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US-Iran peace deal

Trump says Iran peace talks paused for a week due to Khamenei's funeral ceremonies

  • On Feb 28, US and Israel launched strikes on Iran
  • Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated in strikes; Mojtaba succeeded him.
  • A two-week ceasefire began on April 8 and was later extended indefinitely.
  • Pakistan hosted first US-Iran face-to-face talks in 47 years; no breakthrough, but talks continued.
  • US, Iran reach preliminary deal to end conflict, hold talks in Switzerland

Fleet of 10 Japan-related ships exit Hormuz, data shows

A fleet of 10 Japan-linked vessels was exiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday while ‌a supertanker carrying Saudi crude for South Korea left over the weekend, shipping data on LSEG showed, after the ships were stranded in the Gulf for months because of the Iran war, Reuters reported.

The Japan-linked ships include six very large crude carriers loaded with 12 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude, two chemical tankers, a vehicle carrier and a container ship, the data showed. The tankers are carrying crudes from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar that were loaded in late February to early March.

Most of the vessels are managed by Japanese shipper Mitsui ‌O.S.K. Lines (MOL) (9104.T), opens new tab which had said it would prioritise the safety of its seafarers, cargo and vessels when traversing the strait.

Mitsui OSK declined to comment.

Separately, South Korean refiner S-Oil said on Monday that the VLCC Long Wind carrying oil for its refinery exited the strait on Saturday. The vessel, loaded with 2 million barrels of Saudi crude in early March, is expected to arrive at Onsan, South Korea, on July 26, LSEG data showed.

Enforcement of MoU is 'difficult, but possible,' says Iran's parliament speaker

Iran’s Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Bagher Ghalibaf has said that significant differences remain between Tehran and Washington despite the signing of a recent memorandum of understanding, adding that enforcing the MoU would be “difficult, but possible.”

He made the remarks during a meeting in Tehran with Mohammad Darwish, head of Hamas’s leadership council, who visited Iran to attend the funeral ceremonies of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Ghalibaf noted that while the memorandum represents a diplomatic step, deep political disagreements between Iran and the United States continue to persist. He suggested that the success of the agreement would depend on overcoming these challenges during implementation.

“Today, this memorandum is being implemented, and its enforcement is difficult, but possible,” he said.
 

How many people have died in the Iran war?

Thousands of people across the Middle East have been killed since the start of the war, which began when the U.S. and Israel launched a "pre-emptive" strike on Iran on February 28.

Those strikes triggered Iranian attacks on Israel, US bases and the Gulf states, while opening a new front in Lebanon.

More than 3,000 Iranians have been killed, including many of Iran's most senior politicians and military commanders.

Iranian military bases and major infrastructure projects were destroyed causing billions of dollars in damage.

But Iran successfully struck U.S. bases in the region, inflicting pain on the Gulf Arab countries that host them and killing dozens of people before the current ceasefire.

Iran has also asserted its control of the Strait of Hormuz, causing a spike in global energy prices.

Over 4,000 Lebanese have been killed and more than a million displaced by Israel's campaign in Lebanon since March. At least 32 Israeli soldiers ?and four Israeli civilians have ?been killed in strikes by Iranian ally Hezbollah, most ?of them in southern Lebanon. 

Khamenei's killers will not die a natural death, says Iranian official

Peace talks are on hold during funeral week

 US President Donald Trump told the Axios news website that peace talks to end the Iran war have been paused for a week for the events surrounding the funeral.

A shaky ceasefire has suspended the four-month-old war under ‌an agreement with Washington that Iran's authorities say will ultimately bring huge economic benefits, in line with what they describe as a victory over a superpower.

An interim deal reached last month includes the unfreezing of billions of dollars in Iranian assets held abroad, and waivers from financial sanctions that had brought Iran's economy to its knees.

In Washington, Trump said last week the two sides were making progress on possible limits to Iran's nuclear program — the main reason he launched the war along with Israel in February.

Iran's supreme leader reappoints Mohseni-Ejei as head of country's judiciary

Iran Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has reappointed Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei as head of the country’s judiciary, Al Jazeera reported.

In a decree, the supreme leader praised Mohseni-Ejei’s “valuable and sincere efforts” as judiciary chief.

Mourners carry 'kill Trump' banners during Khamenei's funeral processions

 

What is the schedule for Monday's mourning?

After what authorities are billing as a massive procession in central Tehran on Monday, the remains will be taken to the seminary city of Qom for ceremonies on Tuesday.

His body will be moved by land in a special vehicle, Iran's state media cited an official as saying.

From there the body will be flown to Iraq for ceremonies in holy shrine cities of Najaf and Kerbala on Wednesday

It will return to Iran on Thursday for another procession in Mashhad, to be buried near the tomb of another of the medieval Shi'ite imams.

Authorities plan to mobilize millions of people for big processions over the coming days, offering transport, food and lodging.

Security will be tight, with temporary airspace restrictions in place over Tehran and other cities and threats of a powerful response if either the United States or Israel resumes attacks.

Iran praises Pakistan's support and reaffirms bilateral ties

Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, has expressed gratitude to Pakistan for its high-level participation in the funeral ceremony of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In a statement shared on X, the ambassador conveyed appreciation on behalf of the Iranian government and people, thanking Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Field Marshal, and the Deputy Prime Minister for their participation.

He also acknowledged the presence of Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, along with other senior government officials, religious figures, political leaders, and cultural personalities who attended the ceremony.

He said Pakistan's representation at the event reflected the longstanding friendship and mutual respect between the two neighbouring countries. He said the high-level participation highlighted the historic relationship and shared values that have shaped ties between Iran and Pakistan over the years.

Reza Amiri Moghadam added that the two countries have consistently stood by one another during both difficult and significant moments in their history. He expressed hope that the spirit of solidarity and cooperation between Iran and Pakistan would continue, praying for lasting peace, prosperity, and dignity for both nations. He also voiced the wish that bilateral relations would grow even stronger for future generations.
 

Ghalibaf calls MoU with US as achievement for Tehran's 'axis of resistance'

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf held a meeting with Mohammed Al-Nuaimi, vice chairman of the Houthi Supreme Political Council when he called the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the United States as a significant political and military success for Tehran and its regional partners.

Ghalibaf said the agreement reflected growing recognition of Iran's allied groups across the region.

“The United States and Israel were forced to practically recognise Iran’s allies in the axis of resistance, and this is one of the achievements of this memorandum,” Ghalibaf said, according to Iranian media.

The alliance referred to by Tehran as the "axis of resistance" consists of several Iran-aligned armed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in Gaza, and armed factions operating in Iraq.

Ghalibaf also characterised the agreement as “a defeat for the United States and an achievement for the axis of resistance, both militarily and politically”.

He further warned that the United States and Israel would “resort to war” if they believed Iran lacked sufficient military strength.

Houthi official says US, Israel assassinated Khamenei over his support for Palestine

Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a spokesman for Yemen’s Houthis, has told Iranian media that US and Israel killed Iran’s supreme leader because of his efforts to support the liberation of Palestine.

Al-Bukhaiti described Khamenei as a symbol of resistance and freedom for nations seeking independence from US and Israel’s domination, according to Iran’s Press TV.

“His intellectual and political vision across the Islamic world, together with his efforts to liberate Palestine, were among the main reasons the West became determined to assassinate him,” al-Bukhaiti said.
 

Tehran prepares for Ali Khamenei's funeral procession

A two-day public farewell ceremony for Iran’s slain former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has come to a close, with millions expected to take part in a funeral procession scheduled in Tehran today.

His son and successor Mojtaba Khamenei has still not appeared publicly as Iran prepares for a third day of public mourning.
 

Oil futures extend decline after OPEC+ announces increase in production

Oil futures dipped Sunday after OPEC+, the seven oil-producing members and their allies, announced an increase in oil production of 188,000 barrels a day, continuing output hikes for the fifth consecutive time since the start of the war in Iran.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped 0.4% to $71.87 a barrel, and US crude fell 0.22%, to $68.64 a barrel.

Oil prices have declined since the US-Iran ceasefire agreement in mid-June opened up some traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
 

Tehran airspace shut as Khamenei funeral continues

Iran will fully close Tehran’s airspace on Monday as funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei continue, the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reports.

The Civil Aviation Organization said regular flights at Mehrabad International Airport and Imam Khomeini International Airport will be suspended during public ceremonies in the capital.

Mehrabad airport is expected to resume normal operations on Tuesday, while Imam Khomeini airport will remain closed.

