Home Budget Live TV Pakistan World Sports Business Showbiz Shows Videos Technology Discover Pakistan Health Crime Fake News Weird

US-Iran war

Oman 'proposes' joint regional mechanism with Iran to manage Strait of Hormuz

  • 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.
  • US, Iran reach preliminary deal to end conflict, hold talks in Switzerland
  • Ceasefire, Islamabad MoU at risk since US-Iran war reignites on July 6

Oman presented regional mechanism for Hormuz to Iran, source says

Oman has presented a proposal to Iran for a joint regional mechanism to manage the Strait of Hormuz with voluntary fees, a ‌Gulf source told Reuters on Tuesday.

Under the Omani proposal, which has regional backing, Iran would not exercise sole control of the vital waterway, the source added.

The proposal is based on the Strait of Malacca, where those who use the strait voluntarily contribute to fund navigation, environmental protection and search and rescue.

The U.S. abruptly suspended a campaign of air strikes against Iran over the weekend, raising hopes of a diplomatic solution that would allow shipping to resume in the Strait of Hormuz - which carried a fifth of global energy supplies before the conflict.

President Donald Trump said on ‌Monday the United States was having "good talks" with Iran and there was a chance of a deal, but he warned that U.S. strikes would resume if the negotiations failed to deliver.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi discussed the Strait of Hormuz with his Omani and Saudi counterparts on Monday.

"He emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation and advance joint diplomatic efforts to establish stability in the region, and lift the insecurity imposed on the Strait of Hormuz due to the aggressive actions of the United States," according to Iran's foreign ministry statement. 

Iran's foreign minister discusses security of Strait of Hormuz with Saudi, Omani counterparts

Iran's foreign minister discussed issues related to the security of ‌the Strait of Hormuz in separate phone calls with his Saudi and Omani counterparts on Monday evening, according to a statement published on his Telegram channel on Tuesday.

The statement said Abbas Araqchi "discussed the latest bilateral and regional developments, and emphasized the need to ‌strengthen cooperation and advance joint diplomatic efforts to establish stability in the region."

The call between Araqchi and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, came after Saudi Arabia said it shot down drones launched at the kingdom by Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq. 

Tehran issues warning over us naval blockade, vows response to threats

The top Iranian military body, Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbia, has warned that the continuation of the US naval blockade would mean a broadened war on Iran, IRNA reports.

In a statement on Monday afternoon, it said: “In continuation of the evil and insecurity in the region and following the implementation of the illegal naval blockade of Iran, the United States has threatened Iranian vessels, commercial ships and tankers in the coastal and territorial waters of our country over the past three days”.

“We warn that this American action is considered an expansion of war in the region and, as the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have proven in the field, they will not leave any threat and evil from that country’s terrorist army unanswered and will deal with it”.
 

Hormuz records 29 verified crossings over three days, reveals Marine Traffic data

Israeli military says it intercepted drone near Jordan border

The Israeli military said on Tuesday it intercepted a drone near the Jordanian border and was looking into its origin, AFP reports.

“A short while ago, the Israeli Air Force intercepted a UAV in the area of the Jordan border,” the military said.

“The UAV did not cross into Israeli territory. The origin of the launch is under review.” 

Houthis using Bab al-Mandab to mirror Iran's pressure in Strait of Hormuz, says Yemen's FM

Yemen's Houthi Movement aims to replicate Iran's Hormuz Strait strategy in the Red Sea by disrupting shipping in the Bab al-Mandab and has been emboldened by an insufficient international response, Yemen's top diplomat said on Monday.

"The Houthis want to copy the Iranian model and this will shut down two main straits, the gateways into the Gulf and Red Sea," Yemeni Foreign Minister-designate Afrah Al-Zouba said, speaking to a small group of journalists at the Yemeni embassy in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, Reuters reports.

US officials say sanctions may hurt Iran more than bombs

US officials believe Washington’s economic pressure could ultimately do more damage to Iran than its bombing campaign, Axios reported Monday citing senior administration officials.

US intelligence indicates gasoline shortages, risks of bank runs and difficulties paying fighters as sanctions and a US naval blockade deepen financial pressure on Tehran, according to the report.

One official said Iran was “more scared of Treasury than the War Department,” while acknowledging that economic pressure could take longer than a full-scale military campaign to force Tehran into an agreement.

The report said access to frozen assets and sanctions relief remains a central Iranian priority in talks aimed at turning the pause in fighting into a lasting ceasefire.

 

New poll suggests only one in three Americans back Iran war

Only one in three Americans support the war on Iran, while 69% say US President Donald Trump has failed to clearly explain the goals of US military involvement, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll suggests.

The survey, conducted Friday through Sunday among 1,246 US adults, found Trump’s approval rating rose three points from last month to 37%.

Support for the conflict has remained below 40% since the United States and Israel launched strikes on February 28. The poll had a margin of error of three percentage points.
 

Trump says Iran asked 'very nicely' for US attacks to stop

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran had asked Washington to halt its attacks after taking “a beating over the last 14 days,” warning that operations would resume if negotiations failed.

“They asked us very nicely to please stop,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “We’ll see what happens. If we don’t make a deal, we go back to the same thing.”

Trump said Israel would not have survived without US support and it would have been “terminated” if he had not acted against Iran’s nuclear program.

“If I didn’t get involved and if I didn’t blow up those nuclear, essentially soon-to-be nuclear weapons, Israel would have been terminated,” he said.

Trump said he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were “pretty much” aligned on Iran, despite “a little difference.”

“We did very well together,” Trump said. “If you look at Iran now, they’re 8% of what they were four months ago.”
 

Iranian media reports fire at Saudi oil facility after alleged drone and missile strikes

Iran's Fars news agency reported that a fire broke out at Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq oil processing facility following alleged drone and missile attacks.

The report came after Yemen's Houthi movement claimed responsibility for drone strikes targeting "several sensitive sites" along the route used to transport crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, according to a statement carried by Fars. 

Fire breaks out at Saudi oil facility after reported drone and missile attacks: Iranian media

Iran's Fars news agency reported that drone and missile attacks triggered a fire at Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq oil processing facility.

The report followed a statement by Yemen's Houthi movement, carried by Fars, claiming responsibility for drone strikes on "several sensitive sites" along the route used to transport crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. 

Houthis claim drone strikes targeted Saudi oil infrastructure

Yemen's Houthi movement said it carried out drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure in response to what it described as repeated incursions by Saudi drones.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group targeted "a number of sensitive sites and locations involved in the supply and transportation of crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to Yanbu" using multiple drones.

Yanbu, a key Saudi port city on the Red Sea, serves as the western terminus of the kingdom's East-West crude oil pipeline. 

Oil prices extend losses as US-Iran halt tit-for-tat strikes

Oil prices continued to fall sharply after the United States and Iran paused their exchange of retaliatory strikes, according to Al Jazeera.

International benchmark Brent crude dropped 8% to $86 per barrel as of 1200 GMT (5:00pm PKT), extending losses amid easing geopolitical tensions. 

Saudi Arabia says it intercepts drones launched from Iraq targeting oil facilities

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed several drones launched from Iraqi territory that were allegedly targeting petroleum facilities in the kingdom's Eastern Province and the capital, Riyadh.

In a statement, Defence Ministry spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki said the drones were intercepted over the past several hours before they could reach their intended targets.

The ministry alleged that the attacks were carried out by Iran-backed militias operating from Iraq. It added that Saudi Arabia reserves its legitimate right to defend its territory and critical infrastructure, as well as the right to respond "at the appropriate time and place." 

Lebanese president accuses Israel of 'direct violation of human rights' over attacks in south

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has accused Israel of committing a "direct violation of human rights" through its ongoing military operations in southern Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera.

Following a meeting with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, Aoun said Israel's continued destruction of homes and bulldozing of villages constituted "a flagrant breach of international law and customs." He urged the international community to take action to halt the attacks.

Aoun also alleged that Israeli forces were targeting religious and cultural heritage sites, saying the strikes reflected "premeditated intentions against both people and stone." He stressed that such sites are civilian in nature and "are neither military nor host any armed presence." 

Turkmenistan condemns attack on Iranian vessel in Caspian Sea as 'unacceptable'

Turkmenistan has strongly condemned the deadly Ukrainian strike on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, describing the attack as "unacceptable," according to Al Jazeera.

In a statement, Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry stressed that the Caspian Sea should remain a region of peace and cooperation.

"As a Caspian littoral state and a country with permanent neutrality recognised by the United Nations, Turkmenistan emphasises that the Caspian Sea is a sea of peace, harmony and good-neighbourliness," the ministry said. 

Israeli military claims it intercepted 2 drones near Jordan border

The Israeli military has claimed that it intercepted two drones near the Jordanian border and was investigating where they had been launched from, AFP reports.

“A short while ago, the IDF intercepted two UAVs identified in the area of the Jordan border,” the military said.

“The UAVs did not cross into Israeli territory. The origin of the launch is under review.” 

Iran foreign ministry says no current negotiations with US

Iran’s foreign ministry has said it was not currently involved in negotiations with the United States, despite a halt in recent fighting between the two sides, AFP reports.

“At present, we are not engaged in any negotiations with the United States,” said the ministry’s spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei at a weekly press briefing, denying reports that Iran had requested talks. 

Ukraine's adventurism will not go unanswered, says Iran after Caspian Sea ship attack

Iran has not requested the resumption of negotiations with the United States to end the conflict, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, according to Al Jazeera.

“This is not war management. Repeated war crimes and boasting about them are merely attempts to escape a disaster they created under the influence of the Zionist regime, and they will inevitably pay the price,” he told reports at weekly press conference.

He said Ukraine’s attack on the Iranian vessel was illegal, violated the UN Charter, and constituted dangerous adventurism.

Baghaei said the move will not go unanswered.
 

US confirms 18 military deaths, 624 injuries in Iran war

The US Department of Defense has released updated figures on American military casualties linked to the conflict with Iran, adding more than 140 injured personnel and four previously reported deaths to its latest database update.

The Pentagon updated its Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) on Saturday, introducing a new category titled “Overseas Operations” to record military personnel killed or injured during operations outside the United States since July 7.

According to US media reports, when the figures from the new category are combined with the latest data from Operation Epic Fury, the total number of US military casualties since the start of the war against Iran on February 28 stands at 18 deaths and 624 injuries.

The updated figures show a significant rise in reported injuries compared with the previous high of 482, according to US media reports.

The Pentagon said that among the 18 American service members killed during the conflict, 11 belonged to the Army, six were from the Air Force and one was from the Navy.

The breakdown of injured personnel shows that 461 were Army members, 86 were from the Navy, 19 from the Marine Corps and 58 from the Air Force.

The updated casualty figures provide the latest overview of US military losses as the Pentagon continues to track personnel affected by operations linked to the Iran conflict.
 

Netanyahu leaves for US to meet Trump

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has departed for Washington to hold a meeting with US President Donald Trump, Al Jazeera reports.

According to the post, Netanyahu is visiting the US at Trump’s invitation, with the two leaders expected to discuss “issues of concern to both countries”.

The visit comes as Netanyahu remains the subject of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. 

Six ships intercepted in Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media reports

Six ships attempted to pass through an “illegal and unsafe” route in the south of the Strait of Hormuz after turning off their navigation and positioning systems, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reports.

One vessel suffered an accident, and the others returned to the Gulf under “decisive Iranian management”, IRIB said.

'Iran does not let actions go unanswered,' Azizi warns Ukraine over ship attack

Ebrahim Azizi, the head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Commission, has warned Ukraine of response after it attacked an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea that killed one sailor and injured another on Saturday. 

Trump shares AI-generated images depicting Iranian tanker seizure, Kharg strike

US President Donald Trump shared a series of AI-generated images on social media on Sunday depicting the seizure of an Iranian oil tanker and a strike on Iran's Kharg oil export terminal.

Three of the images carried the caption, "It's Our Oil Tanker Now!" and showed Trump aboard what appeared to be an Iranian tanker flying a US flag. One image also depicted two men in white robes jumping from the vessel, while another showed US troops standing behind Trump.

In a separate post, Trump shared an AI-generated image bearing the words "STRIKE ON KHARG", depicting fighter jets attacking what appeared to be Iran's Kharg oil export terminal, a key hub for the country's crude exports.


 

Qatar, Oman push diplomacy, implementation of US-Iran agreement

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani spoke by phone with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi to discuss regional tensions and efforts to prevent further escalation.

According to Qatar's foreign ministry, Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of all parties adhering to dialogue and diplomacy and implementing the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, including ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
 

Trump rejects reports US running low on munitions

President Donald Trump has dismissed reports that the United States is running low on key munitions after nearly two weeks of military operations against Iran.

"We have far more munitions than anyone in the world, and far more than we need," Trump said in a statement to The Wall Street Journal.

His comments came after the newspaper reported that General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had briefed the White House on declining inventories of US air defence interceptors amid the conflict.
 

Oil prices drop over 5 percent

Oil prices fell over 5% on Sunday amid continued turmoil in the Persian Gulf.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell about 5.7% to about $91.30 a barrel. US crude was down about 5.4% to $84.43 a barrel.

Renewed fighting between the United States and Iran caused a slowdown in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for about 20% of global oil supply flows. Iran and Oman held talks about controlling the strait, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, but traffic remains unchanged.

A nearby route for oil exports — the Bab al-Mandeb Strait — has become effectively blocked by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. About 5 million barrels of Saudi oil flow through the strait each day.
 

Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei reaffirms support for Hezbollah

Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, reaffirmed Iran’s support for the Lebanese ‘militant’ group Hezbollah in a letter addressed to its leader Naim Qassem and its commanders and fighters.

In the letter, Khamenei praised Hezbollah’s “perseverance and steadfastness” and described the group as being at the forefront of resistance to Israel and its supporters.

In a post on X, he wrote: "[The Islamic Republic of Iran] has designated the preservation of Lebanon’s territorial integrity, and the absolute, unconditional termination of the Zionist regime’s aggression as the primary condition for any agreement to ending the imposed war against the aggressive US".

 

Pakistan, Qatar intensify diplomatic efforts to ease US-Iran tensions

Pakistan and Qatar have intensified diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between the United States and Iran and reviving negotiations between the two countries, according to Arab media reports.

The reports said Pakistan and Qatar have received responses from both Washington and Tehran regarding a proposed mediation initiative.

According to the reports, the United States and Iran have communicated their respective positions in response to the proposal.

Iran has also informed Pakistan of its willingness to continue the negotiation process.

Arab media further reported that the next round of potential talks could be held in Geneva, Doha, or Islamabad, although no final decision on the venue has been announced.

Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official said the pause in US strikes has created uncertainty and raised doubts about the situation.

Iranian media lists 11 US drones 'shot down' in July

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency has published a list of 11 US drones that it says were shot down by Iranian-made air defences in July alone.

  • July 8: An MQ-9 drone was shot down in the skies of Khormoj, Bushehr province.
  • July 12: A cruise missile was shot down in the skies over Jahrom
  • July 15: A Lucas drone was shot down in the skies over Lar
  • July 16: An MQ-9 drone was shot down in the south of the country
  • July 17: An MQ-9 drone was shot down in the skies over Andimeshk
  • July 18: An MQ-9 drone was shot down in the skies over Asaluyeh
  • July 19: An MQ-9 drone was shot down in the skies of Ahvaz, an MQ-9 drone was shot down in the skies of Asaluyeh, and a spy drone was shot down by the 48th Fateh Brigade
  • July 20: An MQ-9 drone was shot down in the skies over Kermanshah, and a missile was shot down in Rudbar-e Janoub

Iranian president orders rapid reconstruction of damaged infrastructure after US strikes

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the accelerated reconstruction and rebuilding of strategic infrastructure, such as rail networks and international transit corridors, after US attacks on the country, Al Jazeera reports, citing Iran’s Mehr News Agency.

Pezeshkian was briefed on the damage during a visit to the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development.

He highlighted infrastructure links with neighbouring countries as strategic priorities. “The completion and connection of rail networks with neighbours could play an effective role in boosting economic resilience, developing international transit corridors and maximising Iran’s geopolitical capacities,” Pezeshkian said.

Iran to halt attacks as long as US maintains latest pause, says Iranian source

Iran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States maintains its pause on strikes, but Tehran remains sceptical of US intentions, a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Sunday.

"Iran’s position remains ‘attack for attack’: if the attacks stop, Iran will also halt its operations. That message has already been conveyed to the United States," the source told Reuters, a day after Washington halted attacks following 13 successive nights of air strikes.

US ambassador to UN says Donald Trump is giving Iran talks 'a little bit of room'

The US ambassador to the United Nations told Fox News on Sunday that President Donald Trump is giving Iran talks "some space."

"He's giving talks some space, he's giving it a little bit of room," Mike Waltz told the broadcaster on Sunday.

Iran army warns of 'expanded' conflict if US falls for Israel's 'deception'

Ukraine's attack on Iranian vessel will not go unanswered, says deputy parliament speaker

Iranian Parliament Deputy Speaker Ali Nikzad has warned that Ukraine's alleged attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea "will not go unanswered," according to IRNA.

Describing the incident as a "reckless" act, Nikzad said Iran would continue to exercise its legitimate right to defend its territorial sovereignty. He added that any location from which an attack on Iranian territory is launched would be regarded as a legitimate military target. 

Yemen's Houthis claim downed Saudi reconnaissance drone

Houthi rebels claim they downed a Saudi drone over the northwest of Yemen, a day after the Yemeni group claimed it attacked oil facilities in the Gulf kingdom, reports AFP.

The Houthi’s military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group “successfully shot down a Turkish-made … armed reconnaissance drone belonging to the Saudi enemy while it was conducting hostile operations”. 

Lebanon army condemns Israeli attacks preventing deployment in south

Lebanon’s army has condemned ongoing Israeli military activities in the country’s south that it says are preventing its full deployment under a framework deal reached with Israel last month, reports AFP.

“Israeli occupation forces continue their attacks and violations of current understandings and of international laws through the systematic destruction and bulldozing of homes, bombardment and sweeps with automatic weapons in several southern areas,” an army statement said, adding that “the continuation of these attacks obstructs the army’s full deployment according to current agreements and prevents the return of residents to their villages and towns”. 

 

Qatari and Saudi foreign ministers discuss regional developments

The Qatari and Saudi foreign ministers spoke by phone on Sunday about developments in the region, Al Jazeera reports.

The past two weeks have seen a renewal of fighting between the US and Iran, which has also seen Gulf states targeted by Iran. The Houthis have also struck Saudi Arabia in recent days.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry said Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received a phone call from his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

The ministers pledged to continue dialogue and spoke of the necessity for all parties to implement the framework of the MoU between the US and Iran.

This includes ensuring freedom of navigation for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and maintaining regional stability.
 

Iran army says halted retaliatory attacks as US holds fire

Iran has said it has halted retaliatory attacks in the region after the United States stopped its strikes on the country for the past two nights, reports AFP.

“These attacks continued until two nights ago, but over the past two nights the Americans have stopped their attacks,” said army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia. “Since … our strategy has essentially been retaliatory, we have also halted our retaliatory operations. “ 

Baghdad says Iraq-Kuwait border reopened after Iran attacks

The Abdali border crossing between Kuwait and Iraq reopened on Sunday, Iraq’s state news agency has reported.

The main land border between the two countries was temporarily closed after an unspecified drone attack last Thursday. The Kuwaiti army reported “material damages” after the strike.

The Abdali border crossing is located in the northern Al-Jahra province in Kuwait.
 

IRGC fires warning shots at ships in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has fired warning shots at six ships over the past 24 hours as they tried to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reports.

Iran’s state television reported that the ships were stopped from continuing their journey, as the path they were taking was reportedly “outside the designated route” set by Tehran.

A day earlier, four ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz were also halted by the IRGC for “unauthorised passage”.

The differences over what route ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz can take have been a key point of contention between the US and Iran, leading to the most recent conflict in the region. 

Iranian lawmakers review draft on Hormuz

The Parliament’s National Security Committee is reviewing Iran’s draft law on the management of the Strait of Hormuz, along with the judicial, economic and civil sub-committees, Al Jazeera reported, citing IRIB is reporting.

Iran has not disclosed the content of the draft law, but officials have previously said it is intended to assert the country’s sovereignty over the maritime corridor and to introduce charges for vessels transiting the strait.

Ali Nikzad, deputy parliament speaker, said in May the draft stipulates that Israeli vessel “will never be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz”, while ships from “hostile countries” would be denied transit permits unless they compensate for war-related damage. 

Iran says US bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain 'at the centre' of retaliatory action

Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Akraminia says Tehran “took action to assert its rights” over the Strait of Hormuz after the “US violated its commitments and tried to create a fake and illegal route in the Strait of Hormuz” against the MoU signed in June.

“In these operations, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s army placed US bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain – which are considered among the most important bases of this country in the region – at the centre of its operations,” he said in remarks quoted by the Tasnim news agency.

The MoU has unravelled amid the dispute between the US and Iran over management of shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The US carried out strikes on Iran for 13 consecutive nights, prompting Iranian attacks on bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.

According to US media reports, Trump paused the strikes on Friday amid concerns over depleted interceptor missile stockpiles and to allow room for diplomacy.
 

Maritime navigation activities 'fully' resume in Qatar

The Qatari Ministry of Transport has announced on X that “activities can now resume fully for all types of maritime vessels and ships, as of Sunday, July 26, 2026”.

It still urged vessels to “abide by the maritime regulations and instructions to ensure the highest levels of safety and security for all trips”.

Restrictions on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz were imposed two weeks, after a series of deadly tit-for-tat strikes between the US and Iran re-erupted, including on shipping in the waterway.
 

IRGC spokesperson says Israel 'provoking' US president to keep him in the region

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has said that Israel wants to keep the US in the region by “provoking” the US president and providing false information, according to Tasnim news agency.

“If Israel goes back to war against Iran, we will put the regime into a disaster,” a spokesman for the IRGC warned. 

Iran army says war to 'expand further' if US attacks restart

Iran’s army has warned that the Middle East war would widen if the United States chooses to press ahead with attacks on the Islamic republic, reports AFP.

“I believe that if the Americans once again fall for the Zionists’ deception, or move in line with them, and insist on continuing the war, particularly through air strikes, geographically this will expand further,” army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia told state television.

He said the war had already expanded to the Bab el-Mandab Strait at the entrance of the Red Sea, referencing the recent military flare-up between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia.

“The scope of our operations now encompasses the entire region, from US bases in Jordan to the countries along the Persian Gulf,” he said.

Akraminia said the situation in the Middle East for the United States is “difficult and unsettled,” predicting that Washington was now looking “for a new strategy.”

“We are prepared for each of the options and scenarios that appear likely,” he added. 

Iran's army says 'situation is chaotic and undesirable' for US

General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesman for Iran’s army, says the US has failed to achieve its goals “in the Strait of Hormuz and in weakening Iran”.

“The situation is chaotic and undesirable for America,” he said, according to Iranian state TV.

Shekarchi added that the US was looking for a “new strategy” and that the possibility of Washington withdrawing from the war was “conditional on the Zionists’ permission”, in an apparent reference to Israel.
 

Iran says progress made in talks with Oman on Hormuz shipping mechanisms

Iran says it has made progress in talks with Oman on operational mechanisms to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing there has been no change in maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said several rounds of talks were held in Tehran on Friday and Saturday between Iranian and Omani deputy foreign ministers.

“The two sides exchanged views on common principles and operational mechanisms for the safe passage of ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” Baqaei said, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

He described the talks as “productive,” saying progress had been made during the discussions.

Baqaei said the Omani delegation left Tehran on Saturday evening, and that technical and political consultations between the two countries remain ongoing 

Trump orders US military to hold off on strikes on Iran, US media report

The New York Times and Axios are reporting that the US president has decided to set aside plans to attack Iran, after 13 consecutive days of strikes, according to Al Jazeera.

The Times, citing Trump administration officials, said the president’s decision came amid concern that ratcheting up the war could “dangerously drain the Pentagon’s already diminished stockpile of Patriot antimissile interceptors and other air defense munitions in the Middle East”.

It said the decision followed a meeting between Trump, his top advisers and senior members of his cabinet on Friday.

Axios, citing two anonymous sources with knowledge of the decision, said it was unclear if Trump’s order to halt the strikes was a one-off or if the lull would continue.

It said Trump’s decision “reflects both his willingness to provide more space for diplomacy and a recognition that — short of a return to major combat operations — the current level of US strikes has reached the limit of its effectiveness”.

It cited the sources as saying that the US military was preparing plans for a possible return to major combat operations. 

UN chief says Israeli incursions into Syria 'unacceptable and must stop'

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for Israel’s incursions into Syrian territory in the occupied Golan Heights to stop.

“Violations by Israel of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement are unacceptable and must stop,” he wrote on X, referring to the agreement signed between Israel and Syria after the war in 1973.

“Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity must be fully respected,” he added. 

Kuwait rejects claims of involvement in US strikes on Iran

Kuwait has denied reports that it took part in US military attacks on Iran, dismissing a Wall Street Journal article that alleged the Gulf nation deployed fighter jets in the operation.

Citing state-run Kuwait News Agency, Al Jazeera reported that Kuwait's ambassador to the United States, Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah, wrote to the newspaper's editorial board, calling the report "utterly and completely baseless."

She reiterated that Kuwait neither participated in military operations against Iran nor allowed its territory, airspace, or territorial waters to be used for launching offensive actions.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Kuwait and Bahrain had sent fighter jets to strike targets inside Iran after Tehran launched missile and drone attacks on what it described as US military assets in the Gulf.

Iran said those attacks were carried out in retaliation for US strikes on its cities. 

IRGC warns that UK could become target if it sides with US

An IRGC spokesman has told Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB that “any country, whether the UK, the Gulf Coast countries, or others” would become a “legitimate target” if they support the US in its attacks on Iran, Al Jazeera reports.

The spokesperson, who wasn’t named, highlighted the role of the UK, saying that American B-1 bombers used British airports to carry out recent attacks.

“If they cooperate [with the US], they will be our definite and legitimate target,” the spokesperson said. 

US naval blockade of Iran remains in effect: CENTCOM says

US Central Command said on Saturday that its naval blockade of Iran remains in effect, adding US forces have redirected 12 commercial vessels attempting to bypass it, disabled two vessels that did not comply, and boarded two others to ensure compliance.

“Earlier today, U.S. forces completed a verification boarding aboard Comoros-flagged M/T Charminar in the Arabian Sea, and the tanker is now continuing its journey. CENTCOM forces disabled Mozambique-flagged M/T Lavine in the Gulf of Oman, July 24, after the crew attempted to violate the blockade multiple times and ignored repeated warnings. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran,” CENTCOM posted on X.
 

