Iran rejected claims that it had sought renewed negotiations with the United States on Friday, after US President Donald Trump said Tehran had asked to continue talks and warned that the ceasefire between the two sides was "OVER."

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Tehran denied making any such request. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Friday night that Iran had not requested talks with Washington. Yet he noted that Iran did not turn down the request of Qatar, a regional mediator, to visit Iran on Friday for discussions.

Baghaei accused the United States of repeatedly violating the provisions of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending the conflict, citing US strikes on several Iranian cities on Wednesday and Thursday.

He also pointed to Washington's revocation of a license allowing the sale of Iranian-origin oil until August 21, as well as newly announced sanctions against Iran, describing them as additional "blatant violations" of the MoU. Baghaei reiterated Iran's policy of "commitment for commitment," saying any US violation would be met with a reciprocal response.

Earlier this week, US forces carried out repeated strikes against Iran following attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone strikes against US military bases and facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan.

When asked whether the end of the ceasefire meant the US military would resume airstrikes on Iran, US Central Command spokesman Tim Hawkins said there was currently "no operational update" and that he would not speculate on any future military operations.

However, he said US forces in the region remained "vigilant, lethal, and prepared to execute operations directed by the Commander in Chief."

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran was fully prepared to defend itself and confront the United States if Washington abandoned its commitments under the agreement.

Ghalibaf stressed that ending the war is a common priority for countries around the world, but everyone must understand that this conflict will never end with Iran's surrender.

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, also warned that any attack on Iranian infrastructure would trigger a proportional response, adding that Israel, which he accused of supporting such actions, would also face retaliation.

Israel urged to avoid escalation in southern Lebanon

Meanwhile, Israel's political leadership has instructed the military to avoid carrying out "unusual" operations in southern Lebanon following a request from Washington, Israeli state-run Kan TV News reported on Friday.

The directive will remain in place until further notice, pending developments in US-Iran tensions and ongoing negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, according to the report.

Kan said the United States, preoccupied with its own confrontation with Iran, has expressed concerns that Israel could become further involved in the conflict.

An Israeli security source told Kan that Israel is prepared to exploit any Iranian attack against it to launch significant strikes in Iran, but, in light of a demand from the White House, the Israeli military was instructed to hold off.

The report also said the Israeli military is expected to begin withdrawing from two areas in the "security zone" it maintains in southern Lebanon as early as next week, coinciding with the resumption of Israel-Lebanon peace talks in Rome.

The withdrawal is part of a framework agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon in Washington in late June.

Prospects for renewed US-Iran talks remain uncertain

Amid rising tensions, a new round of US-Iran negotiations was expected to take place next week, possibly in Switzerland, according to a report by US media outlet Axios, citing a source familiar with the matter.

However, a source close to Iran's negotiating team said on Friday that reports about new talks between Iran and the United States next week were inaccurate.

The source denied reports that preparations for talks in Islamabad had been finalized or that technical discussions would resume next week, saying the claims were "false information without any factual basis."

The source stressed that any progress in the negotiations would be announced only through official Iranian channels, adding that some reports by foreign media outlets were unreliable.

On June 18, Iran and the United States signed the MoU on ending the conflict across the region, including in Lebanon. Under the agreement, the two sides were expected to hold negotiations within 60 days to reach a final settlement.

However, renewed military tensions have cast uncertainty over the prospects for a lasting ceasefire.

Regional mediators step up diplomatic efforts

As tensions escalate, regional mediators have intensified efforts to ease the situation.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, expressing concern over the risk of further escalation and stressing the need for continued diplomatic efforts and restraint.

Sharif said Pakistan would continue working with regional mediators, including Qatar, to advance diplomatic processes, reduce tensions and help consolidate the ceasefire.

Pezeshkian said mutual respect and practical commitment to obligations were essential for any sustainable agreement, while accusing the United States and Israel of violating their commitments.

He expressed hope that all parties would adopt a responsible approach and preserve opportunities to promote peace, security and stability in the region.

Strait of Hormuz traffic continues to fall

Amid the renewed confrontation between Iran and the United States, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has continued to decline.

Data released Friday by global shipping intelligence provider Kpler showed that the number of vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz area fell to 22 on July 9, down from 30 the previous day. It was the second consecutive day of declining traffic.

The strait is one of the world's most important energy transit routes. Following the signing of the US-Iran MoU, two main shipping routes remained available: a northern route controlled by Iran and a southern route near Oman, where US forces provide navigation assistance.

Kpler data showed that, following recent attacks on vessels near Omani waters, shipping operators have increasingly favored the Iranian-controlled route. Only one vessel passed through the Omani side of the strait on July 9.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to lead a diplomatic delegation to Oman on Saturday. During the visit, the two sides are expected to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments, particularly the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Baghaei said Iran and Oman would also hold talks on maritime security and related cooperation concerning the strategic waterway.