Iran’s Reach in Europe? US Bases in Germany Reportedly Under Intelligence Watch

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has warned the United States against attempting to subdue Iran, invoking the fate of Roman Emperor Valerian. In a post on X on October 10, 2026, Qalibaf said powers that sought dominance over Iran had faced humiliation and failure. Addressing US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he warned that those following Alexander the Great’s legacy would face a fate similar to Valerian’s, adding, “You will kneel.”

Qalibaf’s remarks came in response to Rubio’s speech at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, where the US secretary of state discussed Western civilisation, ancient Greek heritage and the importance of unity among Western nations. Qalibaf countered with historical references to Iran’s resistance against foreign powers.

Valerian was captured by the Sasanian Persian ruler Shapur I after a Roman defeat in 260 AD, an event regarded as a major setback for the Roman Empire. Qalibaf used the episode to argue that powerful empires had failed to establish lasting dominance over Iran. His statement intensified the rhetoric between Tehran and Washington but did not announce any new military action.

US President Donald Trump has issued another warning to Iran, saying Tehran must accept Washington’s demands or risk ceasing to exist. The statement, circulating on social media, has not been independently verified against a complete original video or official transcript. The US administration continues to present pressure on Iran as a way to secure progress in negotiations, while Tehran opposes American military threats and economic sanctions.

Trump also renewed his complaint about not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, saying he had ended eight wars and deserved international recognition for his efforts. However, his assertion that all eight conflicts were resolved remains disputed, as some of the disputes he cites have not been permanently settled.

The remarks have renewed debate over Washington’s approach to Iran, which combines strong military rhetoric with continued references to diplomacy. It remains unclear whether the two countries will reach an agreement or whether military and economic pressure will intensify further.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that 28 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz in a single day during the ongoing US naval blockade of Iran. Speaking at a White House event, Trump described the volume as a new record, exceeding levels seen before the war. However, independent maritime monitoring organisations have not immediately verified the figure.

The statement comes as Washington maintains restrictions on Iranian ports while seeking to keep commercial shipping from other countries moving through the strategic waterway. The US Treasury Department announced additional sanctions on October 8 against 17 vessels and related entities linked to Iran’s oil trade, aiming to restrict Tehran’s oil revenue.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global energy supplies, and changes in shipping activity can influence international oil prices. However, daily transit volumes fluctuate, and a single day of increased traffic does not necessarily indicate a sustained recovery. Independent confirmation of Trump’s 28-million-barrel figure remains unavailable.

Global oil prices initially declined after US President Donald Trump said the United States would not launch new attacks on Iran before the November 3 midterm elections. However, concerns over Middle East tensions and potential supply disruptions pushed prices higher again. On October 9, Brent crude briefly fell to around $103 a barrel before closing at $104.72.

Uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz remains a major concern for energy markets, as the strategic waterway handles a significant share of global oil shipments. Risks to shipping, higher insurance costs and potential disruptions to regional supply routes continue to influence prices. Meanwhile, diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran have shown signs of progress, but no comprehensive agreement has been announced.

For Pakistan, sustained increases in global oil prices could raise the import bill, put pressure on foreign exchange reserves and contribute to inflation. However, changes in international crude prices do not automatically translate into immediate changes in local petrol and diesel prices, which also depend on the exchange rate, taxes, government levies and domestic pricing decisions.

Iranian intelligence may be targeting US military bases in Germany for potential covert attacks, according to a report by German business weekly WirtschaftsWoche. The reported developments have raised security concerns among US and German officials.

The report, citing several unnamed Western intelligence officials, identified Ramstein and Spangdahlem air bases as potential targets. It said Israel had warned US and German authorities about the possible threat around three weeks ago.

Both bases play important roles in US and NATO military operations, including air missions, coordination and logistical support related to the conflict with Iran. However, the report provided no details about the nature or timing of any potential attack, and the information has not been independently confirmed. No official statement from German or US authorities was cited confirming preparations for such attacks.

• Experts estimate the US may need over 500,000 troops for a long-term military occupation of Iran.

• The troop estimate is analytical and not part of any confirmed official US military plan.

• US plans to deploy an additional aircraft carrier and around 9,000 personnel to the Middle East, AP reports.

• Iran’s vast territory, mountainous terrain and dispersed defence capabilities could complicate military operations.

• Experts warn that a ground operation could lead to prolonged fighting, logistical challenges and heavy costs.

Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment or transfer its enriched uranium to another country, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Mohammad Eslami, has said.

Eslami said US threats concerning Iranian nuclear facilities were nothing new and stressed that Tehran remained committed to its position on its nuclear programme.

He described uranium enrichment as an essential part of the nuclear process, adding that Iran intended to continue the activity and would not hand over its enriched uranium to any other country.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander-in-Chief Major General Ahmad Vahidi has said extra-regional powers have no right to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Iran is prepared to respond to any unauthorised activity in the strategic waterway.

Vahidi said the naval forces of the Revolutionary Guard and the Iranian military were equipped with advanced weapons and capable of protecting the country’s maritime borders. He warned that any unauthorised movement through the strait would prompt a decisive response.

The Iranian commander said Tehran remained determined to take the necessary measures to safeguard its security and interests in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments.

The US Treasury Department has announced new sanctions against Iran, adding 17 vessels and networks involved in transporting Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and petrochemicals to its sanctions list.

According to the Treasury Department, the measures aim to restrict Iran’s sources of revenue. US officials said the income generated through these networks helps fund Iran’s military activities, missile programme and cyber operations.

The department described the sanctions as a significant step against Iran’s maritime networks, saying the measures are intended to curb revenue from Iranian oil trade. The new restrictions form part of Washington’s continued economic pressure on Tehran.

Several powerful explosions have been reported in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian media.

The Fars News Agency, citing unnamed military sources, said oil tankers travelling through unauthorised maritime routes may have struck naval mines. The circumstances surrounding the reported explosions have not been independently confirmed.

The incidents come amid heightened tensions in the strategic waterway, where Iran has warned vessels against using routes that have not been authorised by Tehran. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for global oil shipments, making any disruption a concern for international energy markets.

The UK Foreign Office has advised British citizens against travelling to Saudi Arabia’s Asir, Najran and Jizan regions, as well as Taif city and its airport. It has also urged travellers to avoid all journeys within 10 kilometres of the Saudi-Yemeni border.

The travel advisory comes after the Houthi militia claimed to have targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with a ballistic missile.

Saudi Civil Defence said debris from an operation to intercept a ballistic missile over the capital damaged a children’s nursery and a medical complex. The developments have raised security concerns as regional tensions continue.

Iran’s Defence Ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik has said the country has sufficient weapons production capacity to sustain a prolonged conflict. Speaking to state television, he said weapons production had increased to two and a half times its pre-war level.

Talaei-Nik said Iran had established alternative and secure production sites before the conflict, allowing military equipment manufacturing to continue without interruption. He added that around 9,000 companies had voluntarily contributed to producing military equipment during the war.

He said Defence Ministry personnel were working with missile teams, drone units and naval and air forces to improve weapons and equipment based on battlefield experience. Talaei-Nik added that Iran would prioritise meeting its domestic military needs before increasing production for potential defence exports.

US President Donald Trump has said the United States will not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said productive negotiations with Tehran were continuing, while describing Iran’s economic and military situation as extremely weak.

Trump said the US blockade of Iran would remain fully in place. He also stated that 22 million barrels of oil had passed through the Strait of Hormuz the previous night, adding that none of the oil was coming from or going to Iran.

The US president reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. His remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran, alongside continued economic pressure on Iran.

The first international passenger flight to Iran since the end of the 40-day US-Israeli war has landed at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, marking the resumption of foreign air traffic after weeks of suspension.

An Iraqi Airways flight arrived in Tehran on Thursday morning after departing from the Iraqi holy city of Najaf.

Iranian and Iraqi airlines have agreed to restore flights between the two countries following diplomatic efforts by Baghdad to secure a US exemption allowing Iranian carriers to operate flights to and from Najaf International Airport.

International air services to Iran had been suspended during the conflict, while US sanctions on Iran’s aviation sector also affected companies providing services to Iranian airlines.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped to its lowest level in more than two months, according to data from analytics firm Kpler. Only seven commodity vessels crossed the strategic waterway on Tuesday, marking the lowest daily figure since July 23.

The decline comes amid continued tensions following the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran and Tehran’s tightened control over the vital shipping route.

Kpler analysts Emmanuel Belostrino and Yui Torikata reported that crude oil shipments through the strait fell 27 percent from the previous week’s wartime peak, reaching at least 10.1 million barrels per day.

Although volumes have returned to September’s average, they remain 74 percent below pre-war levels, highlighting the continuing disruption to global energy supplies.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has claimed that the actual number of US military aircraft lost during the conflict with Iran is significantly higher than publicly acknowledged by Washington.

In a post on X on Thursday, Araghchi cited an updated Congressional Research Service (CRS) assessment, saying the figure had risen from 42 aircraft in May to 81 aircraft reportedly lost or damaged.

The updated CRS report, titled U.S. Aircraft Combat Losses in Operation Epic Fury: Considerations for Congress, lists 81 fixed-wing, rotary-wing and unmanned aircraft reportedly lost or damaged since February 28.

The compilation includes 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, 12 F-15E Strike Eagles, one F-35A, two A-10s, seven KC-135 tankers and several helicopters and support aircraft. However, the CRS describes the figure as “lost or damaged,” rather than all being aircraft destroyed or shot down by Iran, and says the tally remains subject to revision.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Iran will continue diplomatic negotiations alongside its policy of resistance and resilience to protect the rights of its people.

Addressing a cabinet meeting, Pezeshkian said Iran was facing a comprehensive confrontation but would continue negotiations from a position of dignity and strength while pursuing its national interests. He said Tehran would remain steadfast in its approach and continue efforts to withstand pressure.

The Iranian president also stressed that national unity and internal cohesion were essential to confronting the country’s challenges. He called for greater cooperation among the public and stronger ties with neighboring countries, while emphasizing Iran’s reliance on domestic capabilities, cooperation and national unity.

The Trump administration has asked the Pentagon to prepare military options for possible new strikes against Iran ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, according to The Atlantic. No decision has been made to launch a new attack, and the options remain under review.

The report says US officials are considering limited military action before the elections, while broader operations after the vote are also being discussed. The administration is facing pressure over the Iran conflict and elevated energy prices, making the issue politically significant as the elections approach.

At the same time, indirect diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran are continuing. Iran has warned that any major new US attack could trigger a stronger response, while US officials are seeking concessions on Iran’s uranium enrichment program. The final decision on any military action rests with President Donald Trump.

Iranian Army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akrami-Nia has said Iran’s armed forces are capable of taking pre-emptive action if necessary to prevent further aggression or infiltration.

Akrami-Nia said the Iranian Army is fully prepared for a prolonged conflict and that military reserves have been strengthened. He added that Iran continues to produce missiles and drones, while parts for fighter jets and helicopters are also being manufactured domestically.

The Iranian military spokesman further said production of naval vessels and air defence systems is also continuing inside Iran. He said these efforts are aimed at maintaining the country’s military readiness in the event of further hostilities.

missile and drone attacks, according to CBS News. The base reportedly came under heavy attack during the early days of the conflict, with videos showing damage caused by the strikes.

CBS News reported that the attacks were severe enough for US personnel to leave the base. American forces also faced shortages of ammunition and other military equipment, including Patriot missile interceptors, according to the report.

More than 100 US troops subsequently established temporary positions in the Kuwaiti desert. No American service members were killed in the Iranian attacks on Camp Buehring or the temporary sites, according to the report.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered Moscow’s diplomatic support to help reduce tensions between Iran and the United States. During a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Putin said Russia was ready to contribute to a diplomatic solution and continue cooperation with Tehran under their strategic partnership agreement.

Putin also praised the resilience of the Iranian people during the conflict and said Russia supports efforts to find a peaceful resolution through diplomacy. He indicated that Moscow was prepared to provide the necessary assistance as part of international mediation efforts.

Pezeshkian, meanwhile, said Iran was facing a full-scale confrontation on multiple fronts but would continue both resistance and diplomatic efforts to protect its rights. He urged greater reliance on domestic capabilities and national unity, saying Tehran would maintain its position in the ongoing conflict.

• Trump says no one currently knows who is running Iran or managing the country’s affairs.
• Trump says Iran’s second-line leadership has also been eliminated.
• He called the lack of clarity over Iran’s leadership the biggest issue for him.
• Trump did not identify the individuals he referred to as Iran’s “second-line leadership”.
• His remarks come amid continued US-Iran military and political tensions.

• US moved around a dozen B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford over fears of a possible Iranian drone attack.
• US officials received warnings about potential Iranian attacks on the British airbase.
• Officials feared Iran could use low-cost drones in a mass attack similar to Ukraine’s Operation Spider Web.
• Security concerns grew after British police arrested five people near RAF Fairford in September.
• The B-1 bombers remain available for potential operations from US bases.

Three years after the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, Israel’s National Security Council has issued a security alert over the possibility of attacks by Iran, Hamas and other militant groups around the anniversary.

According to international media reports, the warning was issued through Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. The National Security Council said Iran, Hamas and other jihadist elements consider October 7 an important date and could seek to mark the anniversary with attacks.

Israeli citizens have been advised to avoid traveling to Jordan, Qatar, Somaliland and Egypt, particularly the Sinai Peninsula, because of what the warning described as an increased risk of attacks against Israeli or Jewish communities in Israel and abroad.

Israel prepared to intercept and potentially shoot down a Flydubai passenger aircraft during an attempted hijacking after contact with the cockpit was lost, according to a CBS News report citing Israeli sources.

Flydubai Flight 1073 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when contact with the cockpit was interrupted. Israeli authorities reportedly scrambled fighter jets and activated emergency procedures after the incident raised concerns of a possible hijacking.

According to the report, Omani co-pilot Humam Al-Hamami attacked the pilot and attempted to take control of the aircraft, causing the plane to lose around 14,000 feet in altitude. Israeli authorities established a command center and temporarily closed their airspace while assessing the situation.

The White House has rejected an interpretation of US President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting that Iran could be allowed to target American cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego.

Speaking at a midterm election rally in Nebraska on Monday, Trump defended the higher oil prices linked to the war with Iran, describing them as a cost of protecting the United States and the wider world.

Trump said the price was relatively high but small compared with the cost of protecting lives and property. He then referred to the possibility of Iran destroying a city, saying, “Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego,” before adding that the conflict would end soon.

Qatar has confirmed that indirect talks between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are still underway, although major differences between the two sides remain unresolved.

Qatari Foreign Ministry official Ibrahim Al-Hashimi said during a regular press briefing on Tuesday that negotiations were continuing while taking into account the concerns of the different parties involved. He also confirmed that Washington and Tehran were exchanging messages through Qatar and other regional partners.

Al-Hashimi said the conflict was imposing a heavy cost on the international community and stressed the need to make every possible effort to find an acceptable solution through negotiations and bring the war to an immediate end.

Iranian Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Chairman Ebrahim Azizi has warned the United States and Israel against launching any new military action against Iran, saying the country’s armed forces are more prepared than ever.

In a statement posted on X, Azizi said Iranian forces were waiting for any “mistake” by the United States or Israel. He warned that any renewed attack on Iran would result in a severe response and said the consequences would be unlike anything seen before.

Azizi did not specify what form Iran’s response could take. His remarks, however, came as a warning against any further US or Israeli military action and indicated that Tehran was prepared to respond.

Iranian Defense Ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik also said Iran would deliver a decisive response if the United States or Israel launched another attack. He added that Iran’s capacity to produce weapons and ammunition had increased significantly since the war began.

An oil tanker sailing near Oman’s coast in the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unidentified projectile, injuring 12 people, including 11 Indian nationals.

According to international media reports, the Panama-flagged tanker MT On Peace was hit while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The incident was also confirmed by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), although the nature of the attack and the identity of those responsible remain unclear.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the incident occurred on Tuesday, October 6. The vessel was carrying 19 people, including 17 Indian nationals. Eleven of the 12 injured crew members were Indian citizens.

The United States has approved the potential sale of advanced weapons and related military equipment worth more than $1 billion to the United Arab Emirates.

According to international media reports, the proposed deal is valued at around $1.041 billion and could include up to 10,000 guidance sections for the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II. The system can be used in both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations.

The package would also include explosive warheads, rocket motors, proximity fuzes, training warheads, technical documentation, transportation, engineering services, training and logistical support.

The system is designed to convert standard 70mm rockets into precision-guided weapons and can also be used against relatively low-cost aerial targets, including drones.

A video has surfaced showing Israeli soldiers and the owner of an illegal settlement outpost allegedly using force against a disabled Palestinian man and pushing a woman in the village of Ghwein, in the southern Hebron area of the occupied West Bank.

According to The Times of Israel, security camera footage shows four Israeli soldiers entering the Palestinian community alongside Mordechai Zacharia, the owner of the illegal Anim Farm outpost. The footage appears to show Zacharia striking a disabled Palestinian man sitting on a chair with a stick, while an Israeli soldier pushes him. Zacharia and two soldiers then appear to pull the man to the ground.

The footage also shows Israeli soldiers ordering a Palestinian woman at the scene to enter her home. When she refuses, the settler is seen forcibly pushing her inside before closing the door. The soldiers then leave the area.

A teenage hacker has been arrested in Jordan in connection with a major cyber incident targeting the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), according to Reuters sources.

The suspect, identified as Saifuddin Khudr, is also suspected of being linked to the notorious ShinyHunters hacking group. The FBI has not officially confirmed the teenager’s identity or arrest.

ShinyHunters had previously said it breached an FBI employment website and obtained more than two terabytes of data. The group said the stolen information included sensitive details such as FBI employees’ phone numbers, home addresses and medical information. The claims have not been independently verified.

WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance has said Washington remains open to an agreement with Iran to end the war, but Tehran must make a meaningful reduction in its nuclear enrichment capacity.

In an interview with Reuters, Vance said future assurances about limiting Iran’s nuclear activities would not be enough. He questioned why Iran would need uranium enriched to 60% if it does not intend to develop nuclear weapons, saying Tehran would need to take concrete steps to demonstrate that commitment.

Vance said the United States was still prepared to reach a deal, but Iran would have to show flexibility over its nuclear program. He also said Washington was uncertain about who ultimately makes decisions in Tehran, despite ongoing talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has announced that a technical delegation will travel to Qatar to continue discussions over the status of three Iranian Air Force pilots held in the country.

Momeni, who visited Doha for talks with Qatari officials, said negotiations had already been conducted on the issue and that it had been agreed that another technical delegation would visit Qatar to continue the discussions and related work.

The case dates back to March 2, when two Iranian Air Force Su-24 aircraft reportedly carried out a mission targeting Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar during the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel.

Iranian accounts say the aircraft were struck by air-defense systems while returning from the mission, forcing the pilots to eject. One of the four pilots, Majid Kazemi, was killed, while Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Dashtian and Emran Behrouzian were captured alive by Qatari forces.

Iranian diplomat Ali Karimi-Magham has rejected accusations from Bahrain, arguing that security in West Asia must be pursued collectively and warning that continued reliance on foreign military infrastructure could expose countries across the region to further insecurity. Speaking before the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, Karimi-Magham accused Bahrain of making its territory, military bases and airspace available to the United States during the conflict with Iran.

Karimi-Magham said Bahrain could not present itself solely as a victim of the conflict while, in Iran’s account, allowing its territory and military facilities to support US operations against Iran. He maintained that Iran had not initiated the conflict but had come under attack, describing Tehran’s subsequent military response as an exercise of what Iran considers its inherent right of self-defence. These assertions represent Iran’s position; Bahrain and the United States have presented their own accounts of the conflict and regional security situation.

The Iranian Army says it has accumulated a large stockpile of newly developed offensive and defensive military systems, including advanced missiles and drones, following intensified domestic production during the recent 40-day war. Army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said the production of new military equipment continued throughout the conflict and is now proceeding at an even higher pace, according to Fars News Agency.

Akraminia said the Iranian Army currently has a substantial quantity of the newly developed systems at its disposal and is fully prepared in terms of military equipment. He added that some of the new systems have already been deployed operationally, while their capabilities and details could be officially presented to the media at an appropriate time if deemed necessary.

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have announced the dismantling of several Takfiri terrorist cells in the southeastern provinces of Sistan and Baluchistan and Hormozgan.

Iranian authorities said coordinated intelligence operations resulted in the killing of two suspected terrorists and the arrest of 10 others, while significant quantities of weapons, ammunition and explosives were seized from suspected safe houses. The operations were conducted across Iranshahr, Sarbaz, Saravan and Zahedan, with another cell reportedly neutralized on Qeshm Island.

According to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence, the suspects had received military, explosives and assassination training abroad before entering Iran with the stated aim of carrying out sabotage and creating insecurity.

Authorities said intelligence gathered from local residents, together with cooperation between provincial police and the IRGC, helped security forces locate and confront the groups. In separate operations focused on public security, intelligence forces also announced the dismantling of two armed criminal gangs and the arrest of five suspects, with weapons and other equipment confiscated.

• US warns foreign financial institutions doing business with Iran they could face sanctions at any time.
• US Treasury urges banks dealing with sanctioned Iranian institutions to immediately end transactions and financial ties.
• Foreign institutions giving Iran access to the global financial system could face US sanctions.
• Foreign banks providing financial services to Iranian banks, branches or subsidiaries may also be targeted.
• Washington has expanded sanctions to pressure Iran and restrict activities aimed at bypassing US sanctions.

• rump says US bomber aircraft were moved from UK’s Fairford base to the US over a potential threat.
• Around 12 B-1 bombers were reportedly moved back to their home stations in the United States.
• Trump said the aircraft were moved to prevent them from being targeted and that officials knew those behind the threat.
• The reported threat may have involved possible sabotage amid renewed tensions with Iran.
• Marco Rubio called the aircraft movement a routine military deployment, while the UK said Fairford Airbase remains secure.

• Yemen government forces claim control of strategic positions near Bab el-Mandeb Strait
• Yemeni forces seize Dhubab and advance towards port city of Mokha
• Yemen launches major offensive against Houthi targets
• Yemeni military says it carried out more than 1,000 strikes against Houthi positions
• Houthis surround Taiz after cutting key supply route to Aden

Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah Al-Zouba has called for international support for military action against the Houthi militia, saying the Yemeni people have the right to restore their state and security.

Al-Zouba said the government’s military campaign aims to restore state sovereignty across Yemen and bring weapons under state control. She urged the international community to support the Yemeni people and state institutions.

The Yemeni foreign minister said the Houthi militia was using force to impose its will on the Yemeni people, adding that the security threats arising from its activities had extended beyond Yemen’s borders.

RIYADH: The Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Pact is holding an emergency meeting in Riyadh today to review the latest regional situation and cooperation under the agreement.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will travel to Saudi Arabia to attend the meeting. The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s participation reflects its continued commitment to regional peace and stability.

Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu will also attend the meeting.

The meeting will review recent regional developments and progress in efforts to institutionalise the defence pact, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

LONDON: Global crude oil prices rose further after missile and drone attacks by the Houthi militia on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, raising concerns among investors that production in the world’s largest oil exporter could be affected.

According to the British news agency Reuters, Brent crude rose to around $103 per barrel, while US crude prices climbed above $91 per barrel.

The United Arab Emirates’ Murban crude also reached around $111 per barrel. Meanwhile, natural gas prices recorded a slight decline.

TEHRAN: Iran has warned neighbouring and regional countries that its response could be different if their territory or military facilities are used in future US or Israeli attacks against Iran.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said at a press conference in Tehran that regional countries should reconsider their actions, particularly those that allowed their facilities to be used by the United States or Israel during the recent conflict.

Baghaei said that if the US or Israel launches another military operation against Iran and the territory of a regional country is used for that purpose, Tehran’s response would be different. He stressed that Iran values its relations with neighbouring countries but would not accept their assistance in actions directed against Iranian territory.

LONDON: The United States has withdrawn all of its bomber aircraft from the Royal Air Force Fairford base in Britain, where B-52 and B-1 bombers had been deployed for operations against Iran.

According to Arab media reports, the move comes as authorities investigate an alleged plot involving a potential terrorist attack at the base. A Pentagon official said the bombers had been returned to their respective home bases in the United States. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of military movements.

Aviation monitors said dozens of B-52 and B-1 bombers had operated from RAF Fairford since the early days of the Iran war. Several B-1 bombers were seen leaving the base on Sunday.

The development comes as US President Donald Trump considers Washington’s next steps in the conflict with Iran, including the possibility of further military action. Trump said Saturday that Iran had already suffered significant damage and that a decision would be made on whether the situation would be resolved through an easier or more difficult course.

TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that Iran will respond more forcefully if its adversaries choose to resume military confrontation.

Addressing a gathering of foreign ambassadors, Araghchi said there was no military solution to the conflict with the United States. He said Iran would defend itself with greater strength if military confrontation resumed.

Araghchi also said the issue could not be resolved through new sanctions, stressing that an end to the conflict was possible only through negotiations based on justice and equality.

Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran was reviewing the US response to a proposal presented by Araghchi during UN meetings in New York concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

• US lawmakers criticise Trump’s Iran war over casualties, troop deployments and economic costs
• Senator Chris Van Hollen urges Congress to cut funding for Trump’s Iran war
• Pentagon reportedly plans to send up to 10,000 additional US troops to the Middle East
• Lawmakers call for Pete Hegseth’s impeachment over military casualties and war concerns
• Senators warn Iran conflict is driving up fuel prices, inflation and the cost of living

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said he expects the war with Iran to end “very soon” and predicted a sharp decline in oil prices once the conflict comes to an end.

Speaking at a midterm campaign rally in Mobile, Alabama, Trump pointed to Iran’s economic difficulties and said the country was experiencing inflation of around 310%.