Oman-Iran talks on reopening Strait of Hormuz show progress

Talks between Oman and Iran over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and nearby territorial waterways made progress, according to two regional sources cited by CBS News.

The sources said the discussions were moving in a positive direction but required more time before a potential agreement could be reached. Omani officials traveled to Tehran on Friday for talks, which coincided with President Donald Trump's decision to pause US strikes on Iran after 13 consecutive nights of attacks.

The regional officials told CBS News that the pause in US strikes was intended to avoid disrupting the diplomatic efforts, although the White House and US Central Command did not comment on the report.

 

Iran says Omani delegation visited Tehran to discuss Strait of Hormuz traffic

An Omani diplomatic delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday, Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Saturday.

The two parties discussed efforts to “establish appropriate mechanisms for managing ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz,” according to IRNA.

Oman has not yet publicly commented on the reported meeting.
 

Trump halted Iran strikes on Friday as Oman talks made progress: Axios

US President Donald Trump ordered the military not to strike Iran on Friday as Oman-mediated talks in Tehran made progress toward a possible agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported Saturday, citing sources familiar with both developments.

The directive broke a 13-day streak of daily US attacks. Trump had approved strike plans each afternoon over the previous two weeks but withheld authorization for a similar plan presented Friday and instead ordered the military to hold fire.

Two regional sources told Axios that Iran and Oman had made progress and could reach an agreement over the weekend. Any proposed deal would then require Trump’s approval.

The US military continues to prepare options for a possible return to major combat operations, but Trump has not ordered it to move in that direction, the report said, adding that strikes could resume at relatively short notice.
 

Yemeni Houthis' spokesman meets Saudi delegation in Oman to address regional tensions

Yemen’s Houthi political bureau spokesman, Mohammed Abdulsalam, has met with a Saudi delegation in Oman, according to Al Jazeera.

A source from Yemen’s Ansarullah Houthis says the meeting “aimed at advancing regional security and stability”.

Israel launches artillery attacks into southern Lebanon

Israeli military has fired artillery into southern Lebanon as it continues to breach a US-brokered “ceasefire”, Al Jazeera reports.

Israel has targeted the villages of Kafrtbenit, Misra, Beit Yahun and Kunin, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, which cited Lebanese local sources.

Press TV reports Israeli shelling on the southern town of Markaba and Ali al-Taher Heights.

Iraqi air defences shoot down drone near US consulate in Erbil

Iraqi air defences shot down a drone near the US consulate in the Kurdistan Region capital of Erbil on Saturday, security sources told Reuters.

Yemen's Houthis say they carried out operations against Aramco facilities in Saudi's Jizan and Yanbu

Yemen’s Houthis say they carried out operations targeting Saudi Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu, Reuters reports citing a statement by the group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Sare.

There has been no immediate Saudi confirmation.

Yemeni air force strikes Houthi missile and drone launch sites in Marib and al-Jawf

The Yemeni government air force on Saturday carried out airstrikes on Houthi missile and drone launch sites and arms depots in the Marib and al-Jawf provinces along the front line with the Iran-aligned group, two Yemeni military officials said.

The officials said the strikes were among the first offensive operations launched by the Yemeni government against the Houthis amid renewed violence in the more than decade-old conflict, following the collapse of a four-year truce between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.

Iran Guards say stopped four ships trying to transit Hormuz strait

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday their forces stopped four ships attempting to transit the strategic Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours.

"Four vessels that had intended to transit through the southern area of the Strait of Hormuz via an illegal and unsafe route were stopped over the past 24 hours after warning shots were fired by the IRGC Navy," the Guards said in a statement quoted by state television, adding that the ships had "altered course".

Iran has in recent weeks hit tankers using a route hugging the Omani coast to traverse the strait, in a bid to strongarm vessels into using its own waters and pay for safe passage.

Iran FM says 'no military solution' to Yemen conflict

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday there was no military solution to the escalating conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen after both sides traded attacks.

"We believe that there is no military solution to the issue of Yemen, Bab al-Mandab, and other regional issues," said Araghchi in an interview published on Saturday by the state-run Iran Daily newspaper, calling for "dialogue".

He said the situation in Yemen "cannot be attributed to Iran" and that the incidents occurring in the area of the Bab al-Mandab Strait were "rooted in old disputes and issues between Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the countries of the region".

Greek-operated air defence system shoots down missiles over Saudi

An air defence system operated by Greek military ‌personnel in Saudi Arabia intercepted two ballistic missiles launched from Yemen on Saturday towards oil refineries in Yanbu, Greek security sources told Reuters.

Saudi Civil Defence had issued an emergency alert in Yanbu to warn residents of danger.

"The attack was launched with two ballistic missiles and targeted the refineries in Yanbu," one of the sources said, adding that the missiles had been launched ‌from Yemen.

A second source confirmed the interception of the missiles.

Greece has deployed a US-made Patriot air defence battery, operated by Greek personnel, in Saudi Arabia since 2021 under an agreement to help protect the kingdom's energy infrastructure. Saturday's interception was the second time that Greek personnel had operated the system.

Iran slams EU over hypocrisy on human rights

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has criticized the European Union’s remarks on human rights concerns in Iran, accusing the bloc of failing to maintain consistency between its stated principles and its actions.

In a post shared on X, Baqaei questioned the EU’s position, writing, “How can a professed commitment to human rights be so easily reconciled with providing logistical and technical support for lethal aggressions against the Iranian people?”
He alleged that such support had enabled attacks targeting civilians and critical national infrastructure, while accusing the European Union of refusing to condemn what he described as clear violations of international law.

“All while refusing to condemn even the most blatant war crimes, and offering not a single word of sympathy for Iranian children slaughtered by American-Israeli bombs and missiles enabled by the EU’s own ‘logistical and technical support,’” Baqaei wrote.

The Iranian spokesperson further accused the bloc of losing credibility over its approach, stating, “This is not merely a loss of credibility. It is the banality of evil — and the purest form of hypocrisy.”

Baqaei’s comments followed remarks by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas regarding human rights concerns related to Iran.
 

Uzbekistan appreciates Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and stability

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments. Foreign Minister Saidov appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and stability, including its role in facilitating the Islamabad MoU. Both sides expressed hope that dialogue and diplomacy would continue to pave the way for lasting peace and regional stability.

Foreign Minister Saidov appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and stability, 

US military attacks tanker ship attempting to evade American blockade on Iranian ports

The US military said Friday it had fired on and disabled a tanker ship that was attempting to evade the American blockade on Iranian ports.

"We disabled the tanker after the crew attempted to run the blockade at least four times prior," Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesman for US Central Command, told AFP.

"The crew was repeatedly warned, didn't comply, and US forces on scene disabled the ship after firing into its engine room," he said. "The ship is no longer transiting to Iran." 

Pakistan continues joint efforts for lasting regional peace, says Naqvi

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to promoting lasting peace in the region, saying the country's collective efforts toward regional stability remain ongoing.

Naqvi made the remarks during a meeting with Lord Zameer Choudrey, a member of the British House of Lords, in London. During the meeting, Lord Choudrey praised Pakistan's efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. 

Saudi civil defence says danger has passed in Yanbu governorate

The Directorate of Saudi Civil Defense has said that the danger has now passed in Yanbu Governorate, AlJazeeral reports.

This was the third time tonight that the directorate issued a brief warning for Yanbu.

Trump says no final decision on major strikes as negotiations with Iran continues

US President Donald Trump said he has not yet decided whether to authorize what he described as "major strikes" against Iran, emphasizing that negotiations with Tehran remain ongoing while military options continue to be available.

Responding to a question during an event about whether he had reached a decision on potential large-scale strikes, Trump replied,*"No, I haven't. We're talking to them right now. I think they're getting more and more serious as the days go by."

The president suggested that diplomacy remains his preferred course of action but stressed that the United States is prepared to escalate if necessary.

"I consider that the smarter way, but the other's probably the easier way, doing what we're doing—and we can take that to a much higher level if we want to. We're prepared to do that, as you know. We're locked and loaded," Trump said.
Speaking further about US policy toward Iran, Trump indicated that Washington could either continue its current strategy, intensify its approach, or pursue negotiations.

"You can just keep doing exactly what we're doing, and take them apart piece by piece. We could do it at a more rapid fashion, which we might do — or we can negotiate with them, which we're also doing right now," he said.
 

Trump says Israeli PM Netanyahu will visit US next week

President Donald Trump said on Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ‌Netanyahu will visit the U.S. next week.

Trump's comments came in his speech at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Friday, while he was falsely casting U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer as Palestinian.

"I am going to send him (Schumer) a beautiful Palestinian outfit tomorrow, so he can greet Bibi Netanyahu when he comes to town next week," Trump said.

"He turned Palestinian," Trump said of Schumer, who is Jewish, while also joking that sharia law was Schumer's "new founding."

U.S. Muslim and Jewish advocacy ‌groups have previously criticized Trump for calling Schumer, the top Senate Democrat, a Palestinian, with the rights groups saying Trump uses the term disrepectfully as a slur and as an insult.

Netanyahu's office said earlier that he will travel to Washington on Monday and will meet with Trump on Tuesday. Netanyahu will also attend deceased U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham's funeral, his office said.

The Trump-Netanyahu meeting will come as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran completes five months. 

Houthis vow retaliation for Saudi strikes as conflict deepens

Yemen's Houthis vowed to retaliate against Saudi Arabia on Saturday after they accused the kingdom of targeting civilian infrastructure, as the Middle East war widens across the region.

Riyadh struck Houthi military targets in Hodeida on Friday, with rebel media reporting two wounded after the Yemeni group announced a maritime blockade of the top oil producer and hit its ships.

The flare-up marks a new front of the war that has engulfed the region following US-Israeli strikes on Tehran in February, and comes on top of Iran's parallel blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Riyadh's only other maritime route.

"The Saudi enemy's targeting of civilian facilities in Hodeida and Kamaran island constitutes a dangerous escalation," the Houthis' Ansarollah media posted on Telegram.

"We affirm that these recent crimes will not go unanswered."

A Yemeni security source told AFP a naval base in the port city of Hodeida and a military camp on Kamaran island were among the Saudi targets.

The Saudi-led coalition said it hit Houthi sites and destroyed targets threatening commercial vessels in response to attacks on Red Sea shipping.

The strikes came after the Houthis claimed attacks on two Saudi ships this week, with Saudi Arabia confirming one of the attacks in the Red Sea.

"The terrorist Houthi military... targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea," Turki al-Maliki, the Saudi-led coalition's spokesman, said on X.

The coalition "carried out a decisive and strong response" targeting Houthi military sites used to threaten Red Sea shipping and that the "military response is now over", he added. 

US embassy in Jordan urges Americans to reconsider Middle East travel amid regional tensions

The US Embassy in Amman has advised American citizens to reconsider travel to the Middle East and exercise increased caution amid the risk of further regional escalation.

In a statement posted on X, the embassy warned that US diplomatic facilities, including those outside the Middle East, have previously been targeted.

It added that Iran and groups aligned with Tehran could target additional US interests overseas, as well as locations associated with the United States and American citizens, including US businesses and other institutions, if tensions escalate further. 

Iran will not tolerate threats or bow to US pressure, says foreign minister

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran will neither submit to the United States nor tolerate the "language of threats", Al Jazeera reported.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Kyrgyzstan, Araghchi said Iran remains in close consultation with Russia and China.

"Consultations with Russia and China are ongoing and continuous, and we regularly consult with our friends in China and Russia whenever there is an opportunity," he said, according to Iran's Tasnim news agency.

Araghchi also blamed Washington's approach for the lack of progress in peace negotiations, saying the main obstacle to advancing the talks is "the American approach." 

Iraq rejects report claiming it is mediating US-Iran ceasefire talks

Iraq has denied a media report claiming it is acting as a mediator to secure a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, Al Jazeera reported.

In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency, the Iraqi prime minister's media office dismissed the claims as "completely baseless" and said they had "no connection to reality."

The office also urged media organisations to verify information through official sources and avoid publishing unsubstantiated reports or claims attributed to anonymous sources.

The denial came after The New York Times, citing Iranian and Iraqi officials familiar with the matter, reported that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi had conveyed a ceasefire proposal to Tehran during a recent visit following his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House earlier this month.

 

Houthi spokesman denies Bab al-Mandab closure, says naval blockade targets Saudi Arabia only

Yemen's Houthi movement has denied reports that it has closed the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, insisting its naval operations are limited to a blockade targeting Saudi Arabia, Al Jazeera reported.

Houthi chief negotiator and spokesperson Mohammed Abdul Salam rejected claims of a complete shutdown of the key shipping route in a post on X.

"There is no closure of the Bab al-Mandab Strait as some claim," Abdul Salam said.

He added that Yemen's position, as announced by the Houthi armed forces, is confined to a maritime blockade affecting only Saudi Arabia. According to Abdul Salam, the measure is a response to what he described as Riyadh's blockade of Yemen and its refusal to pursue what the group considers a fair solution that ensures the Yemeni people's security, sovereignty and independence. 

Dar meets Iranian FM on sidelines of SCO foreign ministers' meeting

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kyrgyzstan, according to Iran's state-run Press TV.

The meeting took place as senior diplomats from SCO member states gathered for discussions on regional cooperation and key international issues.

