Iran targeted seven commercial ships in past week, CENTCOM commander says

The US Treasury froze more than $130 million in cryptocurrency wallets linked to Iran’s central bank as part of efforts to disrupt Tehran’s illicit financial activities, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday.

“US Treasury is committed to disrupting and degrading Iran’s illicit financial activities, including its abuse of digital assets. Today, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned multiple wallets tied to the Central Bank of Iran, resulting in the freeze of over $130 million,” he posted on X. “We will continue to aggressively follow the money and deny the Iranian regime access to the proceeds of its illicit revenue schemes.”

Iran will not be the first side to request negotiations with Washington after US actions disrupted the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on state-run television on Tuesday.

Gharibabadi said he told a European foreign ministry official in a phone call that Iran had not left the negotiating table and that it was the US that disrupted the process through its actions.

“Any assumption that increased pressure or military action could force Iran to seek talks was a mistake, as Tehran would not change its position on the Strait of Hormuz or ease restrictions it has imposed there,” Gharibabadi said. "We will never request negotiations with the US.”

Negotiations and agreements with the US have failed and Iran should not become attached to diplomacy, Iranian lawmaker Ali Khezrian said in an interview with state television, adding that Washington only understands "the language of force."

Khezrian said negotiators should not turn talks and agreements into an ideological or personal matter, adding that their efforts had not produced results and accusing the US of failing to honor commitments.

"Do not look at negotiations in a biased way; the enemy understands the language of force," he said.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday strikes on Iran would continue until he determines they should end, adding that Tehran still has "some fight left" but "not much," Fox News reported.

Trump said energy targets in Iran would be saved for last, while adding that "the strikes will continue until I say it's enough."

Iran’s response to US strikes will not be proportional and will instead make Washington "regret" its actions, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Tuesday in remarks published by Iran’s official media on X.

"Iran's response to US aggression will not be proportional; rather, it will make them regret it,” he said.