Authorities said airspace over the northeastern city of Mashhad, where the final burial ceremony will take place, will also be shut on July 9, with flights at Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport suspended.

Flights elsewhere in Iran are expected to continue without restrictions on July 7–8. 

US expects NATO leaders to discuss security of Strait of Hormuz at summit, official says

The Trump administration expects security in the Strait of Hormuz to be among the topics discussed by NATO leaders when they gather this week in Ankara, Turkey, a senior US official said Sunday.

“I certainly believe that the Strait of Hormuz and the protection of the maritime traffic going through there is going to be a subject that comes up,” a senior US official said. 

Saudi, Bahraini foreign ministers discuss US-Iran talks

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani discussed the US-Iran negotiation path and regional developments during a meeting in Riyadh on Sunday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement. 

 

Israel set to hand south Lebanon areas to Lebanese army: media

Israel is preparing to hand over two limited areas in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese army under a US-backed framework agreement, while retaining most of the territory it controls in the security zone until Hezbollah is disarmed, Israeli news outlet Ynet reported.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security consultation with his small security cabinet on Sunday evening as Israel awaited confirmation that the Lebanese army was ready to enter the areas and approval from US Central Command, the report said.
 

Qatari PM, French Foreign Minister discuss Lebanon, regional diplomacy

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani held a telephone conversation with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to discuss bilateral ties and the latest developments in the region.

According to Qatar's Foreign Ministry, the two officials reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation between their countries.

They also exchanged views on the situation in Lebanon and ongoing diplomatic efforts to enhance regional security and stability following the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran. The call also covered other issues of mutual interest.

Iran Parliament speaker says US-Iran MoU 'difficult but possible' to implement

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that implementing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran will be challenging but remains achievable, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA).

Speaking during a meeting with a Hamas leader, Ghalibaf said diplomacy and negotiations should help resolve military tensions while safeguarding the gains made by resistance fighters.

"Today, the memorandum of understanding is being implemented, and although its implementation is difficult, it is possible," Ghalibaf said.

Most Gulf stock markets decline as investors stay cautious over US-Iran talks

Most major stock markets across the Gulf closed lower on Sunday as investors remained cautious after indirect peace talks between the United States and Iran ended without any significant breakthrough.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index fell 0.3%, weighed down by a 0.5% decline in shares of Al Rajhi Bank.

Despite the market decline, Saudi Arabia's non-oil private sector recorded stronger growth in June, supported by the fastest rise in new business in four months. However, businesses continued to face rising costs and weaker export demand, according to a recent survey.

In contrast, Qatar's main stock index gained 0.3%, helped by a 0.2% increase in shares of Qatar National Bank, the country's largest lender.
 

Iranian mourners call for resistance, revenge at Khamenei's funeral: Security chief

Iran's top security official, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, said mourners at the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for resistance against Iran's enemies and demanded revenge for his assassination, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

In a message issued on Sunday, Zolqadr said, "Keep your eyes on Iran in the coming days. This is the very Iran you believed could be brought to its knees within days."

He added that the large crowds attending Khamenei's funeral were chanting two main slogans: resistance against Iran's enemies and revenge for the killing of the country's late supreme leader.

 

Iran and Qatar resume maritime trade, Iranian state media reports

Maritime trade between Iran and Qatar has resumed after a roughly five-month suspension, Iran's commercial attache in Doha told state media on Sunday.

Abbas Abdolkhani said shipping between Iran’s Dayyer port and Qatar’s Al Ruwais port had resumed following coordination between the Iranian embassy in Doha and Qatari authorities. 

Iranians call for US President Trump's death at Khamenei funeral

Calls have rung out for the killing of US President Donald Trump in the crowd of hundreds of thousands of mourners in Iran’s capital, Al Jazeera reports.

Posters and graffiti at the Grand Mosalla called for the killing of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Mohammad Rasouli, a poet who emceed the event before the funeral prayers, drew out calls of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”.

Speaking to the crowd over loudspeakers, Rasouli asked, referring to Trump: “Why is the most bastard man in the world still alive?” The question drew cheers from the crowd. 

UKMTO says received report of an attack on cargo vessel 30nm southwest of Yemen's Al hudaydah

The United Kingdom’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre says that a cargo vessel 30 nautical miles off Yemen has triggered a distress alert over an attack by unknown armed assailants.

“Authorities are investigating,” it says.

 

Iran's military says ceasefire being used to heighten combat readiness

Brigadier-General Mohammad Akraminia says the army is using the ceasefire period to strengthen its combat capabilities, warning any “enemy mistake” would be met with a “decisive response”.

Akraminia said Iran is using the halt to hostilities to strengthen its armed forces. “We will not waste a single moment or neglect this,” he said.

“If the enemies make a mistake they will definitely face a crushing and decisive response from the Iranian armed forces,” he said.

Thousands of US and Israeli air strikes hit a range of military targets, energy, and civilian infrastructure during weeks of war that began with the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28. The ?attacks killed more than 3,000 people in Iran, according to state media.
 

Qatar transport ministry says maritime activities to resume immediately

Qatar says that maritime activities will resume with immediate effect, according to a statement by its ministry of transport.

This reverses a June 29 advisory that had urged all vessels to suspend sailing and maritime activities until further notice.

“Maritime navigation activities can now resume normally for all types of maritime vessels and ships,” the ministry said on X. 

3 sons of Iran's assassinated leader Khamenei appear at funeral, not his successor

Three sons of assassinated Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prayed beside his coffin and those of four other family members, but Mojtaba, the son who has succeeded him as Iran’s supreme leader, did not make an appearance, Reuters reports.

State TV showed Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud Khamenei praying behind the coffins laid out in the vast courtyard of Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, a sprawling religious complex. In a show of public devotion to the theocratic state and revolutionary zeal, the Islamic Republic is staging a week of mass funeral processions for Khamenei, including taking his remains to religious sites in neighbouring Iraq.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf prayed behind the coffins. Masoud Khamenei was seen crying and wiping his tears with a keffiyeh as an imam recited funeral prayers. 

Iran foreign minister meets Hamas and Hezbollah delegations in Tehran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held separate meetings in Tehran with delegations from Hamas and Hezbollah, both in the capital for the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Al Jazeera reports.

The Hamas delegation, led by Leadership Council head Mohammad Darwish, offered condolences for Khamenei’s death and briefed Araqchi on conditions in Gaza and the West Bank, describing the international response as “catastrophic” and calling for Israel to be held accountable, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Darwish praised Iran’s historical support for Palestine and congratulatedTehran on what he described as its military and diplomatic gains during the conflict.

Separately, Aragchi met a Hezbollah delegation on Saturday led by Senior political official and former Lebanese MP Muhammad Fneish, who conveyed condolences from Secretary-General Naim Qassem.

Fneish commended Iran’s military and diplomatic performance during recent hostilities with the US and Israel and for it support for Lebanon reported IRIN the state-run Iranian news channel.

Aragchi thanked the delegations, reaffirmed Iran’s support for Palestinian statehood, and praised Hezbollah’s resistance. He also paid tribute to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and said Iran would continue pursuing an end to the war in Lebanon in line with the ceasefire memorandum.

Tehran metro sees jump in passengers for Khamenei's funeral

More than seven million passengers have used Tehran’s metro network from 5:30pm on Saturday to 7am on Sunday - the jump in ridership coinciding with former leader Khamenei’s funeral at the Grand Mosalla, Al Jazeera reported.

Attendees have been advised by organisers to use the metro system to access the site, Tasnim News Agency said. 

Senior cleric Jafar Sobhani leads funeral prayers for late Supreme Leader Khamenei

Senior scholar Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani conducted the funeral service for the martyred Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei and four other members of his family at Tehran's Grand Mosalla, according to Al Jazeera, citing IRNA news agency.

Per agency reports, attendees included top officials President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, alongside IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani.
 

Khamenei's sons seen at funeral

The Associated Press news agency reported that Khamenei’s sons Masoud, Meysam and Mostafa have attended the prayers for the late supreme leader.

The commander of the IRGC, Ahmad Vahidi, also took part.

Khamenei’s son and successor Mojtaba did not attend because of security risks amid an Israeli threat to kill him.
 

Prayer held for Khamenei's 14-month-old granddaughter

Funeral prayers were also held today for the four members of Khamenei’s family who were killed in the joint US-Israeli strike on February 28, Al Jazeera reports.

Among them was his granddaughter, Zahra Mohammadi Golpayegani, who was only 14 months old.

Footage posted online by Tasnim news agency shows her small coffin placed beside her grandfather’s during the funeral proceedings. The agency said her father, Mohammad Javad Mohammadi Golpayegani, also attended the prayers.