 

IRGC claims strike on US ammunition depot in Kuwait, reports casualties

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it destroyed a major US ammunition depot and several accommodation facilities at Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, according to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency.

The IRGC said the attack caused "casualties and heavy damage" to US forces, though the claims have not been independently verified.

 

UN urges evacuation of 6,000 sailors stranded in Strait of Hormuz

The United Nations urged countries involved in the Middle East war to help evacuate and repatriate some 6,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk called for urgent action to remedy the plight of thousands of stranded seafarers, who are facing "a dire humanitarian and human rights crisis" in the waterway, his spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo said.

The International Maritime Organization has said there are at least 6,000 seafarers on hundreds of vessels who are stranded in the strait, unable to evacuate during the ceasefire. 

Iran's Revolutionary Guards warn civilians to stay away from US forces in region

Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned civilians in the Middle East to stay away from US forces, state media reported.

"We warn the general public in countries where American soldiers are stationed to immediately stay out of a radius of 500 metres from the places where American soldiers are hiding, in order to be safe," the Guards said in a statement carried by state TV. 

Iran's Revolutionary Guards say they targeted an Amazon data centre in Bahrain

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they targeted a data centre in Bahrain belonging to US tech giant Amazon, state media reported.

The forces "targeted and destroyed the intelligence data centre building of the American company Amazon, which plays a major role in completing information for the American child-killing army", they said in a statement aired by state TV.

Neither Amazon nor Bahraini authorities have commented so far on Iran's claims.

The Guards – the ideological arm of the military – had also said on Wednesday that they targeted the data centre.

Tehran maintains that any facility or base in the Middle East that the US military uses for strikes on Iran is considered a legitimate target for retaliatory attacks.

Explosions, smoke near Iraq's Erbil airport, AFP reports

Several blasts sounded near Erbil airport, which hosts US-led coalition troops in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, an AFP journalist said.

Explosions were heard after air defences were activated, according to the journalist who also saw drones hovering over the city and smoke rising in the airport area.

Since hostilities resumed in the Middle East, drones have repeatedly been intercepted over Erbil, which is also home to a major US consulate complex. 

Iran says US attacks Revolutionary Guards base in country's north

Iranian authorities said that the US struck a Revolutionary Guards' base in the northern province of Gilan, state media reported.

"This morning, an IRGC naval forces headquarters in Zibakenar was targeted by American enemy projectiles, which damaged some of the equipment in the complex," said Ali Bagheri, deputy governor for the province, quoted by the official IRNA news agency. 

Iran warns countries against assisting in US attacks

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Iran would hold accountable any country assisting the United States in an attack on the Islamic Republic.

"Any participation, cooperation or assistance in committing aggression against Iran will create international responsibility for the relevant parties," Araghchi said at a meeting in Kyrgyzstan, adding that Iran "reserves its right to take all necessary measures within the framework of self-defence". 

Iran says US attack on southwest kills at least four people

An overnight US attack on Iran's southwestern province of Khuzestan killed at least four people and wounded several others, Iranian state media reported.

"Following the missile attack by the terrorist US enemy on areas around the city of Ahvaz, four of our compatriots were martyred and five others were injured," Valiollah Hayati, deputy governor of the province, was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency. 

Iran attacks US military facilities in Jordan, Bahrain

Iran army said it attacked US military facilities at Jordan's al-Azraq base and Bahrain's Sheikh Isa air base.
 

Trump vows to punish Iran and Houthis for attacks in Red Sea

 US President Donald Trump promised "major military punishment" for Iran and its Houthi allies after the Yemeni fighters struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, extending the Middle East war to a second major shipping chokepoint.

Brent hovers above $100 per barrel

Brent oil prices hovered above $100 per barrel on Friday while heading for their fourth week of ‌gains, driven by concerns about disrupted energy flows in the Red Sea and fears of further escalation in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Brent futures advanced 37 cents, or 0.37%, to $101.06 a barrel at 0330 GMT, having settled up 7% above $100 in the previous ?session for the first time since May, after Iran-aligned Houthis said they struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. 

Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi warns against seizing foreign assets

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned against the seizure of the country's assets, describing the practice as an "incendiary precedent."

In a post shared on X, Araghchi said that "seizing another nation's assets to pay for unrelated future claims is an incendiary precedent."

He further warned that governments should consider the broader implications of such actions, stating that those who "celebrate or profit from such funds should remember: once governments normalize confiscation, no one's assets are safe."

Araghchi also cautioned that normalizing the confiscation of state assets could have far-reaching consequences, adding, "Ensuing chaos will not be pretty or peaceful."

The remarks were shared on Araghchi's official X account and reflect Iran's position on the issue of state asset confiscation. 

His post comes after Donald Trump said Iranian money held and controlled by the United States would be used to pay for damage to ships, cargo and related assets.

“Any and all damages” would be covered by the funds “until further notice,” Trump wrote.

Trump said the costs could be “very substantial” but described the measure as fair and equitable.

Fifty-five killed, 629 injured in US strikes on Iran: - report

Fifty-five people have been killed and 629 wounded by US airstrikes in Iran since June 27, said a New York Times report on Thursday, citing Iranian Health Ministry Spokesman Hossein Kermanpour.

Of those killed, six were women and three were minors, it added. Kermanpour did not specify whether the figures referred to civilians, military personnel, or both, according to the NYT.
 

US military completes another round of strikes against Iran

The US military completed the 13th consecutive night of strikes against Iran at 9 p.m. ET, US Central Command announced in a post to social media.

“CENTCOM targeted Iranian military command centers, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites, and maritime capabilities to further diminish the threat Iran poses to civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said on X.
 

Explosions heard in Bandar Abbas and island of Qeshm

After the US said it launched its latest wave of strikes on Iran, state media reports a series of explosions at sites around the country.

Iranian state media reports that US missiles hit the southwestern city of Ahvaz, and explosions are heard in nearby Omidiyeh, as well as the port city of Bandar Abbas and the island of Qeshm on the Strait of Hormuz.
 

US military launches 13th consecutive night of strikes against Iran: CENTCOM

The US military is launching more strikes against Iran, US Central Command said in a social media post.

“This is the 13th consecutive night of strikes aimed to hold Iran accountable and diminish threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to commercial shipping,” CENTCOM said on X, adding that strikes began at 6:45 p.m. ET.

President Donald Trump signaled earlier today that he is not yet ready to negotiate a new ceasefire with Iran, saying, “They need more of the same” following consecutive days of airstrikes.
 

Iran FM says US aggression will raise price of any deal

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday accused “compromised individuals” in the US administration of ignoring realities on the ground and focusing only on the 2028 election.

“The mindless aggression they advocate will only ensure that POTUS pays heavier price for deal he's trying to achieve,” Araghchi wrote on X.
 

Trump says Iranian funds will cover shipping damages

US President Donald Trump said Thursday in a post on Truth Social that Iranian money held and controlled by the United States would be used to pay for damage to ships, cargo and related assets.

“Any and all damages” would be covered by the funds “until further notice,” Trump wrote.

Trump said the costs could be “very substantial” but described the measure as fair and equitable.
 

Trump says using military against Iran 'a little more' than expected

Trump signals that a US-Iran ceasefire isn't imminent

A ceasefire with Iran may not be coming in the immediate, Trump signaled today. “They would like to do something, but I say they’re not ready yet.

They need more of the same,” he said, adding that Iran’s leaders “have some evil intentions.”
 

Iran warns response to attacks on infrastructure will be 'escalating and severe'

Senior Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei has warned that Tehran's response to recent US strikes on its infrastructure would be "escalating and severe," according to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency.

Rezaei also condemned what he described as an attack on pilgrims in Shalamcheh and alleged threats against Iran's infrastructure.

"The attack on pilgrims in Shalamcheh and threats of infrastructure attacks are nothing but desperation and helplessness," he was quoted as saying by Fars. 

US Senate blocks resolution curbing Trump's Iran war powers

The US Senate has blocked a Democrat-led resolution aiming to stop the Iran war until hostilities are authorised by Congress, Reuters reports.

The Senate has voted 49 to 47 not to advance the war powers resolution.

The resolution reflects growing congressional concern, even among President Donald Trump’s Republicans, over the war. 

UK condemns Houthi tanker attacks, calls them 'serious violation' of international law

The United Kingdom has strongly condemned attacks by Yemen's Houthi group on Saudi shipping, describing the strikes as a serious violation of international law and warning of their wider consequences.

In a statement, the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the attacks endangered lives, threatened regional stability and increased the risk of an environmental disaster.

"These reckless actions endanger lives, risk environmental catastrophe and regional stability, in serious violation of international law," the ministry said.

The UK also expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and urged the Houthis to halt further attacks, reiterating its call in a post on X. 

Trump says he is considering 'massive' military action against Iran: Report

US President Donald Trump is seriously considering launching a new large-scale military operation against Iran, including strikes that would surpass those conducted during "Operation Epic Fury," according to a report by Axios.

In a brief interview with the publication, Trump said he had not yet made a final decision but acknowledged that any military action would have significant consequences.

"I am considering a massive attack, bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," Trump said, without indicating when he would make a final decision.
 

Mideast situation on 'edge of the unimaginable': UN chief

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has pushed the region to the “edge of the unimaginable,” AFP reports quoting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

“The situation is getting out of control. It is teetering on the edge of the unimaginable. The region is being pulled into an ever-widening circle of confrontation. One crisis feeds another. One escalation triggers the next,” Guterres tells a Security Council meeting.

“As this dynamic spreads, the political objectives are becoming increasingly obscured by the confrontation itself.” 

Brent North Sea oil price hits $100 on Middle East attacks

The price of the benchmark international oil contract, Brent North Sea, has reached $100 a barrel in trading after Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck oil tankers in the Red Sea, AFP reports.

Brent has soared more than six per cent to hit the $100 level, as the attacks potentially open a new front in the Middle East war with President Donald Trump threatening the rebels with “major military punishment”.

The main US oil contract, West Texas Intermediate, rallies 5.0pc to $91.19 a barrel. 

Houthi Red Sea tanker attack is 'alarming': ECB's Lagarde

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde says that an attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on a Saudi vessel in the Red Sea is “alarming”, as the bank monitors the inflationary impact of the Iran war, AFP reports.

While the Houthi attack came too late to affect the ECB’s deliberations on interest rates, “it is having an impact — we can see that on the price of Brent as it evolves almost by the hour,” Lagarde tells reporters. 

Trump warns Iran will be held responsible for future Houthi attacks on shipping

US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran will be held accountable for any future attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement on commercial shipping, saying Tehran would face severe military consequences if such incidents continue.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump recalled previous US military strikes against the Houthis, saying they were carried out in response to the group's attacks on commercial vessels and interference with international trade.

He said the Houthis had acted "very responsibly" since those operations and during the recent conflict with Iran, but claimed they had resumed attacks by firing at two Saudi Arabian ships the previous night.

Trump asserted that the Houthis act as an Iranian proxy and warned that any further attacks on commercial shipping would be viewed as Iran's responsibility.

"If they do this again, the US will hold Iran responsible," Trump said, adding that both Iran and the Houthis would face "major military punishment" if the attacks continue. 

EU urges Houthis to stop attacks in Red Sea

Yemen’s Houthis must cease all actions that endanger international shipping and the lives of seafarers, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said, Reuters reports.

Recent threats by the rebel group to impose a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia “pose a direct threat to regional stability and constitute a dangerous escalation”, Kallas says in a statement.

The Houthis claim they struck two Saudi oil tankers as part of a blockade on Saudi Arabia, threatening to create a second chokepoint on global oil supplies alongside the Strait of Hormuz. 

Iran condemns US over alleged 'collective punishment' policy

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has accused the United States of pursuing a policy of "collective punishment," alleging that Washington's actions violate international humanitarian law.

According to Baqaei, the US administration is prepared to sacrifice "whatever remains of international humanitarian law and the foundations of human ethics and civilisation" in pursuit of its military objectives.

He also claimed that Washington supports the destruction of civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, describing such actions as "manifestly unlawful and criminal."

Baqaei further argued that these measures amount to reprisals and collective punishment, both of which are explicitly prohibited as war crimes under international humanitarian law.

 

Jordan, Kuwait say they intercepted Iranian attacks

The Jordanian and Kuwaiti militaries have reported intercepting salvos of Iranian missiles and drones, with Iran’s army and Revolutionary Guards saying they had targeted US assets in the countries, AFP reports.

Jordan’s army said it had shot down three Iranian missiles this morning, while a fourth fell in an uninhabited area. It also shot down six drones the night before.

The army said the “operations resulted in no human casualties or material damage”.

Kuwait’s military said overnight that it was also intercepting “hostile drone threats”, without specifying their target. 

Bahrain activates air raid sirens, urges residents to seek shelter

Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced that air raid sirens were activated across the kingdom and urged residents to remain calm and immediately move to the nearest safe shelter.

The ministry advised citizens and residents to follow official instructions and take necessary safety precautions while authorities monitor the situation. 

Ishaq Dar, UK's Ed Miliband stress dialogue, diplomacy amid US-Iran tensions

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Ed Miliband, underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy during the recent escalation between the United States and Iran.

According to Pakistan's Foreign Office, the two leaders met on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila, where they discussed regional and international developments, including the prevailing security situation.

The Foreign Office said Miliband appreciated Pakistan's continued efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation during the recent US-Iran tensions, reaffirming the importance of diplomatic engagement in addressing regional challenges. 