Trump said the conflict could end shortly after the US midterm elections. He later repeated that the war would end “one way or the other” and again suggested a resolution could come soon after the elections.

The US president also said oil prices would “come tumbling down” once the conflict ends. He added that prices could eventually fall below the levels recorded during his first term in office.

WASHINGTON: A new AP-NORC poll shows that a majority of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s handling of the war with Iran, while most respondents say the conflict has not been worth fighting.

According to the survey, 71% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s approach to Iran, while 69% say the war has not been worth fighting. The findings come as the conflict continues to shape debate over US foreign and security policy.

Economic concerns are also reflected in the survey. Around 65% of Americans said Trump’s policies have contributed to higher-than-usual prices, with the poll highlighting concerns over the cost of living amid the ongoing conflict. A separate AP-NORC report found that only 17% approve of Trump’s handling of living costs and 26% approve of his overall economic performance.

The survey comes as the Trump administration continues its military and economic pressure on Tehran. The US has also imposed additional sanctions targeting Iran’s military supply networks, while diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remain ongoing.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned the Houthi militia attack on a power station in Madinah and expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

According to the Foreign Office, the Houthi militia targeted a transmission station on September 29. Pakistan said the attack on the civilian power system supplying electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque was unacceptable and had hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said the safety and sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims and visitors present there must be protected at all times. Pakistan called for an immediate and unconditional end to such attacks, warning that they pose a serious threat to regional peace and security.

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the courage, bravery and resilience of the Iranian people in the face of US attacks.

Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow, Putin said the entire world was watching developments in Iran and had been surprised by the courage and steadfastness shown by the Iranian people.

Putin also warned that Russia could consider using weapons from its arsenal if the Baltic region’s Kaliningrad faces a threat. He said the possibility of using weapons of mass destruction could not be ruled out, but stressed that such a scenario must be prevented.

The remarks came as Washington continues to impose new financial sanctions on Iran, while Russia itself remains under extensive Western sanctions and operates largely outside the US-led global economic system.

RIYADH: The Saudi-led coalition has said a Houthi militia drone targeted an electricity distribution station in Madinah earlier this week, affecting one transformer but causing no overall disruption to the power supply system.

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki said the drone attack took place at around 5:15am on September 29. He said a technical examination of the drone debris confirmed the involvement of the Houthi militia.

Al-Malki said the targeted power station also supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque, with an alternative power system currently providing electricity to the site.

The Saudi coalition described the incident as an attempt to target Islamic holy sites and provoke Muslims, saying measures would continue to protect the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has suggested that the Omani co-pilot accused of attempting to hijack or sabotage a Flydubai aircraft bound for Israel may have links to Iran.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump was asked whether the co-pilot had ties to Iran. He said the matter was still under investigation and that Israel and the United Arab Emirates were cooperating and consulting with the United States.

Trump said the information available so far pointed to a possible Iranian connection. However, when asked whether the co-pilot had been sent by Iran or trained by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Trump gave a more cautious response, saying that was also a possibility.

• Trump and US officials expected military and economic pressure to quickly weaken Iran and force it into a deal on US terms.
• Washington appeared to underestimate Iran’s defense capabilities, missile strength, strategic depth and regional partnerships.
• Instead of a quick outcome, Iran responded with missile strikes and actions that affected regional security and key maritime routes.
• The conflict created wider economic concerns, including pressure on energy supplies and Western economies.
• As the fighting continued, Washington increasingly used diplomatic channels and regional intermediaries to reduce tensions and manage the conflict.

• Iran says audio recording shows Dena crew told US and Sri Lankan authorities the vessel was unarmed and on a training mission.
• Hassan Abdollianpour says the recording is important evidence for Iran’s legal case over the Dena attack.
• He says international law required assistance to the crew, but claims no help was provided and a second attack followed.
• The Dena was torpedoed by the US Navy submarine USS Charlotte in international waters off Sri Lanka on March 4.
• Iran says 104 of the 136 crew members were killed and 32 were injured, while legal proceedings are being prepared in Iran and internationally.

TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected British claims linking Iran to the incident at RAF Fairford.

Responding to remarks by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Araghchi said the allegations regarding Iran’s involvement in the RAF Fairford incident were not accurate.

Araghchi also criticised the British government over the release of individuals he described as terrorists working for foreign states, saying the decision revealed the direction in which the UK government was heading.

NEW YORK: Iran’s mission to the United Nations has denied reports that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation to leave American territory immediately.

The Iranian mission said the delegation left New York on Monday according to its previously scheduled itinerary.

The statement came after US news website Axios reported that Rubio had made the request following a lack of progress in US-Iran talks. The report cited a US official and another source familiar with the matter.

WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said American forces have destroyed Iran’s navy, air force, air defence systems, leadership and military-industrial capabilities.

Speaking to a gathering of military leaders at the Marine Corps Base Quantico outside Washington, Hegseth credited US troops with crippling what he described as Iran’s “conventional defensive shield” and its nuclear ambitions.

Hegseth said the US military personnel involved had dismantled Iran’s broader defence capabilities and ensured that Tehran would not be able to obtain nuclear weapons.

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said Saudi Arabia will not hesitate to respond effectively to any threat or attack against the Kingdom.

Speaking at the opening of the Shura Council session, Mohammed bin Salman said any attempt to harm Saudi Arabia would receive an effective response.

He said the defence agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan was established to help protect the region from growing conflicts. He added that Riyadh had also begun efforts to establish a multinational naval defence alliance to protect international waterways, while rejecting their use as tools for political or economic pressure.

Iranian wrestler Amin Mirzazadeh successfully defended his Asian Games Greco-Roman 130kg title, defeating Uzbekistan’s Rafael Tsitsuashvili 3-1 in the final at the Inae Sports Center on Wednesday.

The victory secured Iran’s first wrestling medal of the Aichi-Nagoya Games and its 11th gold medal of the competition.

The 28-year-old Mirzazadeh received a first-round bye before defeating Kyrgyzstan’s Murat Botoev 7-0 in the quarterfinals.

He then overcame China’s Meng Lingzhe in a closely contested semifinal, winning 1-1 after scoring the first point. Mirzazadeh is a two-time world champion, four-time Asian champion and 2024 Paris Olympic bronze medalist. Earlier this year, he also defeated Tsitsuashvili 9-0 in the final of the 2026 Asian Championships in Bishkek.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the United States has not responded to recent Iranian actions against vessels accused of violating transit regulations in the Strait of Hormuz.

IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi said in a televised address on Wednesday that Iranian forces had taken action against several vessels attempting to pass through the strategic waterway over the previous 24 hours, while the passage of some smaller vessels had also been prevented.

Mohebbi said US forces did not respond to the Iranian actions, claiming that Washington no longer possesses the military capacity to conduct operations in the region on the scale it previously could. He said the United States had initially underestimated Iran’s ability to withstand military pressure but had subsequently gained a clearer understanding of the Islamic Republic’s military capabilities.

According to the IRGC spokesman, Washington had believed that its regional military presence and weapons systems would be sufficient to pressure Tehran into surrendering.

An Airbus A319 operated by Iran’s national carrier Iran Air (Homa) has returned to operational service following engine repairs, technical inspections and required safety tests carried out by the airline’s engineering and maintenance specialists.

The aircraft, registered as EP-IEQ, was restored to service using Homa’s in-house technical capabilities after being grounded on July 29 due to a technical problem with its No. 2 engine during takeoff from Imam Khomeini International Airport for Najaf, Iraq.

Samad Sabahi, Homa’s deputy director of engineering and maintenance, said initial inspections determined that the faulty engine needed to be removed and transferred to the airline’s engine workshop for repair.

He said the repair was prioritized after the available technical capacity was assessed, with specialists sourcing necessary components, conducting inspections and technical tests, and completing quality-control procedures.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has underscored the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz to regional and global security, saying Iran’s strong maritime presence has helped protect the country’s vital economic lifelines from disruption.

In a message marking World Maritime Day, Pezeshkian described the sea as an integral part of Iran’s history, identity and economy, while calling the Strait of Hormuz one of the world’s most important maritime passages. He said Iran’s approach to the waterway was based on preserving security, stability and the interests of regional countries.

Pezeshkian stressed that sustainable security in the Persian Gulf and its waterways depends primarily on cooperation and responsibility among regional states. He also praised Iran’s maritime community for maintaining the uninterrupted flow of vital economic activity over the past year.

The president highlighted scientific research, emerging technologies, maritime safety and environmental protection as key elements of Iran’s future maritime development, while calling for greater participation by shipping companies, fishing communities, ports, universities and coastal populations.

• US Senator Bernie Sanders has called on the Trump administration to stop military aid to Israel.
• Sanders said growing numbers of Americans and lawmakers are calling for greater scrutiny of US aid to Israel.
• He noted that 11 senators backed his January 2024 effort to seek information on possible human rights violations in Gaza.
• Sanders said a recent Senate vote received support from 47 senators.
• He urged the US government to listen to the public and end military assistance to Israel.

• The US imposed new sanctions on one Iranian and two Russian entities over weapons transfers to Iran.
• The sanctions target Saha Airlines, Russian aircraft maker Yakovlev and shipping firm MG-Float.
• US officials said Yakovlev supplied Iran with Yak-130 military training aircraft and related equipment.
• The US said MG-Float-managed vessels helped transfer ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia.
• The Treasury said the measures aim to restrict Iran’s weapons network and increase financial and trade pressure.

• Pezeshkian says the US and Israel have realized Iran cannot be forced to surrender through war or military action.
• He accuses Washington and Tel Aviv of trying to increase divisions and disagreements inside Iran.
• The Iranian president calls for national unity, solidarity and cooperation among different groups.
• Pezeshkian says Iran’s opponents failed to defeat the country through military action and are now seeking to weaken it internally.
• His remarks come amid ongoing military tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel.

TEHRAN: Ibrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, has said the United States will eventually have to leave the region, describing the day of its withdrawal as one of regret for Washington.

In a post on X, Azizi said that after the United States leaves the region, Iran and its neighbouring countries would ultimately remain there.

Azizi also said that what he described as the end of the Israeli government was approaching, without providing further details or a timeframe for his statement.

US Vice President JD Vance has said there is still room for an agreement with Iran, but stressed that Tehran would need to honour its commitments for a deal to move forward.

Vance said Washington was assessing negotiations based on concrete actions rather than statements. He added that US decisions regarding Iran over the next two months would also be based on what Tehran does in practice.

The US vice president also said Washington believed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei was alive, but was not involved in the country’s day-to-day affairs.

Vance’s remarks come as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran continue over a possible agreement and a broader reduction in tensions.

An additional vessel has been attacked by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

UKMTO said a fire broke out on the vessel following the incident but was brought under control. After the fire was extinguished, the vessel continued its voyage, while all crew members were reported safe.

No environmental damage was reported. An assessment of the damage caused to the vessel is ongoing, while ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz have been advised to exercise increased caution.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has stressed the importance of ensuring free maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reviewed progress on establishing the secretariat of the Makkah Defence Agreement. The meeting called for the situation in the Strait of Hormuz to return to the conditions that existed before February 28, with no fees or restrictions imposed on maritime traffic.

The Cabinet rejected the use of major waterways to pressure or threaten states or harm their interests, while stressing adherence to international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

It also welcomed a UN Security Council condemnation of attacks by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia and strongly condemned actions by Israeli officials and extremist settlers that it said violated the sanctity and religious and historical status of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

NEW YORK: Indirect talks between the United States and Iran have failed to make progress, with both sides reportedly maintaining their positions during negotiations mediated by Qatar.

According to Axios, citing three sources familiar with the discussions, neither Washington nor Tehran was willing to move away from its existing position. A Qatari mediator held several hours of talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his team in New York, while a two-page agreement proposed by Qatar was also discussed.

The Qatari proposal reportedly included measures related to the blockade of Iran and demands for concrete concessions from Tehran regarding its nuclear programme. However, the discussions did not produce an agreement.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said he cannot predict when Iran might be forced to surrender in the ongoing conflict with the United States, while describing Tehran’s current situation as extremely difficult.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with leaders from the artificial intelligence industry at the White House, Trump said he did not know whether Iran was close to giving up. He maintained that the situation in Iran was very serious.

Trump also referred to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying he would be “fine” as long as Kim remained in power.

TEHRAN: Iran’s National Security Council chief Major General Mohsen Rezaei has said Tehran has conveyed its conditions to the United States, but claimed that US President Donald Trump is unable to make a decision on whether to pursue negotiations or continue the conflict.

Rezaei made the remarks during a meeting with Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev. He said Trump was caught between negotiations and military confrontation, while the United States had resorted to military pressure because of what he described as frustration.

Rezaei said Iran was ready to contribute to peace in the Caucasus but maintained that the United States had no future in the region. He also said Iran expected Washington to respond on Tuesday to Tehran’s seven-point peace proposal, but that the proposal had not yet been formally accepted or rejected.

US President Donald Trump has rejected media reports that Washington offered Iran relief from economic sanctions and the release of frozen Iranian assets, calling the reports false.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had made no such offer to Iran and described an Axios report on the matter as false. He accused the outlet of being biased against him and said the report was published to serve the agenda of his opponents. Trump also called on Axios to immediately retract the report and criticized other media coverage of the issue.

Earlier, US media reports citing unnamed American officials said the Trump administration was considering easing economic sanctions on Iran and restoring frozen Iranian assets in return for concrete progress on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Axios and CNN reported that Washington was holding positive and constructive discussions with Iran through mediators.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is reportedly open to easing economic sanctions on Iran and restoring some frozen Iranian assets in return for concrete progress on Tehran’s nuclear programme, according to US media reports citing unnamed American officials.

Axios and CNN reported that Washington was engaged in positive and constructive discussions with Iran through mediators. However, US officials said no agreement would be reached without substantial progress on nuclear issues. The White House did not immediately comment when asked about the reports concerning possible sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to meet Qatari mediators in New York today to discuss Tehran’s latest proposals for a ceasefire and reducing tensions. The Qatari mediators are also expected to hold a separate meeting with US officials after meeting Araghchi and brief them on the discussions.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) has rejected an Iranian military commander’s claim that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has full control over the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran does not have complete authority over the strategic waterway.

In a statement on X, CENTCOM said the claim was not accurate and asserted that US forces had destroyed Iran’s naval fleet. The US military said Iran therefore no longer had a functioning navy capable of exercising full control over the Strait.

CENTCOM also pointed to the movement of more than one billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz over recent months as evidence, according to its statement, that Iran does not have complete control of the waterway.

TEHRAN: Iran has filed a formal complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) over US sanctions affecting its aviation sector and the cancellation of international flights, according to an Iranian civil aviation official.

Iranian Civil Aviation Organization chief Abolfazl Sheroudi said the complaint was aimed at defending what Tehran considers its legitimate rights in the aviation sector and challenging the US sanctions. He added that Iran had also filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in coordination with the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

The move follows US sanctions imposed on Iran’s aviation sector earlier this month, along with measures targeting companies that provide support to Iranian aviation. After the restrictions came into force, several international airlines reportedly cancelled flights to and from Iran amid travel restrictions imposed by different countries.

TEL AVIV: The father of an Israeli soldier killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack has called on the government to accept responsibility and establish a state commission of inquiry into the events surrounding the attack.

According to The Times of Israel, Rafi Ben Shitrit, father of soldier Elirav Ben Shitrit, spoke at an event in Tel Aviv titled “Sukkah of the Failure.” He said some former senior security officials had acknowledged their responsibility for failures surrounding the attack, while political leaders had yet to accept similar accountability.

Ben Shitrit said he had met former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi four times and that Halevi had accepted responsibility because the attack occurred during his tenure. He also said former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar had acknowledged responsibility.

TEHRAN: Iranian military commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari has said Iranian forces have full control over the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf and are fully prepared to respond to any potential threat.

Speaking on Monday about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Sayyari, Iran’s Deputy Coordinator of the Army, said the western section of the strait, the waterway itself and the Persian Gulf were under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. He said the Iranian Navy controlled the eastern section of the strait and parts of the northern Indian Ocean.

Sayyari said Iranian forces were also maintaining a strong presence in the northern Gulf of Oman and east of the Strait of Hormuz, adding that they would not allow anyone to pass through areas under their control. He said military conflicts provide new experiences and lessons that help armed forces improve their capabilities.

Israeli police provided protection for around 1,500 Israeli settlers who entered the compound of al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds on Sunday, according to the Palestinian Authority’s al-Quds Governorate.

The settlers entered the compound in groups through the Mughrabi Gate before Israeli authorities closed the entrance, while Palestinians faced heightened restrictions around the mosque and across the Old City. The governorate said it had recorded around 40,661 settler incursions into al-Aqsa between January and the end of August.

The settlers reportedly performed rituals inside the compound as Israeli forces imposed restrictions around the holy site.

Hamas condemned the incursions and restrictions, saying they would not alter what it described as the Islamic identity of al-Quds and al-Aqsa Mosque. The movement also cited activity around Bab al-Qattanin and the mosque’s courtyards, including visits by Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Knesset member Amit Halevi and other Israeli officials and settlers.

Press TV reporter Naqaa Hamed has been released after nearly two weeks in detention at Damon Prison following a decision by the Salem Military Court. Hamed, 38, was detained by Israeli forces on September 14 at a checkpoint near Tuqu’ in Bethlehem.

According to Press TV, she was separated from her camera crew, transferred to an undisclosed facility and questioned about her journalistic work while being held without formal charges.

Hamed, a Palestinian-American citizen and mother of three, has more than 15 years of experience covering political and humanitarian crises. She joined Press TV in 2024 and has reported from the occupied West Bank.

Press TV said her detention followed previous incidents in which she was injured while reporting, including incidents in December 2025 and August 2026 involving rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas while she was visibly identified as a journalist.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei has said that the era of foreign domination over Iran is over and will never return.

He made the remarks in a message on Monday marking Sacred Defense Week, which commemorates Iran’s 1980–88 war with Iraq, as well as the second anniversary of the assassination of former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Ayatollah Khamenei said foreign forces once treated Iran’s southern waters as a “playground,” but now avoid moving beyond the Arabian Sea because of what he described as painful blows inflicted by Iranian fighters and defenders of the Strait of Hormuz.

He said attempts to challenge Iran had resulted in losses for those who undertook them.

Iran’s Tabas UNESCO Global Geopark has secured first and second places in two categories of the international “Geoparks and You” competition, highlighting the region’s geological heritage, natural landscapes and the contribution of local communities to promoting the area globally.

Adela Sadat Sajjadi-Pour, a sixth-grade student, won first place in the “Geopark Five Senses” category for her work, “Experience Morteza Ali Spring with Me,” which portrays one of Tabas Geopark’s natural attractions from a student’s perspective.

Seyed Hamid Haghighi won second place in the “Visual Odyssey of the Earth” category with a photograph showing a camel caravan crossing the Halvan Desert, set against the Kalmand mountain ranges.

A senior member of Yemen’s Ansarullah resistance movement says Saudi Arabia’s appeals to foreign powers to deploy military forces to Yemen demonstrate Riyadh’s inability to confront Yemen’s Armed Forces on its own.

Mohammed al-Farah, a senior member of Ansarullah’s political bureau, said Saudi efforts to rally Muslim and international support for its military campaign against Yemen since March 2015 had failed.

Al-Farah said Riyadh had repeatedly sought to portray the Yemen conflict as a threat to Muslim holy sites and international maritime navigation in an effort to justify its military actions and secure international backing.

He also rejected allegations that Yemeni forces had targeted Mecca, saying Sana’a had maintained that its military operations were directed at strategic and military targets inside Saudi Arabia in response to what it describes as the blockade and aggression against Yemen.

WASHINGTON: Indirect talks between the United States and Iran are expected to resume today, with Qatar continuing diplomatic efforts to help the two sides reach an agreement, Axios reported. According to the report, Qatari mediators are expected to hold separate meetings with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff.

It remains unclear whether the two sides will be able to bridge their differences during the discussions. The talks come a day after US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s proposal for a ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, although he later said Washington expected further negotiations with Tehran.

Araghchi said Iran’s conditions were clear and that any move to reopen the Strait of Hormuz would depend on those conditions being met. He said genuine diplomacy was the way to resolve the conflict, while Iran was also prepared to respond to further aggression.

An Iranian anti-ship cruise missile struck a vessel carrying US Marines in the Strait of Hormuz on September 14, injuring eight personnel, NBC News reported, citing three US officials.

The missile strike caused smoke exposure and breathing difficulties among the Marines. Some personnel also experienced symptoms associated with traumatic brain injuries, including headaches. None of the eight Marines suffered serious injuries, and all returned to duty shortly after the incident.

The injured personnel included seven Marines and one officer who were part of a battalion. US officials said the vessel targeted in the attack was not a US Navy warship and did not disclose its type or other details.

NEW YORK: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Iran’s high-level delegation came to New York to pave the way for peace, while also stressing that Tehran would stand firm against any aggression, even if it leads to a devastating war.

US media reports suggest indirect talks between the United States and Iran could resume this week, although major differences remain between the two sides over how to end the conflict. Araghchi said President Masoud Pezeshkian and he had come to New York to work for peace rather than promote war.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest seven-day roadmap for a ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump later told Axios that he expected further talks with Iran to take place this week.

Araghchi said on Thursday that Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the United States agreed to Tehran’s proposed plan. The waterway remains a key issue in the ongoing tensions between the two countries.

TEHRAN: Iran has rejected US efforts to pressure other countries into limiting their economic and trade ties with Tehran, saying independent states will decide their relations with Iran according to their own interests and priorities.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi responded on X to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said Washington had sent teams to different countries as part of efforts to economically isolate Iran. Gharibabadi said sovereign governments make decisions about their economic and trade relations based on their national interests rather than instructions from the US Treasury.

Gharibabadi also said the era of imposing policies through threats and sanctions was coming to an end. His remarks followed Bessent’s statements that US teams had been dispatched around the world to engage with countries as Washington seeks to increase economic pressure on Tehran.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz but said the possibility of renewed negotiations with Tehran remains.

In an interview with Axios, Trump said Iran wanted to reach a deal but described Tehran’s latest proposal as unacceptable to Washington. He said Iran had gone too far in its position and suggested the offer was one the United States might have accepted a year earlier.

Iran recently presented a seven-day plan through mediators, proposing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear negotiations. Trump rejected the proposal on Saturday, but later said he expected further talks with Iran. Mediators, including Qatar, have continued contacts between Washington and Tehran, with another round of indirect discussions potentially starting Monday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran wanted a diplomatic solution and was waiting for Washington’s response through mediators. Iran has maintained that its conditions must be addressed before reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming negotiations. The strategic waterway remains central to the dispute because of its importance to global oil shipments.

TEHRAN: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said its navy captured a US unmanned underwater vehicle during an intelligence operation in the Strait of Hormuz, a claim rejected by the US military.

According to Iranian officials, the vehicle was identified as a US REMUS 600 unmanned underwater system. They said the data obtained from the drone would be examined by Iranian experts. The claim comes amid heightened tensions in and around the strategic waterway.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM), however, denied the Iranian account, saying the US military maintains full control of all its operational unmanned systems. CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins dismissed the Iranian statement as an indication of Tehran’s “panic.”

LONDON: Oil prices rose on Monday after US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s proposal for a seven-day truce and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to foreign media reports, Brent crude increased by $1.82, or 1.74%, to $106.14 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose by $1.14, or 1.23%, to $93.55 per barrel.

The price increase came after the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had rejected Iran’s seven-day proposal and told advisers that US bombing of Iran could resume after the November midterm elections. The newspaper also said Trump remained doubtful that Tehran would accept his demands.

WASHINGTON: Tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified after US President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, raising concerns over a possible return to military escalation.

Analysts say a failure of negotiations could lead to limited US-Iran strikes, renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and retaliatory actions across the region. However, they say an immediate return to the scale of the earlier conflict cannot be assumed.

Mediation efforts involving countries including Qatar and Oman are continuing, while Trump has indicated that further talks could take place this week. Iran has also maintained that it is prepared for diplomacy but wants a reduction in US military pressure and the naval blockade before reopening the strategic waterway.

TEHRAN: Iranian Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi has warned that Iran will respond to any aggression by using new military technologies.

Speaking to Iranian state media, Shekarchi said Iran’s armed forces were stronger and in a better defensive position than in the past. According to Al Jazeera, he said Tehran had strengthened its military capabilities by focusing on asymmetric warfare strategies and domestically developed defence technologies.

Shekarchi said Iran’s missiles and drones had become more advanced and powerful and that the country had prepared what he described as “surprises” for any potential enemy action. He said Iran’s asymmetric strategy was aimed at countering heavier and more expensive weapons with relatively low-cost but effective defence systems.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran will consider reopening the Strait of Hormuz once its conditions are met, while keeping the door open for negotiations with the United States.

Araghchi said Iran had conveyed its conditions to US officials through mediators but had not yet received Washington’s official response. He added that Tehran was waiting for a final US position before deciding its next steps.

Under Iran’s latest proposal, the strategic waterway could reopen to normal shipping within a week if the required conditions are fulfilled, followed by further negotiations.

Araghchi said the ongoing dispute could ultimately be resolved through diplomacy and that any agreement should be fair and protect Iran’s stated rights.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran has made extensive diplomatic efforts to establish conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that no one can accuse Iran of ignoring the diplomatic path.

Speaking to Iranian journalists in New York, Araghchi said his meetings, alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian’s engagements on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly, focused largely on explaining and defending Iran’s conditions for reopening the strategic waterway.

Araghchi said Iran’s National Security Council had established specific conditions that Tehran was required to clearly communicate and defend. He revealed that Iran had presented several proposals during diplomatic meetings and media engagements, with intermediaries subsequently conveying the proposals to Washington.