Zahra’s mother, Boshra Khamenei, was also killed in the same strike.
 

Funeral prayers offered for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Funeral prayers were offered for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four members of his family in Tehran on Sunday, according to Iranian media Tasnim News Agency.

The prayers were held at the Imam Khomeini Grand Musalla, where Khamenei's body had been lying in state since Saturday for public mourning and official farewell ceremonies. 

Turkiye's Erdogan says Israel must not be able to 'dynamite' US-Iran deal

Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that peace efforts in the Middle East could not succeed without regional backing, adding that Israel must not be allowed to “dynamite” the United States-Iran deal, Al Jazeera reports.

Speaking in Istanbul alongside Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Erdogan said that “no solution that does not take strength from the will and contributions of regional countries can be lasting”.

“We are closely following the Israeli administration’s attempts to dynamite the [US-Iran] deal … The current war-addicted Israeli government must not be allowed to drown our geography in the smell of gunpowder and blood again,” he added.

The Turkish leader has repeatedly accused Israel of trying to undermine the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, and has also repeatedly condemned Israel’s attacks in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
 

Trump says US has 'wiped out' Iran's military in 250th US anniversary speech

Speaking at a celebration for the 250th anniversary of the US, Trump says the country has “wiped out” Iran.

“We’ve had tremendous success. You look at Venezuela, you look at Iran — we wiped it out, wiped out their military,” he said, addressing an audience at the Salute to America Celebration on the National Mall in Washington. 

'People can be killed, but ideals cannot': Iranian embassy rebukes Trump

Iranian embassy in Armenia criticised US President Donald Trump after comments he made about the funeral ceremonies of late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

In a post on X, the embassy declared that "people can be killed, but ideals cannot", adding that although Khamenei had been killed, his legacy would endure. It said: "You killed Ayatollah Khamenei, but in reality, you broke a perfume bottle whose scent spread everyplace."

The embassy also directly attacked Trump, saying: "You don't understand these things because you have neither civilisation, nor history, nor honour." The remarks came in response to comments attributed to Trump about the funeral gathering.

Speaking to Axios, Trump said he was following Khamenei's funeral and noted that those attending were gathered in one place. He added that the United States would not take action because it would otherwise have no one left with whom to negotiate. 

Prayers to be offered for Iran's Khamenei on day two of funeral ceremonies

Prayers were to be said over the casket of slain Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Sunday, the second day of marathon funeral ceremonies that have already drawn huge crowds to pay their final respects in Tehran.

Authorities have not announced whether a religious figure or a family member will lead the prayers for Khamenei, who ruled Iran from 1989 until he was killed aged 86 in an airstrike on the first day of the Middle East war on February 28.

Sunday has been declared a public holiday for the entire country, and in the evening, Khamenei's body will leave the Grand Mosalla complex where it is lying in state in preparation for processions through the capital planned for Monday.

Hassan Hassanzadeh, in charge of the ceremonies as commander of the powerful Revolutionary Guards in Tehran, said that "prayers will be carried out over the holy body of the martyred leader" at 8:00 am local time (0430 GMT), according to state TV. 

Four ships alter course in Strait of Hormuz

Ship-tracking firm Windward says four vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz via the southern route along Oman’s coast have altered course, with two turning back and two diverting to a central corridor, Al Jazeera reports.

Tehran claims sole responsibility for managing traffic in the Strait of Hormuz during the 60-day period specified in its MoU with the US, and is seeking, in coordination with Oman, to impose fees for services in the waterway once that period ends.

Ship-tracking firms have been reporting a modest recovery in maritime traffic through the Strait in recent days but still well below pre-war levels. 

Iran sets funeral schedule, procession route for Khamenei

Iman Attarzadeh, spokesperson for the committee organizing the funeral of Iran's slain supreme leader, said farewell ceremonies at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Mosalla will continue until 8pm on Sunday.

 

Mark Levin says Iran's leadership is 'neither defeated nor subdued'

Fox News commentator Mark Levin said Iran’s leadership remains “neither defeated nor subdued,” arguing in a post on X that it appears “as emboldened as ever.” 

Araghchi notes 'loyal Arab brothers' among over 70 countries attending Khamenei's funeral

Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi says the participation of over 70 countries in former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral “will remain an everlasting memory in the course of our shared relations”.

In a post in Arabic on X, Araghchi wrote: “Iran is pleased to have received representatives from more than 70 countries who chose to participate in honoring our supreme leader, the martyr, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, including our loyal Arab brothers among them.

“And this historic commemoration will remain an everlasting memory in the course of our shared relations,” he added.

Araghchi shared pictures of delegations from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Iraq at the funeral on Friday.
 

Trump says Netanyahu 'knows who the boss is' ahead of White House meeting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Saturday, in which the pair agreed to meet in Washington soon, according to an Israeli readout of the call.

Trump confirmed the meeting in a phone interview with Axios’ Barak Ravid, who is also a CNN contributor, saying it could take place as early as next week.

During the interview, Trump said Netanyahu “knows who the boss is,” adding that he gets along well with the Israeli leader.
 

US won't target officials at Khamenei funeral to preserve talks: Trump

US President Donald Trump said he was following Ali Khamenei’s funeral and suggested Iranian officials who gathered there could be targeted, but said Washington would not do so because it needs people to negotiate with, Axios reported Saturday.

“They are all there. One shot [and we can take them all out], but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with,” Trump said.

Trump added Iran was “begging to make a deal,” but that both sides had agreed to pause talks for a week until events around Khamenei’s funeral end.
 

Trump says White House meeting with Netanyahu possible next week: Axios

(Reuters) –  US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Axios on Saturday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked him for a meeting at the White House, and that it could take place as early as next week after the Nato summit in Turkiye.

 

US-Iran talks likely in Pakistan on July 11, Arab media reports

(Web Desk) – The next round of US-Iran negotiations is expected to take place in Pakistan on July 11, according to a report in Arab media.

The talks are set to focus on US sanctions on Iran, Tehran’s frozen assets and its nuclear programme.

Al Arabiya reported that Iran will decide the leadership of its delegation after the burial of the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

An official announcement on the composition of the Iranian delegation is expected once the funeral proceedings conclude.

Turkiye's Erdogan says Israel must not scupper US-Iran deal

(Reuters) – Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said that Middle East peace efforts could not succeed without regional backing and that Israel must not be allowed to "dynamite" the US-Iran peace deal.

Speaking alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul, Erdogan said: "No solution that does not take strength from the will and contributions of regional countries can be lasting."

"We are closely following the Israeli administration's attempts to dynamite the (US-Iran) deal... The current war-addicted Israeli government must not be allowed to drown our geography in the smell of gunpowder and blood again," Erdogan said.

 

US-Iran peace: PM Shehbaz credits Erdogan for backing Pakistan's mediation efforts

(Web Desk) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has credited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's support with enabling Pakistan to play a key mediation role in efforts to end the conflict between the United States and Iran.

Speaking during his official visit to Istanbul, Shehbaz described the diplomatic mission as an "uphill task" and said Pakistan worked sincerely to help secure the ceasefire.

President Erdogan praised Pakistan's contribution, saying the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding had brought relief to the international community and reaffirmed Turkiye's support for diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts.

Iran's Pezeshkian vows nation 'will not be allowed to fall'

(Web Desk) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has vowed that Iran will not fall, in a message paying tribute to late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“The great nation of Iran, with hearts filled with sorrow and wills strengthened by hope, will prove that the flag for whose continued raising the martyred leader struggled will not be allowed to fall,” he writes.

Divine retribution against US, Israeli regime not far off: IRGC commander

The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy says “divine retribution” against the United States and Israel is “not far off”, according to the IRNA state-run news agency.

In a message, IRGC Navy chief Rear Admiral Ali Ozmaei says he and his personnel “pledge to God that, by following the ideals of the martyrs, we will continue the path of the martyred leader of the Ummah with strength and steadfastness”.

“We have firm hope that divine retribution against the terrorist America and the illegitimate Zionist regime (Israel) is not far off,” he adds.

Lebanese President urges US support after Israel ceasefire framework

(Web desk) – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has urged the United States to continue supporting Lebanon following a recent US-backed framework agreement with Israel aimed at ending hostilities after the latest Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

The proposed deal includes Hezbollah's disarmament, a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has rejected the proposal, saying it lacks a clear timetable for Israel's withdrawal.

In a message marking US Independence Day, Aoun thanked President Donald Trump and expressed hope that Lebanon can move from years of conflict towards peace and stability.