Iran army vows to continue strikes so long as country is under attack

The Iranian army said that it would continue its strikes around the region until the attacks on Iran stopped, AFP reports.

“The armed forces’ retaliatory attacks will continue as long as the US attacks on the country’s infrastructure and coastal areas continue,” said army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia according to state TV, adding that the country was ready for “every enemy scenario”. 

Rubio warns iran will face 'heavy price' until it agrees to deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Iran will continue to face severe consequences unless it agrees to a deal, saying the country is already enduring significant military and economic setbacks.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN conference in Manila, Rubio said Iran would continue to "pay a very heavy price" if it refused to reach an agreement.

He claimed Iran's defence industrial base had been "decimated" and alleged that the country was losing radar systems and missile launchers on a nightly basis.

Rubio also said Iran had suffered billions of dollars in damage and that its economy was under increasing strain.

Accusing Tehran of failing to honour previous agreements, Rubio said, "Every time they make a deal, they either break it or they want to change the deal."
 

Rubio warns Iran will face 'heavy price' Until It Agrees to Deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Iran will continue to face severe consequences unless it agrees to a deal, saying the country is already enduring significant military and economic setbacks.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN conference in Manila, Rubio said Iran would continue to "pay a very heavy price" if it refused to reach an agreement.

He claimed Iran's defence industrial base had been "decimated" and alleged that the country was losing radar systems and missile launchers on a nightly basis.

Rubio also said Iran had suffered billions of dollars in damage and that its economy was under increasing strain.

Accusing Tehran of failing to honour previous agreements, Rubio said, "Every time they make a deal, they either break it or they want to change the deal." 

US deploys B-1 bomber as attacks on Iran intensify: reports

The US military used a B-1 long-range bomber on Tuesday to strike Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in Iran, AXIOS reported citing US officials. 

Iran Guards destroy US military equipment in Jordan

Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of the country's military, said on Thursday that they had attacked and destroyed several American military assets in Jordan.

The targets included a radar for the US THAAD missile defence system, a Patriot system, a C-RAM radar and a helicopter hangar, according to a statement from the Guards aired by state TV. 

Iran says it attacked US targets in Kuwait

The Iranian army says that it attacked U.S. targets in Kuwait on Thursday, including the U.S. base of Arifjan and Kuwait's Doha camp that has hosted American military assets, Reuters reproted

Iran also struck at vital water desalination and energy plants in Kuwait earlier this week and struck U.S. military assets there, in Bahrain and in Jordan.

There was no immediate comment from the Pentagon and the U.S. Central Command, nor from Kuwait, to the Iranian statement. 

Chinese supertankers now moving toward Bab el-Mandeb

Two Chinese very large crude carriers carrying 4 million barrels of Saudi Arabian oil are heading toward the Bab el-Mandeb strait to exit the Red Sea on Thursday, shipping data showed.

The Singaporean-flagged VLCC Xin Long Yang, which had made a U-turn and took a pause in the middle of the Red Sea on Tuesday, resumed its journey southward late on Wednesday, LSEG shipping data showed.

The vessel was sailing past the Yemeni coast, the shipping data showed.

The Chinese-flagged VLCC Cosnew Lake was following, the data showed.

Cosco Shipping, which manages both tankers, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Both vessels indicated through their automatic identification system transmitters that there were Chinese crew onboard, the data showed. The vessels loaded crude at Saudi Arabia's port of Yanbu earlier this week. 

Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role

Iranian drone attacks on CIA facilities in the Gulf have prompted U.S. intelligence analysts to investigate whether Russia assisted by providing targeting information or advanced drone technology, said four people familiar with U.S. intelligence.

These people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss national security matters, said U.S. intelligence officials have not yet reached firm conclusions about the possible Russian involvement in the attacks on CIA facilities. But they cited the strikes' effectiveness and apparent precision, as well as Russia's broader technical support for Iran, as possible evidence.

Any aggression against Iran will compel a powerful and decisive response, says Araghchi

Oil hits six-week high

Brent crude futures rose more than $2 to $96.09 a barrel, holding at a six-week high following the news of Houthis striking two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, Reuters reports.

 

Two killed in US missile strike on Shalamcheh border: reports

The death toll from the American missile strike on the Shalamcheh border has risen to two, with eleven others injured, IRNA reported citing provincial authorities in Khuzestan. 

US issues worldwide travel caution over Middle East tensions

The US State Department issued a worldwide travel caution on Wednesday, warning that heightened tensions in the Middle East have created a complex security environment with the potential for further escalation.

It advised Americans in or traveling through the region to exercise heightened vigilance, prepare for possible flight disruptions and airspace closures, and added that US diplomatic facilities have been targeted and that Iran and groups supportive of Iran could target other US interests overseas.
 

Explosions reported in Iran's Jask

Local sources reported hearing explosions in the city of Jask in Iran’s Hormozgan Province on Wednesday, according to state broadcaster IRIB. 

US House passes $1.15trillion defence bill amid Iran war concerns

The US House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Wednesday, approving a record $1.15 trillion in military spending despite Democratic concerns over the bill’s cost, the Iran war and a provision expanding Pentagon ties with Israel.

The measure passed by a vote of 216-212, largely along party lines.

 

Kuwait air defences responding to hostile drone attacks

Kuwait’s military said its air defenses were responding to hostile drone attacks on Wednesday following what it described as Iranian aggression.

The Kuwaiti Army said any explosion sounds heard were caused by air defense systems intercepting the attacks and urged residents to follow safety instructions issued by authorities.

 

US launches new wave of strikes against Iranian military targets: CENTCOM

The US military is launching more strikes against Iran, US Central Command said in a social media post.

US forces began launching more strikes against Iranian military targets at the Commander in Chief’s direction,” CENTCOM said on X.

The US military said the strikes are meant to “further degrade” Iran’s ability to threaten commercial vessels in regional waters. Tonight’s strikes mark the 12th consecutive night of US strikes against Iran.


 

Houthis say Saudi oil tankers targeted

Yemen’s Houthi group said they targeted Saudi oil tankers on Wednesday because the vessels “violated a naval blockade imposed by the group.” 

US missile attack reported near Ahvaz as blasts heard in Sirik

Iran’s semi-official Mehr News cited an official in Khuzestan province as saying a location near Ahvaz was targeted in a US missile attack on Wednesday, while state media reported that several explosions were heard in Sirik in southern Iran. 

Mossad director met with Trump officials in DC, source says

The new director of Israel’s Mossad spy agency, Roman Gofman, met with senior Trump administration officials during a visit two weeks ago to Washington, DC, a source told CNN on Wednesday.

The source said that Gofman shared intelligence on Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, uranium and economy. Pickaxe Mountain is a fortified underground site that has been linked to Iran’s nuclear program.

 

Trump honours fallen soldier, says dignified transfer 'very tough to watch'

Hours after attending the dignified transfer of four US soldiers killed in the war with Iran, President Donald Trump honored one of the fallen whose remains were transferred at Dover Air Force Base — a sight, he said, that was “very tough to watch.”

“And I just left Dover Air Force Base, which is an incredible place, but oftentimes very sad because that’s when they bring the bodies of our patriot warriors,” Trump told a crowd in Georgia, before adding that today’s transfer was “in particular something very sad.”


 

UK pulls diplomatic staff from Iran

The British government is pulling its diplomatic staff from Iran, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) announced Wednesday evening.

British staff have been temporarily withdrawn from the country due to the security situation, the FCDO said in a statement.

The British Embassy in Iran continues to operate remotely, it added.
 

Iran's president praises Pakistan's regional diplomacy

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian praised Pakistan’s efforts to reduce tensions and promote regional peace and stability during a meeting with the country’s new ambassador in Tehran on Wednesday.  

Iran's Ghalibaf says Hormuz Strait will never return to pre-war conditions

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has stated that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to pre-war conditions, adding that if Iran is barred from selling oil in the region, then “no one will sell oil”.

“The equation of this war is clear: either all or none!” he writes on X. “In a region where we do not sell oil, no one will sell oil. If our security is not ensured, no infrastructure will be safe, and the security of the strait is in the absence of American forces.” 

Yemen's Houthis sent radio warning to ships: International Chamber of Shipping

Yemen’s Houthis have been recorded sending radio warnings to ships, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) tells AFP, after the rebels announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia.

“We can confirm that the Houthis were recorded transmitting a warning message to ships in the region,” the ICS says. 

US will attack Iranian bridge, power plant for every ship targeted in Hormuz

President Donald Trump ?renewed his threats to attack Iranian infrastructure ‌on Wednesday, saying the U.S. would attack a bridge or power plant each time Tehran targets ?a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

"Any ?time the Islamic Republic of Iran ?shoots at a ship in the Strait ?of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, ?Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR ?POWER PLANT, including those located next ?to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran," Trump ‌said ?in a post on Truth Social. 

Saudi civil defence issues brief warning for eastern city

Saudi Arabia’s civil defence agency issued a brief warning calling for residents of the eastern city of Dammam to take shelter, only to lift the order minutes later, according to AFP.

“An alert has been issued by the National Platform for Early Warning in Emergency Situations in the city of Dammam to warn of danger,” the agency said in a statement posted online.

The warning was called off just moments later, and came as air raid sirens were activated in nearby Bahrain. 

Iranian media reports US strike on Larak island in Hormuz Strait

The Iranian news agency Tasnim has reported a US missile strike on the island of Larak in the Strait of Hormuz, saying residents heard a loud explosion there, according to AFP.

“At 2:48 pm, the island of Larak was targeted by an American missile,” Tasnim says. “The competent authorities are currently carrying out an investigation to determine the scale of the attack, the exact point of impact and the extent of the potential damage.” 

Iranian media reports US strike on Larak island in Hormuz Strait

The Iranian news agency Tasnim has reported a US missile strike on the island of Larak in the Strait of Hormuz, saying residents heard a loud explosion there, according to AFP.

“At 2:48 pm, the island of Larak was targeted by an American missile,” Tasnim says. “The competent authorities are currently carrying out an investigation to determine the scale of the attack, the exact point of impact and the extent of the potential damage.” 

Rubio says US would 'love' to reach diplomatic settlement with Iran

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Washington remains willing to pursue a diplomatic agreement with Iran, provided Tehran abandons its support for terrorism and permanently gives up its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Speaking to reporters in Manila, Rubio said the United States would "love to reach a diplomatic settlement" with Iran if such an agreement were possible.

"We'd love to reach an agreement if it were possible with Iran," Rubio said, adding that any deal would require Iran to commit to ending its sponsorship of terrorism and refrain from seeking nuclear weapons or the capabilities needed to develop them. 

Pakistan 'deeply concerned' over bid to drag Saudis into Mideast conflict

Pakistan said it was "deeply concerned" by attempts to pull Saudi Arabia into the Middle East war and condemned the threats by the Yemen's Houthis against the kingdom and Red Sea shipping.

"Pakistan is also deeply concerned over attempts to drag the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into the conflict in the Middle East and reiterates its unwavering support for the security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and prosperity of the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," said the foreign ministry of Pakistan, a close security partner of the Saudis. 

Jordan army intercepts four Iranian missiles

The Jordanian army said it intercepted four Iranian missiles, adding that two others fell in an open area, as Tehran pressed its attacks across the region.

"Air defence systems today detected six missiles coming from Iranian territory," the army said in a statement, adding that they "intercepted and downed four missiles, while the other two fell in two remote, uninhabited areas, without causing any human casualties or material damage". 

Lebanon PM says Beirut working for 'complete Israeli withdrawal'

Beirut is working towards a "complete Israeli withdrawal" from areas it occupies, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on a visit to a village where Lebanon's army recently deployed.

"We will continue mobilising our political and diplomatic efforts to secure a complete Israeli withdrawal from the south," he said in Zawtar al-Gharbiya, one of several "pilot zones" intended to demonstrate that the Lebanese army can remove and disarm Hezbollah as part of a Washington-sponsored deal with Israel. 

Iran army says it targeted US military in Jordan and Bahrain bases, state media reports

 Iran army said it had targeted US military in Jordan and Bahrain bases, state media reports.

Trump vows to help Lebanon with 'Hezbollah problem' in meeting with Aoun

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held a meeting with his US counterpart Donald Trump in Washington, as pressure builds for Beirut to disarm Shiite militant group Hezbollah, Israel's key condition before withdrawing its troops from south Lebanon.

During a press conference at the White House, Trump promised to help Lebanon. “It’s been a very badly treated place and country, and we’re going to have it properly treated and treated with respect that it deserves,” Trump said as Aoun sat beside him in the Oval Office. “There’s a Hezbollah problem.” 

UN says 400,000 people still displaced in Lebanon

The UN has said that more than 400,000 people are still displaced in Lebanon, with many families unable to “return home safely due to continued attacks”.

Thousands of families still living in shelters have said they are experiencing “worsening shelter conditions, reduced access to water and hygiene services, and limited opportunities to earn an income,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

“Many also said they are increasingly relying on borrowing funds to meet basic needs, including the purchase of essential medicines,” Dujarric said. 

Naqvi praises Iranian ministers' peace efforts, hopes for positive breakthrough

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni, in Islamabad for talks on bilateral cooperation and regional developments.

Speaking after the meeting, Naqvi praised Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni for what he described as their exceptional efforts to promote peace. He expressed hope that positive developments would emerge soon and that peace would prevail in the region.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Pakistan and Iran and exchanging views on issues of mutual interest, including the regional situation.