He also criticized what he described as contradictory messages from US President Donald Trump, saying Tehran would make its decision after receiving a clear response through the mediators.

TEHRAN: Iran has said diplomacy is the only way to resolve its conflict with the United States and Israel after US President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and pause fighting.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran’s conditions were clear and that reopening the key waterway depended on meeting those conditions. He added that Tehran had not yet received an official US response through mediators.

Trump said Iran was seeking to reopen the Strait because it was under severe pressure. Iran’s proposal, delivered through Qatari mediators, reportedly called for reopening the waterway within seven days and pausing regional fighting.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was ready for talks on its nuclear programme but would not accept pressure or coercion.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said he used the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly to highlight what he described as unprecedented US and Israeli crimes against Iran and the wider West Asia region.

Speaking after returning from New York, Pezeshkian rejected US President Donald Trump’s characterization of Iran as a “terrorist” state and accused Washington and Israel of supporting or carrying out assassinations while claiming to combat terrorism.

Pezeshkian said Trump’s remarks at the summit affected Tehran’s diplomatic calculations and prompted Iran to more forcefully defend its positions at the General Assembly.

He also criticized the summit’s emphasis on rebuilding trust, arguing that countries that violate international law cannot credibly call for greater trust. His comments reflected Tehran’s broader criticism of what it considers inconsistent Western approaches to international law and regional security.

WASHINGTON: US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker backed President Donald Trump’s rejection of Iran’s latest proposal, saying Tehran is under economic pressure and wants a deal with Washington.

Whitaker said US sanctions and the naval blockade had weakened Iran’s economy, while stressing that Tehran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.

He also defended the US position on the Strait of Hormuz, claiming American forces were preventing Iranian vessels from passing while allowing other commercial ships to transit.

His remarks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions and the strategic waterway.

TEHRAN: Iranian Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi warned that Iran would use new military technology to respond to any aggression.

He said Iran’s armed forces are in a stronger defensive position, with improved missiles, drones and locally developed weapons.

Shekarchi also said Iran had prepared unspecified “surprises” for any potential enemy action, without revealing details.

TEHRAN: Iran’s IRGC Navy has warned that US warships, including those in the Indian Ocean, could be targeted if Washington launches renewed military action against Tehran.

IRGC Navy official Ali Mohammadi challenged Donald Trump’s claims over the Strait of Hormuz and questioned why US vessels were not operating there if Washington considered it under its control.

He warned that any renewed conflict could see Iranian forces target US naval vessels beyond the Gulf, including in the Indian Ocean.

The warning comes amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

KABUL: The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) claimed it captured several Taliban checkpoints during clashes in Nuristan’s Kamdesh district on Saturday.

The AFF said fighting began early in the day after Taliban forces launched a drone attack, followed by a counter-attack by AFF fighters. The group also claimed Taliban fighters withdrew toward Nari district in neighbouring Kunar province.

Meanwhile, Taliban-linked media outlet HIJAZ Persian reported that an alleged plot in Kamdesh had been foiled and claimed dozens of fighters were killed, wounded or captured.

The Taliban has not officially commented on the clashes or the claims, which could not be independently verified.

WASHINGTON: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration’s economic pressure campaign against Iran is “delivering results,” as countries and financial institutions tighten restrictions on business with Tehran.

Bessent said Türkiye and Oman had suspended Mahan Air flights, while the UAE halted flights by Iranian airlines. He also said major banks in Türkiye and the UAE had stopped transactions with Iran.

The Treasury secretary pointed to the falling value of Iran’s currency as another sign of growing economic pressure, adding that Washington would continue working with international partners to put further pressure on Tehran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has departed New York for Tehran after attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he addressed the US-Israeli aggression against Iran, regional developments and Tehran’s nuclear program.

Speaking at the General Assembly on Wednesday, Pezeshkian addressed the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran could not allow countries to use the strategic waterway while simultaneously using it to carry out what he described as aggression against Iran.

He also criticized what he called international double standards, pointing to Israel’s nuclear capabilities and Iran’s continued international inspections and sanctions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s support for reviving the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), stressing the need for Washington to honor commitments made under the agreement.

Pezeshkian said Iran supports resolving differences through dialogue and diplomacy and emphasized the importance of returning to the framework, fulfilling previously agreed commitments and creating conditions for substantive negotiations.

Xi Jinping had urged US President Donald Trump during their Thursday summit to respect the June agreement with Iran and return to the diplomatic process outlined under the understanding.

China has repeatedly backed the restoration of the Islamabad framework, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi telling his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on September 16 that Beijing supported renewed negotiations based on agreements already reached.

TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in good health and that injuries he sustained have healed.

In an interview with a US broadcaster, Pezeshkian said Khamenei had no significant health problems and was medically in good condition. He said he had met the Supreme Leader twice, including one meeting that lasted more than seven hours, and added that injuries to his face and legs had recovered.

On the Strait of Hormuz, Pezeshkian said Iran would honour its commitments to reopen the waterway and resume negotiations if the United States accepts Tehran’s proposal. He said talks could begin on the same day Washington accepts the offer, while noting that mistrust remains between the two countries because of sanctions, threats and previous disagreements over US commitments.

TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s support for a return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States.

In a post on X, Pezeshkian said he appreciated Xi’s “wise and responsible” support for resolving differences through dialogue and diplomacy and returning to the Islamabad understanding. He said Iran also supported the approach and considered a return to the MoU important.

Pezeshkian stressed the importance of respecting previously agreed commitments and creating an environment for serious, purposeful and productive negotiations. He said coordination between Tehran and Beijing on respecting sovereignty, reducing tensions and protecting regional peace and stability could provide a strong basis for constructive cooperation.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days and halt fighting across the region, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing US officials. The newspaper also said Trump had told aides he expects renewed US bombing after the November congressional elections. Reuters said it could not immediately independently confirm the report.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier that Tehran had conveyed a peace proposal to Washington through Qatari mediators. Under the proposal, an agreement would trigger a seven-day countdown for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon. Iran would also be prepared to begin wider negotiations on mutually agreed issues.

NEW YORK: Iran has presented the United States with a proposal to end the ongoing war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if certain conditions are met, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Araghchi said Iran had conveyed the proposal to US officials through mediators. He said implementation of the plan could lead to an end to hostilities and the resumption of negotiations between Tehran and Washington toward a final agreement.

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, called for diplomacy, de-escalation and peaceful solutions to regional conflicts, while outlining Pakistan’s positions on Saudi Arabia, Kashmir, Palestine, India and terrorism.

Opening his speech with a Quranic verse, Shehbaz said Pakistan had brought the United States and Iran together in Islamabad as part of efforts to promote diplomacy. He thanked Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Qatar, Egypt, China and other countries for their peace efforts and urged that the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb remain open international waterways rather than becoming conflict flashpoints. He strongly condemned the recent attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and said the sanctity and security of the Haramain would remain a red line for Pakistan.

NEW YORK: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The two ministers discussed regional and international developments, with particular focus on the situation surrounding Iran. They stressed that there was no alternative to a diplomatic settlement and said diplomatic engagement was necessary to address the ongoing tensions.

Lavrov and Araghchi also reviewed the implementation of bilateral agreements reached during the September 1, 2026 meeting between the Russian and Iranian presidents in Bishkek. The two sides discussed progress on their bilateral agenda, steps to advance existing areas of cooperation and upcoming contacts between Russia and Iran at various levels.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held talks on regional and international security issues on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The meeting was held under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA), with the three ministers reviewing progress on establishing the agreement’s General Secretariat, committees and working groups. They also discussed arrangements for an urgent meeting of the three countries’ military chiefs to consider ways to support Saudi Arabia under the defence pact.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the ministers condemned attacks targeting Makkah and other civilian sites and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to defend itself. The three countries also expressed their resolve to support de-escalation and peaceful solutions to regional crises. Meanwhile, Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan urged Saudi and allied forces to maintain unity, patience and steadfastness while responding to attacks by the Houthi militia.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran has conveyed a proposal through mediators to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the United States fulfils certain conditions.

Speaking to journalists and members of US think tanks in New York, Araghchi said Iran’s conditions were based on provisions of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and had been conveyed to Washington through intermediaries as part of efforts to revive diplomacy.

Araghchi said Tehran would prefer the understanding to be implemented before the US midterm elections in November, while President Donald Trump has indicated that an agreement could be reached after the elections. He said the timing ultimately depends on Washington. The Strait of Hormuz remains a key international shipping route and a major channel for global energy supplies, making its reopening significant for regional trade and energy markets.

A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Yahya Rahim Safavi, has warned that Iran could expand the geographical scope of the conflict to the Indian Ocean if the United States or Israel launches another attack on Iran.

In a video released by Iran’s Fars news agency, Safavi said the conflict had already extended beyond the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea. He warned that any further escalation could push the front farther into the Indian Ocean and potentially beyond, without specifying what military actions Iran might take.

His remarks come as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea continue to affect maritime trade and energy shipments. Meanwhile, diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the conflict are continuing, although major differences between the two sides remain.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged US President Donald Trump to encourage the United States and Iran to return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as part of efforts to resolve their dispute.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Trump at the White House, expressing hope that Washington and Tehran would reach a comprehensive agreement covering the nuclear issue and other outstanding matters.

According to China’s state news agency, Xi called on the United States and Iran to return to negotiations to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Middle East. He said China has consistently maintained that the sovereignty and security of all countries should be respected and urged the relevant parties to remain committed to a peaceful settlement.

Delegations from dozens of countries left the UN General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his address, in a protest linked to Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

According to a news agency report, representatives from 77 countries either walked out during the speech or were already absent from the hall. However, the report noted that not every absence was necessarily a protest. Delegations from countries including Pakistan, Türkiye, Iran, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan were among those reported to have left.

The walkout followed an appeal by the Palestinian mission for UN member states to collectively leave the hall when Netanyahu began speaking. The incident highlighted the continuing diplomatic divisions over the Gaza conflict and the wider situation in the Middle East.

The United States and Iran are exploring a phased agreement aimed at breaking the deadlock and ending the conflict, according to Reuters. Under the proposed arrangement, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz while the United States would ease its economic blockade against Tehran.

Iran has reportedly shown some flexibility on tariffs but remains firm on the Strait of Hormuz issue. A senior Iranian official said a phased agreement could be the most practical way to overcome the current impasse.

Former US negotiator Dennis Ross put the possibility of a deal between Washington and Tehran before the US midterm elections at 30 percent, according to the report.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran did not choose the war and that the conflict had been imposed on the country. He said Iran’s Supreme Leader, scientists and military commanders had been killed, but Tehran still wanted to move forward through an agreement.

Pezeshkian said Iran was ready to proceed according to an agreement previously signed with the United States and that the basic points of a deal had already been agreed. He said Washington now had to decide whether it wanted to end the war. According to him, Iran was seeking only rights guaranteed under international law.

Pezeshkian also said the Houthis do not take instructions from Iran. He acknowledged that Iran was facing economic difficulties but said the country would continue to exist.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the United Nations headquarters in New York as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly.

According to Reuters, protesters from Palestinian, Jewish and other communities took part in the demonstration, carrying Palestinian flags, banners and signs opposing Israel’s policies and expressing support for Palestinians. Protesters also chanted slogans in support of Palestine.

The demonstration caused traffic disruptions on roads near the UN complex, with some protesters sitting in the streets. A heavy police presence was deployed in the area, and several people were reportedly taken into custody during the protests.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for restraint, de-escalation and sustained diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The two leaders reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between Pakistan and Iran and stressed the need to expand bilateral cooperation. Shehbaz underscored the importance of implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to play a constructive role in promoting regional peace. After the meeting, he said Pezeshkian had reaffirmed that the Islamabad MoU remained acceptable to Tehran and that Iran was ready to take it forward.

Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts and expressed Tehran’s desire to further strengthen relations with Islamabad. Shehbaz also said Pakistan was working with friendly countries to reduce tensions around the Bab el-Mandeb and other regional flashpoints, while reiterating that Pakistan’s political and military leadership would continue diplomatic efforts. He also raised security concerns over attacks from Afghan soil, saying Pakistan would respond firmly to terrorism while pursuing regional stability through diplomatic engagement.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has outlined the Trump administration’s strategy toward Iran, saying Washington is applying pressure to achieve three possible outcomes.

In an interview with Fox News, Bessent said 80 to 90 percent of international flights to and from Iran had been affected. Referring to the presence of Iranian representatives at the United Nations, he also questioned how the delegation would return to Iran.

Bessent warned financial institutions and investors linked to Iran that the United States would continue targeting Iranian financial networks. He said Washington’s three objectives were to intensify divisions within Iran’s government, encourage public opposition or protests against the authorities, and ensure that Tehran fully complies with any agreement reached through negotiations and honours its commitments.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has strongly criticised Israel’s military operations in Gaza, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of continuing what he described as genocide in the Palestinian territory.

Addressing the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Sánchez reiterated Spain’s opposition to Israel’s actions and highlighted measures taken by Madrid, including an arms embargo and restrictions on military cooperation. He also indicated that Spain was prepared to consider further measures.

Sánchez linked Spain’s position to international law and the UN Charter and called for reforms to the UN Security Council, including fairer regional representation and an end to the veto powers of permanent members. He also met UN Secretary-General António Guterres, with Gaza and the wider Middle East situation among the issues discussed.

Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz or resume negotiations with the United States until Washington meets Tehran’s conditions, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Major General Mohsen Rezaei said.

Rezaei said Iran had formulated seven conditions for resolving the conflict and that the terms had been conveyed in writing to Pakistan and Qatar. He said Tehran would not return to the previous format of negotiations and expected Washington to take the first step.

Iran has previously listed an end to the war on all fronts, the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to the US naval blockade among its conditions. Rezaei also warned regional countries against involvement in the conflict and said Iran expected neighbouring states to remain neutral. He further claimed that Iranian forces had developed the capability to fly a missile directly over the USS George Washington carrier strike group.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The two ministers discussed Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments. Ishaq Dar emphasised the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and sustained engagement for promoting regional peace and stability.

The ministers also discussed matters of mutual interest and reaffirmed the importance of continued communication. Both sides agreed to remain in close contact and continue consultations on bilateral, regional and international issues.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it had received information that a cargo vessel was struck by a projectile from an unidentified direction in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the British maritime safety watchdog, the vessel caught fire following the incident and became stranded in the strait. All crew members were safely evacuated, while two people were injured.

UKMTO said an investigation into the incident is underway. The authority added that there have been no reports of environmental damage so far.

Iran has presented its conditions to the United States for reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conveyed Tehran’s position during a meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The conditions reportedly include an immediate end to the US naval blockade, the release of Iran’s frozen assets and an end to fighting on all “resistance fronts.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran also wants US military operations and economic pressure to stop. Tehran has indicated that it could reopen the waterway within about a week if US military pressure and the blockade are reduced. President Donald Trump has described ongoing contacts as positive, although differences between Washington and Tehran remain.

Iran’s Supreme Leader has urged students to pursue knowledge, skills and morality, saying that knowledge combined with faith and ethical values can serve as an iron shield and a sharp sword against an aggressive enemy.

According to Iranian media, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei called on young people to contribute to scientific and technological advancement.

An Iranian media report said 286 students and 65 teachers have been killed in what it described as the war imposed on Iran by the United States and Israel.

US President Donald Trump met Arab and Gulf leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Syria’s president and Iraq’s prime minister. Discussions focused on Iran, regional tensions and diplomatic efforts. Trump said his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held nearly three hours of talks with Iranian officials and mediators.

Trump said Iran remained a major obstacle to a deal but urged its leadership to seize the opportunity. He reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons and warned that the US could strike Iranian mountain facilities if nuclear activity resumed there.

Trump also discussed the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that more than one billion barrels of oil had been moved through the waterway and that US forces had cleared mines. Iran has linked reopening the strait to reduced US military pressure and sanctions, while recent US-Iran talks indicate continued diplomatic engagement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Iran remains in a state of war, with the situation created after the conflict continuing.

Araghchi criticised Western and European countries for what he described as silence over Palestine, Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. He said Western countries raise human rights concerns when an individual in Iran faces a problem, while remaining silent on broader regional issues.

The Iranian foreign minister also said the United Nations had failed to maintain global peace and security, arguing that confidence in the organisation had been lost and that reforms were necessary.

Araghchi said President Masoud Pezeshkian would address the UN General Assembly and hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders. Pezeshkian is also expected to give interviews to international media in New York, with Iran seeking to present its position and defend the rights and interests of the Iranian people on the global stage.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Iran remains in a state of war, with the situation created after the conflict continuing.

Araghchi criticised Western and European countries for what he described as silence over Palestine, Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. He said Western countries raise human rights concerns when an individual in Iran faces a problem, while remaining silent on broader regional issues.

The Iranian foreign minister also said the United Nations had failed to maintain global peace and security, arguing that confidence in the organisation had been lost and that reforms were necessary.

Araghchi said President Masoud Pezeshkian would address the UN General Assembly and hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders. Pezeshkian is also expected to give interviews to international media in New York, with Iran seeking to present its position and defend the rights and interests of the Iranian people on the global stage.

LONDON: Britain has agreed to provide limited defensive air support to Saudi Arabia following a request from Riyadh amid attacks by the Houthi militia in Yemen. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK would deploy a Royal Air Force Voyager aircraft from Cyprus to provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for Saudi aircraft.

The support is expected to last several weeks and is aimed at helping Saudi Arabia protect its territory and energy infrastructure from drone and missile attacks. The decision follows a series of attacks attributed to the Houthi militia targeting areas around Riyadh and Saudi energy facilities.

Britain also highlighted the importance of protecting shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime route for global trade. The UK said its deployment is defensive and intended to support Saudi Arabia while contributing to regional stability amid wider tensions involving Iran, the United States and the Houthi militia.

The United Nations has confirmed that it is in contact with Pakistan as part of diplomatic efforts to help end the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the world body had been communicating with Pakistani officials to promote dialogue and reduce tensions.

Dujarric also acknowledged Pakistan’s role in the Islamabad understanding reached between Washington and Tehran in June, saying Pakistan and other regional countries had contributed to earlier diplomatic efforts. He said a resumption of negotiations could help create a path toward ending the conflict.

The UN urged the United States and Iran to pursue diplomacy and dialogue to resolve their differences. Pakistan has continued engaging with regional and international stakeholders in efforts to encourage negotiations, support a ceasefire and prevent further escalation.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 29 percent in a new American Research Group survey, while 68 percent of registered voters disapproved of his overall job performance. The survey also found continued dissatisfaction with Trump’s handling of the economy, with only 26 percent approving of his economic performance.

The poll comes amid concerns over inflation, rising household expenses and higher fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Other recent surveys have also shown economic concerns, although Trump’s approval ratings vary by polling organisation and methodology.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from September 17-20 placed Trump’s overall approval at 32 percent. Among Republicans, his approval fell to 73 percent from 86 percent in January, while approval of his handling of the economy and cost of living also declined. The White House has defended Trump’s economic policies as debate continues over inflation, energy prices and household costs.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that Iranian airlines could face major difficulties maintaining international operations from September 23 as Washington expands sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector. The measures could also affect foreign companies and airports providing Iranian carriers with fuel, landing facilities, ground handling and other services.

Bessent said businesses involved in ticket sales and other services for Iranian airlines could also face pressure under the sanctions. The US Treasury has previously sanctioned numerous Iranian aviation entities, including 27 airlines, increasing the challenges for Iranian carriers seeking access to foreign airports and international services.

The United States is also discussing Iran and sanctions enforcement with Chinese officials, Bessent said. Iran has not announced a broad suspension of international airline operations, but the new measures could further restrict its access to foreign aviation networks and services.

The Trump administration has proposed investing $5 billion in a new fund to help Gulf countries rebuild energy infrastructure damaged during the conflict with Iran and develop alternative routes for oil and gas exports that reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal, reported by The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, would involve the United States contributing $5 billion to the Partnership for Allied Trust and Construction (PACT).

Washington is also seeking another $5 billion from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq and Jordan. The fund would reportedly be managed by the US Development Finance Corporation and would support reconstruction projects as well as efforts to establish alternative energy export routes. Reuters said it could not immediately independently verify the proposal.

The initiative remains under discussion and its terms could change before any agreement is reached. Some Gulf officials have expressed concerns about launching major reconstruction projects before a broader peace agreement, fearing renewed attacks could damage rebuilt facilities. The proposal reflects concerns over the economic and strategic risks created by disruptions to major regional energy routes.

Global crude oil prices fell for a fourth consecutive session as improving oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and hopes for diplomatic progress in the Iran conflict eased pressure on energy markets. Brent crude declined 3.4% to $100.34 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 4.5% to $95.78, with both reaching their lowest levels since September 8.

The decline came as more oil moved through the strategic waterway, which is a major route for global oil and gas shipments. Meanwhile, US fuel prices remained elevated, with gasoline averaging about $4.48 per gallon and diesel around $6.51 per gallon on September 21. US Vice President JD Vance attributed higher energy costs to disruptions and shipping risks linked to the Iran conflict.

Concerns over maritime security remained after an LPG tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was hit by an unidentified object or projectile fragment, injuring two crew members slightly. The incident followed earlier disruptions around Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab that had pushed oil prices higher, while continued diplomatic contacts have raised hopes of improved energy fl

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi has asked US President Donald Trump for support against the Houthi militia during a telephone conversation, according to sources cited by Reuters. The call focused on the militia’s recent advances and its growing presence near the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Four sources familiar with the conversation said Al-Alimi requested US support for Yemen’s Saudi-backed government. However, two sources, including Yemeni and Western officials, said Trump did not make a direct commitment to provide military assistance during the call.

The conversation comes amid renewed fighting in Yemen and growing concerns around Bab al-Mandab, a key route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Trump has previously said Washington maintained contacts with the Houthi militia, while reports of possible US military action and additional Saudi requests for support have not been independently confirmed by the Pentagon.

Iran’s national carrier, Iran Air, has announced that flights to Iraq’s Najaf will continue according to schedule despite increasing US sanctions pressure on Iranian aviation companies. The airline said flights from Tehran, Mashhad and Isfahan to Najaf would operate as previously planned.

The Najaf route is particularly important for Iranian travellers and religious pilgrims visiting the holy city, which is home to the shrine of Imam Ali. Regular air services between Iran and Iraq play a significant role in religious travel between the two countries.

The announcement comes as Washington increases pressure on Iranian airlines and companies providing aviation services to them. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned of further restrictions on Iranian airlines from September 23, while foreign companies providing fuel, landing facilities and other services could also face sanctions. Despite the measures, Iran Air has so far made no changes to its scheduled Najaf operations.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi that US pressure has contributed to stronger ties and greater interaction among Muslim countries. During Naqvi’s visit to Tehran, Pezeshkian highlighted the growing engagement between Iran and Pakistan and called for further cooperation in trade, energy, tourism, investment, culture and science.

Pezeshkian said Iran and Pakistan have significant human and economic resources and could meet many of their needs through joint investments and stronger regional cooperation. Naqvi said bilateral relations were at a high level and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Iran across multiple sectors.

Naqvi also met Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, with both sides reviewing ongoing cooperation between their ministries. Momeni thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for Pakistan’s efforts toward regional peace and stability. The meetings came as Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between Iran and the United States.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will travel to New York on Tuesday to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, his office announced.

According to Habibollah Abbasi, director general of public relations at the president’s office, Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Wednesday and hold meetings with several heads of state and senior officials attending the session.

During his visit, Pezeshkian is also expected to meet prominent Iranians living in the United States and engage with American intellectuals and think tanks. A high-level Iranian delegation, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, will accompany the president.

Abbasi criticized Washington’s refusal to issue visas to some members of the delegation, including media personnel, describing the move as an “unprecedented hostile” action.

Israeli forces have abducted two Palestinians, including a child, during raids in several parts of the occupied West Bank, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.

In Tuqu, south of Bethlehem, Israeli forces searched homes and fired live ammunition before abducting the child and a young man.

Wafa reported that raids also took place in al-Ram and al-Mazra’a al-Sharqiya in the central West Bank, while tear gas was fired near residential areas and civilian vehicles at the Jaba checkpoint. In the northern West Bank, forces raided areas west of Jenin, including Nazlat Sheikh Zaid, Raba and Turah, searching homes and closing roads and businesses.

Palestinian media also reported settler attacks on vehicles and homes in areas northeast and northwest of Ramallah and south of Nablus.

Iranian swimmers Homer Abbasi and Amir Motaee reached the finals of their respective events at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, marking Iran’s first appearance in an individual swimming final at the Asian Games since 2010.

Abbasi finished seventh in the men’s 50-meter backstroke final with a time of 25.23 seconds, lowering his national record after setting a new mark of 25.37 seconds in the heats.

Motaee also reached the men’s 100-meter breaststroke final after breaking the Iranian record in the heats with 1:00.66, then improved it again in the final to 1:00.57, also finishing seventh.

China’s Xu Jiayu won the 50m backstroke gold, while China’s Dong Zhihao and Japan’s Ohashi Shin shared gold in the 100m breaststroke.

Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff and Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters have pledged to defend the country’s national interests, people’s rights and territorial integrity, warning that the United States, Israel and their allies will face further defeats.

In a statement marking Sacred Defense Week, the Iranian military leadership said the September 22 commemoration of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq war represents a major chapter in the history of the Islamic Revolution.

It said the Iranian people had resisted military aggression and political, security and economic pressure through faith and national unity, while maintaining that Iran had not surrendered “even a single inch” of its territory.

Iran has claimed that its forces shot down another US MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force targeted the drone near the strategic waterway.

Iranian officials said the drone was intercepted and destroyed using an advanced air defence system. The Iranian statement identified the aircraft as American and said the incident took place over the Strait of Hormuz, but no further details were provided.