'Let us wail!' Iranians flock to Khamenei's funeral after wartime death

(Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Iranians thronged a vast outdoor prayer complex in Tehran on Saturday to view the coffin of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled the Islamic Republic for 37 years before being martyred at ?the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Dressed in black and draped in the red, white and green flags of the Islamic Republic of Iran, mourners held up posters and A4 ‌printed sheets with pictures of Khamenei and his son and successor as supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

Iran warns against presence of 'extra regional powers' in Hormuz

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the Strait of Hormuz is not a theater for the military display of extra-regional powers.

Iran, as the responsible power and guarantor of the Strait's security, warns with sensitivity to any military movement in this waterway.

The security of Hormuz lies with the coastal states; the crisis-makers will be held accountable for the consequences of their adventurism; this is a serious warning.

 

 

PM Shehbaz pays tribute to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during visit to Tehran

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during his visit to Tehran, saying Muslims around the world would remember him as a great scholar and leader.

Speaking to Iranian media, the prime minister praised the late leader's steadfastness, courage, patience and vision, saying he had served Iran with sincerity and unwavering commitment.

"Not only the people of Iran, but millions of Muslims across the world will remember him as a great leader," Shehbaz said, adding that the Pakistani delegation had travelled to Iran to convey its heartfelt condolences and solidarity following his death.

The prime minister also expressed sympathy with the families of those who lost their lives, saying many Iranian citizens had also been killed as a result of "brutal aggression."

Over 5,000 schools open doors to pilgrims for Khamenei's funeral

Schools in Tehran have been opened for people to stay while on pilgrimage to attend Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s funeral, Al Jazeera reports.

According to a report by Iran’s ISNA news agency, the country’s minister of education said that more than 5,000 schools and about 40 to 50 thousand classrooms nationwide are open to welcome pilgrims of Khamenei.

More than 10 million people, including representatives from more than 100 countries, are expected in Tehran for the funeral.

Ghalibaf says Pakistan has been a true friend in difficult times

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that Pakistan has proven to be a true friend of Iran during difficult times, highlighting strong bilateral relations between the two countries.

During a meeting with Chairman Senate Yousuf Raza Gilani, Ghalibaf said Iran highly values the support and solidarity shown by Pakistan’s leadership and people during challenging periods. He added that Pakistan has stood by Iran not only in times of hardship but also in moments of celebration.

Speaking at the occasion, Ghalibaf expressed appreciation for what he described as the sincere friendship between the people of Pakistan and Iran.

Chairman Senate Yousuf Raza Gilani, in response, said that Iran’s progress contributes to peace and stability across the region. He stressed the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation between the two countries.

Iranian media shows unveiling of late supreme leader's coffin

The coffin of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as those of his slain family members, has been unveiled inside a glass case before weeping mourners in Tehran, according to video footage broadcast on Iranian state media.

The broadcast images showed thousands of grieving people gathered at the site to pay their final respects to the late leader.

 

'Our assets, our choices,' Ghalibaf reacts to Trump's statement

Trump says Iran 'dying to settle' with US

US President Donald Trump said Iran wants to settle with the United States, while also stating that Washington had allowed time for ceremonies related to the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Speaking during an event marking the beginning of celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the United States, Trump addressed relations between Washington and Tehran.

“We beat Venezuela in one day, and we knocked the hell out of Iran. They’re dying to settle; they want to settle so badly,” Trump said.

“We gave them a week off for a funeral because we’re nice,” he added.

Iran's president hails Russia's support during US-Israeli attacks

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed gratitude to Russia for its support and messages of solidarity following what Iran described as recent attacks by the United States and Israel.

Speaking during a meeting in Tehran on Friday with Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council and special envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pezeshkian also thanked the Russian delegation for travelling to Iran to participate in a memorial ceremony held in honor of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, whom Iranian officials referred to as the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution

Watch: Iran's Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf breaks down in tears at Khamenei's funeral

Lebanon's FM says agreement with Israel not final

(Web Desk) – Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said the framework agreement signed with Israel “is not a final agreement, but rather a basis for moving forward to complete negotiations”, reports Al Jazeera.

In a statement after meeting ambassadors of Francophone countries in Lebanon, Raggi said Lebanon “went to the negotiations because it did not have the luxury of options.”

Raggi further said that “confining arms to the hands of the state is not merely an external demand, but an urgent Lebanese need to establish a normal, strong and sovereign state.”

Netanyahu, Trump agree to meet in US 'soon': Israel PM's office

(AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump spoke on Friday and agreed to meet "soon" in the United States, the premier's office said.

"The Prime Minister said in their conversation that the US is a guarantor of global freedom, and Israel greatly appreciates the close ties between nations," a statement from Netanyahu's office said.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump agreed to meet soon in the US," it added.

During the conversation, Netanyahu also congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence, the statement said.

Washington is Israel's closest ally, but Trump has been publicly critical of Netanyahu in recent weeks after Israel's war with Hezbollah in Lebanon threatened peace talks with Iran.

Saudi deputy FM pays respects to Iran's late supreme leader: state media

(Reuters) – Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed El Khereiji and his delegation paid their respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iranian media reported.

Khamenei was killed on February 28 during an Israeli and US war against the Islamic Republic that prompted Iranian attacks on Gulf states hosting US military bases, including Saudi Arabia. The conflict killed thousands of people, mainly in Iran and Lebanon.

PM Shehbaz signs condolence book at Ayatollah Khamenei funeral in Tehran

Oil prices stable as US-Iran peace efforts hold

Oil prices were steady and little changed for the week as traders held on to hopes for a successful outcome from attempts to secure peace between the United States and Iran, reports Reuters.

Brent futures were down 8 cents, or 0.11 per cent, at $71.72 a barrel by 0109 GMT. West Texas Intermediate was down 22 cents, or 0.32pc, at $68.47 a barrel.

Over the week, Brent and WTI have lost about 0.3pc. 

CDF Munir returns home after attending funeral ceremony of Khamenei

Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir has departed for Pakistan following the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, PTV reports.

He was seen off by Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and senior Iranian officials.

PM Shehbaz leaves for Turkiye after attending Ayatollah Khamenei condolence ceremony

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for Turkiye after attending the condolence ceremony for Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran.

The prime minister led Pakistan’s high-level delegation at the ceremony. The delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Atta Tarar, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other senior officials.

Prime Minister Shehbaz, Field Marshal Asim Munir and members of the delegation offered prayers for the late Iranian leader.
 

Afghan FM pays respects to Khamenei: Iran state TV

Afghanistan’s foreign minister in the Taliban government has paid his respects at the coffin of Iran’s slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iranian state television shows according to AFP. 

Araghchi questions CENTCOM's role, says regional security requires no outside interference

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has questioned the role of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) in maintaining regional security, arguing that its presence has contributed to instability rather than peace.

In a post on X, Araghchi said Iran's armed forces had demonstrated that "outsiders cannot even protect themselves," asserting that external military involvement had failed to ensure stability in the region.

He added that lasting peace could only be achieved through a comprehensive and inclusive regional framework without outside interference. 

Pakistan delegation pays tribute to Iran's late supreme leader Khamenei

Iran urges Islamic security alliance against Israel during talks with Turkiye

Iran’s acting defence minister has called for a joint security alliance among Islamic countries to counter Israel, saying the presence of extra-regional forces has fueled instability in the region, according to state media.

During a phone call with Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler, Brigadier General Majid Ibn Reza discussed regional developments, the implementation of the June 27 Iran-US ceasefire, and ways to strengthen defence and security cooperation between Tehran and Ankara.

Ibn Reza said Iran accepted the ceasefire to help restore regional stability and in response to requests from neighboring and friendly countries. However, he reiterated Tehran’s distrust of the United States, accusing Washington of repeatedly failing to honor its commitments.

 

 

PM Shehbaz arrives in Iran to attend Ali Khamenei's funeral

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Tehran to participate in the funeral rites of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei.

Upon arrival at Mehrabad Airport, he was received by Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Chairman of Pakistan People's Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Secretary General of Pakistan People's Party Nayyer Hussain Bukhari, and Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah are accompanying the prime minister.

On behalf of the Pakistani people and government, the Prime Minister will express heartfelt condolences to the Iranian leadership and the bereaved families and reaffirm Pakistan's complete solidarity with the brotherly Iranian nation in this hour of grief.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister will proceed from Tehran to Istanbul for his bilateral visit to Turkiye.  

