The U.S. "Bush" Aircraft Carrier Approaches the Middle East, Iranian Foreign Minister Leads Delegation to Three Countries, Iranian Officials Intensively Emphasize Unity

[Global Times Correspondents in the U.S. and Pakistan: Feng Yaren, Huang Xiaona, Jing Kuan] On the evening of the 23rd, Iran's Supreme Leader Mujtaba posted on social media, stating that the enemy has launched media propaganda in an attempt to manipulate the thoughts of the Iranian people and undermine Iran's unity and security. He praised the strong power of unity among the Iranian people, claiming it has severely undermined the enemy's camp. On the same day, the Iranian President, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and the Chief Justice issued statements condemning the U.S. claims of "infighting" between Iran's so-called "hardliners" and "moderates," calling it an unfounded provocation. On the other hand, U.S. President Trump emphasized again on the 23rd that he feels no pressure to end the conflict with Iran and is not in a hurry to reach an agreement with Iran. The U.S. Central Command announced on the same day that the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier had sailed closer to the Middle East, potentially increasing the number of large U.S. warships operating in the region to three. Iranian officials stated that they have locked onto a series of targets and are ready to fire at any time, warning the U.S. that if military aggression resumes, Iran will take devastating retaliatory action. Against this backdrop, Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif departed on the evening of the 24th for visits to Pakistan, Oman, and Russia to discuss bilateral relations and the current regional situation.

Iranian Media: Supreme Leader's Speech is Timely

According to a report from the Islamic Republic News Agency on the 24th, Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif will visit Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, Muscat, the capital of Oman, and Moscow, the capital of Russia. The purpose of this trip is to conduct bilateral consultations and exchange views on the current regional situation and the latest developments regarding the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.

Sources from the Pakistani government stated that Zarif will arrive in Islamabad on the evening of the 24th "leading a small delegation." Reuters quoted sources as saying that Zarif's visit will be brief, aimed at discussing Iran's proposed negotiation plan with the U.S., which will then be conveyed to Washington by the mediating party, Pakistan. A U.S. logistics and security team has been deployed in preparation for possible negotiations. Media such as Pakistan's ARY News reported on the 24th that a U.S. negotiating delegation may arrive in Islamabad on the 25th.

Additionally, according to observations from Global Times correspondents in Islamabad, the "Red Zone" (the security core area where Pakistan's main government departments are located) has been under lockdown for several days, with police stating that this measure is to prepare for potential second-round negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.

On the 23rd, Iran's Supreme Leader Mujtaba stated on social media, "The extraordinary unity formed among compatriots has caused divisions within the enemy." He emphasized that this unprecedented unity has disrupted the calculations of those attempting to undermine Iran's stability. The Supreme Leader also warned of the ongoing psychological warfare launched by the enemy: "The enemy's media propaganda aims to manipulate the thoughts of the (Iranian) people and undermine Iran's unity and security. Do not let this sinister plot succeed due to our negligence." Iranian media stated that Iran is currently at a critical juncture, fiercely resisting the comprehensive suppression orchestrated by the U.S., Israel, and their Western allies, including unilateral sanctions, military threats, and smear campaigns, making Mujtaba's remarks timely.

On the 23rd, Iranian President Raisi, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly Qalibaf, and Chief Justice Ejei issued a statement on social media, sending a clear signal to the U.S. and unanimously emphasizing the stance of national unity and resistance against foreign interference. The statement declared that in Iran, there are no so-called "hardliners" or "moderates," "we are all Iranians, we are all revolutionaries." With the "ironclad unity" of the nation and people, as well as loyalty to the Supreme Leader, Iran will make the aggressors pay the price.

Iran's First Vice President Aref shared this statement, adding, "Iran is not a divided country, but a united fortress. In times of crisis, we stand united under the same flag. To defend our homeland and dignity, we transcend all labels: we are one soul, one nation."

On the same day, Zarif also posted on social media, emphasizing that the Iranian people are more united than ever.