War in Iran has cost the US $37.5 billion so far, Pentagon says

The cost of the United States' war in Iran has risen to $37.5 billion so far, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday, as he faced skeptical lawmakers for the first time since heavy ‌bombings resumed to seek urgent funding for the unpopular conflict.

With just six months before midterm elections in which President Donald Trump's Republicans may face an uphill battle to keep their House of Representatives and Senate majorities, Democrats are riding high in public opinion polls as they attempt to link the unpopular Iran war with affordability.

Hegseth told lawmakers at a hearing in Washington that the $37.5 billion included certain aspects of the war as well as anticipated costs through September 30.
 

Oil extends gains on fresh Mideast supply risks

Oil prices extended gains on Wednesday as fears of further supply disruptions intensified after U.S. forces struck Iranian military targets for the 11th straight night, while oil tankers made U-turns in the Red Sea after warnings by Iran-backed Houthi militia.

Brent crude futures rose $1, or ‌1.1%, to $92.01 a barrel at 0330 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 82 cents, or 1.0%, to $85.16.

Rubio says allowing Iranian control of Hormuz is a 'dangerous precedent'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Wednesday that Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz would set a dangerous precedent with repercussions beyond the Middle East.

"If we create a precedent in the Middle East where a nation-state can decide to control an international waterway, charge a toll, and blow up your ships if you don't pay, we have created a very dangerous precedent that will repeat itself in other parts of the world, including this region," he told envoys at a Manila gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Rubio also said that the United States was open-minded on the Middle East conflict and willing to engage, negotiate and settle differences with Iran, but Tehran was not serious about talks.

"If they're serious, we're serious. If they're not, then we will do what's necessary to protect our interests, and also the interests of our allies," Rubio said in remarks at a meeting with Southeast Asian counterparts in Manila, who have expressed serious concern about the renewed hostilities.

US completes 11th night of strikes on Iran

The US military said it completed the 11th night of strikes on Iran early Wednesday as attacks across the Middle East overshadowed diplomatic efforts in Pakistan to salvage an interim ceasefire deal that has collapsed.

US Central Command said targets included aircraft hangars and drone storage sites. The newest barrage came after President Donald Trump signalled that strikes would be intensifying. 

Trump says Israel would not exist today if US had not attacked Iran

US President Donald Trump said Israel "would not exist today" if the United States had not taken military action against Iran, as he defended Washington's policy during talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House on the final day of Aoun's four-day US visit.

The two leaders discussed Lebanon-Israel relations, efforts to disarm Hezbollah, tensions with Iran, Syria and prospects for peace in the Middle East.

Trump described Hezbollah as Lebanon's biggest challenge and claimed the US had taken effective action against the group. He also criticised former President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran, arguing it would have allowed Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons years ago.

The US president further claimed that American B-2 bomber strikes had severely damaged Iran's nuclear facilities and said Tehran was now eager to negotiate an end to the conflict.

Trump says US has 'no interest' in meeting with Iran until Tehran ready for 'meaningful' talks

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Washington has "no interest" in meeting with Iran until Tehran is ready for "meaningful" nuclear talks.

Speaking during a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Oval Office, Trump claimed that Iran was "desperate" to meet with the US but had not yet offered the kind of dialogue Washington wanted.

"They want to desperately meet, and until they're ready to meet in a meaningful way, we have no interest in even," Trump said.

Asked whether Iran had moved nuclear centrifuges to Pickaxe Mountain, Trump said: "Well, I think that they may have. We don't have it on record."

"Normally, I wouldn't say that. If I thought they could do something about it, I would never say that. But we'll be hitting that area pretty soon, and very heavily," he added.

Saudi crude tankers turn back as Houthis open new front in US-Iran war

Two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude to Asia reversed course in the Red Sea on ?Tuesday after threats from Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, as a widening Middle East conflict disrupted shipping through two of the world's most critical energy chokepoints.

The diversions came as US forces bombed targets in the ‌south and west of Iran overnight, Tehran targeted US sites in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan and at least one tanker was hit in the Strait of Hormuz in the latest escalation of violence that has all but wrecked an interim peace deal signed last month.

The Houthis announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia on Monday, opening a potential new front in the war and raising the threat to global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf. The two tankers, which loaded Saudi crude bound for China and India this week, made U-turns and were headed toward the Suez, shipping ?data on LSEG showed. However, sources said Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port of Yanbu was operating normally.

Iranian minister meets Field Marshal Asim Munir at GHQ, discusses regional and bilateral security

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni held a meeting with Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi, on Tuesday.

Two tankers carrying Saudi crude turn back in Red Sea

Two oil tankers that loaded Saudi crude for China and India this week have made U-turns in the Red Sea and are headed toward the Suez Canal, shipping data on LSEG showed.

Very Large Crude Carrier Xin Long Yang, which completed the loading of 2 million barrels of Saudi crude at the port of Yanbu on Monday, was originally heading to exit the Red Sea to go to China, but it made a U-turn and was heading to Suez instead, the data showed.

Aframax tanker Rodos, which loaded about 700,000 barrels of Saudi crude for India, also made a U-turn for Suez on Tuesday, according to the data. 

Lebanon army says Israeli troops opened fire near units deploying in 'pilot zone'

Lebanon’s military says Israeli troops fired near its soldiers deploying in a so-called “pilot zone” Israel is to withdraw from under a US-backed agreement, AFP reports.

While troops were deploying in Zawtar al-Gharbiya in southern Lebanon, Israeli forces “opened fire in the vicinity of these units”, the army says, adding that “the attack will hinder the implementation of deployment in the pilot zones”. 

UAE condemns fresh Iranian missile, drone strikes on Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan

The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned Iran's latest missile and drone attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.

In a statement posted on X, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the strikes as "a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the brotherly nations and a threat to their security and stability."

The ministry reaffirmed the UAE's full solidarity with Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, expressing its support for all measures aimed at protecting their security, stability and territorial integrity. 

Pezeshkian says Iran surpassed expectations in MoU talks, accuses US of breaching commitments

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused the United States of violating its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), claiming Iran's achievements during the negotiations "exceeded expectations," Al Jazeera reports.

Speaking at the National Industry and Mining Day ceremony, Pezeshkian said the negotiations progressed step by step, with Iran's primary objective being the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports and resolving other key issues.

"During these negotiations, we advanced step by step, but the other side violated the agreement," he said, referring to the United States. 

IEA says Middle East fighting increases energy concerns

The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) says that renewed fighting in the region increases concerns over energy supplies, but that the market still has cushions to absorb the impact, AFP reports.

“The escalation in hostilities affecting the Strait of Hormuz and energy infrastructure in the region increases security of supply concerns and uncertainty over the market outlook,” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol says in a statement.

“For the moment, crude oil markets continue to benefit from several cushioning factors,” he adds, pointing to increased exports from several countries and Saudi and United Arab Emirates oil reaching markets by alternative routes. 

Qatar condemns Houthi Red Sea blockade, urges protection of maritime navigation

Qatar has strongly condemned Yemen's Houthi rebels over their blockade of maritime navigation in the Red Sea and denounced statements by the group's spokesperson accusing Saudi Arabia of "besieging the brotherly Yemeni people."

In a statement, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to uphold its responsibilities by implementing relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2216 on Yemen and Resolution 2722 on safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

The ministry reaffirmed that freedom of navigation in international waterways is a fundamental principle of international law and is guaranteed under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

 

Iran attacked Kuwaiti power and water desalination plants on Monday, says ministry

Iran attacked several Kuwaiti power generation and water desalination plants on Monday for the fourth consecutive day, causing fires at a number of facilities, Kuwait's ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said on Tuesday.

Fires were extinguished, damage was being assessed and repairs were ongoing, the ministry added. 

Iranian Interior Minister Momeni meets PM Shehbaz during Pakistan visit

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni at the Prime Minister's House in Islamabad on Tuesday, the Prime Minister's Office said.

Bahrain says intercepted Iranian air attacks

Bahrain’s military said it had intercepted a number of Iranian attacks, nearly two weeks into the resumption of US-Iran hostilities that have included daily attacks on the Gulf kingdom, AFP reports.

“The air defences of the Bahrain Defence Force intercepted and destroyed a number of Iranian aerial aggressions,” the military said in a statement. 

Oil prices firm as investors weigh fresh attacks against potential US-Iran ceasefire

Oil prices edge higher as markets weigh reports of mediation efforts against fresh attacks exchanged by the US and Iran as well as threats of a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Houthis, Reuters reports.

Brent crude futures has risen 48 cents, or 0.5pc, to $89.70 a barrel by 0950 GMT.

The front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude contract, which expires today, is up 59 cents, or 0.7pc, at $83.82.

The more active contract for September delivery has risen 50 cents, or 0.6pc, to $82.98. 

Jordan neutralised five Iranian drones, state news agency reports

The Jordanian military announced it had intercepted five Iranian drones.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the attack, claiming in a statement that they had targeted a "complex housing US terrorist forces in the region of Rukban". 

Lebanese army deploys to 'pilot zones' in south, military source tells AFP

The Lebanese army deployed on Tuesday to "pilot zones" in part of the country that had been under Israeli occupation following a deal sponsored by Washington, a military source told AFP.

The source said soldiers "have begun deploying to the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya" in the Nabatieh region, following Israel's invasion of parts of the south during their war with militant group Hezbollah. 

US senator urges Trump to end Iran war

IRGC claims missile strikes on Amazon data center in Bahrain

Tanker crew abandons vessel after reported projectile strike in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says

A tanker in the Strait of Hormuz reported being struck by an unknown projectile, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel and board a lifeboat, the United Kingdom Maritime ‌Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) said on Tuesday.

UKMTO said it had received multiple reports on Tuesday that a tanker had broadcast over VHF Channel 16 that it had been hit by an unknown projectile. The incident was reported eight nautical miles east of Oman's Limah and authorities were investigating. 

Oil prices dip as mediation efforts offset US-Iran strikes

Oil prices softened on Tuesday, with markets weighing reports of mediation efforts between the U.S. and Iran against an exchange of ‌fresh attacks between the two and threats of a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthis.

Brent crude futures eased 35 cents, or 0.4%, to $88.87 per barrel by 0052 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for September delivery was steady at $82.47 a barrel. Both contracts were trading below their highest levels in more than a month hit in the previous session. 

Iran Guards say hit US military targets in Bahrain, Kuwait

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday they hit US military targets including air defence systems in Bahrain and Kuwait, state news agency IRNA reported.

The Guards said they struck two air defence systems and a radar installation at two different US outposts in Bahrain, as well as missile defence systems and radars and satellite reception systems in Kuwait.

"With this radar sweep, the enemy should prepare for even more decisive and powerful waves of drone and missile attacks," the Guards said in a statement carried by IRNA.

The announcement came as the United States said it struck Iranian military command centres, air defence systems and missile launch sites in overnight attacks.

Iran's army said it targeted "three major US bases in Kuwait" with kamikaze drones.

IRGC says it destroyed US radar, air defenses in Bahrain

The IRGC said Monday it destroyed a US air defense system and radar in Muharraq and targeted a US Patriot air defense system in Riffa in a coordinated missile and drone attack, Fars News reported.

 

Crew abandons tanker after projectile strike in Strait of Hormuz

The crew of a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz abandoned the vessel after it was struck by an unknown projectile off the Omani coast, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said.

UKMTO said the vessel's company security officer reported the crew had taken to a lifeboat following the incident near Limah.

The report came shortly after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed explosions had triggered "massive fires" aboard two oil tankers attempting to transit what it described as the strait's unsafe southern route.
 

IRGC says it struck US drone hangar, military facilities in Kuwait

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in a statement published by state media Monday that they targeted an MQ-9 drone hangar at Ali Al Salem Air Base and US radar, communications and satellite facilities in Kuwait with missiles and drones. 

US military completes latest wave of strikes against Iran

The US military completed another wave of strikes against Iran tonight at 9 p.m. ET, US Central Command said in a social media post.

“US forces struck Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems to degrade Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial vessels flowing through the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said in a post on X, adding, “Commercial vessel transits through the vital international maritime corridor continue.”

CENTCOM did not provide additional details on the number of targets it struck Monday.

The statement added that since early May, “CENTCOM forces have helped facilitate the transit of approximately 900 commercial vessels and 450 million barrels of crude oil.”
 

Iran regime change returns to Trump administration agenda: Financial Times

The idea of overthrowing Iran’s regime is returning to the agenda in parts of the Trump administration after diplomatic efforts failed, the Financial Times said in an analysis.

It added that efforts to stoke an internal uprising were also returning to the agenda. Israel’s earlier proposal to arm Kurdish groups was rejected in Washington but could now be revived for lack of better alternatives.
 

US military launches new wave of strikes against Iran

The US has launched more strikes against Iran, US Central Command said in a post to social media on Monday.

“Today at 4 p.m. ET, US forces began a new round of strikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction,” CENTCOM wrote in a post to X.

“The strikes are designed to further degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
 

Mediators float 10-day ceasefire to prompt return to negotiations

Mediators between the United States and Iran have floated the prospect of a 10-day ceasefire that would lower temperatures between the warring nations in an effort to prompt a return to negotiations, people familiar with the matter said.

Throughout the conflict, Qatar and Pakistan have played leading roles in trying to mediate hostilities.
 