Field Marshal Asim Munir reaches Tehran to attend Ali Khamenei's funeral

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir has reached Tehran to attend the funeral of Iran’s assassinated supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Upon his arrival in the Iranian capital, CDF Asim Munir was received by Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and other senior officials. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was also present at the airport to receive the visiting delegation.

Several Pakistani delegations have reached Tehran to participate in the funeral ceremony of the late Iranian leader, reflecting Pakistan's representation at the event.

The funeral prayers are being attended by officials and delegations from Pakistan alongside representatives from other countries paying their respects to the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
 


 

Mourners pay respects to slain leader Khamenei at Tehran's Grand Mosalla

Senior Iranian political and military officials, multi-faith religious leaders and mourners paid their respects to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as they filed past the caskets of the slain supreme leader and members of his family killed in airstrikes at the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran in Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex Friday. 

Iran says it will respond if US and Israel fail to abide by interim deal

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that if the US and Israel faile to fulfil their commitments to end the war, then Tehran will respond, AlJazeera reported.

“We strongly demand full implementation of the agreements, and if the US and the Zionist regime fail to fulfil their commitments, Iran will resume proportionate actions,” Ghalibaf said, according to Iran’s ISNA news agency.

Ghalibaf, who also heads the country’s negotiating team in talks with the United States, added Washington cannot militarily confront Iran and said Israel’s threats are “baseless propaganda”.

Trump says 'ridiculous' for US to maintain current support for Nato

New IRGC chief Gen. Vahidi makes first public appearance since war

Iran's new IRGC chief emerged from hiding to pay his respects to the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Tehran prepares Friday for the dayslong funeral ceremonies.

Photos published online by Iranian state media showed Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi attending a meeting about the funeral of Khamenei, 86, then sitting alongside his casket as the country held a smaller service for him Thursday night near the supreme leader's former home in downtown Tehran.

Vahidi has become a major player in formulating Iran’s tough stance in negotiating a possible permanent end to the war with the US, experts say. He is believed to be part of a small clique in direct contact with Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who remains in hiding after being reportedly wounded in the Febraury 28 Israeli strikes that killed his father, the elder Khamenei.

Vahidi himself hasn’t been seen publicly since February 8, weeks before the Iran war began.

Video published by Iranian state media showed the mourning ceremony for Khamenei near the husseiniyah at his compound in Tehran.

Israel planned to assassinate Iran's key negotiators, US media report

The New York Times and The Washington Post have reported that US officials believed Israel was planning to assassinate Iranian negotiators earlier this year, during talks aimed at ending the Middle East conflict.

Officials, speaking to both news outlets on condition of anonymity, said Israel had set its sights on assassinating Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the country’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is also the speaker of Iran’s parliament.

“You kill those folks, and you’re killing the pragmatists,” one US official told The Washington Post. 

Supreme leader's body arrives at Tehran religious complex for funeral: state media

The body of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes, arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex ahead of his funeral, state media reported Friday.

"The body of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution has arrived at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla," IRNA wrote on Telegram, using the complex's official name. 

At UN, Pakistan calls for dialogue and negotiations to settle regional situation

PM Shehbaz to leave for Iran today to attend Ali Khamenei funeral

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will depart for an official visit to Iran today. He will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and other cabinet ministers and senior officials.

The prime minister will travel to Iran first to participate in the funeral ceremony of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Oil up slightly ahead of long US weekend as peace efforts hold

Oil prices rose slightly on Friday before a long holiday weekend in the U.S. as wary optimism held over efforts to make peace in the Middle East ‌between the United States and Iran.

Brent futures were up 17 cents, or 0.24%, to $72.10 a barrel as of 0155 GMT. West Texas Intermediate was up 14 cents, or 0.20%, to $68.83 a barrel.

Iran MP says new cyberattack hit banking network

Iranian lawmaker Meisam Zohourian said on Thursday Iran’s banking network was hit by a new attack over the weekend that temporarily disrupted interbank services, adding that another disruption had occurred earlier in the week.

Zohourian said the incident was likely a cyberattack, possibly backed by a foreign state, adding it affected kernel and middleware layers of banking systems, warning that heavy reliance on foreign technology and limited domestic infrastructure increases vulnerability to such operations.

"Unfortunately, while the definitive cause of the disruption has still not been identified, a new attack on the banking network infrastructure occurred on Saturday of this week, which disrupted interbank services for several hours to prevent the attack's impact from escalating," he posted on X.
 

Khamenei coffin displayed ahead of planned funeral procession

A coffin said to contain the remains of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was displayed at Imam Khomeini Hussainiya on Thursday night, ahead of an official funeral procession set to begin in Tehran on July 4 and end with his burial in Mashhad on July 9.

US farmers to 'exclusively' supply food to Iran under conditions, Trump says

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday Iran is facing ‘300pc inflation’ and ‘making no money,’ adding that the United States would have American farmers provide food supplies ‘exclusively,’ assuming conditions are met.  

US, Iran clash at UN over Bahrain attacks and Hormuz tensions

The United States and Iran clashed at the UN Security Council on Thursday as US Ambassador Michael Waltz warned that President Donald Trump’s patience was “not unlimited” in the face of Iranian attacks on its Arab neighbors and commercial shipping.

The Security Council's meeting followed Iran's drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait over the weekend, and its attacks on commercial vessels in or near the Strait of Hormuz, incidents that have threatened the June 17 memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US.
 

Mojtaba Khamenei not to attend father's funeral amid Israel's threats

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei will not attend the funeral ceremonies for his father, the former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, because of security concerns, Al Jazeera reported a statement from the current leader’s representative in India.

Ayatollah Hakim Elahi told the India Today news channel that Israel’s continuing threats against Iran’s leaders was the reason Mojtaba Khamenei would not be able to attend.

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz had recently threatened that Khamenei was “marked for death,” promoting a terse response from Iran, whose foreign minister warned that future threats would be met with a “powerful response”.
 

US officials believed Israel might plot to kill Iran negotiators: NYT

US officials believed Israel might have been plotting to kill Iran’s top negotiators while Washington was engaged with Tehran in delicate talks this spring to reach an interim peace deal, The New York Times reported, citing current and former American officials.

The report said concerns focused on Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Iran took precautions during the talks, including Pakistani fighter-jet escorts and last-minute travel changes. In one incident, Ghalibaf’s plane made an emergency landing in Mashhad after Iranian security forces warned of intelligence that Israel planned to attack it, the report added.
 

Ishaq Dar, Saudi FM discuss regional situation, Doha talks

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Thursday.

The two leaders discussed the regional situation, especially the recent round of mediations in Doha.

They expressed satisfaction on the positive progress made during the negotiations and hoped that the discussions would continue in near future.

Prince Faisal appreciated Pakistan's efforts and steadfast commitment to the implementation of the Islamabad MoU and its continued role in advancing dialogue and promoting lasting peace in the region.

Over 20 million expected in Tehran for Ali Khamenei's funeral

More than 20 million people are expected to travel to Tehran for the funeral of supreme leader Ali Khamenei, which would more than double the capital’s population of roughly 10 million residents, Al Jazeera reports citing IRIB state TV.

In addition to ceremonies in Tehran, funeral events are also planned in the holy city of Qom and in Mashhad, where large crowds are also anticipated. 

Oil falls to four-month low as US, Iran conclude talks in Doha

Oil prices have fallen nearly 2 per cent to a four-month low as concerns over supply disruptions eased after Qatar said Iran and the US made progress in talks over the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reports.

Brent futures are 91 cents, or 1.3pc lower, at $70.66 a barrel as of 1316 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude has fallen by $1.04, or 1.5pc, to $67.54 a barrel. 

Iran's Pezeshkian says massive funeral turnout sends message of national unity

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the large public turnout at the funeral of the late supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was a powerful display of national unity and a response to what he described as terrorism, violence and bullying, according to state broadcaster Press TV.

Pezeshkian said the massive attendance conveyed a clear message to the world that the Iranian people remain united in defending their country's independence and national dignity.

Lebanese president vows not to give up 'a single inch' of territory in Israel talks

Joseph Aoun has said Lebanon will not relinquish "a single inch" of its territory under the framework agreement with Israel, stressing that the country's sovereignty also includes the state's authority to make national decisions.

In a statement issued by his office, Aoun said the framework agreement does not undermine Lebanon's rights or national principles but instead seeks to fully safeguard them.

He added that negotiations aimed at securing Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory are a legitimate diplomatic effort rather than an act of betrayal, describing them as "bloodless diplomatic warfare" intended to protect lives while reclaiming the country's rights. 

