is “ready to show new cards on the battlefield” if clashes with the US resume after the ceasefire ends.
Airports reopen: Iran reopened Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad airports after weeks of war-related closures, aviation authorities said.
Nuclear standoff: The US wants Iran to halt its nuclear programme and hand over enriched uranium, a demand Tehran rejects. Iran says its nuclear programme is for research purposes and that it does not intend to make an atomic bomb.
Economic demands: Iran has sought the release of its frozen assets and compensation for damage caused by US and Israeli strikes.
Iran sets conditions for talks: Academic Zohreh Kharazmi said Tehran believes it holds the upper hand and will not negotiate “under the shadow of threats”, arguing Trump is “really in need of the negotiations”, though Iran would prefer to avoid renewed fighting.

War diplomacy:

Diplomatic efforts continue: The US Department of State will hold new talks on Thursday following a fragile ceasefire, a US official told the AFP news agency. A US team is expected to travel to Pakistan “soon” for further negotiations.

Waiting on Tehran: Mediator Pakistan has yet to receive a formal response from Iran on whether it would send a delegation for a second round of talks with the US.

France’s reaction: French President Emmanuel Macron called the US and Iranian blockades of the Strait of Hormuz “a mistake on both sides”.

Russia’s position: Moscow called for the US-Iran ceasefire to be extended beyond its expiry on Wednesday.

China’s concern: China, the main buyer of Iranian oil, expressed “concern” over the US seizure of the Iranian-flagged vessel near the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend and urged all parties to resume peace talks.

In the US:

US stance: Trump said sanctions on Iranian ports would remain until Tehran agrees to a peace deal.

Policy assessment: Daniel Benaim, former deputy assistant secretary of state for Arabian Peninsula affairs, said the US has fallen short of its key aims in Iran, warning there is now a more complex military and diplomatic position than at the start of the war.

Media criticism: Trump attacked news outlets, including CNN, accusing them of downplaying US strikes on Iran and claiming he is “winning” the war, while dismissing critical reporting as “fake news”.

Trump accuses Iran: “Iran has Violated the ceasefire numerous times!” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform, referring to the two-week truce set to expire by Wednesday.

In Israel:

Calls for Hezbollah disarmament continue: Israel has been demanding the Lebanese government disarm Hezbollah, using its continued presence in southern Lebanon as leverage, despite concerns this could trigger wider instability.

Human rights criticism: Amnesty International has accused Israel of contributing to a global decline in human rights, alongside the US and Russia.

Israel pressure: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said his country’s campaign in Lebanon relied on both military and diplomatic pressure to disarm Hezbollah.

In Lebanon and Gaza

Lebanon death toll rises: Israeli attacks have killed at least 2,454 people since fighting escalated six weeks ago, officials said.

‘Israel talks separate’: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said planned talks with Israel were “separate” from the Iran-US negotiations.

Hezbollah mass burials: Hezbollah announced it will hold mass funerals in south Lebanon for 44 fighters killed during more than six weeks of war with Israel.

Violence continues in Gaza: Despite an October ceasefire, Israeli operations have killed more than 780 Palestinians, with recent strikes reported across Gaza.