Nearly 100 US troops injured in Iranian strikes this month: media

Nearly 100 US service members were injured in Iranian strikes on bases across the Middle East since July 7, CBS News reported, citing US officials.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement to CBS News that 96% had returned to duty, adding that the vast majority of the injuries were minor concussions.

“They are determined to get back in the fight,” Parnell said.
 

Jordan says three missiles launched from Iran intercepted

Jordan’s armed forces say three missiles launched from Iran have been intercepted, Al Jazeera reports citing Jordan’s state TV.

Jordan says three missiles launched from Iran intercepted

Jordan’s armed forces say three missiles launched from Iran have been intercepted, Al Jazeera reports citing Jordan’s state TV.

Vessel struck east of UAE's Fujairah port: UKMTO

The UK Maritime Trade Operations says a vessel has been struck 17 nautical miles east of Dibba, near the UAE’s Fujairah port, Al Jazeera reports.

Crew aboard the ship told UKMTO that an unknown projectile hit their ship, damaging the steering gear. All crew aboard the vessel are reportedly safe.

Netanyahu will not be arrested while in US: Trump

US President Donald Trump has said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “will not be arrested, in any way, shape or form, while in the United States of America”, in a post on Truth Social.

Trump claims Iran has killed '52,000 innocent protestors'

On Truth Social, Trump has claimed that Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting against Iran, which has “recently killed 52,000 innocent protestors” and has been killing US soldiers “and others” for 47 years.

“The only ones that should be arrested are the people that led Iran into this unprecedented SPIRAL OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION, something that should have been dealt with years ago, by previous Presidents!” he said.

Trump says Iran to pay 'many times over' for killing a US soldier

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that it will pay “many times over” for every US soldier it killed, AFP reports, after Washington announced over the weekend three new military fatalities and one service member missing in action.

“Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!” Trump posted on his platform, Truth Social.

“This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the Military.”

Iranian interior minister lands in Pakistan for official visit

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrived in Pakistan on Monday leading a high-level delegation and was received by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam also attended the reception.

Naqvi said the visit would strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

Momeni is expected to hold meetings with Pakistan's leadership to discuss border security, counterterrorism cooperation, regional developments and other issues of mutual interest.

Lebanon army begins taking over southern 'pilot zones': US

A deal to secure an Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah faced its first test on the ground Monday, as the Lebanese army began taking charge of security in three southern villages, Washington said.

Iranian interior minister heads for Pakistan

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has departed for Pakistan, accompanied by a high-level delegation, comprising executive bodies.

Momeni is set off for Islamabad at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart to discuss and exchange views on solutions for developing bilateral cooperation.

Air defences confronting hostile missile, drone attacks: Kuwait

IRGC says it targeted US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted Al-Sakhir air base and bin Salman port in Bahrain and Arifjan base in Kuwait, Fars News reported.

Iran warns US allies of difficult passage through Strait of Hormuz

Iran's military has warned that countries allied with the United States will face increasing difficulties using the Strait of Hormuz for the movement of military equipment.

In a statement, the military said some nations had benefited for years from the strategic waterway for trade and oil exports but had recently sided with Iran's adversaries. It added that the US and its partners would encounter significant challenges when crossing the strait, as Iran plans to strengthen defensive measures to safeguard its national security.

The statement also said stronger controls were necessary to prevent future attacks on Iranian territory and protect national defence interests.

Yemen's Houthis declare naval blockade on Saudi Arabia

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said on ‌Monday they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, a move that opens a new front against the United States in its war on Iran and widens the threat to global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf.

Iran had pressed the Houthis to close the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea if the US continued to attack Iranian power infrastructure.

In their statement, the Houthis' armed forces said they were declaring "a maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy, based on the equation of 'an eye for an eye', effective immediately..."

President Pezeshkian says Iran in 'full-scale war' with US

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his country was in a “full-scale war” with the United States and that Tehran should accept the repercussions of the conflict, AFP reports.

“The reality is that today the Islamic Republic of Iran is engaged in a full-scale war,” Pezeshkian said, adding that “we must be realistic and accept the natural consequences of this resistance”, according to a presidency statement.

Iran attacks civil air navigation systems in Bahrain, says CAA statement

Iran attacked Bahrain's civil air navigation systems but operations were not affected, the Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement to the state news agency.

Flights and air traffic transit through Bahrain are proceeding normally, the statement said.

Iran calls on global watchdog to condemn US strikes on under-construction nuclear site

Iran urged the United Nations nuclear watchdog to condemn US strikes that it said targeted the Darkhovin nuclear power plant under construction in the country's southwest.

"Iran ... expects the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Board of Governors and the Director General of the IAEA, who from time to time makes political statements regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, to clearly state their position on this matter in condemning the US crime," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said at a press conference in Tehran. 

Iranian says received proposals from mediators for resumption of negotiations

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that Iran has received proposals from the mediators for the resumption of negotiations with the United States and de-escalation of tensions in the region, Xinhua reports.

According to AlJazeera, Baghaei said messages from the United States have been shared with Tehran through intermediaries recently despite ongoing fighting.

“We have been informed by mediators, we have received messages – without going into details – but the main point is that the diplomatic apparatus has been active in recent days and ideas have been conveyed to us by certain mediators,” he said at a press conference in Tehran.

The responsibility for the recent escalation lies with the US, said Baghaei.

“We have repeatedly emphasised that we have no hostility towards the countries of the region, but we expect them to do their duty and not allow attacks on Iran from their territory.”

He added: “As long as these crimes continue our armed forces will respond to them.”

Crew abandons vessel on fire attacked in Hormuz, UK maritime agency says

Sailors safely abandoned a vessel set alight after it was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said.

"The vessel was struck by an unknown projectile. The crew safely abandoned the vessel and have been recovered by a tug boat. The fire has not been extinguished and the vessel is currently adrift. There is no reported environmental impact," UKMTO said in a an update to their earlier statement.

Earlier, the agency had reported the ship was "on fire" eight nautical miles northwest of Kumzar, Oman.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said that two oil tankers trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz "exploded and were brought to a halt". 

One person killed in US strikes on northwest Iran, state media says

US strikes overnight in northwestern Iran killed at least one person and wounded several more, state media reported.

"One person was martyred and several others were injured in a terrorist and aggressive American attack on an area southwest of Tabriz on Monday morning," said Majid Farshi, head of crisis management of East Azerbaijan province, quoted by state news agency IRNA. 

Multiple locations struck in Bushehr; scale under investigation: Iranian media

The governor of Bushehr says several locations in the city have been hit in an attack, according to Iran’s Mehr news agency.

The official added that the scope and extent of the strikes are currently under investigation, Al Jazeera reports.

Explosions heard in Bahrain's Manama after air raid sirens sound

Explosions were heard in the Bahraini capital Manama on Monday morning after air raid sirens were triggered, AFP journalists reported.

"The siren has been sounded, citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place," the Gulf state's interior ministry wrote on X. 

Kuwait says responding to drone attacks from Iran

IRGC says two US-coerced deviant tankers explode in unsafe Strait of Hormuz route

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that two deviant oil tankers, instigated and forced by the child-killing US military, exploded on Monday night after attempting to enter and exit via the unsafe and accident-prone southern route of the Strait of Hormuz, Press TV reports.

 

Iran will end war with US when it has “the upper hand in the field”, says FM Araghchi

Iran will end the war with the US when it has “the upper hand in the field”, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with state media, according to AlJazeera. 

Talking to the IRNA news agency, Araghchi said the most critical decision in crisis management was identifying the precise moment to halt hostilities and begin negotiations.

“The end of the war is possible either through absolute military victory or through negotiations. The right time to negotiate is precisely when you have achieved a reliable field and strategic achievement on the military front.

“You cannot take risks with the lives of the people and the fate of the entire country. Decisions must be made based on accurate and complete calculations,” Araghchi said.

He added that politicians must constantly weigh whether continuing the war would increase gains or impose heavier human and national costs.

“Despite some losses, we emerged as a decisive international player in this war and demonstrated the strength of the system,” he said. 

Brent oil tops $90 as US, Iran expand strikes in the Middle East

Brent oil prices rose 2% to more than $90 per barrel on Monday, ‌as escalating U.S.-Iran hostilities in the Middle East restricted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude futures climbed $2.09, or 2.37%, to $90.19 by 0241 GMT, touching the highest since June 11, extending gains after rising 15.9% last week, its biggest weekly gain since April.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $84.20 a barrel, up $1.71, or 2.07%, the loftiest since June 12. Front-month prices gained 15.5% last week, the largest weekly ascent since early March. 

US has completed its latest round of strikes: CENTCOM

The US has completed its ninth consecutive evening of strikes on Iran, Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X Sunday.

The US targeted “Iranian military command centers, air defense and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks,” CENTCOM said.

Explosions were reported across Iran early Monday local time.

Meanwhile, Iran launched another wave of missiles at “enemy targets,” state media IRNA reported.
 

Rubio says US still open to diplomacy with Iran

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States remains open to a diplomatic solution with Iran despite nine consecutive days of US airstrikes and the deaths of three US service members.

His comments come as the Trump administration continues military operations against Iranian targets while maintaining that diplomacy remains its preferred path to resolving the conflict.
 

Explosions reported across southern Iran and in northwestern Tabriz

Iranian media have reported explosions in several cities, including Chabahar, Konarak and Mahshahr along Iran’s southern coast, as well as Tabriz in the northwest.

The reports came shortly after US Central Command announced a new wave of strikes on Iran for the ninth consecutive night.

If confirmed as a US strike, an attack on Tabriz would mark the first reported instance in the latest campaign beyond Iran’s Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman regions.
 

UKMTO says vessel on fire near Strait of Hormuz, IRGC claims two tankers "exploded"

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it had received a report that a vessel is on fire off the coast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz.

UKMTO said the incident happened eight nautical miles northwest of Kumzar, in northern Oman.

“The cause of the fire has not been verified as this time,” UKMTO said.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that two “non compliant” tankers “exploded and were brought to a halt” after attempting to cross the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz, through the waters off Oman, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.
 

Trump says 'we feel very badly' about service member deaths

President Donald Trump on Sunday said “we feel very badly” about the American service members who have died in the war with Iran, as the number of fatalities hits 17.

“We feel very badly, but you know those great people, those great patriots … out there fighting that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told reporters as he returned to Washington following attendance at the World Cup final.

 

Iran targets US command centre in Syria

Iran renewed attacks on US military targets and its regional allies on Monday, saying it had struck a command center near the Al-Tanf base in Syria, while Bahrain sounded air raid sirens as the latest escalation sent oil prices above $90 a barrel.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had launched a “surprise attack” on an enemy special operations command center in the Al-Tanf region of Syria, according to a statement carried by Iranian state news agency IRNA.
 

US military begins ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran

The US military has launched a ninth night of strikes against Iran, US Central Command said Sunday evening.

“CENTCOM began conducting a new wave of strikes against Iran at 7 p.m. ET today for the ninth consecutive night,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.

The US military said the strikes will “continue degrading Iranian military capabilities” used to attack vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
 

US planning for wider war but faces weapons constraints - WSJ

The United States is preparing for a broader war and increasing the number of military aircraft in the region, but dwindling stocks of air-defense and long-range munitions could limit the expansion of its operations, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a US official familiar with internal administration discussions.

“We do not have enough to safely sustain operations, and I don’t think the White House is aware of that,” the official was quoted as saying.
 

US service member killed in northern Iraq as war with Iran drags on

The US military said on Sunday that another service member was killed in action during a controlled detonation of a downed Iranian drone. The death comes a day after the Pentagon announced the fatalities of two service members in Jordan.

“A U.S. service member in northern Iraq was killed in action July 18 during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone.

A second service member was wounded and continues to receive medical treatment for a minor injury,” CENTCOM said in a social media post.
 

IRGC commander reaffirms support for resistance front

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force commander, Brig Gen Esmaeil Qa'ani, has pledged that the Resistance Front, also known as the Axis of Resistance, will continue what he described as the "bright and honourable path of resistance" under the leadership of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.

Qa'ani's remarks came a day after Khamenei issued a message warning US President Donald Trump that the Iranian nation and the Resistance Front would deliver what he called "unforgettable lessons."

The Quds Force commander thanked the supreme leader for his support of the Resistance Front and reaffirmed the commitment of its commanders and fighters to their pledge of loyalty to the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Rubio and Lebanese president hold talks in Washington

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington after the latest round of Lebanon-Israel talks wrapped up in Italy, AFP reports.

The Lebanese president’s office said Aoun would meet with President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

Aoun planned talks “on the situation in Lebanon and ways to strengthen the ceasefire” as well as on “the withdrawal of Israel from the Lebanese regions it occupies,” his office said. 

Gulf bourses retreat as US-Iran hostilities intensify

Most Gulf stock markets have fallen as escalating US-Iran attacks across the region stoked inflation concerns and strengthened expectations of further US interest-rate hikes, Reuters reports.

Qatar’s stock market index retreated 1.5pc, dragged down by a 3pc slide in the Gulf’s biggest lender by assets, Qatar National Bank. Qatar Gas Transport also fell 2pc.

Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index closed flat, with oil major Saudi Aramco rising 0.6pc. Since the war began, the kingdom has rerouted over 70pc of its usual daily crude exports to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.

Elsewhere, Bahrain’s index was down 1.2pc and Kuwait’s fell 0.4pc. Outside the Gulf, Egypt’s blue-chip index fell 0.7pc.