Syrian foreign minister says Damascus open to talks with Hezbollah

Syria's Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, has said Damascus is willing to meet with representatives of Hezbollah "if interests require it," according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

During his visit to Lebanon, al-Shaibani held talks with Joseph Aoun, Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Al Jazeera reported.

The remarks signal a potential shift in relations, as Syria's current leadership—former rebel fighters who opposed Hezbollah during the country's civil war while the group backed former President Bashar al-Assad—could hold their first direct meeting with the Lebanese movement. 

Cathay Pacific to resume Middle East flights

Hong Kong’s flagship airline Cathay Pacific has announced that it will resume flights to the Middle East, as the United States and Iran signal that efforts to end the war remain viable, AFP reports.

Cathay suspended flights to Dubai and Riyadh at the end of February after the war broke out. The airline has raised fuel surcharges several times as the conflict has driven up oil prices.

It said today it would resume daily passenger flights to Dubai and four-times weekly passenger flights to Riyadh from September 1. Freighter services to Riyadh will resume from August 1.

“Cathay will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation in the Middle East prior to the resumption dates,” the company said. 

'Think twice': Iran's army warns against any 'miscalculation' by US, Israel

The Khatam al-Anbiya has warned the United States and Israel against any “miscalculation”, saying it will be met with a “harsh” response, according to Al Jazeera.

“We warn the enemies of a strong Iran – especially the United States, the Zionist regime, and their regional accomplices – to avoid any miscalculation… They should think twice about any threat or aggression against our beloved country,” the military headquarters said.

“We declare our full readiness to safeguard the independence, security, and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” 

India to send minister, governor to Ali Khamenei funeral

India says that its deputy foreign minister and a state governor will represent the country at the state funeral of Iran’s former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Reuters reports.

Governor of Bihar, Syed Ata Hasnain, and Deputy Foreign Minister Pabitra Margherita will visit Iran on July 3, the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement.

“The high-level representation in the ceremony underscores the importance of civilisational ties, including people-to-people connection, between the two countries, providing a robust foundation to political and economic engagements,” it said. 

'Hormuz is not the playground of aggressor America': Iranian military

All commercial vessels are obliged to take the Iranian-designated maritime route for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz or face the consequences, Iran’s military headquarters warns according to Al Jazeera.

“Any US interference in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with a decisive and swift response from the armed forces,” the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said in a statement.

“The Strait of Hormuz is not the playground of the aggressor America, but rather the territory of the undisputed sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

The Fars News Agency quoted the statement as saying: “The security and maintenance of the stability of this vital waterway are the red line of the powerful armed forces of Islamic Iran.” 

Iran warns US, Israel against attacks ahead of funeral processions for Khamenei

An Iranian military commander has warned the United States and Israel against any attack on Iran as it prepares for the state funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in airstrikes on the first day of the war, Reuters reports.

“We warn the enemies of Iran, especially the US and the Zionist regime (Israel), to avoid any miscalculation and to think about the harsh retaliation our armed forces would make to any threat and aggression against our country, Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said in a statement carried by state media.

Funeral processions for Khamenei will begin on July 4 in Tehran and conclude on July 9 with his burial in his hometown of Mashhad, with additional ceremonies planned in Qom and Iraq in between these dates. 

Iran warns US against interference in Strait of Hormuz

Iran says that any US interference in the Strait of Hormuz would trigger a “decisive and rapid” response, adding that the continued presence of US air assets across the waterway endangered regional security, Reuters reports, citing state media.

Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which coordinates Iran’s armed forces operations, has said all tanker and commercial vessels must follow routes designated by Tehran for safe passage through the strait, adding that deviations or failure to comply with navigation protocols would face an immediate response. 

PM Shehbaz to head to Iran for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral: FO

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Iran, starting July 3, for the funeral of the assassinated supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirms.

“The prime minister will convey condolences on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan, while extending solidarity to the brotherly nation in their hour of profound grief,” Andrabi said.

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, cabinet members and senior officials will accompany the premier on his visit. 

Syrian FM visits Beirut after Trump comments about taking on Hezbollah

Syria’s foreign minister has travelled to Beirut to meet Lebanese government leaders, in his first visit there since US President Donald Trump raised the possibility of Syrian forces combating Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to Reuters.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, however, has previously denied what he called rumours about any Syrian presence entering Lebanon.

The Syrian minister, Asaad al-Shibani, has met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on his first stop, and then headed for a meeting with the parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah. 

UK business morale slumps as Iran war pushes up costs, survey shows

British business confidence fell to its lowest since 2022 as the Iran war, which pushed up costs, saps expectations for future sales, a survey of accountants showed, Reuters reports.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales said that its quarterly Business Confidence Monitor fell to its lowest since the fourth quarter of 2022 in the three months to June.

“Even if the peace deal holds, the weakening in forward-looking sales indicators points to a difficult second half of the year for the UK economy, as the aftereffects of the Iran conflict continue to weigh on activity,” Suren Thiru, chief economist at the ICAEW, said. 

Senior Chinese lawmaker to attend funeral of assassinated Iranian supreme leader

Senior Chinese lawmaker He Wei will attend the funeral of assassinated Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, the Chinese foreign ministry announced, Reuters reports.

He is the vice chairman of China’s top lawmaking body, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. 

Ghalibaf calls on Iranians to attend former supreme leader's funeral

Iran’s Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has called on the Iranian people to attend the funeral ceremony of former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Press TV reports.

“We must rise and carry the nation’s call for vengeance to the world,” he said in his message. 

Qatar's emir, Syrian president discuss US-Iran negotiations

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa discussed regional developments, including the ongoing US-Iran negotiations, Anadolu reports.

The report said the two leaders also reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between their countries.

They exchanged views on regional developments, particularly progress in negotiations between the US and Iran under a memorandum of understanding reached by the two sides, as well as efforts to advance diplomatic solutions aimed at enhancing regional security and stability.

The Qatari emir stressed the importance of continued coordination and consultation among regional countries, while supporting regional and international efforts to promote de-escalation and preserve regional security and stability.
 

Iran's military capabilities are non-negotiable, says defence minister

Iran’s acting defence minister has reiterated that the country’s military capabilities are a “red line” and will not be discussed during negotiations with the US, Al Jazeera reports.

“The Islamic Republic’s defense, missile, and drone capabilities are a red line for our national security,” Majid Ebn al-Reza said.

“They are not negotiable—now or in the future,” he added.

Al-Reza also said that Iran’s “missile and drone programmes will continue to advance”.

Iran is believed to have used thousands of drones during the war, launching them at its Gulf neighbours. The unmanned aircraft are relatively cheap for Tehran to mass-produce and can overwhelm air defence systems when deployed in large numbers. Intercepting them has also proved costly, with the US using missiles worth more than $1 million dollars to shoot down a single drone.
 

Iran's Araghchi calls for regional security framework

Foreign Minister Araghchi says Iran is ready to partner with Gulf states on regional security, Al Jazeera reports.

During a meeting with Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Aboudi, Araghchi said that Gulf countries should learn from the events of recent months and collectively decide on the region’s security architecture.

He added that any security pact should cover economic matters and that military powers from outside the region should be excluded.
 

Traffic in Strait of Hormuz 'holds steady'

Kpler, a data and analytics firm, says traffic in the Strait of Hormuz held “steady” on Tuesday, July 1, “with 34 verified crossings recorded and traffic evenly split by direction,” Al Jazeera reports.

The report followed data from another maritime tracker, WindWard AI, which recorded 42 transits in the waterway on Monday.

Both figures mark a drop from last week, particularly on June 24, when 70 transits were recorded, the highest since the US-Israel war on Iran began. Traffic fell after the US and Iran exchanged tit-for-tat attacks over the weekend over a dispute on the waterway’s management. 

US resumes dollar transfers to Iraq after months-long suspension, NYT reports

The United States has resumed some air shipments of US dollars to Iraq, several months after it suspended them in a bid to pressure the government to distance itself from Iran, the New York Times reported, citing two aides to Iraq’s prime minister, according to Reuters. 

Iran tells UN that Israeli threat to kill its supreme leader is 'state terrorism'

Amir-Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, has lodged a protest with the global body over Israel’s latest threat to assassinate the country’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Al Jazeera reports.

In a letter to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Security Council and the General Assembly, Iravani described the threat by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz as “part of a deliberate and systematic policy of state terrorism” targeting Iranian government officials.

He tied it to the “Israeli regime’s illegal acts of aggression against Iran, including the assassination of the late Iranian leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and other senior political and military officials, carried out with the participation, coordination, and support of the United States”.