The claim has not been independently verified, and there was no immediate US confirmation of the reported drone downing. The incident comes as tensions between Iran and the United States remain high and military activity around the strategically important waterway has increased.

Iran has warned the United States that any renewed attack would prompt Tehran to use new weapons and target locations that have not previously been attacked.

Iranian news agency Fars quoted Revolutionary Guard spokesperson Hossein Mahboub as saying Iran would change both its weapons and the geographical scope of its operations if another attack takes place.

Mahboub said Iran is prepared for a prolonged conflict and has maintained its readiness to respond to any potential new US attack. He indicated that Tehran’s response could involve different weapons and new areas compared with previous operations.

Crude oil prices rose after the Houthi militia launched missile and drone attacks toward Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh. The escalation has increased concerns among investors about possible disruptions to oil supplies amid growing tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing deadlock between the United States and Iran.

Brent crude rose by 81 cents, or 0.78%, to $104.68 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 76 cents, or 0.76%, to reach $101.06 per barrel, according to Reuters.

Qatar says diplomatic contacts and discussions on various proposals have been ongoing for nearly two weeks to help restart negotiations between the United States and Iran. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said Qatar’s mediation team remains in contact with Tehran and Washington and is assessing possibilities for resuming talks, while Pakistan is also involved in mediation efforts.

Al Ansari said mediators have been travelling between different capitals to make progress and added that Qatar had received assurances from US administration officials that Washington wants to reach an agreement. He stressed that regional stability requires a regional solution and broader international consensus.

The Qatari spokesperson also called for the protection of key waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that any attempt by a single state to dominate a major waterway and use it as a weapon could create a dangerous precedent for the wider region.

The Trump administration is preparing wide-ranging sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), with an announcement potentially coming during or shortly after the UN General Assembly, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials and documents. The proposed measures could restrict most financial and commercial transactions with the court, although implementation may be delayed by six to seven months.

The proposed sanctions could target the ICC as an institution rather than only individual officials. US citizens and companies could be barred from providing funds, goods or services to the court without special permission from the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. ICC officials have warned that such measures could disrupt its banking access, IT services, insurance, investigations, hiring and payment of staff.

According to the report, the Trump administration is also pressing the ICC to withdraw arrest warrants against Israeli leaders and end past investigations involving US troops in Afghanistan. Washington has previously sanctioned several ICC judges, prosecutors and officials, particularly after the court issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The US is not a member of the ICC, and Reuters said it had not independently verified the reported plans.

US President Donald Trump has said the conflict with Iran has reached a decisive stage and that major changes could take place in the Middle East. In a television interview, Trump said the time had come for major decisions regarding Iran and warned that Washington could take tougher action if Tehran does not change its approach.

Trump outlined three possible paths for Iran, including severe damage to the country, major economic pressure or reaching an agreement. At the same time, he indicated that a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian could take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, suggesting that diplomatic contacts remain possible despite the ongoing conflict.

The United States recently issued visas to Pezeshkian and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to attend the UN General Assembly. The possible meeting between Trump and Pezeshkian could provide an opportunity for direct contact as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue.

Iran has outlined seven conditions for resuming negotiations with the United States, according to Major General Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

In a post on X, Rezaei said Tehran had conveyed its conditions to Washington and that the US must accept Iran’s stated rights and terms if it wants to resolve the conflict.

Speaking to Qatar-based Al Jazeera, Rezaei said Iran had communicated its demands through Qatari mediators and was awaiting US President Donald Trump’s response.

He said the conditions include ending the war on all fronts, releasing Iran’s frozen financial assets and ending the naval blockade.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that military intervention cannot create security and coercion cannot bring peace, calling for a fundamental shift away from militarism and foreign intervention toward sustainable development, respect for national sovereignty and lasting peace.

Addressing the “Calling for a Global U-Turn” conference at the 2026 Global Town Hall hosted by the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia, Araghchi said decades of foreign intervention, military pressure and wars in West Asia had demonstrated the failure of military approaches to establish lasting security. He described the situation in Gaza and what he characterized as ongoing Israeli crimes as among the clearest manifestations of this pattern.

Araghchi warned that military force was increasingly being used not as a last resort but as a permanent means of reshaping the region’s political and security landscape. He said this trend risked normalizing aggression, institutionalizing escalation and turning destruction into a tool for pursuing political objectives.

Referring to US and Israeli military action against Iran, Araghchi characterized the attacks as illegal and aggressive and said they took place without prior provocation. He also raised concerns over targeted killings of Iranian officials, threats against political figures and violations of national sovereignty, arguing that failure to respond to such actions could weaken the boundaries established by international law.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday.

The two foreign ministers discussed the latest regional developments during the conversation.

Ishaq Dar stressed the importance of uninterrupted energy supplies and the safe and expeditious passage of ships, particularly in view of their implications for developing countries and global supply chains.

He underscored that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable means of ensuring peace and stability in the region.

The two sides agreed to maintain close cooperation and meet in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei expressed condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the government and Muslim people of neighbouring Pakistan.

Baghaei reaffirmed Iran’s principled position of firmly condemning all forms of terrorism and violent extremism.

He stressed that terrorist and violent attacks targeting civilians and security personnel have no justification whatsoever.

The Iranian spokesperson said the loss of innocent lives in the Kohat attack was deeply distressing and conveyed Iran’s solidarity with the people of Pakistan.

Baghaei also stressed the need for stronger cooperation and coordination among regional countries to combat terrorism effectively and consistently.

Pakistan has condemned attacks by the Houthi militia on commercial vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and called for an immediate end to such actions. Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting, Pakistan’s permanent representative Asim Iftikhar Ahmad warned that the attacks pose serious risks to maritime security, regional peace and stability.

Asim Iftikhar said the Houthi militia’s activities were also threatening the security and development of regional countries, particularly Saudi Arabia. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, while stressing that disruptions in both the Bab el-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz could have consequences far beyond the affected region.

The Pakistani envoy said instability along the two key waterways had contributed to higher energy prices and increased concerns over global food security. He added that Pakistan would continue diplomatic efforts to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue and work with peace-oriented countries to strengthen maritime security and protect commercial ship

The Washington Post has reported that at least 22 US service members have been killed during the ongoing war with Iran, citing six US officials familiar with internal Pentagon casualty figures. The reported toll is four higher than the number listed in the Pentagon’s publicly available database.

According to the report, five of the six officials confirmed that the actual number of US military deaths is at least 22. One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, put the total at 23 service members killed since February 28.

The report suggests that the Pentagon’s publicly released casualty figures may not reflect the full number of US military deaths from the conflict. The difference has raised questions over the reporting and timing of official casualty data.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said the reported damage to US F-35 and F-15 fighter jets shows that the nature of the war has changed. Referring to a US Defense Department Inspector General report, Ghalibaf said Washington must accept that its advanced aircraft are no longer immune from Iranian attacks.

Ghalibaf said a period had begun in which US F-35 and F-15 aircraft could become targets, describing the reported losses as evidence of a new phase of the conflict. He said what was once considered a frightening scenario had become a reality during the ongoing war.

The US Inspector General’s report said several American aircraft were destroyed or damaged between February 28 and June 30, including four F-15E fighter jets and an F-35A damaged by hostile fire over Iran. The report estimated that Operation Epic Fury cost about $33.4 billion, including more than $22.3 billion on weapons and ammunition, while also warning of strategic declines in US munitions stocks and challenges in replenishing them. The Pentagon disputed some findings, saying the investigators did not have access to all relevant information.

A recent Fox News national poll shows US President Donald Trump’s overall job approval at 39%, while 61% of registered voters said they disapprove of his performance. The survey also found that 60% of voters considered the decision to launch military action against Iran wrong, compared with 37% who viewed it as the right decision.

The poll found that 70% of voters believe the Trump administration does not have a clear strategy for ending the Iran war. The view was shared by 95% of Democrats, 83% of independents and 43% of Republicans. Meanwhile, 47% said the conflict could make the United States less safe, while 32% believed it would make the country safer.

Trump’s ratings on individual issues were also mixed, with 43% approving of his handling of immigration, 37% of foreign policy and only 24% of his handling of inflation. The cost of living was identified as the biggest issue for Americans, with 34% naming it the country’s most important problem. A separate Reuters/Ipsos poll put Trump’s overall approval at 35%, highlighting differences among recent surveys.

Iran has reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed as long as US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain in power. Iranian media quoted Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a political adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, as making the remarks in a statement marking 200 days of resistance.

Zolghadr described the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as the first phase of Iran’s retaliation and said the past 200 days had demonstrated what he described as the Iranian people’s resilience and determination. He also claimed that opponents had expected Iran to be defeated within days but had failed to achieve that objective.

The Iranian official paid tribute to those killed during the conflict, including Iranian leaders, children at the Minab school, young people in Lamerd, soldiers in Bampur and personnel aboard the warship Dena. The Strait of Hormuz is a major global route for oil and gas shipments, and its continued disruption has raised concerns over energy supplies and prices.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard ground forces commander Mohammad Karami has said Iran is fully prepared to respond to any potential hostile action or aggression. He said Iranian forces maintain the capability to deal with different scenarios and deliver what he described as an appropriate response to any threat.

Meanwhile, a large rally was held in Tehran from Imam Hossein Square to Revolution Square, with participants from various sectors, including combat battalions associated with the “Jan Fada” campaign. Iranian media reported that around 313,000 people have been mobilized under the campaign to prepare for potential threats facing the country.

Speaking at the rally, Basij Organization chief Hossein Taeb described the campaign as a major example of public participation and said it reflected what he characterized as the Iranian people’s determination to defend the country. Iranian officials said the campaign aims to strengthen national security, demonstrate public mobilization and increase preparedness for potential external threats.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that the unilateral global system based on imposing demands through power and pressure has come to an end. He stressed the need to defend multilateralism and respect the rule of law in international affairs.

Ghalibaf said China and Russia had rejected the political use of the UN Security Council and reaffirmed the importance of the rule of law. He argued that unilateral approaches to global issues serve no one’s interests.

He called for greater international cooperation, saying global disputes should be addressed through law, mutual respect and multilateral dialogue rather than pressure and the use of force.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that it targeted and detained a Togo-flagged oil tanker, identified as the Trend, in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, the tanker caught fire before it was targeted and detained after allegedly attempting to pass through the waterway via an unauthorized route.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency separately reported a “security incident” in the Strait of Hormuz, around 30 kilometres northeast of Oman’s Khasab, but did not identify the vessel involved. Reuters reported that maritime traffic through the strait has already fallen sharply, with only four commercial vessels passing through on Thursday compared with an average of around 16 vessels per day over the previous 10 days.

The two reports may be related, but there was no immediate independent confirmation that the maritime incident involved the same tanker identified by Iran. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy trade, meaning further maritime incidents could affect oil supplies and international energy prices.

US President Donald Trump has said the United States will win the ongoing war against Iran, whether through an agreement or without one. Responding to questions about a possible deal with Tehran and the deployment of additional US troops, Trump said Washington would either reach a “good deal” or have no deal at all.

Trump also spoke about the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that US naval vessels are able to pass through the waterway at night because Iran cannot effectively detect them. He said Iranian radar systems had been destroyed, although these claims have not been independently verified.

The US president also claimed that inflation in Iran had exceeded 300% and described the country’s economy as being in extremely poor condition. Independent confirmation of the figures was not immediately available. His comments came a day after he said he hoped the war with Iran was nearing an end, while shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains below normal amid continued regional tensions.

Pakistan’s armed forces have pledged to go to “any extent” to defend Saudi Arabia, with ISPR Director-General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry saying Islamabad’s commitment to the kingdom’s security is “unconditional.” He said Pakistan fully supports Saudi Arabia diplomatically and physically and would continue to defend it against aggression.

Lt Gen Chaudhry also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to protecting Makkah and Madinah, saying Pakistani forces are present to protect the Haramain Sharifain. His remarks came amid attacks by the Houthi militia on Saudi cities, including a drone interception near Taif in which debris reportedly killed a Yemeni resident and injured others.

The ISPR chief said Pakistan was in contact with regional countries to seek a negotiated and peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict. He also described the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, reached after months of Pakistan-facilitated negotiations between Washington and Tehran, as a consensus document and a viable pathway toward resolving the ongoing regional crisis.

Yemen’s Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has strongly denied allegations that the Houthi militia targeted Makkah with a drone, saying Saudi military bases, oil facilities and sites used in operations against Yemen are the group’s targets. He described the allegation as propaganda and said the Houthi militia would not consider targeting the holy city.

Al-Houthi accused Saudi Arabia of using propaganda to justify its actions against Yemen and rally support against the Houthi militia. He said the current conflict was not initiated by his group and described its attacks as defensive responses to Saudi-led actions. He linked the recent escalation to Saudi strikes on Sanaa International Airport and continued restrictions on Houthi-controlled areas.

The latest attacks have also affected Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, a major route for transporting crude from the country’s eastern fields to Yanbu on the Red Sea. The pipeline has a capacity of around seven million barrels per day and provides an alternative export route that avoids the Strait of Hormuz. Fighting between the Houthi militia and the Saudi-led coalition has continued since 2015, although a UN-backed truce was reached in 2022.

The United States has issued visas to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other members of the Iranian delegation to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next week. The delegation is expected to participate in the high-level session despite the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.

The US State Department said travel restrictions on the Iranian delegation will remain in place, while members will also face restrictions on purchasing certain US products. Officials said the Iranian delegation will be smaller than last year’s.

The development comes as the US-Iran war enters its seventh month, with no immediate signs of an end to the conflict. The presence of the Iranian leadership in New York could provide an opportunity for diplomatic contacts amid continuing tensions.

The Bank of England has kept its interest rate unchanged at 3.75%, while warning that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East and persistently high energy prices could force it to raise rates to control inflation. The Monetary Policy Committee voted 6-3 to maintain the rate, with three members supporting an increase to 4%.

The central bank said higher oil, gas and other energy prices linked to the Middle East conflict have increased the risk of renewed inflation in Britain. Consumer price inflation reached 3.1% in August, above the bank’s 2% target, while Governor Andrew Bailey warned that prolonged energy price increases could create stronger inflationary pressure.

The Bank of England estimated that if the energy crisis continues, inflation could rise to slightly above 4% in early 2027. Further rate increases could raise borrowing, mortgage and business financing costs, potentially reducing spending and investment. The decision came a day after the US Federal Reserve also raised its interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to a range of 3.75% to 4%.

US President Donald Trump is expected to meet leaders or foreign ministers from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in New York on September 22 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. According to Axios, the US State Department has sent preliminary invitations to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, while other Arab and Muslim leaders could also be invited.

The meeting is expected to discuss not only efforts to end the Iran war but also the Trump administration’s plans for the post-war period. Trump and his team are reportedly working on a “day-after plan,” which could be finalized after the US midterm elections. The meeting comes as Gulf states face security and economic pressures linked to attacks and disruptions in regional shipping routes.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that US officials held a secret meeting with representatives of the Houthi militia in Oman. The Houthi militia reportedly assured Washington that it did not intend to target US naval vessels and would continue observing the 2025 ceasefire, while also agreeing not to target Israeli and other commercial ships, with Saudi-linked vessels reportedly excluded from the commitment. Trump has said he hopes the war with Iran is nearing an end, but no ceasefire or final agreement has been announced and major differences between Washington and Tehran remain.

A UN-mandated independent fact-finding mission on Iran has said it found reasonable grounds indicating that US military actions during the February 28 conflict may constitute war crimes. The report examined strikes on a girls’ primary school in Minab and a sports complex in Lamerd, both carried out on the first day of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

The mission said a Tomahawk missile struck the Shajareh Tayebeh primary school in Minab, a clearly identifiable civilian site. Iranian authorities said more than 150 people were killed, including around 120 students, teachers and staff. The UN investigators said they found no evidence that the school was being used for military purposes and concluded that the attack raised serious concerns under international humanitarian law.

The report also examined a strike on a sports complex in Lamerd that killed and injured civilians and damaged nearby residential buildings and a school. The mission said the attack could amount to an indiscriminate attack and a war crime, although the US has denied carrying out a strike in Lamerd and Israel has not been definitively identified as responsible. The UN mission urged both the US and Iran to stop violations of international law, provide remedies to victims and take steps to prevent similar incidents.

Russia and China vetoed a US-backed resolution at the UN Security Council concerning the monitoring of sanctions on Iran. The resolution sought to extend the mandate of the committee overseeing Iran-related sanctions, but the two permanent members opposed the measure and rejected efforts to revive the so-called snapback mechanism.

According to a UN Security Council report, Russia and China had already expressed strong objections when the draft resolution was presented in late August. Both countries argued that the snapback mechanism for restoring international sanctions against Iran was no longer effective.

The mechanism was created under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and allowed parties to seek the restoration of sanctions if they believed Iran had violated its commitments. Russia and China maintained that the mechanism had effectively expired after the JCPOA and UN Security Council Resolution 2231 reached the end of their terms last year.

US President Donald Trump has said he is close to making a major decision on whether to launch another large-scale military operation against Iran. In a phone interview with journalist Barak Ravid, Trump said a “big decision” would be announced soon.

Trump said he wanted to hear directly from Gulf leaders before making the decision, particularly on whether further major attacks against the Iranian government should be carried out. He is expected to meet senior officials from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman during the UN General Assembly in New York next week, where Iran’s war, regional security and post-war US strategy are expected to be discussed.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also seeking a meeting with Trump during the UN General Assembly. The meeting has not been officially scheduled, but when asked about the possibility, Trump said it could happen.

The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force has warned that any act of aggression against Iran would trigger a strong response from the country’s armed forces.

Brigadier General Mohammad Karami made the remarks on Thursday during a visit to Iran’s Persian Gulf islands, stressing that Iran’s military would respond decisively to what he described as any miscalculation by the enemy.

Karami said Iran’s armed forces were backed by what he called divine support as well as the vigilance and presence of the Iranian people.

His remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and continued military confrontations involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

Pakistan has strongly condemned the attempted attack toward Makkah by the Houthi militia, saying it stands fully with Saudi Arabia in protecting the sanctity and security of the holy sites. Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider described the incident as a serious and deeply concerning act that hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims worldwide.

Pakistan reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, while condemning attacks by the Houthi militia on Saudi cities and installations. Islamabad said the sanctity of the Haramain and Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity cannot be compromised.

The Foreign Office said Pakistan is closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation in the Middle East and continues to support dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred means of resolving regional conflicts. Pakistan also raised a separate protest with India over the movement of an Indian naval vessel near a Pakistan Navy ship inside Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone on September 15, 2026.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, during his visit to Beijing, Iranian media reported. The two officials discussed the latest regional developments and matters of mutual interest.

During his China visit, Araghchi also met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss regional security and efforts to reduce tensions. Araghchi said Tehran had begun talks with neighboring countries to support peace and stability while protecting what Iran considers its legitimate rights.

Wang Yi urged the United States and Iran to avoid further escalation and return to meaningful negotiations. He said China wanted to prevent the conflict from spreading to areas including Yemen and the Red Sea, and called for efforts to restore a negotiating framework based on understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

US President Donald Trump has said he hopes the ongoing war against Iran is approaching its end. His remarks come as the conflict enters its seventh month, although there are no clear signs yet of an immediate and lasting end to the fighting.

Trump expressed hope that progress could be made toward ending the war. Meanwhile, Axios reported that Trump may meet Gulf leaders in New York next Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

According to the report, the expected meeting could focus on the Iran war and US plans for the period after the conflict. However, arrangements and the final agenda have not yet been confirmed. Regional countries are also closely watching the possible political and security consequences of the prolonged conflict.

A nearly 100-meter-long memorial shroud bearing the handwritten names of more than 20,000 Palestinian children killed in Gaza has gone on display at the United Nations Church Center in New York. The project, titled “Names, Not Numbers,” aims to remember the children as individuals rather than statistics and calls for an end to the violence and accountability for alleged violations.

The “Gaza Children’s Shroud” was organized by Doctors Against Genocide, USA Prayers Against Genocide, Justice for All and other partner groups. People from different faiths attended the event, which included Quran recitation and an interfaith gathering in memory of children killed in Gaza. The initiative was inspired by a memorial shroud created in Italy.

The shroud began its journey from Philadelphia City Hall on September 1 and was displayed in New York on September 16 during the UN General Assembly period. Organizers plan to take it to different cities over the coming year, holding monthly exhibitions and awareness events to preserve the names and identities of the children killed in Gaza.

US Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has said he will not support a proposed $2.8 billion US arms package for Israel that includes thousands of 2,000-pound bombs. Meeks said he was concerned the weapons might not be used in accordance with international law.

According to Reuters, the proposed package includes 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, along with I-2000 penetrator warheads. The Trump administration has informally notified relevant congressional committees about the proposed sale, which has not yet been formally finalized.

The proposed transfer has raised concerns because 2,000-pound bombs have previously been used by Israeli forces in Gaza and Lebanon, prompting scrutiny over their use in populated areas. Meeks’ opposition alone would not automatically block the sale, as the current congressional review process for major arms deals is largely informal.

A resolution seeking the impeachment of US War Secretary Pete Hegseth has been introduced in the House of Representatives over the Iran war. The move came alongside demands for the release of additional documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Republican Congressman Thomas Massie said he wanted to stop the Iran war and seek justice for Epstein’s victims. He criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson for ending House proceedings early, arguing that lawmakers should continue working and debate the issues.

Massie questioned why the House was being adjourned while the country was facing serious challenges. He said the House schedule should be followed throughout the day and that lawmakers should be given an opportunity to debate the matters before Congress.

Images showing damage to US military bases, aircraft and infrastructure following Iranian missile and drone strikes across the Middle East have emerged for the first time. According to CBS News, the photographs were provided by serving US personnel who requested anonymity.

Images from Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia show a destroyed US Air Force aircraft, including a Boeing E-3 Sentry whose tail section was separated from its burned fuselage. Other photographs show damaged buildings and barracks at the Saudi base, while images from Camp Buehring and Camp Arifjan in Kuwait show damaged infrastructure and equipment.

The photographs emerged after a recent Pentagon Inspector General report disclosed approximately $3.7 billion in US military equipment losses during the war, including nearly 60 aircraft. A US service member told CBS News that the extent of the damage to American bases had not been adequately communicated to the public. The Pentagon did not respond to the broadcaster’s request for comment.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has described his consultations in Beijing as “successful” after meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Araghchi said Iran values its long-standing strategic partnership with China and highlighted four principles outlined by Chinese President Xi Jinping as important for regional peace: peaceful coexistence, respect for national sovereignty, adherence to international law, and balancing development with security.

During the meeting, Araghchi and Wang discussed regional developments and bilateral relations. Araghchi said the region had undergone major changes following the US-Israeli war against Iran and argued that a new regional order should be based on cooperation among regional countries without foreign military presence or interference.

Wang described the war as “illegal” and stressed the need for peace, stability, dialogue and diplomacy in West Asia. He also said China is ready to help reduce tensions and support efforts to resolve regional disputes through negotiations.

Iran’s Minister of Science, Research and Technology Hossein Simaee Sarraf has warned that artificial intelligence could transform control over data into control over people, potentially creating what he described as an “invisible dictatorship.”

Speaking at UNESCO’s 2026 Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Riyadh, he said AI is not inherently fair or neutral and could be used as a tool of oppression if deployed without ethical safeguards.

Simaee cautioned that excessive surveillance of citizens’ behavior, relationships and intentions could threaten human rights, while stronger oversight of governments and powerful institutions should be encouraged.

He also questioned the responsibility of AI developers and technology platforms when their systems are used in ways that violate human rights. According to the minister, AI’s ability to identify and precisely target individuals with missiles has made its military applications an urgent ethical concern.

A Houthi militia official has rejected Saudi Arabia’s claim that a drone launched toward Makkah was intercepted and destroyed by Saudi air defences, calling the allegation false. Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said the drone was shot down on Tuesday as it attempted to enter the restricted airspace over Makkah.

Al-Malki described the incident as the second alleged Houthi militia attempt to target the holy city, citing a previous ballistic missile launch in July 2017. He said the security of the Two Holy Mosques and the safety of pilgrims were a “red line” and warned that the coalition would take deterrent measures. Houthi spokesperson Hazem al-Asad denied targeting Makkah and dismissed the Saudi account.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), however, condemned what it described as a Houthi militia attack on Makkah and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia. The renewed tensions come as the Houthi militia controls parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast near the Bab al-Mandab Strait and has announced several attacks on Saudi Arabia over the past week.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in China for talks and met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. During the meeting, China urged the United States and Iran to avoid further escalation and return to negotiations.

Wang Yi said Beijing does not want tensions in the region to increase or spread to Yemen and the Red Sea. He called on Washington and Tehran to hold meaningful talks on outstanding issues and work to restore the negotiation framework based on understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

The Chinese foreign minister said the ongoing confrontation between the United States and Iran serves neither side’s interests and stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to reduce tensions.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says its air defence forces intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Qeshm Island early Wednesday. The IRGC said the drone was destroyed at 2:29 a.m. local time and described it as the 52nd MQ-9 drone brought down since the start of the US-Israeli military offensive.

The IRGC also said Iran’s air defences have downed hundreds of hostile drones, including MQ-1, MQ-9, Hermes and Lucas models. Iranian forces separately reported destroying three US MQ-1 Predator drones over the Strait of Hormuz and an unmanned US surface vessel near the strategic waterway.

Bloomberg has reported that Iran has destroyed more than two dozen US MQ-9 drones since the war began, representing nearly 20% of the Pentagon’s prewar inventory. US Air Force testimony cited in the report put the operational MQ-9 fleet at about 135 aircraft, below its stated minimum of 189, while the manufacturer has fewer than 10 new airframes available and production of the Reaper has ended.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran will release further details about US losses during the ongoing war, describing the latest Pentagon report as only “the tip of the iceberg.” He rejected the suggestion that Iran is defenseless and said Washington’s account does not reflect the full extent of the damage.