U.S. Defense Secretary: The Conflict Will Not Be "Endless"

Earlier on the 23rd, U.S. President Trump posted on social media, stating that the "hardliners" and "moderates" in Iran are engaged in "infighting." He had previously stated on the 21st that the Iranian government is "seriously divided internally," and at Pakistan's request, he would extend the ceasefire until Iran presents a consensus proposal.

Qatar's Al Jazeera reported that the U.S. is exaggerating the so-called "division in Iran," which could serve as a reason to extend the ceasefire on one hand, and on the other hand, blame the current diplomatic stalemate on Iran. However, Tehran has recently emphasized that the second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations originally planned to be held in Pakistan did not take place as scheduled due to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.

"I have all the time in the world, but Iran does not—time is slipping away!" Trump stated on social media regarding the end of the conflict with Iran. He reiterated that Iran's military power has been severely weakened and stated that any agreement to end the conflict will be made on U.S. terms and timeline. Later that day, when asked at the White House how long he was willing to wait to reach a long-term peace agreement, Trump said, "Don't rush me," "I want to reach the best deal. I could sign it right now... but I don't want to do that. What I want is a permanent agreement."

U.S. Defense Secretary Esper expressed the same view on the 24th at the Pentagon, stating, "We have plenty of time," while insisting that the conflict will not be "endless," but the U.S. is also "not in a hurry to reach an agreement." However, the U.S. New York Times believes that this conflict has greatly depleted the U.S. military's global ammunition stockpile, and rising energy prices have also put pressure on the U.S. government domestically to end the conflict.

U.S. Bloomberg quoted an Arab official as saying that Iran hopes to reach a comprehensive agreement to resolve a series of long-standing disputes, such as sanctions against Iran and its nuclear and missile programs. Although the U.S. and Israel have made it clear that they will not accept these demands, there is still a possibility that the U.S. and Iran could first reach a temporary transitional agreement: to restart shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and terminate the U.S. maritime blockade, with other differences to be gradually resolved in subsequent negotiations.

U.S. Threatens to Punish NATO Allies?

On the 23rd, the U.S. Central Command posted on social media with images, stating that the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush was operating in the Indian Ocean within the command's area of responsibility on that day. Currently, the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike groups are deployed in the Red Sea and the northern Arabian Sea, respectively. According to U.S. media reports, the USS George H.W. Bush is likely to replace the USS Gerald R. Ford. During the handover, the U.S. military is expected to form a three-carrier deployment posture in the Middle East.

The U.S. Washington Post reported that the arrival of the third carrier strike group near Iran significantly enhances the U.S. military's deployable strength. U.S. cable news network CNN quoted analysts as saying that the arrival of the USS George H.W. Bush sends a message, increasing the pressure on the Iranian government as peace negotiations approach, but it remains uncertain whether Iran will compromise.

Israel also seems to be preparing to return to the battlefield. Israeli Defense Minister Katz threatened in a video speech on the 23rd that the Israel Defense Forces are ready for both defense and offense, stating, "We are waiting for the U.S. to give the green light," "to push Iran back to the dark ages and the Stone Age."

In response to the U.S. and Israeli threats, Iranian Army Commander Hatami stated on social media on the 24th that Iran's powerful armed forces will surely make the aggressors pay the price. The day before, commanders of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air and Space Force and Navy issued a joint statement emphasizing that Iran is combat-ready and vows to make the aggressors pay for their actions through the ironclad unity of the nation and people.

According to a report from Reuters on the 24th, a U.S. official revealed that an internal email from the U.S. Department of Defense listed several punitive measures against NATO allies that the U.S. believes have not supported military actions against Iran, including suspending Spain's NATO membership and re-evaluating the U.S. position on the UK's claims of sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.

In response, Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez emphasized on the 24th during an EU summit in Cyprus that Spain is a "reliable member" of NATO, stating, "We will not act based on emails, but based on official documents and the position expressed by the U.S. government on this matter." The Spanish government's position is to "engage in comprehensive cooperation with allies, but always act within the framework of international law."