Iravani added that the UN Security Council has allowed Israel to act with impunity and warned that Tehran would respond to any hostile actions.

“Unfortunately, the failure of the Security Council to fulfil its responsibilities under the UN Charter has reinforced the climate of impunity and has made the Israeli regime more brazen in normalising state terrorism, which sets a very dangerous precedent and poses a serious threat to international peace and security.” 

Iran ramps up security ahead of former supreme leader's funeral

Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia says Iran’s military is on high alert ahead of the multi-day funeral for Khamenei, Al Jazeera reports, citing IRNA.

He said Iranian forces had stepped up their deployment for the arrival of senior officials and religious and political figures from various countries.

“The army’s ground, naval and air forces have expanded their active presence across the country’s borders to help ensure security,” he told the IRNA news agency.

He added that Iran’s air defence force is maintaining continuous surveillance of the country’s airspace. 

'Positive progress' made in Pakistan-Qatar mediated US-Iran talks in Doha, FO says

Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) said 'positive progress' was made after separate mediation meetings held by Pakistan and Qatar with the United States and Iran in Doha. The FO said discussions focused on issues related to the Islamabad MoU and the Lake Lucerne Summit. According to the statement, both sides agreed to continue talks in the coming period.

The next round of discussions will be scheduled at the earliest possible time. Further negotiations will take place after the funeral processions of Iran’s former supreme leader. Pakistan and Qatar are continuing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions. The FO expressed optimism about sustained dialogue. Officials hope ongoing engagement will lead to meaningful progress.

Oil falls for a third straight day after US, Iran talks conclude in Doha

Oil prices fell about 1% on Thursday, extending losses for a third consecutive session after Qatar reported progress in indirect talks between Iran and the United States.

Discussions focused on the Strait of Hormuz and issues tied to the June ceasefire memorandum. Brent crude dropped to $70.80 per barrel, while U.S. crude fell to $67.74. Both benchmarks hit four-month lows as supply concerns eased.

The open Strait of Hormuz raised expectations of global oversupply. OPEC+ is also expected to increase output in August. UBS lowered its Brent price forecasts due to improved oil shipments. However, the bank warned regional risks still remain.

 

Iran says no access to damaged sites for IAEA

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran will not grant International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to bombed or damaged sites, adding that inspections are limited under law to two locations: the Bushehr nuclear power plant and the Tehran research reactor.  

US B-52 force leaves UK as Iran talks continue

US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers have departed RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom after a deployment linked to US military operations against Iran, aviation observers reported on Wednesday.

"Six aircraft reportedly left the base in two waves on Tuesday, marking the end of a months-long deployment following the outbreak of hostilities," the report said.
 

Qatar says US-Iran talks make progress, to continue after Khamenei funeral

Qatari and Pakistani mediators held separate meetings with US and Iranian negotiators in Doha on Wednesday, making "positive progress" on issues related to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson said.

"Qatar & Pakistan mediators concluded separate meetings with the US & Iranian negotiators in Doha today, with positive progress made on issues related to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, building on the outcomes of the Lake Lucerne Summit," Majed Al Ansari posted on X.

"The parties agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be scheduled at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader," he added.
 

Iran says talks in Qatar on implementing MoU with US have concluded

(AFP) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi on Wednesday announced the conclusion of talks in Doha on implementing the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington on ending the Middle East war, state media reported.

The participants agreed that "a communication channel would be established by tomorrow" to report and record violations of the memorandum, the Irna state news agency quoted Gharibabadi as saying.

US vice-president says negotiations with Iran going 'extremely well'

(Web Desk) – US Vice President JD Vance says that negotiations with Iran “have gone extremely well” and that Washington is “working to ensure that the progress we have made continues”, Al Jazeera reports.

He says that President Donald Trump’s “instructions are clear: to press ahead to reach an agreement and to negotiate in good faith”, adding, “we see significant momentum amongst those within the Iranian regime who are seeking to turn a new page.”

Lebanese president defends Lebanon-Israel framework agreement

(Web Desk) – Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has pushed back against critics of the Lebanon-Israel framework signed last week in Washington, emphasising the text is “not an agreement”, Al Jazeera reports.

“Lebanon’s problem is with Israel, and it is a sovereign state that decided to negotiate on its own behalf,” Lebanon’s National News Agency quotes the president as saying. “It has not relinquished its legal, political, or field principles in the framework agreement, as some are claiming.”

Speaking to delegations from the Lebanese bar association and economic bodies, the president warns that “discord is forbidden” and discourages people from “[taking] to the streets”.

US, Iran reach initial deal to release $3 billion to Tehran: report

The United States and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement to release $3 billion to Tehran during indirect negotiations held in Doha, according to a report by Al Arabiya, citing informed sources.

The sources said Iran has linked the release of the funds to progress in the ongoing talks, with portions of the money expected to be unlocked as negotiations advance.

The reported agreement marks an early step in the indirect discussions, although neither Washington nor Tehran has officially confirmed the development. 

Iran warns of 'immediate powerful response' to any threat against its leadership

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that any threat against Iran's people or leadership would be met with an "immediate powerful response."

In a statement, Araghchi said the terms of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) are "crystal clear and public for all to see."

He further claimed that the US president had committed Washington to restraining Israel under the agreement, warning that if Israel failed to comply, "Iran will school them."

Araghchi reiterated that Tehran would respond swiftly and decisively to any threat directed at the Iranian people or its leadership.

Qatar's emir discusses US-Iran talks, Lebanon developments with Witkoff and Kushner

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, discussing Washington's ongoing negotiations with Iran and the developments in Lebanon, the Amiri Diwan said on Wednesday. 

OPEC+ likely to raise oil output targets from August again, sources say

OPEC+ oil-producing countries will likely agree on a further hike in their output targets from August when they meet on Sunday, three sources tell Reuters, adding to supply at a time of falling prices as the Strait of Hormuz gradually reopens.

The target will increase by about 188,000 barrels per day for August, the same as for June and July, the sources say.

OPEC has not immediately responded to a request for comment. All sources have spoken on condition of anonymity and say no final decision has been made. 

Trump says US and Iran getting along very well

(Reuters) – President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States was getting along ‌very well with Iran and that recent meetings in Qatar went well.

"The denuclearization of Iran is moving along well," Trump told reporters. "They've had very good meetings, and we'll see."

Germany says US-Iran ceasefire essential before reconstruction talks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said a lasting ceasefire between the United States and Iran is a prerequisite for any discussions on post-war reconstruction, according to Al Jazeera.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Merz said Germany is open to discussing financial support for rebuilding damaged infrastructure in the region, but stressed that hostilities must end first.

“As soon as it comes to rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure in the region, then we can discuss everything, but first of all, the fighting must stop,” he said.

 

EU aviation agency extends warning against flights over Iran

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has advised airlines to continue avoiding Iranian airspace despite the ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

According to Al Jazeera, the agency also recommended that commercial flights avoid routes over Iraq and Lebanon due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the truce and the regional security situation.

EASA urged airlines to exercise extreme caution when operating across the Middle East, announcing that it has extended its conflict-zone advisory for the region until July 8, after its previous guidance was set to expire on July 1.

 

Iran insists on keeping control over Hormuz, senior Iranian sources say

Iran is determined to win international recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz and ability to levy fees on ships entering or leaving the Gulf even if it has to do so by force, two senior Iranian sources tell Reuters.

It is also determined to secure lasting formal acceptance of this control once the interim phase expires, and its negotiators will not move to other areas of dispute in ongoing peace talks with Washington until that has been agreed, the sources were quoted as saying. 

Israel defence minister says troops to stay 'indefinitely' in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza

Israel's defence minister has said Israeli forces will remain in the so-called security zones established in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, without any timeline for withdrawal.

"The IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza indefinitely in order to protect our residents and communities from jihadist elements," Israel Katz said.

Iran's state media says container ship ran aground after sailing non-designated Hormuz route

Iran's state media said on Wednesday a foreign container ship ran aground ‌in the Strait of Hormuz ‌after entering shallow waters outside the shipping route designated by Iranian authorities, AFP reports.

State ‌media reiterated the Revolutionary Guards' ‌warning that vessels should transit only through the corridor south of Iran's Larak island, which Tehran says is the sole approved entry and exit route for ships passing through the strait. 

Trump weighs fresh military action against Iran

US President Donald Trump has considered ending negotiations with Iran and resuming large-scale military strikes but has decided, for the time being, to continue diplomatic engagement, according to a report citing US officials familiar with the matter.