Araghchi said hundreds of US military positions were damaged or destroyed and dozens of American aircraft were affected during the conflict. These figures were presented as Iranian claims and have not been independently verified in full. He said Iran would release additional information at an appropriate time.

The remarks came after a Pentagon Inspector General report documented significant damage to US military facilities, aircraft and weapons stocks. The report said the US spent about $33.4 billion on the war between February 28 and June 30 and used approximately $22.3 billion worth of munitions, while Iranian attacks damaged hundreds of buildings and facilities and affected US aircraft and drones across the region.

Newly released photographs obtained by CBS News show extensive damage to US military positions across West Asia following Iranian missile and drone strikes. Images from Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia show a Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft with its tail section severed, along with damaged buildings and barracks. Similar destruction was documented at Camp Buehring in Kuwait, including damaged buildings, destroyed trailers and military vehicles.

The photographs come after a Pentagon Inspector General report disclosed up to $3.7 billion in US equipment losses during the war, including nearly 60 aircraft. The report said Iranian strikes targeted US positions in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan, while US diplomatic facilities also suffered significant damage.

A US service member told CBS News that the extent of the damage had not been adequately communicated to the American public and disputed descriptions of the attacks as isolated projectiles getting through US defenses. The report also highlighted depleted US ammunition stockpiles and hundreds of attacks on US facilities in Iraq, adding to concerns over the military and financial impact of the conflict.

The Trump administration is preparing a $2.8 billion weapons package for Israel that would include 40,000 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each, according to US officials cited by The Washington Post. The proposed package includes 20,000 MK-84 bombs, 20,000 BLU-117 bombs and 20,000 I-2000 penetrator warheads. The deal is not yet final and has been informally presented to congressional committees.

The package would largely be financed through the US Foreign Military Financing program, meaning American government funds would be used by Israel to purchase US-made weapons. The proposed transfer is larger than previous recent US sales of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. These weapons are capable of penetrating hardened structures and causing extensive blast and fragmentation damage, raising renewed concerns over their potential use in densely populated areas.

The proposed deal has drawn criticism from some US lawmakers and commentators. Senator Chris Van Hollen said he would oppose the sale, while commentator Tucker Carlson questioned the scale of the planned transfer and its potential humanitarian consequences. The administration has not commented specifically on the pending transaction.

A US Department of Defense Inspector General report submitted to Congress says the war against Iran has placed pressure on America’s ammunition supplies. The report said the United States spent $33.4 billion on Operation Epic Fury between February 28 and June 30, including $22.3 billion on ammunition, reducing strategic stockpiles and creating challenges for replenishment.

The report also detailed losses and damage to US military equipment during the conflict, including four F-15 fighter jets destroyed, damage to an F-35 and seven KC-135 tanker aircraft, and the destruction of up to 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones. Defense officials have previously denied ammunition shortages, while the defense secretary has pushed the weapons industry to increase production.

President Donald Trump rejected concerns over shortages, saying the US has an almost unlimited supply of medium- and high-grade ammunition and is prepared for emergencies. However, defense expert Mark Cancian said the available stockpiles may be sufficient for the Iran war but could last only about a month in a potential conflict with China.

Imam of the Kaaba Sheikh Dr Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais has condemned Houthi militia attacks on holy sites, saying such actions are contrary to religious and humanitarian values. He said targeting sacred places is a clear violation of international law.

Al-Sudais said Islam calls for the protection of human life, property and dignity and prohibits aggression. He stressed the need for greater national unity and solidarity amid the current situation.

He also urged the public to remain cautious of rumours and obtain information only from reliable sources. He said unity and national solidarity are essential to confronting security threats.

ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye is defensive in nature and does not compete with other alliances. Speaking to Al Arabiya English, he said the agreement focuses on regional stability and could be expanded to include other countries that share a vision of peace, security and collective deterrence.

He said the three countries’ leadership would decide how and when the alliance could expand, stressing that it is not limited to Muslim countries. Chaudhry added that operational details of the defense commitments remain classified, including how the alliance would respond if one of its members came under attack.

The DG ISPR said dialogue remains the only option for resolving the Middle East conflict and called for a negotiated and peaceful solution. He also said Pakistan is not seeking an arms race with India despite its expanding military capabilities, while Pakistan will continue counterterrorism operations against attacks it says originate from Afghanistan.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned attacks by the Houthi militia targeting Makkah and the Madinah region, along with what it described as ongoing aggression against Saudi Arabia. The OIC said such attacks spread fear among civilians, violate the sanctity of holy sites and mosques, and hurt the sentiments of Muslims worldwide.

The OIC General Secretariat described attacks on holy sites, mosques and civilian infrastructure as terrorism and said they violate Islamic values as well as international norms and law. It stressed that any violation of the sanctity of the holy sites is unacceptable and requires measures to prevent further attacks.

The OIC also expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and supported measures taken by the kingdom to deter further attacks, protect the holy sites and the lives of Muslims, and safeguard its security and sovereignty.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar, has condemned Houthi militia attacks on Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security. Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on Yemen, he warned that attacks around Bab al-Mandab could affect the global economy.

The Yemeni representative called on the international community to stop the supply of weapons to the Houthi militia, describing its actions as a threat to regional security. Pakistan also expressed concern over the continuing situation in Yemen and supported Saudi Arabia’s defensive measures.

Meanwhile, Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi militia drone south of Makkah before it entered restricted airspace over the holy city. Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said it was the second alleged attempt to target Makkah, adding that the security of the Two Holy Mosques is a “red line” and that necessary measures would be taken against further attacks.

Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi militia drone south of Makkah before it entered the prohibited airspace over the holy city, according to Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki. He said the incident was the second alleged attempt to target Makkah, while Houthi officials denied targeting the holy city.

The incident comes amid a renewed escalation between the Houthi militia and Saudi Arabia, with several attacks reported over the past week. The Houthi militia said its strikes were carried out in retaliation for Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen, while a Saudi-led coalition official said an air base attack wounded 13 civilians.

The wider conflict has also affected regional energy supplies and shipping. Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline remains shut following a separate attack, while the Houthi militia has expanded its presence along parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast near the Bab el-Mandeb. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also sought US military support, with assistance so far reportedly focused on intelligence.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has said the United States and Israel sought to use Iraq’s Kurdistan Region as a military and security launchpad against Iran during the 40-day war, but the alleged plan was thwarted.

Speaking during a meeting with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Talabani in Tehran on Tuesday, Qalibaf praised the Iranian nation and armed forces for what he described as successfully resisting the US-Israeli aggression that began on February 28.

Qalibaf said Washington had likely underestimated the level of resistance it would face from Iran, claiming the United States suffered both military and political setbacks.

“Perhaps the Americans never thought they would face such resistance from Iran and such a defeat against the Islamic Republic,” he said, adding that the outcome demonstrated Iran’s ability to withstand pressure from the United States and Israel.

A United Nations fact-finding mission has raised serious questions about US compliance with international law after confirming that a US airstrike hit a wedding ceremony in southern Iran on September 1, killing five people, including children, and injuring dozens more.

The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran said the incident raised concerns over whether all necessary precautions were being taken to protect civilians during the ongoing hostilities.

Mission expert Max du Plessis said repeated airstrikes resulting in civilian casualties raised questions about states’ obligations under international law, including the requirement to take all feasible measures to avoid civilian deaths.

Mission Chair Sara Hossain said the strikes were a “devastating reminder” of the human cost of the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, stressing that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations in Vienna says the Islamic Republic has been elected to the General Committee of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference despite efforts by the United States to block its participation.

In a statement on X, the Iranian mission said IAEA member states voted in favor of Iran, describing the decision as a rejection of attempts to use unilateral pressure to influence the agency’s collective decisions.

Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, said the United States had made extensive efforts in recent days to prevent Iran from joining the committee.

According to Kamalvandi, Washington’s efforts failed and the matter was ultimately put to a vote, in which Iran secured broad support from member states. He characterized the outcome as a significant setback for the US campaign against Iran within the IAEA.

Iran’s sustained retaliatory attacks on US military bases and warships across West Asia are reportedly placing growing pressure on American military readiness, according to US officials cited by The Intercept.

Two officials familiar with US military operations in the region warned that depleted defensive-munitions stocks, rising casualties, maintenance problems, prolonged troop deployments and increasingly difficult logistics could eventually push the US military toward a “breakdown” in its ability to sustain the conflict.

The officials also said Iran’s use of drones and advanced ballistic missiles had challenged US air defenses across the region and left American forces in an increasingly precarious position. One official alleged that the Trump administration had underestimated Iran’s military capabilities, while another pointed to what they described as a lack of adequate planning for the conflict.

Damage to key US military facilities across the region has reportedly added to the pressure on American forces.

Tribal leaders, religious scholars, community figures and residents of Iran’s southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan Province have condemned the assassination of Molavi Yousef Gorgij, a prominent Sunni prayer leader.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the signatories called for those responsible for the “cowardly assassination” to be swiftly identified and brought to justice, stressing that the incident requires greater public vigilance.

The statement warned that the assassination could be part of an attempt to undermine stability and create divisions in the strategically important province.

The signatories said hostile actors seek to weaken unity, disrupt public security and hinder the region’s development by creating chaos and discord. They called for solidarity, vigilance and cooperation among local communities to prevent such efforts from succeeding.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has reaffirmed that Iraq and the Kurdistan Region will not allow their territory to be used to threaten the security of neighboring countries, particularly Iran.

PUK leader Bafel Talabani made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran, stressing the need for closer coordination between Iran and Iraq to implement their bilateral security agreement and disarm groups posing security threats.

Talabani said Iraq and the Kurdistan Region would “never allow” their territory to become a base for activities threatening Iran or other regional states.

Leading a high-level delegation to Tehran, he also called for expanded cooperation with Iran in security, trade and economic affairs, describing Tehran as a longstanding supporter of the Iraqi people and emphasizing the historic ties between Iran, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Senior Iranian Army and Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) officials have emphasized the close coordination between the two military branches, saying their cooperation has enabled Iran to confront heavily armed US and Israeli forces.

Army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akrami-Nia said Iran had stood up to adversaries equipped with vast military capabilities, struck them and prevented them from achieving their objectives.

The remarks came during a coordination meeting at Army headquarters in Tehran between Akrami-Nia and IRGC spokesperson Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi. The officials discussed strengthening media coordination while highlighting operational cooperation between the Army and IRGC.

Mohebbi praised the Army as a powerful and popular institution, comparing its role in the current confrontation with its contribution during the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, which Iran refers to as the First Sacred Defense.

Iran has issued a 10-article directive outlining its civil defense programs for 2026, with preparations centered on three possible conditions: the end of war, a ceasefire or “neither war nor peace” situation, and full-scale war.

The directive, issued by Major General Ali Abdollahi, chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces and head of the Permanent Committee for Civil Defense, designates October 26 to November 2 as Civil Defense Week under the slogan “People-centered civil defense, a resilient Iran.”

The programs will prioritize public awareness, preparedness, protection of civilians and national assets, and continuity of essential government services. Authorities have been instructed to update passive civil defense scenarios and operational plans at national, provincial, organizational, municipal and armed-forces levels, while incorporating lessons from what the directive describes as the second and third imposed wars.

Training and drills will particularly address emerging human-made and hostile threats, distinguishing passive civil defense from conventional crisis management for natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.

The 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) opened in Vienna amid a diplomatic dispute after Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, was prevented from attending despite having previously received a valid Schengen visa.

Iran said the decision followed US pressure and accused Austria of violating its obligations as host of international organizations by denying access to the head of an official delegation.

Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna, Reza Najafi, described the move as a “clear abuse of power and process” and said Austria had failed to uphold its legal obligations. He argued that preventing Eslami from attending undermined Austria’s credibility as an impartial host country.

Russia echoed Tehran’s criticism, with its UN representative Mikhail Ulyanov saying Austria had “grossly violated” its obligations under the headquarters agreement with the IAEA and warning that the decision could further worsen relations between Tehran and the nuclear watchdog.

A US Department of Defense Inspector General report says the United States suffered significant military and economic losses during the war with Iran. The report estimates that Washington spent around $33.4 billion on the conflict, including $22.3 billion on ammunition, while more than 20,000 US military and diplomatic personnel were evacuated from the region.

According to the report, US forces carried out around 5,000 flights from European bases to support military operations. The United States also suffered more than $208 million in losses at facilities in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The report said 30 US drones and several fighter aircraft, including F-15, F-35 and A-10 aircraft, were destroyed.

The report also said Iran destroyed a major US Navy logistics facility in Bahrain during the conflict. The Pentagon is now working to accelerate weapons procurement and production while rebuilding stocks of key military equipment. The assessment, required by Congress, covers the first four months of the war.

An oil tanker caught fire after reportedly striking a mine in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iranian officials identified the vessel as the Algaya and said it was attempting to pass through a restricted maritime area when the incident occurred.

The IRGC said efforts to control the fire were unsuccessful and flames eventually engulfed the tanker. Iranian authorities said warnings had already been issued about the risks of using the maritime route and reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz remains under their monitoring and control.

The incident has raised concerns over the safety of one of the world’s most important energy routes, where any disruption could affect global oil supplies and energy markets. Separately, two Iranian fishing boats were reportedly hit by drone attacks off southern Iran, with several fishermen said to be missing. Further details about the incidents remain unclear.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has strongly criticized US sanctions, saying their purpose goes beyond economic pressure and is aimed at creating internal instability and weakening Iranian society. Speaking at a Labor Ministry event in Tehran, he said sanctions and other measures were being used to undermine Iran from within.

Pezeshkian also said some Iranians living abroad were cooperating with what he described as Iran’s enemies to create unrest and provoke public anger inside the country. He said the growing economic pressure was affecting Iran’s economy and people’s daily lives.

His remarks came after the US Treasury announced “Operation Economic Outcast” on August 24, aimed at restricting Iran’s foreign trade revenues and increasing pressure on its economic resources. Pezeshkian said tighter sanctions and a US naval blockade were also affecting Iran’s oil exports and access to foreign currency.

A US Air Force pilot, identified as “Bravo,” survived nearly 50 hours while hiding from Iranian forces after his F-15E fighter jet was shot down over southern Iran in April. He suffered serious injuries, including fractures to his back, shoulder and arm, after his parachute malfunctioned during the ejection.

The pilot and another crew member landed about eight kilometres apart. While the second servicemember was rescued within hours, Bravo remained hidden in a remote mountainous area and sent a coded message to US forces saying he was injured but still moving. The CIA reportedly used misinformation to confuse Iranian forces while US aircraft and drones operated in the area before the rescue.

The rescue involved a highly complex operation, with around 155 US aircraft reportedly participating. Two MC-130 aircraft landed on a temporary dirt runway to deploy helicopters, but soft ground prevented the transport aircraft from taking off. US CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper said the F-15 mission targeted facilities linked to Iran’s drone and missile programs, rather than the nuclear facilities at Isfahan.

US Vice President JD Vance has revealed that Washington is holding direct talks with the Houthi militia in Yemen. Speaking to reporters before an election rally in Kansas City, Vance confirmed ongoing communication but did not disclose details about the location, participants or nature of the discussions.

Vance also said the US remains in contact with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other countries affected by the regional tensions. He expressed particular concern over the Houthi militia’s reported control of Mayyun Island near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

The disclosure comes after reports that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked President Donald Trump for direct US strikes against the Houthi militia. Trump reportedly declined direct military action but offered intelligence and targeting assistance. The US CENTCOM chief later met the Saudi crown prince in Jeddah. The Houthi militia has not yet confirmed or denied Vance’s statement.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman met US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper in Jeddah to discuss recent regional developments. Saudi and US officials did not provide detailed information about the discussions.

The meeting came amid reports of increased Houthi militia advances in Yemen and attacks on Saudi Arabia. The Houthi militia has reportedly expanded its presence along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including areas near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait and islands such as Mayyun and the Hanish islands.

The developments have raised concerns for Saudi Arabia because Bab al-Mandab is an important route for oil and global trade, particularly as disruptions continue around the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia has intensified strikes against Houthi militia positions, while Riyadh has also sought greater US security support. Reports said Washington declined direct military action but offered intelligence and targeting assistance.

A major section of Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline could remain shut for three to five weeks following last week’s attacks, according to two Saudi officials familiar with the situation. Repairs include restoring a major pumping facility, while limited oil flows may continue through some sections during the work.

The 1,200-kilometre pipeline has a capacity of around seven million barrels of oil per day and is crucial to Saudi exports because it allows crude to reach Red Sea ports without passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia closed the pipeline on Thursday as a precaution after drone attacks.

A prolonged shutdown could further pressure Saudi Arabia’s oil exports as disruptions continue in the Strait of Hormuz. With global oil prices already above $100 per barrel, a lengthy repair period could increase concerns over international supplies and push prices even higher.

Iran’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami was reportedly prevented from attending the International Atomic Energy Agency’s annual conference in Vienna following opposition from the United States. According to Iranian state media, Eslami and his delegation traveled to Vienna but were not allowed to participate in the meeting being held at the IAEA headquarters.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei strongly criticized the decision, calling the refusal to issue visas to the Iranian delegation unjustified. He said the move was made under US pressure but added that Austria also bears responsibility for preventing the Iranian officials from attending the international nuclear agency’s annual event.

Iran summoned Austria’s chargé d’affaires to protest and demand an explanation. Tehran said blocking its officials from an important IAEA gathering violated diplomatic principles, particularly amid continuing tensions between Iran and Western countries over its nuclear program.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Major General Mohsen Rezaei has rejected mixed signals from US President Donald Trump over possible negotiations, saying Tehran will not enter talks until its conditions are met. Rezaei said developments surrounding oil and the strategic waterways had changed and warned that US efforts to manage the situation would not stop what lies ahead.

His remarks came after Trump said Iran wanted to reach a deal quickly and that Washington was open to engagement. The comments contrasted with Trump’s earlier statements that no talks were taking place, while Iranian officials have dismissed Washington’s changing messages as political pressure and propaganda.

Rezaei said Iran’s position remains firm, with any change depending on an end to the US war and blockade, the release of frozen Iranian assets and a broader regional ceasefire, including in Lebanon and Gaza. He stressed that diplomacy without firm guarantees would not be acceptable and that talks remain off the table until Tehran’s conditions are fulfilled.

Iran’s Judiciary has seized assets belonging to around 240 individuals accused of collaborating with hostile regimes, including Israel, according to the Judiciary’s Media Center. The seizures were carried out in recent months under judicial orders and a law imposing tougher penalties for espionage and cooperation with hostile regimes against Iran’s national security and interests.

The Judiciary said those targeted had allegedly assisted activities that caused extensive damage to infrastructure and public facilities, including schools, universities, research centers and industrial sites.

The legislation, formally known as the “Law on Intensifying Penalties for the Crime of Espionage and Collaboration” with hostile regimes, provides severe punishments for offenses including sabotage, intelligence gathering, and cyber, military and media cooperation.

Judiciary spokesman Ali Kazemi said the seized assets belong to the Iranian people and that judicial authorities would pursue their use to compensate victims for losses resulting from the alleged activities. The Judiciary said some of the assets belonged to individuals described as journalists working for overseas-based media outlets, activists, managers of hostile media organizations and other figures living abroad.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says a planned meeting of regional foreign ministers in Oman on arrangements for safe commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz was canceled at Saudi Arabia’s request. Speaking at his weekly press conference on Monday, Baghaei said Iran and Oman had finalized an understanding on maritime routes following weeks of negotiations.

He added that Tehran and Muscat would determine the next steps, including how the agreement would be formally announced or registered.

Baghaei described the planned meeting as an opportunity created by Iran and Oman for regional countries to address maritime security and urged states in the region to make use of such opportunities.

He stressed that Iran does not make decisions on highly sensitive security matters based on a single factor and said Tehran would continue pursuing rational and forward-looking policies despite what he called the ill-advised actions or broken commitments of others. The Iranian spokesman also reiterated that Tehran has consistently sought practical solutions to regional problems.

President of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) Pirhossein Kolivand says Qatar’s Red Crescent branch has pledged to assist Iranian authorities in determining the fate of three Iranian pilots believed to have been captured by Qatari forces. Kolivand said on Monday that evidence indicates the pilots may be in Qatar and urged the Qatari Red Crescent to use its humanitarian channels to obtain information about their whereabouts and condition.

He emphasized that such efforts are essential to ease the concerns of the pilots’ families and reaffirmed the neutral humanitarian role of the Red Crescent societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

According to Kolivand, Qatari Red Crescent officials have agreed to follow up on the case and seek information about the missing pilots. He also called for broader cooperation between the Iranian and Qatari Red Crescent societies in rescue and relief operations, training and the exchange of expertise, suggesting that their existing memorandum of understanding could be renewed and updated to strengthen humanitarian coordination.

The case involves three Iranian Army pilots who reportedly disappeared after their aircraft were struck while returning from a mission over Qatar on March 2.

Iran has rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim about new activity at Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, also known as Kolang Kuh. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said reports of any new activity at the site were baseless. Trump had earlier said the US was monitoring developments there and warned Iran to be cautious.

Iran also said a key meeting between Tehran and Gulf countries in Oman has been postponed at Saudi Arabia’s request. The meeting was expected to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and other regional issues. Oman confirmed the postponement, saying it was intended to create better conditions for reaching consensus among the parties.

No new date has been announced for the meeting. The postponement comes amid growing tensions over maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, global oil supplies and the wider regional conflict, increasing pressure on diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it has intercepted and destroyed another advanced US MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC said its Aerospace Force detected and engaged the drone using an advanced air-defense system integrated into Iran’s wider air-defense network.

The development comes a week after Iran’s Army air defense said it had also shot down a US MQ-1 drone over the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz has increasingly become a major point of confrontation during the US-Iran conflict, with Tehran asserting greater control over activity around the vital maritime route.

Iranian forces have previously captured or downed several advanced US unmanned systems. Bloomberg reported that more than two dozen MQ-9 Reaper drones have been destroyed since the conflict began, while the US operational Reaper fleet has fallen below its stated minimum level. The losses have added pressure on Washington’s unmanned aircraft capabilities.

Foreign Secretary Asim Iftikhar Ahmad has said Pakistan is taking additional responsibility under the Makkah Agreement as tensions in the Middle East continue to worsen. Speaking in New York, he said Islamabad was working to help end the conflict through peaceful means in line with international law and UN principles.

Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan wants an immediate ceasefire, reduced tensions and the return of all sides to negotiations. He stressed that the UN Charter calls for international disputes to be resolved through dialogue rather than war, adding that Pakistan would continue supporting regional peace and stability.

He said Pakistan, along with the other parties to the Makkah Agreement, understands the need to play a greater role as the situation deteriorates. He also said conflicts in Palestine and Kashmir should be resolved according to UN Security Council resolutions, rejecting suggestions that the UN has no role in promoting peace.

Israeli military affairs minister Israel Katz has threatened to “eliminate” anyone approaching the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, saying Israeli forces are preparing to maintain control over the strategic area. He also said Israeli troops would not withdraw from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed.

The remarks came as Israeli forces carried out further airstrikes and artillery attacks on several areas in southern Lebanon, including the Ali al-Taher forest, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Kfar Tebnit, al-Dabsha hill and Zawtar al-Sharqiyah. No immediate information was available on casualties or damage from the latest strikes.

The attacks took place despite a US-sponsored agreement signed on June 26 that calls for Israel’s gradual withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Lebanese authorities say Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed nearly 4,400 people and injured around 12,500 others, while Israeli forces continue to occupy parts of southern Lebanon.

Satellite images have shown extensive damage to a pumping station on Saudi Arabia’s 1,200-kilometre East-West oil pipeline following reported drone strikes. The pipeline has been carrying around 4 million barrels of crude per day to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, representing roughly 4% of global oil supply. Saudi Arabia has not yet confirmed the full damage or repair timeline.

Industry sources said Yanbu’s current oil stocks could support exports for only five to seven days if the pipeline remains shut. Other stocks at Egyptian ports could provide additional supplies for several days, but traders warned they could eventually run out without a restart. Repair estimates range from several days to as long as six weeks.

The disruption has added pressure to global oil markets, with Brent crude rising more than 3.4% to around $108 a barrel. Saudi oil production has also fallen sharply, increasing concerns over global supplies as regional tensions continue to threaten key energy infrastructure and export routes.

US Representative Rashida Tlaib has called on the Trump administration to end America’s involvement in Israel’s military actions in Gaza, saying the violence against Palestinians is continuing despite claims of a ceasefire. She said children remain among the main victims and are suffering lasting trauma from Israeli attacks.

Tlaib’s comments came after reports of an Israeli raid on a kindergarten in Gaza, where around 200 children were reportedly trapped inside while the building came under fire. She said Palestinian children were being killed with US-made weapons and urged Washington to end its support for what she described as ethnic cleansing.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, while around 174,000 have been injured. The ministry says more than 1,300 Palestinians have also been killed since the October 2025 ceasefire, amid continued Israeli attacks.

Iran has unveiled two domestically developed catalysts for the oil, gas and petrochemical industries as part of efforts to reduce reliance on foreign technology amid sanctions. The chromium-free high-temperature shift catalyst and medium-temperature shift catalyst were developed by Sarv Oil and Gas Industries Development Company.

The catalysts support key processes including hydrogen, syngas, ammonia and methanol production. Their domestic manufacturing could reduce import dependence, foreign-exchange costs and supply-chain disruptions.

Iran says the initiative will strengthen its domestic industrial capabilities and reduce the impact of sanctions. If successfully tested in industrial operations, the catalysts could also help expand Iran’s regional market presence.

Global oil prices rose more than 2% following new attacks in Saudi Arabia and the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude increased by $2.90, or 2.77%, to $107.51 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate rose $2.27, or 2.27%, to $102.32. Prices had gained more than 3% earlier in the trading session.