Saudi Arabia finished flat at 10,717. Qatar retreated 1.5pc to 9,955. Egypt was down 0.7pc to 52,560; Bahrain closed 1.2pc lower to 1,962; Oman declined 1pc to 7,407 and Kuwait dropped 0.4pc to 9,036. 

Israel claims Iran missile towards Jordan's Aqaba intercepted

Israeli and Jordanian forces have intercepted an Iranian missile aimed at the Jordanian city of Aqaba, the Israeli military tells AFP.

When asked by AFP about reports of explosions near the Israeli city of Eilat, a military spokeswoman said both Israeli and Jordanian forces had intercepted a projectile. 

Iran's Ghalibaf urges national unity amid US strikes

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has urged the public to remain united amid ongoing US strikes, saying national cohesion is essential for the country's resistance.

According to Al Jazeera, Ghalibaf said in a post on social media that maintaining "sacred unity" was not merely a moral or social recommendation but a vital requirement for success in confronting the enemy.

He also called on Iranians to follow the guidance of the country's supreme leader, describing obedience to his directives as an important part of their historical responsibility in defending the nation and managing the country's affairs.

 

Israel claims it identified launch of missiles from Iran towards Jordan's Aqaba

The Israeli military has claimed it identified missiles launched from Iran towards Aqaba in Jordan, after Jordan’s government denied that the city’s airport and seaport were evacuated over a threat, AFP reports.

“A short while ago, the IDF identified the launch of missiles from Iran toward the city of Aqaba in Jordan, adjacent to Israeli territory,” the military said.

“It is possible that as a result of the fire, there will be spillover into Israeli territory.” 

Iran says vessels involved 'accident' in Hormuz as it blocks the strait

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy says two ships attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz via what it described an “unsafe route” were involved in “accidents” and stopped, while two others refused to continue along the route, Al Jazeera reports.

It has not specified what the accidents involved.

The IRGC claims the vessels disabled their navigation systems and ignored warnings.

Ships carrying oil, gas, or fertilizer must obtain permission and use its designated passage, it adds, warning vessels entering other routes risk “accidents”. 

Kuwait, Bahrain respond to Iran attacks

Kuwait and Bahrain’s militaries say they are responding to Iranian aerial attacks, and air raid sirens sounded in the two Gulf countries as Tehran presses its retaliatory strikes across the region.

“Kuwaiti air defences are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks, following the sinful Iranian aggression,” the army has said in a statement, as an AFP journalist reports warning sirens sounding in Kuwait City.

In the island kingdom of Bahrain, host of the US Fifth Fleet, the miltiary says its air defences “confronted, intercepted, and destroyed a number of treacherous Iranian aerial attacks”.

An AFP journalist has said blasts could be heard in the north of Bahrain after another AFP reporter has said a warning siren rang out across the capital Manama. 

Airport and seaport in Jordan evacuated due to 'credible threat', says US embassy

The international airport and seaport in Aqaba in southern Jordan were evacuated because of a "specific and credible threat", the US embassy said on X on Sunday.

"We strongly advise all Americans to refrain (from) travelling to either the airport or seaport. Continue to follow all Jordanian authorities’ security directives," the embassy said, without providing further details. 

Air raid sirens sound in Bahrain: interior ministry

Air raid sirens have sounded in the Gulf kingdom of Bahrain as Iran and the United States trade fresh strikes over control of the Strait of Hormuz, AFP reports.

“The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place,” the interior ministry said in a statement, while an AFP journalist confirmed sirens had rung out in Bahrain’s capital Manama. 

Trump says he 'couldn't care less' about Iran's interim deal withdrawal

US President Trump has given a brief phone interview to US cable network NewsNation, according to Al Jazeera.

Asked about Tehran’s announcement that it’s no longer abiding by the US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed last month, Trump said, “I couldn’t care less.”

He repeated the war’s primary objective is “never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon”. 

IRGC claims interception of MQ9 drone

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it intercepted and destroyed a US MQ9 drone in Ahvaz, a city in the eastern Khuzestan region that borders Iraq, Al Jazeera reported.

An MQ-9 is a large, remotely piloted unmanned aerial vehicle designed primarily for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and air strikes, according to a description by the US Air Force.

The US said it completed an eighth straight night of attacks against Iran after earlier announcing two American soldiers were killed in Jordan and another is missing following an Iranian attack.
 

Alert warnings ring out throughout Bahrain

Warning sirens are sounding in Bahrain as Iran continues to strike Gulf neighbours with missiles and drones, Al Jazeera reported.

“The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
 

Venezuela praises Pakistan's role in promoting peace, diplomacy

Venezuela’s newly appointed Foreign Minister, Félix Plasencia, has praised Pakistan’s efforts to encourage dialogue and ease tensions during the US-Iran conflict, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO).

In a post on X, the FO said Plasencia acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in supporting de-escalation and commended the country’s continued commitment to peace and diplomacy.

IRGC Aerospace Force shoots down US MQ-9 drone over Ahvaz: state media

Iran's state-run Press TV reported that the IRGC Aerospace Force brought down a US MQ-9 drone over Ahvaz after deploying what it described as a new advanced air defence system.
 

Resident says demand for water has increased in Kuwait

A Kuwaiti resident has told AFP there are fears that basic goods might become unavailable if the escalation continues.

“The demand for water and canned goods has increased since this morning amid fears that services or supply chains will be affected,” 61-year-old Hassan Rayan told AFP.

Resident Ali Mahmoud, 46, told the agency that “the streets and beaches were almost empty, even though it is a holiday”. 

Kuwait military says responding to Iran missile, drone attacks

The Kuwait military says it is responding to missile and drone attacks by Iran, Reuters reports. 

Iran army says targeted US bases in Kuwait with drones: state TV

Iran's army said on Sunday it had targeted two US bases in Kuwait with drones in response to American attacks on Iranian territory, AFP reported.

The Islamic republic's army said it carried out "large-scale attacks with kamikaze drones against the US military's ammunition depot at Camp Udairi and the Patriot radar system and air surveillance radar at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait", according to a statement carried by the state broadcaster. 

Top Iranian commander warns US of strong response to any future attack

A senior Iranian military commander has warned that any future US military action against Iran would trigger what he described as a "decisive and devastating" response from the country's armed forces, Al Jazeera reported.

Major-General Ali Abdullahi, head of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said in a statement carried by Iranian state media that Iran is prepared to respond forcefully to any act of aggression.

He also referred to the United States as "the Great Satan" and accused it of being a "criminal, treacherous and deceitful enemy."

Abdullahi said Iran would work to strengthen unity between its armed forces, government officials and the public, adding that the country would seek to make the US pay a higher price than in previous conflicts. 

Centcom says completed another round of strikes against Iran

The US Central Command (Centcom) said it completed another round of military strikes against Iran on July 18, acting under the direction of the Commander in Chief.

According to Centcom, the operation marked the eighth consecutive night of US strikes and targeted Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage sites.

The military said the strikes were intended to further degrade Iran's military capabilities.

"American military assets also targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces that launched attacks against US service members in Jordan on July 17," it added.

"More than 50,000 US men and women in uniform are operating across the Middle East. They remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready." 

US missile attack reported near Shadegan: Iranian media

A US missile attack targeted an area near Shadegan in Iran's Khuzestan province, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.

A deputy security official of the Khuzestan Governorate said operational forces were present at the site and would announce the latest situation and extent of damage. 

Iran says drones strike two 'US bases' in Kuwait

Iranian army said it has launched a large-scale drone attack on two "US military facilities" in Kuwait, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday.

In a statement carried by the IRIB state broadcaster, the army said its "destructive drones" hit an ammunition depot at Camp Al Adiri as well as Patriot and air-defence radars at Ali Al Salem Air Base. 

At least six missiles strike outskirts of Qeshm: Tasnim

At least six missiles have struck areas on the outskirts of Iran's Qeshm Island, Al Jazeera reported, citing Iran's Tasnim news agency on Sunday.

Tasnim, citing its correspondent on the island, reported that security officials and relevant authorities have not yet made any statements on the incident. 

US airstrike targets location near Iran's Qeshm: Mehr

A location near Iran’s Qeshm Island was targeted in a US military attack, Al Jazeera reported, citing Mehr news agency.

No civilian casualties or damage to residential or commercial infrastructure were reported, the agency said.

 

Strike reported near Sirik in Iran's Hormozgan province: report

A site near Sirik in Iran's southern Hormozgan province was struck, Al Jazeera reported, citing Iran's Mehr news agency on Sunday. 

US forces launch new airstrikes against Iran: Centcom

US forces have launched a new round of airstrikes against Iran on the commander-in-chief's orders, US Central Command (Centcom) said in a post on X.

The strikes are intended to further weaken Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

 

US issues worldwide travel caution amid rising Middle East tensions

The US State Department has issued a worldwide travel caution, citing rising tensions in the Middle East and the potential for heightened security risks.

In the advisory, the State Department urged American citizens, particularly those in the region, to remain vigilant, stay aware of their surroundings and closely monitor updates and security guidance issued by US embassies.

The department also warned of possible flight disruptions and said evolving regional tensions could lead to increased security threats targeting US interests abroad. 

EU, Gulf states oppose permits, fees in Hormuz

The European Union (EU) and Gulf states have jointly rejected the "illegitimate claims" of sovereignty or control over the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi state television reported.

In a joint statement, the parties stressed the importance of preserving freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway, a key route for global trade.

The EU and Gulf states also opposed the imposition of permits or fees on international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the report.

They further called on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz permanently open without conditions or fees, Saudi state television said.

 

US military says two personnel killed in action in Jordan, one missing

US Central Command (Centcom) has issued a statement saying two military personnel stationed in Jordan were killed in action in Iranian missile and drone strikes.

“Additionally, one service member is currently missing in action,” the statement, posted on X, reads.

“Four American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals. They have since been discharged. Other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty,” it adds. 

UKMTO reports tanker incident involving military forces east of Oman's Duqm

A merchant vessel and military forces have been involved in an incident about 100 nautical miles east of Duqm, Oman, Reuters reports citing the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO).

“Reports indicate that the tanker was subject to interaction as part of ongoing military activity in the region,” UKMTO has said without giving further details. 

Iran has 'unforgettable lessons in store' for the US: Khamenei

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has said that since the US is seeking to escalate the conflict and incur “even heavier costs and further humiliation, it should know that the noble nation of Iran and the Resistance Front have unforgettable lessons in store for it”.

 

Iran's supreme leader Khamenei says US has revealed its 'unmasked face'

Continuing his written address, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei says the US “has once again revealed its true, unmasked face, so that this dark episode of criminality and broken promises serves as yet another indisputable testament to the US’s dishonesty, irrationality, unreliability, and malicious nature”.

“Coercion, totalitarianism, and brutality are inseparable components of the US creed and doctrine,” he adds. 

Saudi Arabia slams 'brutal Iranian aggression' against Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry has said it strongly condemns “the continued brutal Iranian aggression” against Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, according to Al Jazeera.

In a statement, the ministry says it fully supports the measures those countries take against Iran’s attacks, which “violate international law and the principles of good neighbourliness”.

The Saudi statement follows earlier condemnations of Iran’s recent attacks on Gulf neighbours by Qatar and GCC chief Jassim al-Budaiwi. 

Signature of US president 'worthless, devoid of credibility': Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei

In a written statement, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has said that repeated breaches of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding have “once again laid bare a fundamental truth: the signature of the US president is utterly worthless and devoid of credibility”. 

Iran's FM spokesman says US has violated every aspect of MoU

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei is the latest Iranian official to address the status of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU), saying the US has violated every aspect of the agreement over the last week, Al Jazeera reports.

In comments cited by Iran’s Fars news agency, Baqaei accuses the US of pushing ships to use a “parallel route” in the Strait of Hormuz, away from the route designated by Iranian officials, which he says violates the MoU’s terms.

Baqaei adds that Iran has not sought war and has only defended itself in the “imposed” war. 

Iran army says targeted US bases in Kuwait with drones: state TV

Iran's army said on Sunday it had targeted two US bases in Kuwait with drones in response to American attacks on Iranian territory, AFP reports.

The Islamic republic's army said it carried out "large-scale attacks with kamikaze drones against the US military's ammunition depot at Camp Udairi and the Patriot radar system and air surveillance radar at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait", according to a statement carried by the state broadcaster. 

US says targeted Iranian Guards behind deadly Jordan attack

The US military says that it has carried out an eighth consecutive night of strikes against Iran, with targets including units behind the attack that killed two American troops in Jordan, AFP reports.

US Central Command (Centcom) said it struck Iranian military facilities and “targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces that launched attacks against US service members in Jordan on July 17.” 

Iraqi Kurdish politician condemns Iranian missile strikes

According to Rudaw, a Kurdish news outlet, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has condemned Friday’s strikes on Iraq’s Kurdish region, calling them “deliberate” and “a severe breach” of international norms, Al Jazeera reports.

The strikes killed nine members of the Iranian Kurdish opposition group, Komala, on Friday.

“Our nation faced a grave and unacceptable violation of our security and sovereignty. A ballistic missile strike, launched from Iran, targeted our homeland and our heroic security forces,” Bafel Talabani has said.

“We stand with our brothers in Erbil at this grave time; an attack on one is an attack on all,” he said, adding that while the Kurdish region did not seek a wider conflict, its restraint “should not be mistaken for a lack of resolve or ability”.