The officials, according to Wall Street Journal, said Trump recently held discussions with War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine over possible options, including carrying out additional attacks against Iran.

Some officials reportedly referred to the military option as a way to “finish the job.”

However, Trump has not reached a final decision, and officials said he has informed advisers that launching another major military campaign could harm ongoing diplomatic efforts and reduce Washington’s ability to achieve its goal of limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

US and Iran to hold technical talks on Wednesday in Doha, says diplomat

"US and Iranian officials are to hold indirect technical talks on Wednesday in Doha with Qatari and Pakistani mediators on the memorandum of understanding and building on the progress made at the Lake Lucerne Summit," a diplomat told AFP.

US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff would not be taking part in the technical talks, the diplomat added, after they met with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Tuesday. 

Modi urges freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz in call with Pezeshkian

Washington-Tehran technical talks underway, confirms Vance

US Vice President JD Vance described the Iran's public denials of ongoing talks in Doha as a deliberate “Persian negotiating tactic”.

In an interview with US media, he confirmed that technical talks between Washington and Tehran are underway.

“There were scheduled talks, really technical talks, building on the negotiation that we've already had. Those are definitely happening tomorrow,” Vance said.

"They'll say, 'No, no, there aren't peace talks ongoing, but there are technical talks between the United States and Iran about the peace deal.' It's a Persian negotiating tactic and a Persian rhetorical device that I don't understand," he said.

What's on the table for Iranian team meeting Qatari mediators

Iran has said it will meet with Qatari mediators in Doha Wednesday, but contradicted President Donald Trump's claim that direct talks will take place.

Qatar also confirmed that no direct talks between the longtime foes were planned.

The Iranian delegation is led by deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

A key issue in the US-Iran agreement that needs to be ironed out is Tehran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, with the agreement providing for its reopening.

Another key issue for Iran is its funds frozen by crippling US sanctions.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman on Tuesday said talks in Qatari concerned the "release of Iran's restricted assets".

Despite the recent outbreak of hostilies, Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf noted in TV interview Tuesday that "when a war of this magnitude comes to an end... it is inevitable that there will be implementation challenges, incidents, and differences of opinion, especially where parties such as the Israeli regime are concerned". 

'Dialogue is better than confrontation,' says China's Wang in meeting with Saudi FM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud in Beijing on Tuesday, where he reiterated China’s backing for diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. Wang emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue and negotiations, stressing that communication should remain active despite the current ceasefire remaining uncertain and fragile.

“Talking is better than fighting, and dialogue is better than confrontation,” Wang said, according to a statement released by China’s foreign ministry on Tuesday night.

 

South Korea cargo ship Namu to exit Strait of Hormuz after attack in Gulf

South Korea's Oceans Ministry said on Wednesday the cargo vessel Namu, operated by HMM (011200.KS) would exit the Strait of Hormuz in ‌mid-July at the earliest once the damage sustained in an attack in May was repaired.

The bulk carrier's hull was hit near the stern in the attack, which Seoul said on May 27 probably involved an Iranian anti-ship missile, summoning the Iranian ambassador to share the results of its investigation and lodge a protest.

Qatar, Iran deny reports of planned US-Iran talks in Doha

Qatar has confirmed that a US delegation is in Doha but said no direct meeting has been scheduled with Iranian officials, while Iran has also denied reports that formal negotiations with Washington are set to take place.

According to media reports, a spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and former senior adviser Jared Kushner are currently in Doha.

However, the spokesperson clarified that the delegation will not hold direct talks with Iranian officials.

Instead, the US delegation is expected to meet Qatari mediators to discuss ongoing diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran. 

US embassy in Baghdad targeted in drone attack: Reports

Iran's Parliament speaker calls Strait of Hormuz as country's principal strategic asset

Iran's Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called the Strait of Hormuz as the country's principal strategic asset, stressing that the country will not retreat from its sovereign rights over the vital waterway, according to Press TV.

In a televised interview, he explained that the recently signed memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States grants only a temporary waiver on charges for maritime services in the strait. He emphasized that the agreement does not affect or change Iran's long-standing stance regarding its sovereignty over the waterway.

"These are our territorial waters," he said. "We will not allow the United States to create controversy or sophistry by claiming that Iran has militarized the Strait of Hormuz."

He added that Iran "will never, under any circumstances, retreat from this position."

Qalibaf described the waterway as "a divine gift that God granted us during this war" and "our greatest instrument of power."

Oil prices rise as breakdown in Iran-US talks raises supply concerns

Oil prices rose on Wednesday on concerns breakdowns in ‌discussions between Iran and the U.S. for a final agreement to end their war may extend supply disruptions in the key Middle East producing region, Reuters reproted.

Brent futures rose 33 cents, or 0.45%, to $73.28 a barrel at 0339 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude ?climbed 34 cents, or 0.49%, to $69.84 a barrel.

US in strong position regardless of Iran negotiations outcome, Vance says

US Vice President JD Vance said the United States would remain in a strong position regardless of how negotiations with Iran unfold, in a Fox interview aired on Tuesday.

“I actually think that the United States is in a great position however the negotiation ultimately shakes out. If the negotiation is successful, which obviously we want it to be successful, you have an Iran that is permanently transformed,” he said.

Vance added that even if the negotiations fail, saying “the Iranians don’t behave,” Iran’s nuclear programme would be “still destroyed” and its conventional military “still destroyed,” while the United States would remain in a stronger position relative to Iran.
 

Bodies of Khamenei and family members have not been buried

The spokesperson for the funeral committee said on Tuesday the bodies of the Ali Khamenei and his family members have not been buried or laid to rest, and have been preserved under “religious and legal standards.”

“For the first time we announce that the pure body of our martyred Imam and his family members, with full respect and care, have been preserved in accordance with Sharia and legal standards,” Iman Attarzadeh said, adding that the bodies have neither been buried nor formally entrusted elsewhere.

“Rumors circulating on social media that the body of the martyred leader of the revolution was buried at the shrine of Masumeh in Qom are completely false and have no validity,” Attarzadeh posted on X.
 

Qatar says it will continue mediation in US-Iran talks

Qatar says it will continue its mediation efforts in US-Iran talks and support all tracks stemming from the memorandum of understanding between the two countries, according to its foreign ministry.

The remarks were made by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani during a meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, where they discussed developments in the ongoing talks.
 

Ghalibaf says Iran won't enter further talks until MoU terms met

Iranian Parliament Speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran would not enter further negotiations until conditions set out in the memorandum of understanding are met, adding that current meetings were aimed at fulfilling its commitments.

“The announcement of the end of the war by Pakistan’s prime minister and Donald Trump’s tweet about the lifting of the maritime blockade were among the major successes of the memorandum of understanding,” Ghalibaf said.

“In implementing the end of the war, differences will certainly arise,” Ghalibaf added.

“We are following up the process of talks to implement Article 13 of the memorandum of understanding,” he said.

Article 13 says that after the memorandum of understanding is signed, and subject to the start and continuation of measures under paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11, the United States and Iran will begin negotiations on a final deal exclusively on the remaining paragraphs.
 

Iranian deputy foreign minister to hold talks with Qatari officials in Doha tomorrow

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the country's deputy foreign minister will travel to Doha on Wednesday for talks with Qatari officials, focusing on the implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and regional developments.

In a statement, the ministry said work is continuing on implementing various provisions of the MoU.

It added that recent progress toward easing the blockade and relaxing restrictions on the sale of Iranian oil has been viewed positively by Tehran.

The ministry said that a final agreement remains contingent on an end to the war in Lebanon, adding that the implementation of Article 13 of the memorandum is considered essential for the success of the negotiations.

According to Iranian officials, establishing an effective ceasefire mechanism in Lebanon is of critical importance to paving the way for lasting peace.

The foreign ministry further said that the ongoing conflict in Lebanon and efforts to monitor and manage the situation are being treated with utmost seriousness, with diplomatic initiatives continuing on the issue.

Araghchi calls alleged US attack on Iranian frigate a 'sign of cowardice'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned the alleged US submarine attack on the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, calling it a "sign of cowardice" and a war crime, Al Jazeera reported.

Speaking during a visit to an exhibition displaying belongings recovered from the vessel's crew, Araghchi said the attack took place in international waters off the coast of Sri Lanka, where 87 bodies were later recovered following the torpedo strike.

He described the incident as an unlawful act, claiming the frigate was attacked without engaging in military action, carrying weapons, or receiving any prior warning, and said the attack would be remembered as a war crime.