The rise came after new attacks by the Houthi militia in Saudi Arabia and an incident involving a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi state media released footage of homes and a mosque reportedly damaged in a Houthi militia attack in Jazan, while the Houthi militia also said it targeted a Saudi military base, though the claim was not independently verified.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz was hit by a missile or another projectile, causing a fire and forcing the crew to move to a safe location. Concerns over energy supplies have increased as tensions affect both the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, while the temporary closure of Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline has added further pressure to global supply.

A new video released by the US program 60 Minutes shows the dramatic rescue of an American service member whose F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran in April. One of the two crew members was rescued within hours, while the second remained injured in mountainous terrain for nearly 50 hours.

The US Air Force and special forces launched a major search-and-rescue operation to locate the missing officer, who had struggled to escape the aircraft and then remained hidden from Iranian forces while injured. He was eventually rescued on April 5 in what 60 Minutes described as one of the most complex and dangerous rescue missions in US military history.

The rescued American colonel has now spoken publicly about his experience for the first time, describing how he survived for two days while injured inside Iranian territory before being reached by US rescue teams. The account provides new details about the risks faced by American personnel during the Iran war and the operation to bring them to safety.

Iran’s High Council for Human Rights has called on the United Nations to take immediate legal action over what it described as Israeli violations and crimes during ongoing attacks on Lebanon. The council urged the UN to protect civilians, document alleged violations and pursue legal measures against those responsible.

In a statement, the Iranian rights body said recent Israeli attacks had killed and wounded dozens of civilians, including women and children. It also expressed concern over what it described as the international community’s failure to take effective measures to prevent further civilian casualties.

The council said attacks targeting civilians violate fundamental human rights, including the rights to life, security and human dignity. It also argued that Israeli bombardments violate key principles of international humanitarian law, including the distinction between military and civilian targets and the principle of proportionality.

US President Donald Trump has suggested that Washington could remain in Iran and potentially take control of its oil, comparing the possibility to US arrangements involving Venezuela. Speaking during a visit to Ireland, Trump said he expected the war with Iran to end this year, possibly shortly after the November midterm elections.

Trump said the United States would only accept what he described as the right deal with Iran, while claiming Tehran had been repeatedly seeking contact for peace negotiations. He also suggested that the US could continue its involvement in Iran and later withdraw, unless Washington decided to stay and control Iranian oil revenues similar to its approach toward Venezuela.

The comments come as the conflict has disrupted global oil markets and pushed prices higher amid tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure. Trump said revenues from Venezuelan oil had covered several times the cost of the conflict, while Iran has continued opposing US military pressure and retaliating against American positions in the region.

The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that Iran used high-resolution satellite imagery provided by Chinese entities to target a US military base in Jordan in July. The attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base on July 17 reportedly killed three US servicemembers and caused significant damage to the facility.

US officials said Iran had received highly detailed satellite images of the base but did not identify the Chinese companies involved or suggest that the Chinese government was directly involved in the attack. Washington has reportedly been concerned for months that Chinese companies are selling satellite imagery that could help Iran track and target US military facilities.

The report also said US officials fear China could help Iran monitor American naval assets. Chinese officials have denied the allegations and called for evidence to support the claims.

Several explosions were heard in the southern Iranian city of Sirik amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, according to Iranian state media.

The cause of the blasts was not immediately known, while the area has reportedly been subjected to repeated US attacks in recent days.

Iranian state television said the sounds were linked to operational and surveillance activities taking place in the Strait of Hormuz. No further details were immediately provided about the explosions or any possible casualties.

Iran and Oman have jointly postponed a meeting of Persian Gulf littoral states’ foreign ministers that was scheduled for Monday in Salalah. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the decision was taken at the request of some regional countries and stressed that Tehran remains committed to constructive regional dialogue.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed the postponement, saying it was made in the interest of regional consensus. He reaffirmed Oman’s commitment to dialogue aimed at strengthening stability and long-term cooperation across the region.

The meeting was expected to bring together the foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Iran has consistently supported inclusive regional dialogue and mechanisms without external interference to promote security and cooperation in the Persian Gulf.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has accused the United States of carrying out a deadly missile attack on the southern Iranian city of Lamard on March 1, saying the city still bears the impact of the strike. During a visit to Lamard, Baghaei said four Lockheed Martin cluster missiles were used and claimed the attack killed 20 Iranian residents and one Afghan national.

Baghaei said around 180 other residents were wounded by missile fragments and that some children continue to suffer serious injuries and disabilities months after the attack. He also claimed tungsten fragments from US Precision Strike Missiles remain lodged in the bodies of some children.

Calling the attack a deliberate experiment on civilians, Baghaei said Iran would collect testimonies, medical records and physical evidence to present in international forums. He said those responsible for ordering, carrying out or enabling the strike should face accountability, while stressing that the victims and their suffering would remain part of Iran’s record of the conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stressed that any understanding reached with Oman over a proposed new maritime route in the Strait of Hormuz would not amount to reopening the strategic waterway.

Speaking to Al Araby Al Jadeed ahead of a regional meeting in Oman, Araghchi said Tehran would present participating countries with details of the agreement and maps outlining the proposed route.

Araghchi made clear that Iran’s position on reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains tied to the United States’ commitments. He said the waterway would only be reopened if Washington returns to its obligations under what he described as the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.

The foreign minister also emphasized that Tehran considers regional countries themselves responsible for maintaining security and stability in the region.

Iran has described the US attacks on the southern city of Lamerd on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli aggression against the country, as a clear case of war crime. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said investigations showed that prohibited weapons and cluster missiles were used against civilian locations, including a sports stadium, football field, school, blood transfusion center and residential areas.

Speaking at a sports hall targeted in the attack, Baghaei said four missiles struck the city of around 30,000 people within 35 seconds, killing 21 people and injuring nearly 180 others.

Baghaei said the nature and impact of the attack demonstrated what he described as its deliberate and criminal dimensions.

He said Iran would pursue justice through technical and legal documentation before international courts and organizations, while seeking accountability for authorities and individuals who allegedly provided misleading reports or media justifications that contributed to the attacks. He also called on the international community to condemn what Iran considers a serious crime against civilians.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for genuine reform of global governance mechanisms, saying meaningful multilateralism is impossible unless all countries are treated equally under international law.

Addressing a closed-door session of BRICS leaders in New Delhi on Saturday, he said stronger multilateralism and effective global governance were increasingly necessary to confront growing global challenges.

Pezeshkian pointed to a contradiction in the international system, where greater interdependence among nations is accompanied by a resurgence of unilateral policies, coercive measures and the use of financial and technological tools for political influence.

He warned that such practices undermine the foundations of global governance and said the credibility of the international order depends on its ability to protect the rights of all countries regardless of their size or power.

US President Donald Trump has said oil prices will fall sharply once the war in Iran ends, while expressing confidence that issues related to the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi Arabia will be resolved.

Trump also suggested that Iran may have been involved in an attack on a Saudi oil pipeline, without providing further details. He described Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as a “good friend” and said he expected the situation with Riyadh to be resolved.

Trump also claimed that Yemen’s Ansarullah (Houthi) movement does not want a confrontation with the United States.

According to the US president, the Houthis had contacted Washington and indicated that they did not want to fight or face further American military action. Trump said the group had made clear its desire to avoid a conflict with the United States.

Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Ahmad Vahidi has said the Iranian Army and IRGC, as two major forces opposing US influence, dealt a severe blow to what he described as “terrorist powers” during recent wars.

Speaking at a joint meeting with Army Commander Major General Amir Hatami, Vahidi said Iran’s military capabilities and battlefield realities had become evident during the conflicts, while unprecedented coordination among the armed and law-enforcement forces had contributed to the country’s defense.

Vahidi praised the Iranian Army’s performance, saying the commitment and sacrifice of its commanders and personnel had created what he called “brilliant pages” in Iran’s history. He said the Army demonstrated operational initiative and that the scale of its capabilities exceeded the expectations of its adversaries.

According to Vahidi, the battlefield exposed inaccurate assessments of Iran’s military strength and demonstrated the effectiveness of coordination between the Army and the IRGC.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has described a meeting scheduled for Monday in Oman as a key step toward strengthening stability and security in the Persian Gulf region.

Speaking to Al Mayadeen, Baghaei said the planned meeting between Iran and the Persian Gulf states was the outcome of a broader diplomatic process rather than a recently initiated effort. He noted that major regional developments had taken place over the past six months and stressed that Iran respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighboring countries.

Baghaei said that although Iran’s military operations had targeted US military bases located in some Persian Gulf countries, Tehran had repeatedly emphasized that it was not at war with those states.

He said the upcoming meeting would provide an opportunity to address regional security concerns and strengthen dialogue among Gulf countries. The talks are also expected to consider recent Iran-Oman discussions on establishing safe routes for commercial shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has described the southern city of Lamerd as a symbol of the Iranian people’s resistance, resilience and strength in the face of US aggression. Speaking upon his arrival at Lamerd Martyrs Airport, Baghaei said he had traveled to the city to pay tribute to its people, meet families of those killed in the conflict and honor veterans who, despite difficult circumstances, had remained steadfast.

He said the resilience displayed by Lamerd represented the broader determination of the Iranian people to withstand hostile pressure.

Baghaei recalled the February 28 attack on a crowded sports facility in Lamerd, which, according to Iranian authorities, killed 21 young people and injured around 100 others.

He said the attack occurred on the first day of the US-Israeli military offensive against Iran and condemned the targeting of civilians, including children and teenagers. After viewing a documentary about the war in Lamerd, Baghaei characterized the incident as a crime not only against the city but against Iran and humanity as a whole.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran has no problem with its Muslim neighbors, accusing the United States of seeking to turn friendly and brotherly countries in the region against one another.

Speaking during a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in India, Pezeshkian said regional instability was being fueled by the hegemonic policies of the US and Europe and Israel’s actions. He stressed that Iran would continue strengthening relations with neighboring and Muslim countries on the basis of mutual respect and long-term cooperation.

Referring to the recent US-Israeli military aggression against Iran, Pezeshkian said Iran had been attacked without justification and suffered the deaths of its Leader, children, commanders and scientists.

He said attacks launched from neighboring territory had compelled Tehran to defend itself and strike military bases involved in the attacks. At the same time, the Iranian president emphasized that Tehran does not seek war or its continuation, rejecting the idea of foreign powers acting as security guarantors in the region. He argued that regional countries themselves should safeguard the region’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and security.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has rejected US attempts to use the September 11 attacks to justify what he called a “reckless and unlawful war” against Iran.

Baghaei criticized US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s remarks on terrorism and Iran, saying the US could not claim to fight terrorism while conducting military attacks and causing civilian deaths.

He said the perpetrators of 9/11 were not Iranian and criticized the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq for causing destruction and suffering.

Baghaei also rejected counterterrorism arguments for the war against Iran, saying civilians and officials of a sovereign state had been targeted.

Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended its East-West oil pipeline following attacks in the Riyadh and Medina regions. According to the Saudi Energy Ministry, the pipeline, which allows oil exports while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, was precautionarily shut down after several attacks.

The ministry said the pipeline was targeted on Thursday morning, injuring several people. The suspension comes amid escalating regional tensions and reports that the Houthi militia has gained control of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline, raising further concerns over regional energy supplies and shipping routes.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the Iranian people will never surrender or bow to their enemies. Speaking in New Delhi, he said Iran is successfully resisting pressure from both the United States and Israel and warned that Tehran would respond if further pressure was imposed.

Pezeshkian criticized US and Israeli attacks, questioning why scientists, schools, hospitals and civilian infrastructure were being targeted. He said that if there was a war, military forces should be targeted rather than civilians, and accused the attackers of causing civilian deaths while labeling Iran as a terrorist state.

The Iranian president also questioned why Iran’s infrastructure, jobs and sources of income were being targeted, stressing again that the Iranian people would not surrender. Pezeshkian arrived in India on Friday to attend the BRICS summit amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States.

A new diplomatic development has emerged in the Middle East as Iran, Iraq and Gulf countries have agreed to hold talks on the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said a meeting between Iran and Gulf states will be held in Oman on Monday, with the discussions aimed at strengthening regional security.

Iran said the United States is responsible for instability in the Strait of Hormuz and rising fuel prices, arguing that Tehran has been forced to take measures to protect its national security. The Iranian Foreign Ministry also stressed the importance of a diplomatic solution, while noting that negotiations cannot succeed unless the other side is willing to engage.

The Houthi militia has reportedly taken control of the strategically important Mayyun Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, aiming to strengthen its position along a major global maritime trade route. Yemeni sources said government forces had withdrawn from the island, while the Houthi militia also captured the coastal town of Dhabab on the Red Sea.

Yemeni government forces said their air force had begun strikes in previously designated target areas and warned civilians to avoid the Taiz-Al Mokha and Al Mokha-Dhabab roads. Meanwhile, the Houthi militia’s Health Ministry said 82 people had been killed or injured in Saudi-led attacks since September 3.

According to a US news website, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged President Donald Trump to take military action against the Houthi militia after contacting him twice. US officials said Trump rejected opening a new front in Yemen and instead wanted the US military to remain focused on its existing priorities. The development follows a recent Houthi militia claim of full control over Bab al-Mandab.

US President Donald Trump has rejected a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to take military action against the Houthi militia over threats in the Red Sea, according to Axios. The report said the Saudi crown prince spoke with Trump twice by phone and urged Washington to act against the Houthi militia.

According to the report, Trump has directed the US military to focus on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz and is reluctant to open another front in Yemen. Instead, the United States is expected to provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting information while focusing on protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

Axios reported that regional allies would take the lead in dealing with the Houthi militia, while US military and civilian officials have remained in contact with Saudi counterparts. The report comes after recent Houthi militia attacks in Saudi Arabia that reportedly injured 73 people, including women and children.

US Vice President JD Vance has reportedly expressed serious concerns about the strategy and prospects for success in the war with Iran. According to US media, Vance contacted American military commanders in the Middle East, Europe and Asia and asked for a candid assessment of the conflict.

The commanders’ assessment reportedly differed sharply from the Trump administration’s public statements about the war. They highlighted declining stocks of Patriot interceptor missiles as one of their biggest concerns, with supplies falling below 100 at one point.

US commanders also warned that supplies of other key missile systems had reached historically low levels. The shortages could create significant challenges for sustaining US military operations and defending American forces during a prolonged conflict with Iran.

US President Donald Trump said he has no regrets about launching the war against Iran and would make the same decision again. In a Fox News interview, he said Iran cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons and claimed his supporters were proud of the military campaign.

Trump said preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains his top priority and predicted that the war would end shortly after the November midterm elections. He also claimed the conflict would not affect the elections and said Iran was hoping for political changes in Washington.

Trump further claimed that US military action had destroyed Iran’s naval capabilities and prevented it from developing nuclear weapons. He argued that without the US attack, Iran could have obtained nuclear weapons within two months, and said Iran was no longer the dominant power in the Middle East.

Pakistan has reaffirmed its full support for Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, with Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar calling Houthi militia attacks a clear violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty. Speaking at an emergency UN Security Council meeting, he said Saudi Arabia has the legitimate right to take necessary measures to protect its citizens, residents and national assets.

Iftikhar described the situation in Yemen as highly concerning and expressed alarm over Houthi militia attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. He called for efforts to prevent further escalation and preserve space for diplomacy, while supporting a UN-led, Yemeni-owned political process. He also urged Security Council members to overcome divisions and work together to protect international peace and security.

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, said the Kingdom has the right to defend itself against attacks by the Houthi militia and take necessary measures to protect its security. Addressing an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Yemen, he condemned repeated Houthi militia attacks, describing them as part of an organized and aggressive policy rather than isolated incidents.

Al-Wasil said the Houthi militia has targeted civilians, economic facilities and Saudi interests as part of a broader campaign that began with the conflict in Yemen. He also expressed concern over attacks on commercial ships and oil tankers in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, warning that threatening crews and disrupting freedom of navigation were serious and criminal actions.

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has strongly criticized President Donald Trump, calling him an “Olympic champion of lying.” In an interview with a US news channel, Clinton said Trump lies about almost every issue and that his statements and policies are putting the lives of American soldiers, airmen, Marines and US personnel in the Middle East at risk.

Clinton said US actions are making Iran stronger and argued that Washington has failed to learn from its experiences over the past 25 years. She also said Iran, with support from China and Russia, is working to weaken US defence capabilities.

Iran’s Army Ground Forces Commander Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi has said that the country’s armed forces are fully prepared to confront all threats from its enemies. During an assessment of the combat readiness and capabilities of an armored division in Qazvin, he said the Iranian Army maintains an active presence along the country’s borders.

Jahanshahi said Iranian forces remain fully prepared to protect the country’s territorial integrity. He added that Army personnel continued carrying out their duties under extremely difficult conditions and defended Iran’s borders with high morale.

Iran has resumed limited production and assembly of ballistic missiles despite recent US and Israeli attacks, according to intelligence assessments cited by The Wall Street Journal. Iran is reportedly using previously stored missile components at underground facilities to rebuild its missile capabilities, including both liquid-fuel and solid-fuel ballistic missiles.

The report said Iran’s missile production remains limited because several industrial facilities involved in manufacturing missile components were damaged in the attacks. However, Tehran had stockpiled large quantities of warheads, missile bodies and guidance and control systems before the conflict, which are now being used for new missile assembly. Iran is also reportedly reactivating underground facilities and developing new underground assembly sites to protect future production from airstrikes.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Major General Mohsen Rezaei has rejected the latest resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors against Iran, calling it illegal and politically motivated.

In a statement on X, Rezaei said the resolution lacks a technical basis and warned that the IAEA’s current approach could push more countries to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He said the resolution reflects clear pressure from the United States and Israel and stressed that Iran does not accept what he described as the IAEA’s political and disruptive actions.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has mocked US efforts to control rising global oil prices, saying Washington’s measures have failed to reverse the upward trend. He said the US Treasury may use various tools one by one, including market intervention and releasing strategic oil reserves, but these steps would not stop prices from rising.

Qalibaf also accused the US of using what he described as misleading reports and other measures to influence the oil market. He said Washington would be unable to bring crude prices back down despite trying all available options, and suggested that future oil prices would continue to surprise the market.

Global crude oil prices surged again amid the Iran war and growing concerns over prolonged disruptions to oil supplies. Brent crude rose as much as 7.1% to $108 per barrel before closing at $107.63, up 6.34%. It was Brent’s highest closing price since May 19 and its biggest one-day increase in six weeks.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also climbed as much as 7.3%, briefly exceeding $103 per barrel before settling at $102.48, up 6.69%. Rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, along with continued military exchanges between Iran and the United States, have pushed oil prices above $100 this week and intensified concerns over global energy supplies.

Iran has reportedly adopted a barter-like trade system with China to bypass US sanctions and restrictions on access to the international banking system.

According to traders and two senior Iranian sources, Iran continues selling oil to China in exchange for medicines, vehicles, communications equipment and other goods, while avoiding conventional banking channels. The system reportedly uses credit arrangements in which companies supplying goods do not conduct direct financial transactions with Iran.

Sources said Iran has also used similar arrangements in deals involving air-defense equipment over the past year, while employing other methods to obtain Chinese goods and services without using the international banking system. However, the reported transactions could not be independently verified. China’s Foreign Ministry said it was not aware of the specific arrangements but reiterated Beijing’s opposition to unilateral sanctions, while Iran’s UN missions did not respond to requests for comment.

Senior Ansar Allah leader Mohammed al-Bukhaiti has claimed that the Houthi militia has taken full control of the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, along with key areas and military bases in Yemen’s western Taiz province. Iranian media also reported that the Houthi militia had advanced toward the entrances of Mokha port, captured Mokha airport and received large numbers of surrenders from opposing forces.

Bab al-Mandab is a vital global shipping route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, carrying significant volumes of oil, gas and other goods. Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chairman Rashad al-Alimi warned that changes in the military situation around the strait could affect the Suez Canal and disrupt global trade. He said protecting Yemen’s coastal areas was a responsibility shared by Yemen, Arab countries and the international community.

Iran has achieved a record wheat harvest of 14.1 million tons this year, the highest level ever recorded in the country, despite drought, irregular rainfall, economic difficulties and the effects of two US-Israeli wars.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Majid Aanajafi announced the figure on Sunday, adding that overall agricultural and horticultural production had also increased by around seven million tons, highlighting broader growth in Iran’s farming sector.

The record harvest reflects years of investment in agricultural research, scientific experimentation and cooperation between researchers, government institutions and farmers.

According to Aanajafi, around 10,000 experts, researchers, managers, officials and farmers participated in a nationwide effort to transfer scientific findings from experimental fields into practical farming. Iranian researchers have increasingly focused on developing agricultural methods suited to the country’s own climate, soil, rainfall and water limitations rather than directly applying techniques developed for European conditions.

Iran’s Ministry of Defense has reaffirmed that the country’s defense industry is fully indigenous, deeply rooted and driven by the knowledge and capabilities of Iranian youth.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the ministry said the domestic defense sector had been developed through the expertise of the younger generation and stressed that the industry would continue advancing despite external pressure.

“The industry will proceed with its path stronger, more vibrant, smarter and more advanced than before,” the ministry said, while hinting at further advances in Iran’s military capabilities.

“Soon, you will see a tip of this iceberg,” it added, suggesting that additional defense achievements could be unveiled in the future.

Pakistan has reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while strongly condemning attacks by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom. Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan stands in solidarity with Saudi Arabia and highlighted the longstanding defence cooperation between the two countries. He added that Pakistani security forces are currently in Saudi Arabia for training and logistical purposes.

The Foreign Office also reiterated Pakistan’s position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, saying it remains an unresolved issue on the UN agenda. Islamabad maintained that India’s unilateral claims and actions cannot change Kashmir’s disputed status and called for a settlement in line with relevant UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

An Iranian missile attack on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan damaged several US military aircraft, with around eight F-15 fighter jets reportedly suffering minor damage, according to US media.

The aircraft were later repaired and returned to service, while an A-10 Thunderbolt also sustained significant damage to one wing. No American fatalities were reported in the attack.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had said it targeted the US base with ballistic missiles, while Jordanian and US authorities reported intercepting many of the incoming projectiles.

However, damage to multiple aircraft indicates that some missiles reached or affected the facility. The incident highlights growing risks to US military bases in the Middle East as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate.

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that the United States could target the Pickaxe Mountain site if suspicious activity continues there.

Speaking at a Republican midterm convention, Trump said activity had been observed at the site and warned Tehran against making any “clever moves,” saying the US would respond strongly.

Pickaxe Mountain is a highly secured underground facility located near Iran’s Natanz nuclear complex, with two tunnel complexes deep underground. Natanz has already suffered heavy damage in recent attacks.

Trump has previously threatened to target Pickaxe Mountain, and his latest warning indicates that Washington continues to closely monitor Iran’s underground nuclear and military facilities.

US President Donald Trump has said the United States will refer to the Strait of Hormuz as “Trump Strait,” claiming that the US is winning the ongoing war with Iran and controlling trade through the strategic waterway.

Speaking at a Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Trump said he expects oil prices to fall after the war ends and suggested that Iran’s leadership would be pleased with the proposed name change.

Trump’s remarks add a political and provocative tone to the tensions between Washington and Tehran. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes, and disruptions there can directly affect global oil prices and maritime trade.

During the ongoing conflict, oil prices have risen above $100 per barrel amid heightened tensions around the waterway.

Iran has strongly condemned a resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors to refer Tehran’s nuclear program to the UN Security Council. Iran’s mission in Vienna called the resolution political and warned that it could seriously damage the global nuclear non-proliferation system. Tehran also blamed the current nuclear tensions on US and Israeli military actions and rejected pressure to surrender or give up its oil resources.

The resolution, brought forward by the United States, Britain, France and Germany, was approved with 23 votes in favor, while Russia, China and Niger voted against it and eight countries abstained. Iran said the move ignored the realities of the ongoing conflict and warned that further politicization of the nuclear issue could undermine the international non-proliferation framework.

Iranian media reported that US forces have begun moving damaged helicopters and other military assets from the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan following recent ballistic missile attacks by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The reports said American forces are transferring defensive equipment and relocating helicopters that were damaged or destroyed in Iranian missile and drone strikes.

According to Iranian sources, the damaged helicopters and debris are being removed from the base for repairs and security measures. Iranian media described the move as evidence that Iranian attacks have caused significant damage to US military infrastructure in Jordan, forcing American forces to relocate helicopters and other equipment to safer locations.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi claimed that US warships have withdrawn at least 400 kilometers from the Strait of Hormuz due to heavy losses, logistical problems and declining morale. He said the United States has lost the ability to maintain a long-term military presence in the Middle East, alleging that shortages of weapons and damage to naval vessels have made its current position unsustainable.

Mohebbi said that before the war, around 30 to 40 US warships and naval vessels were present in the Persian Gulf, but claimed there are now none in the area. He also said Iranian forces had recently struck a US aircraft carrier located about 500 kilometers away. Referring to the US unmanned underwater drone Iran said it had seized, Mohebbi described the Strait of Hormuz as a center of Iranian strength and vowed to use it against any hostile attack.

Senior White House advisers have privately warned President Donald Trump that the war with Iran could continue for years and potentially last through the remainder of his term, according to The Wall Street Journal. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials have discussed the possibility that Iran could continue resisting US pressure despite the naval blockade, sanctions and military operations. The assessment contrasts with Trump’s public prediction that the war will end immediately after the November midterm elections.

The conflict has now entered its seventh month, killing 18 US servicemembers and contributing to rising energy costs, with US gasoline averaging $4.22 per gallon. The Pentagon is preparing to extend some air-defense deployments in the Middle East, while another Marine Expeditionary Unit is expected to deploy this fall. Iran expert Suzanne Maloney said the naval blockade is unlikely to produce a quick decisive outcome and could require a prolonged siege, while the White House continues to defend Trump’s strategy of military pressure and economic sanctions.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict must go beyond statements and be demonstrated through practical action. He said Britain would stand with weaker and vulnerable parties facing injustice, including Palestinians being forced from their homes or facing threats.

Britain has also announced a ban on imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, along with sanctions on individuals and entities involved in settlement expansion, infrastructure, financing and property activities. France, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Sweden have also opposed settlement expansion and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution. The US, however, has rejected similar settlement-related import restrictions and warned that such measures could increase instability in the region.

US President Donald Trump has said he expects the war with Iran to end soon after the November 3, 2026 midterm elections, arguing that Tehran will no longer be in a position to continue fighting. He also predicted that oil prices would fall sharply immediately after the elections, while saying that negotiations with Iran could resume despite his stated lack of interest in a new agreement.

Trump again cited Iran’s nuclear program as a major concern, saying Tehran wants nuclear weapons and that this could create serious problems for the world. He suggested that any future negotiations could address issues that were not on the table three months ago, while maintaining that Iran’s ability to continue the conflict is weakening.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have released a video of what they say is a US unmanned underwater vehicle seized near the Strait of Hormuz, after the US military rejected Iran’s earlier claim. Iranian officials said the vehicle had been deployed for surveillance and that the footage showed it being taken away and searched by Revolutionary Guards personnel.

The Revolutionary Guards said Iran’s control and surveillance of the Strait of Hormuz remain strong and that vessels must obtain prior permission to pass through the waterway. The released video also includes a Quranic verse associated with the promise of victory. The US military has continued to deny Iran’s claim that it captured an operational American submarine.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had claimed that they captured a US unmanned underwater vehicle near the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. US defense officials confirmed that the underwater drone was lost but rejected Iran’s claim that it had defeated and captured an active US military submarine during an operation. The Pentagon said the Dive-LD had malfunctioned more than a day earlier while supporting operations in the region and described it as an older autonomous system without sensitive intelligence, classified sonar or radar technology.

The Dive-LD, developed by US defense company Anduril, is about 5.8 meters long and can operate at depths of around 6,000 meters for up to 10 days. It is designed for missions including mine detection, seabed mapping and inspection of underwater infrastructure. Meanwhile, Iran also claimed that its air defenses shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz, but the claim had not been independently verified.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have announced plans to establish a new maritime zone extending from the coastal city of Chabahar toward the Gulf of Oman and parts of the Arabian Sea. The final boundaries and coordinates will be announced later, while Iranian officials said ships entering or passing through the restricted area could face sanctions, although details of enforcement remain unclear.

The announcement comes amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States around the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, where incidents involving ships and oil tankers have increased. Iran is also working with Oman on a new international shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran has linked the full reopening of the waterway to an end to US attacks and threats. The tensions have sharply reduced commercial shipping through the Strait and pushed crude oil prices above $100 per barrel.

The United States lacks the capacity to maintain a long-term military presence in West Asia, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi has said, claiming that US warships have been forced to retreat at least 400 kilometers from the Strait of Hormuz amid mounting logistical and morale pressures.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mohebbi said the US military was facing severe attrition involving both its personnel and naval assets, making its current regional posture increasingly difficult to sustain.

Mohebbi said maintaining naval deployments requires extensive logistical support and imposes significant financial and operational costs on Washington. He argued that Iran’s asymmetric deterrence capabilities have increased the pressure on US forces, claiming that the American Navy has effectively withdrawn from the Persian Gulf.

“Before the Ramadan War, about 30 to 40 US warships and naval vessels were present inside the Persian Gulf, but today not a single one of them is in this area,” he said, adding that US warships had moved at least 400 kilometers away from the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian para archer Somayeh Rahimi has won the women’s individual recurve gold medal at the 2026 Hyundai World Archery Para Series in Ahmedabad, India, defeating China’s Liang Qiurong 6-2 in the final on Wednesday.

The victory marked Rahimi Ghahderijani’s first individual World Para Series title at the third stage of the newly launched international circuit.

Rahimi advanced to the final after defeating India’s Bhawna in a semifinal decided by a shoot-off, while Liang secured her place in the title match with a 6-4 victory over India’s Rajshri Dhanraj Rathod. Rahimi had also impressed during qualification, finishing second with 602 points in the 72-arrow, 70-meter round.

She further contributed to Iran’s medal tally by partnering with Mohadeseh Babahabib to win bronze in the women’s recurve doubles event after a 6-2 victory over Indonesia.

A senior Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) official has warned that Iran’s adversaries should expect further “pride-inspiring and unique” surprises if they continue what Tehran describes as aggression and strategic miscalculations. Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif, the IRGC’s former spokesman and current adviser to its commander-in-chief, made the remarks during a meeting in Tehran on Wednesday, stressing that Iran’s armed forces maintain comprehensive intelligence surveillance across the region.

Sharif described Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz as a “strategic and deterrent weapon,” arguing that it has altered the regional balance and become a model for the Resistance Front.

He also pointed to the capture of an unmanned US underwater intruder in the strait, unveiled on Tuesday, as evidence of Iran’s technological capabilities and active deterrence. “If the enemy insists on continuing its aggression and its miscalculations, it should prepare itself to witness further pride-inspiring and unique Iranian surprises,” he warned.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has condemned the assassination of Kurdish cleric Mamosta Mohammad Nozhati in Iran’s western province of West Azarbaijan, describing the incident as a “heinous and brutal terrorist crime.”

In a statement, the Public Relations Department of the IRGC’s Beit al-Moqaddas Corps expressed condolences to Nozhati’s family and the people of the province, while attributing the attack to what it described as “Zionist-American separatist groups.”

The IRGC said the killing was not only an attempt to assassinate a prominent religious figure but also an effort to create divisions among Muslims, undermine unity between Shia and Sunni communities and destabilize society.

The force highlighted Nozhati’s longstanding cooperation with Basij organizations representing university professors, seminary students and clerics, describing his record as one of public service, humility and personal integrity.

The head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, Captain Abuzar Shiroudi, has dismissed the latest US sanctions targeting 27 Iranian airlines as a continuation of Washington’s failed pressure campaign, saying the measures may increase operational and procurement costs but will not bring Iran’s aviation sector to a standstill.

He stressed that Iranian aviation has faced restrictions on aircraft, spare parts, banking, insurance, technical services and maintenance for decades, yet airlines have continued operating through the resilience and expertise of domestic specialists.

The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on 27 Iranian airlines, including Iran Aseman, Iran Airtour, Kish Air, Qeshm Air, Zagros, ATA, Varesh, Sepehran and Chabahar. Shiroudi warned against exaggerating the impact of the measures, saying sanctions do not automatically mean aircraft will be grounded or airlines forced to close.

He described aviation as vital national infrastructure serving millions of passengers, including families, patients, students and businesspeople, and argued that ordinary citizens would ultimately bear much of the burden of restrictions on air transportation.

The commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground Forces, Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi, has reaffirmed the force’s full combat readiness to confront any potential threat, saying Iranian troops have demonstrated their ability to conduct complex military maneuvers under intense enemy surveillance and fire.

Speaking during an inspection of the 16th Armored Division in Qazvin, Jahanshahi assessed the unit’s combat readiness, equipment and defensive capabilities.

He stressed that Ground Forces units remain actively deployed along Iran’s borders to protect the country’s territorial integrity and maintain a continuous defensive posture.

Iranian military leadership has issued a strong warning that any attack on Iranian vessels will face a severe response. Chief of General Staff Ali Abdollahi said Iranian ships would not be allowed to become targets and warned that attacks on them would lead to strikes against US military bases.

IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi said Iran’s surveillance and defense systems in the Strait of Hormuz are fully operational and capable of detecting advanced technology. The warnings come amid escalating US-Iran tensions following American actions against Iranian oil tankers and Iran’s retaliatory attacks on US targets.

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claiming it targeted two US naval vessels and eight oil tankers in an area Tehran has declared restricted and unsafe. The claim comes after the US announced the destruction of five Iranian oil tankers, further escalating the confrontation.

Maritime traffic through the strategic waterway has also fallen sharply, with only six commercial vessels reportedly passing through on Tuesday compared with an average of around 12 per day over the previous 10 days. The latest Iranian claims have raised further concerns over global oil supplies and prices, although details of damage to the targeted vessels were not immediately available.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly criticized Washington’s decision to impose additional sanctions, saying the United States has turned to more economic pressure after failing to achieve its objectives through war and previous sanctions. He said the conflict had produced damaging consequences for the US and harmed Washington’s international reputation.

Araghchi said decades of sanctions and the war had failed to force Iran to change its position, while the US has continued expanding economic pressure on Tehran. The US State Department, however, said Washington would continue its campaign to restrict Iran’s financial resources, signaling that the sanctions dispute between the two countries is set to continue.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed that it captured a highly advanced US unmanned underwater vehicle near the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting what it described as the strength of Iran’s surveillance and intelligence capabilities.

The captured Dive-LD, reportedly delivered to the US military in 2025, is about 5.8 meters long, weighs roughly 2.7 tons and can operate underwater for up to 10 days.

IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi said the operation showed that advanced US technology could not evade Iran’s surveillance network in the strategic waterway. He also issued a direct warning to Washington.

Iran has maintained that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until conditions including the lifting of the US naval and economic blockade and an end to regional military aggression are met.

Iran has launched retaliatory missile strikes following the US claim that American forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers. Iranian media reported that the IRGC targeted two US Navy destroyers and hangars used by F-35 and F-15 aircraft at a US base in Jordan, claiming significant damage to American forces.

Jordanian authorities said Iran launched 20 missiles, with 18 intercepted and two landing outside populated areas. The escalation followed US attacks on Iranian oil tankers, while Iran’s navy also warned tanker crews at ports in Kuwait and Bahrain to leave areas where US personnel are present. The latest exchanges have sharply increased tensions and raised fears of a wider regional confrontation.

US Central Command has claimed that American forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers carrying crude oil following two attempted ballistic missile attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps against a US warship over two days. The US military said the missile attacks were intercepted and no American personnel were injured.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran that further attacks on US warships could result in the loss of more Iranian oil tankers. Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that Iran had launched missiles at US targets in Jordan, although US Central Command had not immediately provided details confirming the reported attack.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has vowed that Tehran will continue resisting foreign aggression until the aggressors experience “complete regret,” rejecting US President Donald Trump’s claims that Washington is heading toward victory in its war against Iran.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Pezeshkian said Iran has consistently opposed war and sought regional stability, but would not surrender its sovereignty or rights in the face of aggression. He stressed that the Islamic Republic would continue its resistance with strength in defense of the Iranian nation.

Pezeshkian’s remarks came after Trump claimed on Truth Social that oil prices would fall sharply once the United States “win the war with Iran.”

Trump predicted that gasoline prices in the United States could fall to $3 per gallon and eventually below $2, while reiterating his claim that Iran would never acquire a nuclear weapon. The US president presented the predictions as evidence of an impending American victory.

Iranian Parliament Deputy Speaker Ali Nikzad says the targeting of US warships and destruction of facilities used by American military commanders represent only a fraction of Iran’s military capabilities. Addressing parliament on Tuesday, Nikzad urged Washington to withdraw its forces from West Asia and the Persian Gulf, warning that continued military involvement would further damage the United States’ already diminished credibility.

He criticized Washington’s network of regional bases, saying they had been established to project American power while offering neighboring states what he described as a “dream of security.”

Nikzad claimed that Iranian attacks had demonstrated the vulnerability of US military infrastructure in the region. He said American forces that once relied on bases and warships to project power were now being forced to seek alternative locations, while criticizing Washington over the reported consequences faced by its troops.

He also accused the United States of interfering with Iranian vessels and warned that American warships subsequently came under ballistic-missile attacks. “Leaving a war that is no place for flies is the best choice for you,” he said.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iranian armed forces remain firmly in control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and are fully deployed and combat-ready to protect the country’s southern coastal areas. IRGC Deputy Commander Major General Mostafa Izadi said the IRGC, Army and Law Enforcement Force were actively carrying out their assigned missions across multiple operational areas.

He emphasized that Iranian forces were fully deployed on southern islands and in other areas, maintaining a high level of readiness.

Addressing the Strait of Hormuz specifically, Izadi said the strategic waterway remained “firmly and forcefully” under the control of Iranian servicemen and indicated that the situation would continue. Iran closed the chokepoint following the launch of the latest round of US-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic on February 28.

Under a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding reached in June, Iran and the United States agreed to a 60-day reopening period. Tehran subsequently took measures to facilitate safe and lawful transit, but says US violations compelled it to restore the closure.

US President Donald Trump has predicted that oil and gasoline prices will fall sharply after the United States wins the war with Iran. He said gasoline could eventually fall to around $3 per gallon and possibly below $2, while also claiming Iran would not be able to obtain nuclear weapons.

Trump’s remarks come as tensions over the war and the Strait of Hormuz continue to put pressure on global oil markets. Brent crude has recently approached $98 per barrel, while concerns over supply disruptions remain. However, the prediction of gasoline prices falling below $2 depends on the end of the conflict, restoration of oil supplies and global market conditions.

Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei has warned the United States that Tehran could establish a maritime exclusion zone in the Persian Gulf if Washington continues its economic pressure against Iran. He said the zone could extend toward areas near the limits of an alleged US blockade.

Rezaei said Iran had sent a clear message to the US through new missile deployments and changes in its military strategy toward American warships and bases. The warning comes as tensions remain high in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, where any new maritime restrictions could further disrupt global shipping and oil supplies.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has welcomed the formation of the Makkah Defence Alliance as an important step toward strengthening regional security and cooperation.

He said Iran could eventually become part of the alliance, potentially adding another major regional power to the emerging security framework.

Lavrov also said the possible inclusion of Egypt and Algeria would be a positive development.

He described the alliance as a practical step toward implementing Russia’s proposed regional security framework and said broader regional participation could help strengthen security cooperation.

US Democratic Senator Mark Warner has strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s war against Iran, calling it a costly “war of choice” launched without a clear plan, strategy, allies or exit strategy. Warner said the conflict has already cost American taxpayers more than $100 billion, with spending continuing to rise rapidly while Trump’s stated objectives remain unachieved.

Warner and other US lawmakers have argued that the war has increased risks for American troops, depleted military resources and pushed up energy and consumer prices without delivering clear strategic gains. Bipartisan opposition has also emerged in Congress over the lack of congressional authorization and the absence of a credible path toward ending the conflict. Iran has meanwhile described the US-Israeli offensive as an unprovoked act of aggression and maintained that military and economic pressure has failed to force Tehran into submission.

Iranian officials have issued a strong warning that any attack on Iranian assets would put US assets at risk as well. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran has already demonstrated its military capabilities and pointed to damaged US bases as evidence, while warning that American oil and gas interests in the region are also exposed.

Iranian Navy Commander Shahram Irani said Iran could paralyze enemy forces wherever necessary and claimed Iranian operations had disrupted their military capabilities. The IRGC also warned that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz using a US-designated corridor could face difficulties, urging vessels to follow routes designated by Iran while maintaining surveillance across the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman.

Israel continued its airstrikes on southern Lebanon despite the US-mediated June 26 ceasefire, killing 11 people, including two children and two medical workers. A residential building in Kfar Rumman was struck after midnight, leaving nine people dead and five others injured.

In another attack, an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle carrying members of the Risala Scouts medical team affiliated with the Amal Movement, killing two medics reportedly heading to a rescue operation. The attacks have intensified concerns over civilian safety and Israel’s continued military presence in southern Lebanon, despite the ceasefire agreement. Israel said it was targeting Hezbollah members and infrastructure, while reports of civilian deaths were to be reviewed.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the US economic campaign against Iran is not only targeting Tehran but also harming the wider international community and freedom of trade. He said Washington was trying to make the world pay for its own mistakes and rejected Iran’s responsibility for the problems created by the conflict.

Baghaei also warned South Korea and other countries against being used by the United States, while claiming that attacks on commercial vessels were initiated by Washington. He said the US naval blockade gives Iran the right to defend itself. Baghaei further said a planned meeting between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kyrgyzstan could not take place due to busy schedules and was not a major issue.

Oil prices continued to rise on Tuesday, with Brent crude reaching $97.34 a barrel and moving closer to the $100 mark as tensions between Iran and the United States intensified. US West Texas Intermediate also climbed to $92.63, as markets priced in a greater risk of prolonged conflict and disruption to Gulf oil supplies.

Concerns are centered on the Strait of Hormuz and key energy infrastructure, with Iran warning that further US attacks would trigger retaliation. Recent strikes involving Iranian oil tankers and US warships have heightened fears that commercial shipping and crude exports could face sustained disruption.

Analysts expect elevated oil prices if the standoff continues, with Persian Gulf supplies potentially remaining constrained through the end of 2026. Goldman Sachs has also raised its oil price forecasts, while analysts warned that a full return to pre-war supply levels may not occur until late 2027.

Iran says negotiations with Oman on establishing a temporary safe maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz have reached their final stage. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said an agreement could be registered with the International Maritime Organization within the next few days, providing ships with a clearer and relatively safer passage.

Baghaei attributed the current tensions in the strait to US and Israeli military actions against Iran, saying commercial vessels cannot feel fully secure while the situation continues. The proposed corridor comes amid a sharp decline in shipping through Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and energy supplies, as regional military tensions continue to threaten maritime traffic.

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari has said Iran’s adversaries failed to anticipate that the Islamic Republic would be capable of changing the course of the confrontation and expanding the battlefield across the region.

He described the Strait of Hormuz as a key strategic issue with the potential to significantly affect regional and global equations, saying Iran’s use of its strategic capabilities had enabled it to influence global economic dynamics.

Heidari said Iran’s adversaries had entered the confrontation based on extensive scenarios and calculations, while seeking to create unrest, insecurity and instability inside the country through hybrid warfare and affiliated elements.

He argued that the enemy’s miscalculations were a major factor in the confrontation, saying Iran’s opponents had repeatedly underestimated the capabilities, determination and potential of the Iranian people.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei has warned European countries against aligning themselves with US sanctions on Tehran, urging the European Union to prioritize its own sovereignty, national interests and economic ties rather than complying with Washington’s demands.

Speaking at his weekly press conference, Baghaei said Europe had already tried to accommodate the United States at the UN Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors, but the approach had only weakened Europe’s influence.

Baghaei pointed to the EU’s Blocking Statute, arguing that European companies are prohibited from complying with certain US secondary sanctions and that European governments are expected to protect their businesses from such measures.

He described the EU’s support for US sanctions as contrary to international law and said that if Europe values its credibility and strategic independence, it should not participate in what he called Washington’s “economic war” against Iran.

Nearly 1,370 physicians reportedly left the Israeli-occupied territories between 2023 and 2025, according to research by Tel Aviv University. The number is nearly twice the 705 doctors who moved abroad between 2013 and 2015, raising concerns over a growing brain drain in Israel’s healthcare system. Researchers said the net loss reached 509 doctors between 2023 and 2024, far above the average recorded in the previous decade.

The departures have affected multiple medical specialties, with experienced doctors making up an increasing share of those leaving. Researchers warned that the loss of senior physicians could lead to longer waiting times, reduced healthcare quality and weaker training for future doctors. The study also noted a broader migration deficit, with official data showing nearly 50,000 more people left the territories than arrived during 2024 and 2025.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the United States started the war against Iran and is now attempting to shift its economic and global consequences onto Tehran.

He said shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was operating normally before US and Israeli attacks, which he said disrupted trade, affected oil supplies and pushed energy prices higher.

Baghaei said Washington was trying to make the international community bear the financial costs of a conflict it initiated while portraying Iran as responsible for the resulting instability.

He maintained that the disruption to shipping and global energy markets was a consequence of military action against Iran and rejected Tehran’s responsibility for the wider economic impact.

Iranian analyst Professor Mohammad Marandi has warned that South Korea could face Iranian retaliation if it joins a US-led mission to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

He said Iran could consider South Korea an enemy and target its economic and military interests in parts of the Gulf if Seoul participates in the conflict against Iran.

Marandi said South Korea’s involvement could expose its regional interests to Iranian retaliation without having a major impact on the outcome of the conflict.

He questioned the effectiveness of sending only one or two warships, describing such a move as unwise and unlikely to make a decisive difference.

Iran’s Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has approved a plan to restrict the passage of countries, companies and individuals that impose sanctions on Iran through the Strait of Hormuz. Under the plan, vessels linked to sanctioned entities would also be barred from using the strategic waterway.

The statement said Iran’s Supreme National Security Council would determine which countries, entities and individuals fall under the restrictions, including those imposing sanctions or freezing Iranian assets. The committee also approved Article 9 of a strategic action plan focused on the protection, security and development of the Strait of Hormuz.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said around 9 million barrels of oil are currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz each day. He said continued oil shipments would help ease pressure on energy prices in global markets, while some supplies are also being transported through regional pipelines.

Wright said the flow of oil depends heavily on the presence of the US Navy, which is providing protection to oil tankers against potential Iranian attacks. The statement comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and concerns over the security of global energy supplies.

Oil prices climbed on Monday as escalating US-Iran attacks on vessels raised fears of prolonged disruptions to Middle East supplies. Brent crude approached $97 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate rose above $92, following strong gains last week.

The conflict has sharply reduced traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supplies. US and Iranian forces have reported attacks on oil tankers and other vessels, with analysts warning that commercial shipping is increasingly becoming part of the confrontation.

Markets are now preparing for a prolonged supply disruption. ANZ analysts expect Middle East oil exports to remain constrained through the rest of 2026, with a gradual recovery beginning late in the year and pre-war supply levels potentially returning in early 2027.

Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei has announced a new restricted maritime zone in the Strait of Hormuz and warned that vessels entering without coordination could face sanctions affecting insurance and transit rights.

Rezaei rejected claims that Hormuz has reopened, saying shipping has sharply declined. He also claimed Iran recently tested a new anti-ship missile against a US warship, though no independent evidence was provided.

He said Iran and Oman could sign an agreement on a new shipping corridor within days. Rezaei added that the strait would remain closed unless Washington takes practical steps to meet its commitments under a previous agreement.

Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Ali Abdollahi said the United States is trying to overcome its battlefield setbacks through economic pressure, psychological tactics and media operations. He said Washington is attempting to shift the conflict to other fronts after facing strategic and military difficulties.

Abdollahi said Iran will not surrender and that economic pressure and information warfare will not force the country to give in. He said Iran’s resilience and national unity would prevent the US and Israel from achieving their objectives, while maintaining that both countries are using broader pressure campaigns to address their military and regional setbacks.

The Iranian commander also highlighted the growing importance of the media and the “battle of narratives,” saying it plays a central role in maintaining public morale and preserving strategic initiative. He said Iran’s continued resistance would shape the future balance of power in the region.

The Aerospace Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has shot down a US military surveillance balloon over Erbil in northern Iraq, Iranian media reported, describing the operation as part of broader efforts to dismantle US reconnaissance and early-warning systems in the region.

The Tasnim news agency said the balloon was targeted and destroyed in recent days as part of a strategy to eliminate what Tehran considers American spying capabilities.

According to the report, the balloon was around 35 meters long, capable of carrying up to 500 kilograms of payload and designed to remain airborne for extended periods. It could reportedly operate continuously for up to 24 hours a day and stay in the air for a month, while carrying equipment for electronic surveillance, communications relay and electronic warfare.

Assessments cited by the report indicated that its deployment over Erbil was primarily intended for aerial reconnaissance and surveillance.

Iranian Chief of Staff Major General Ali Abdollahi has vowed that Iran will not surrender, saying the country’s enemies will never succeed in achieving their objectives against the Islamic Republic.

He said the United States was seeking to compensate for its military defeats through economic pressure, while the enemy was waging both an economic and psychological war against Iran.

Major General Abdollahi said confronting the realities of war and overcoming intense military pressure was a major challenge, but stressed that the United States and Israel would face another defeat in their confrontation with Iran.

He warned that the enemy would only add to what he described as its humiliating setbacks, asserting that a nation that places its trust in God would ultimately prevail on the battlefield. He added that Iran had presented a new model of resistance to the world.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has warned the United States that any further aggression against Iran will be met with a “faster, heavier, and more painful” response. Speaking during a parliamentary session on Sunday, Qalibaf said the era of “proportionate responses” was over, stressing that Iran’s recent strikes against the aggressor’s bases were only the beginning.

He said Washington must understand that the “rules of the game have changed” and that any threat to Iran’s interests or security would face a stronger response.

Qalibaf said Iran’s military strategy had shifted beyond a primarily defensive posture, pointing to recent operations that Iranian officials describe as preemptive actions against perceived preparations for further attacks.

His remarks came as the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy announced strikes against three US-linked vessels and three oil tankers in retaliation for what Tehran describes as American attacks on Iranian ships. Qalibaf also expressed confidence that Iran would withstand the economic war through national resilience, while accusing Washington of resorting to rhetoric and artificially generated battlefield imagery after suffering setbacks.

A US federal judge has refused to temporarily block the Pentagon from dismissing three Stars and Stripes journalists who reported severe shortages and poor conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Their report highlighted contaminated water, food shortages, sanitation problems, mold and worsening crew mental health after more than 250 days at sea.

Judge Trevor McFadden ruled the journalists were unlikely to prove their dismissals violated First Amendment rights. The case has raised concerns about press freedom and growing restrictions on military reporting.

Meanwhile, Iran’s attacks have disrupted US naval supply lines, increasing pressure on the Navy’s logistics network and its ability to sustain prolonged military operations in West Asia.

US forces have reportedly attacked an Iranian oil tanker near Kharg Island, a major Iranian crude oil export hub, with several explosions also heard in the surrounding area.

Iran’s official Fars news agency did not immediately provide details about the nature of the attack, damage or possible casualties, while US officials had yet to comment.

The reported attack comes amid growing pressure on Iran’s oil exports and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iranian oil shipments were being disrupted as crude accumulated on vessels stranded in the strait, while Iran has indicated that it could launch preemptive actions if it feels threatened, raising concerns over further military escalation.

The reported US airstrike on a civilian wedding ceremony in Sirik, southern Iran, which allegedly killed innocent people including a four-year-old child, has raised serious concerns about international humanitarian law and civilian protection.

The incident has renewed calls for South Africa and BRICS to strongly oppose unilateral military action and demand accountability.

Critics argue that US policies reflect double standards regarding international law and sovereignty. The situation has also increased pressure on BRICS to move beyond economic cooperation and support multilateralism, civilian protection and international justice.

Supporters say BRICS should call for independent investigations and uphold universal principles of international law.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei has urged American citizens not to allow their lives and taxes to be used to support a war that he says does not serve their own interests. He questioned whether Americans would be willing to risk their future for a conflict being decided by others.

Baghaei referred to a proposal reported by the Jerusalem Post suggesting financial incentives, including forgiveness of student and credit-card debt, for Americans during the Iran war. He urged US citizens to reject what he described as efforts to turn them into “fuel” for someone else’s war and called on them to protect their lives, futures and taxpayer money.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has expressed full support for China’s proposal to establish a new regional security framework in the Middle East. He said the initiative is consistent with Iran’s long-standing position that regional countries should take greater responsibility for their own security and future.

Ghalibaf said lasting stability can only be achieved through a security structure designed around the needs of regional countries and based on cooperation rather than dependence on outside powers. His comments came after Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a four-point strategy focused on building a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security framework in the Middle East during talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Around 50 US military officers and civilian personnel have reportedly undergone questioning and polygraph tests as part of a Pentagon investigation into the alleged leaking of sensitive information about American weapons and military stockpiles during the Iran war. The investigation has focused particularly on reports concerning shortages of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors.

US officials are trying to determine how classified information about American weapons reserves and military capabilities reached the media and identify those responsible for the leaks. Despite testing dozens of personnel, investigators have reportedly yet to identify a clear source. The Pentagon has declined to comment on specific individuals or details of the ongoing probe, while President Donald Trump has expressed anger over the disclosure of sensitive information.

The United States has approved a proposed $5 billion sale of Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER) systems to Saudi Arabia, with Boeing expected to receive the main contract.

The US State Department said the deal would strengthen Saudi Arabia’s ability to address current and future security threats while improving its operational capabilities and defence cooperation with Washington.

The US has also approved a separate $750 million sale of AGT-150 engines for Saudi military tanks, with Honeywell expected to receive the contract. In addition, Washington approved defence deals with Oman and Iraq, including an $188 million package for F-16 maintenance and support services for Oman and a $150 million sale of Bell 412EPX helicopters to Iraq.

US President Donald Trump has again threatened to launch a major attack on Iran, describing the ongoing military confrontation as a relatively minor matter for the United States. Trump said that while some people may not call it a war, he considers it a military conflict and indicated that further action against Iran remains possible.

Trump specifically mentioned Iran’s “Pickaxe Mountain” near the Natanz nuclear facility as a potential target, warning that it could face a severe attack soon, although he did not provide a specific date or time. The site is believed to contain deeply buried and heavily fortified underground facilities, making it a difficult target.

The threat comes after previous US and Israeli strikes reportedly damaged Iran’s nuclear facilities, including the uranium enrichment site at Natanz. Following the attacks, Iran restricted international access to its nuclear sites and limited inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency, further intensifying concerns over the country’s nuclear program and the risk of wider regional conflict.

US President Donald Trump has appointed Adam Telle as acting Secretary of the Army, according to US media reports. Telle, who previously served as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, will take over the position following the resignation of Dan Driscoll.

Driscoll stepped down after reported disagreements with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, although he did not publicly provide a specific reason for his resignation. The latest appointment comes amid several unexpected changes in senior US military leadership, including the removal of General Randy George in April and the resignation of General Christopher Donahue, commander of US Army forces in Europe and Africa, in June.

US Congresswoman Delia Ramirez has criticised the ongoing US military campaign against Iran, accusing the administration of using weapons that are killing innocent women and children in Iran and Palestine. She called on Congress to support the “Block the Bombs Act” and reclaim its constitutional authority over decisions involving war and military action.

Ramirez also criticised President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, arguing that Congress should not remain silent over the humanitarian and legal consequences of US military operations. Her remarks come amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, with US strikes on Iran followed by Iranian attacks on American military positions across the region. The comments reflect growing opposition in Washington to continued overseas military operations and the use of US weapons in foreign conflicts.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has proposed a controversial seven-year plan, “Disengagement 710,” aimed at relocating large numbers of Palestinians from Gaza to other countries.

Under the proposal, around 250,000 Palestinians would leave in the first year, rising to about 1.11 million within three years and 1.86 million within seven years. Ben-Gvir described the policy as “voluntary emigration,” while critics say it could amount to forced displacement.

The proposal includes financial assistance, housing, employment and vocational training for Palestinians who leave Gaza, with billions of dollars in projected funding. It follows similar calls by other Israeli officials for Palestinian relocation and has renewed international concerns over permanent displacement. Critics argue that Palestinians living amid war, destruction and military pressure cannot make a genuinely free choice to leave their homeland.

Iran’s IRGC Commander-in-Chief General Ahmad Vahidi has vowed retaliation for the deadly attack near a wedding ceremony in southern Iran, saying those responsible will face consequences.

Iranian officials have blamed the United States for the casualties and accused Washington of targeting civilians.

Meanwhile, US Central Command has launched an internal investigation, maintaining that the intended target was a communications tower near the wedding venue and that civilians were not deliberately targeted.

CENTCOM said investigators are reviewing drone footage, target-selection procedures and the possibility that an Iranian missile caused the casualties. The conflicting accounts remain under investigation.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has cited an official Qatari document submitted to the International Telecommunication Union, saying it confirms that Iranian defensive strikes in Qatar targeted US military facilities and did not target civilian areas. The assessment reportedly described most attacks as directed at US military sites, with one exception involving gas facilities at Ras Laffan.

Baghaei said the Iranian strikes were carried out in response to US military operations and stressed Tehran’s commitment to distinguishing between military targets and civilians. He also emphasized Iran’s ties with Qatar, while warning that Tehran reserves the right to respond if Qatari territory or airspace is used for attacks against Iran.

A Reuters analysis of verified videos and images has reportedly found that the explosion at a wedding gathering in Sirik, southern Iran, was likely caused by a direct hit from a US precision-guided munition rather than an Iranian interceptor.

The strike reportedly killed five civilians, including a four-year-old child and a 22-year-old woman, while nearly 70 others were wounded, mostly women and children.

The findings have intensified accusations against the United States, while Vice President JD Vance said Washington was investigating the incident and maintained that US forces do not deliberately target civilians.

Iranian officials have condemned the attack as a war crime and called for accountability, while Iranian military officials vowed that those responsible would face consequences.

Iran has claimed that US strikes hit a house where a wedding ceremony was taking place, killing several women and children.

US Vice President JD Vance said Washington was investigating the allegation but expressed strong doubts about the Iranian account, stressing that US forces do not deliberately target civilians. He acknowledged that mistakes can occur during war but said the military investigates such incidents and works to prevent them from happening again.

During a White House press briefing, Vance also urged caution over reports from Iranian state media and defended the administration’s economic policies. He blamed the Biden administration for current economic difficulties and highlighted the Trump administration’s energy strategy, including a major oil agreement involving Venezuela.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Iran’s Islamic Republic is in the weakest position in its history and that removing the government from power is now within the reach of Israel and the United States.

Speaking at an event with military leaders, Netanyahu said the Iranian government was struggling for survival.

Netanyahu said overthrowing Iran’s Islamic system is among Israel’s key objectives and argued that the goal is no longer impossible. He has for decades described Iran’s religious government as a major threat to Israel’s security and existence.

US President Donald Trump has defended his decision regarding Iran, claiming that the United States has already achieved victory in the war. In an interview, Trump said the decision was carefully considered and that Washington had demonstrated its superiority. He also expressed a desire to end the war in Ukraine and discussed potential risks posed by artificial intelligence.

Trump also rejected reports that US military ammunition and weapons stocks are running low. In a Truth Social post, he called such reports completely false and said the US military has sufficient ammunition while production of defense weapons is being increased. Some US media reports had previously raised concerns about declining stocks of systems including Tomahawk missiles, Patriot and THAAD defenses.

US President Donald Trump is privately considering whether to formally declare an end to the ongoing war with Iran, according to US media reports. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has discussed the possibility with senior advisers and believes continued economic pressure could force Tehran to abandon its nuclear programme or face severe economic consequences.

At the same time, the Pentagon is reportedly preparing to expand US military deployments in the Middle East. Washington has also launched an economic pressure campaign targeting Iran’s oil, maritime trade, aviation, gold, technology and digital asset sectors. No final decision has yet been announced on formally ending the war or the future of US military forces in the region.

The US military reportedly provided security for 40 commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, carrying around 18 million barrels of oil. The operation was described as the largest US escort mission in the waterway since the war began, aimed at protecting vital commercial shipping.

During the operation, US forces also targeted around 60 Iranian military sites, including air-defense systems, radar facilities, naval assets, mine-laying capabilities and communications installations. The US military also claimed to have destroyed several Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles.

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial route for global energy supplies, with around 20 million barrels of oil previously passing through it each day. US officials said more than 17 million barrels were transported through the strait on Monday, highlighting its importance to international oil markets.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei has warned the United States that Tehran is preparing a new strategy in response to recent attacks.

He said Iran’s response would extend beyond military action to include diplomatic and economic measures, warning that Washington would soon face the consequences of its policies.

Rezaei’s warning comes amid escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic has been severely disrupted.

Iran has also responded to US actions by targeting American positions and warning Gulf states against supporting US operations, raising concerns that further escalation could affect global oil supplies and international trade.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that countries helping Iran evade American sanctions could also face US penalties.

He said countries are free to maintain their own foreign policies and relations with Iran, but should not provide Tehran with mechanisms that allow it to bypass sanctions or generate revenue.

Rubio also dismissed reports of a possible trade agreement between India and Iran, saying he did not believe such a deal had been finalized.

He stressed that President Donald Trump’s position was clear: countries assisting Iran in circumventing US sanctions could face action, as Washington fears Tehran may use the resulting revenue to support terrorism or develop nuclear weapons.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israeli forces will not withdraw from their current positions in Gaza despite the ceasefire. During a visit to military positions near the Yellow Line, he said Israel controls around 60% of the territory and will continue operations until Hamas is disarmed and Gaza is demilitarised.

Netanyahu’s remarks have raised fresh concerns over the ceasefire and the future of Gaza, as Palestinians continue to face displacement and widespread destruction. Critics say continued Israeli military control could undermine prospects for a lasting ceasefire, Palestinian return and a broader political settlement.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged Middle Eastern countries to build a new regional security system based on cooperation, dialogue and independence from external powers. He also stressed that the Palestinian issue remains central to regional conflicts and called for respect for international law and a stronger UN role.

Xi said China was ready to cooperate with regional countries to protect international shipping routes amid tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. His talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also focused on expanding China-Egypt cooperation in infrastructure, energy, trade and technology.

US President Donald Trump has suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as the “Trump Strait,” claiming that the waterway is now under US control.

Trump made the unusual proposal on his Truth Social platform and joked that the new name would make the strategically important strait even “hotter.” Iran has rejected Washington’s claims of control, while tensions in the region remain high.

Trump also sought to reassure Israel amid the latest tensions with Iran, saying Israelis should not be worried because he would protect them.

He has previously proposed changing the names of other geographical landmarks, including the Gulf of Mexico, reflecting his broader interest in reshaping official place names.

Iran has urged the United Nations Security Council to condemn a deadly US strike on a residential home hosting a wedding ceremony in southern Iran. Iranian officials said five civilians, including a four-year-old child, were killed and more than 70 others injured in the attack.

Iran’s UN envoy Gholamhossein Darzi described the incident as a serious violation of international humanitarian law and called it a war crime. He said the wedding strike was part of a wider pattern of attacks on civilian areas and critical infrastructure across Iran.

In a letter to the UN secretary-general and Security Council president, Darzi also referred to earlier attacks on schools, hospitals, residential areas, airports and transport infrastructure. He specifically cited a previous strike on a school in Minab, which Iranian officials said caused heavy civilian casualties.

Iran called on the Security Council to condemn the attacks, investigate the Kouhestak and Minab incidents, hold the United States accountable for the damage and seek compensation for victims. Tehran also defended its retaliatory military actions as an exercise of its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Iran says its armed forces carried out missile and drone attacks on US military positions in Erbil, Iraq, damaging key military and technical facilities.

Iranian state media reported that the strikes destroyed a maintenance centre used to repair military equipment and damaged warehouses storing technical equipment.

Iranian officials also claimed that a system controlling and guiding a surveillance balloon was hit. Further details about the damage may emerge later, according to Iranian media.

No casualties among US personnel were immediately reported. Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, hosts an important US military presence and has previously faced missile and drone attacks.

Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace and dialogue between the United States and Iran despite the latest escalation in tensions. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad remains hopeful and will continue diplomatic efforts to encourage dialogue.

Andrabi said Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to Iran was part of Pakistan’s broader diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions and support peace. He emphasized that Pakistan remains committed to playing a constructive role in promoting stability.

The spokesperson also announced progress in defense cooperation between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. The three countries have agreed to expand cooperation in defense production, technology and the wider defense industry, with a joint secretariat to be established in Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan will also host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit next year, according to the Foreign Office. The developments reflect Islamabad’s continued focus on regional diplomacy while strengthening strategic and defense cooperation with key partners.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that its forces carried out missile and drone strikes on the US commander’s command compound and living quarters at Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait. The IRGC said the operation also targeted a drone hangar and deployment area, destroying several drones and setting the facility on fire.

According to the IRGC, the strikes were carried out in retaliation for a US attack on a wedding gathering in Sirik, southern Iran, which Iranian officials said killed five people, including a child, and injured nearly 70 others.

The IRGC said the Kuwait operation was conducted alongside attacks on US bases in Jordan, Bahrain and Erbil. It claimed that several American personnel were killed, although the reported casualties and damage have not been independently verified.

The latest escalation follows US strikes on Iranian targets, including Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington has linked its operations to alleged Iranian attempts to deploy sea mines and attacks on US forces, while Iran has rejected those claims and vowed to continue retaliatory strikes against American positions in the region.

At least 12 people have been killed and dozens injured in US missile strikes on southern Iran, according to Iranian officials. Seven people were reportedly killed and eight wounded in attacks near Ahvaz and Aghajari in Khuzestan Province, while another five were killed and 68 injured in a separate strike on a wedding gathering in Hormozgan.

The US Central Command said the attacks targeted facilities linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, describing them as a response to Iranian actions against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and US forces in the region.

Iranian military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari said Iran responded with missile and drone strikes against US positions across the region. He claimed the attacks caused extensive damage and casualties among American military personnel and warned that Iranian operations would continue.

The latest strikes have further escalated tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Khuzestan and Hormozgan, which contain important energy and industrial infrastructure, have repeatedly been targeted during the conflict. Iran says recent US strikes violated the Islamabad MoU and has responded by targeting US facilities and restricting access to the strategic waterway.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned Arab countries to remove US troops and military bases from their territories or face what it described as a “crushing” military response. IRGC political affairs deputy General Yadollah Javani specifically named Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.

Javani warned that continued US military presence in these countries could make them potential targets for Iranian retaliation. He urged regional governments to avoid supporting US military operations against Iran and to end the presence of American forces on their soil.

The warning comes as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate. Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan maintain close defense ties with Washington and host varying levels of US military personnel and facilities, including an important US naval presence in Bahrain.

Iran’s latest threat has raised concerns that the conflict could spread beyond Iran and the United States. Any attacks on US bases in host countries could put those states directly at risk and further destabilize the wider Middle East.

Global oil prices surged following fresh military exchanges between the United States and Iran, with concerns growing that escalating tensions could disrupt crude supplies from the Middle East.

Brent crude rose 75 cents, or 0.8%, to $95.40 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 44 cents, or 0.5%, to $90.66. Both benchmarks had already jumped by more than $4 a barrel during the previous session.

The sharp increase reflects growing fears that a prolonged conflict could affect oil production, shipping routes and regional energy infrastructure. The Middle East remains critical to global energy markets, making any major disruption a potential threat to international supplies.

Investors are now closely monitoring the US-Iran confrontation for signs of further escalation. If military operations continue or spread across the region, oil prices could face additional volatility and potentially rise further.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek and reaffirmed Moscow’s support for Iran.

Putin said Russia would continue its economic and trade relations with Iran despite US sanctions, stressing that the current military and political tensions would not prevent cooperation between the two countries.

The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation in various fields. Relations between Russia and Iran have expanded in areas including defense, energy, trade and regional affairs.

Russia’s latest support comes as the United States threatens new sanctions against countries maintaining economic cooperation with Iran. The pressure could also affect key Iranian partners such as Russia and China, which continue to maintain close political and economic ties with Tehran.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek has strengthened economic mechanisms that could help Iran reduce its dependence on the US-led financial system. National currencies, alternative payment channels, regional insurance and stronger trade links are emerging as key tools for expanding commerce despite US sanctions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian proposed greater banking cooperation through national currencies, a joint export and investment insurance mechanism, and an SCO energy consortium. Russia has strongly supported reducing reliance on Western financial systems, with President Vladimir Putin highlighting the growing use of national currencies in trade among SCO members.

For Iran, closer economic ties with China, Russia and India could provide access to markets, investment, financing and energy partnerships. Iran’s large oil and gas reserves also give it an important role in potential SCO energy cooperation, particularly as China and India remain major energy consumers.

Iran’s geographical position further strengthens its economic role, with transport routes connecting Central Asia, Russia, the Persian Gulf and South Asia. The growing use of alternative financial systems and Eurasian trade corridors could make it increasingly difficult for Washington to isolate Iran economically through sanctions alone.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed that Iranian forces launched missile and drone attacks against US military facilities in Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq in retaliation for recent American strikes on Iran. The US Central Command has also confirmed a new wave of strikes against targets inside Iran.

Iranian officials said ballistic missiles targeted Prince Hassan Air Base and a US Marine facility in Jordan. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei separately warned Washington that Iran’s armed forces had an “unforgettable lesson” in store for the United States.

Security tensions have also risen across the Gulf. Kuwait said its air defenses were confronting drone threats, while Bahrain claimed it had intercepted and destroyed incoming Iranian drones. Iranian state media also reported explosions in several southern areas, including Bandar Abbas, Qeshm and Chabahar.

The humanitarian toll has added to concerns over the escalating conflict. Iran’s Red Crescent said a house in Sirik was hit during a wedding ceremony, killing at least four people, including a child, and injuring more than 50. Iran’s claims about attacks and damage to US facilities have not been independently verified, while Washington says its strikes are aimed at countering security threats.

At least five people, including a child, have been killed and 68 others injured after shrapnel from a reported US strike hit a residential building where a wedding reception was being held in Kouhestak, in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province.

Iranian health officials confirmed the casualties, while the Hormozgan Red Crescent said the strike sent shrapnel into the home during the wedding celebration. Iranian authorities described the incident as an attack on civilians and said it had revived memories of previous strikes on civilian sites.

Iranian officials also reported that US attacks targeted a fishing pier and port authority tower in Sirik, as well as a fishmeal factory on Qeshm Island. The claims could not be independently verified from the supplied report.

Following the attacks, Iran launched missile and drone strikes against US military positions and interests in the region. The IRGC claimed it had downed an American MQ-9 drone and carried out a ballistic-missile attack on a US Marine facility in Jordan, marking a further escalation between Tehran and Washington.

Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has claimed that Iran maintains full control over the Strait of Hormuz and is resisting US efforts to facilitate the passage of ships through the waterway.

Qalibaf said some vessels had managed to cross the strait but insisted that Iranian forces still control the route and would not allow it to fully reopen. He also warned that US assurances to ships using the southern route were misleading and that vessels attempting to pass could be targeted.

The Iranian official accused Washington of violating a memorandum of understanding by seeking to use the southern route of the strait. He described the US maritime blockade as a military action and warned that Iran would respond militarily if the blockade were tightened further.

Qalibaf also warned that if the US goal was to stop Iran’s oil exports through the Gulf, Iran would ensure that no other country could export oil either, signaling the potential for a wider regional escalation.

Iran’s top military command has warned that continued US attacks will trigger a “heavier, broader” and more devastating response. Lieutenant-Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari said Iranian missile and drone strikes had inflicted major damage on US military facilities and caused significant casualties, adding that operations would continue until Washington regrets its actions.

IRGC Brigadier General Yadollah Javani also warned regional countries hosting US forces. He urged them to remove American troops and said any attack on Iran launched from Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan or other regional states would face a decisive Iranian response.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned a US strike in Hormozgan, claiming it killed five people and wounded 68 after shrapnel hit a wedding gathering. He described the incident as an attack on civilians and vowed that Iran would respond firmly.

Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament security committee chief Ebrahim Azizi said the latest US strikes would not go unanswered. His remarks, along with warnings from Iran’s military and government, signal that Tehran is maintaining a hardline position and preparing for further confrontation with the US and countries supporting its regional military presence.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the United States has no legal or international authority to impose sanctions on Iran, stressing that Tehran and Moscow can cooperate in confronting what he described as Washington’s unilateralism.

Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. He thanked Moscow for its support for Iran and said major powers should not use their military and political strength to carry out aggression while disregarding international laws and established frameworks.

Pezeshkian described relations between Tehran and Moscow as strategic, saying the partnership extends beyond conventional bilateral ties. He emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between the two countries in addressing regional and international challenges.

The Iranian president’s office said the meeting included a review of the latest developments in bilateral relations and discussions on ways to expand cooperation across various fields.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf says the country’s armed forces have made significant advances during the two wars of aggression Iran has faced over the past 15 months involving the United States and Israel.

In video-recorded remarks published Tuesday, Qalibaf said Iran had achieved military progress equivalent to roughly a decade during the period, describing the development as a result of battlefield experience and operational requirements.

Qalibaf said Iranian military forces had made substantial progress in rebuilding and replacing equipment damaged or lost during the conflicts, while simultaneously improving their ability to plan and conduct both offensive and defensive operations.

He said the armed forces had experienced a major improvement in the quality of their performance and were now carrying out their missions more effectively.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has criticized Washington’s approach to indirect negotiations with Tehran, saying the United States has confused genuine diplomacy with an attempt to dictate terms. Speaking at his weekly press briefing in Tehran on Tuesday, Baqaei said Washington could not impose its demands on the Islamic Republic.

He stressed that Iran would use diplomatic channels whenever necessary to explain its positions and defend the rights of the Iranian people, while decisions by the Foreign Ministry would continue to be guided by national interests and directives from the relevant authorities.

Baqaei said Tehran was closely monitoring US actions and warned that Iran’s armed forces would respond to any act of aggression. He described Washington’s hostile behavior toward Iran as nothing new, saying previous hostile measures had repeatedly been met with an appropriate response.

Addressing recent diplomatic efforts, he said visits by senior officials from Oman, Qatar and Pakistan were part of broader regional efforts to reduce tensions. Regarding Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to Tehran, Baqaei said he had carried “neither a positive message nor a negative one,” describing the visit as consistent with Pakistan’s role as a friendly neighboring country and its recent efforts to facilitate de-escalation.

Iran has added 290 megawatts (MW) of electricity generation capacity to its national grid following the inauguration of the steam unit at the Dalahoo combined-cycle power plant in western Kermanshah Province. Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi inaugurated the unit on Monday during a two-day visit to the province as part of Government Week celebrations.

The newly operational steam unit does not require additional fuel, instead recovering waste heat from the plant’s existing gas turbines and converting it into additional electricity, thereby improving the facility’s overall efficiency.

The Dalahoo power plant is Iran’s largest combined-cycle facility, with a planned total capacity of approximately 910MW.

It consists of two 310MW gas units and the newly commissioned 290MW steam unit, completing the plant’s combined-cycle configuration. The gas units use Iranian-made F-class gas turbines, while the steam unit allows the facility to generate additional power from exhaust heat that would otherwise be wasted.

The commander of the Iranian Army’s Air Defense Force, Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, says Iran’s domestically developed air defense systems shot down more than 200 enemy aircraft during the recent US-Israeli war. In a message marking Air Defense Day on Tuesday, Elhami said Iran has continued developing air defense systems tailored to its operational requirements, adding that some of the systems have no known foreign equivalents.

He claimed that in certain cases, enemy forces were unable to determine which Iranian systems had engaged their aircraft. Elhami said the experience of the conflict demonstrated the importance of self-reliance in strengthening Iran’s air defense capabilities.

Army coordinating deputy commander Brigadier General Mohammad Sadeghian said Iranian air defense forces perform four principal missions: detection, identification, interception and engagement of aerial targets. He explained that the forces are tasked with detecting flying objects over Iran and, when necessary, beyond the country’s airspace.

Following identification, targets can be intercepted by fighter aircraft or engaged using missiles and other air defense systems. He said the ultimate objective is to prevent hostile aircraft from accomplishing their missions and, when required, destroy them.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused the United States of violating its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding less than two weeks after US President Donald Trump signed the agreement.

Addressing the 26th Summit of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Tuesday, Pezeshkian described the recent US-Israeli attacks against Iran as a violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.

Pezeshkian said Washington initially honored the commitments contained in the document signed by Trump for less than two weeks before allegedly beginning to make what he called “excessive demands” and breaching its obligations.

He said the alleged violations have continued to date and were met with an “appropriate response” from Tehran. The Iranian president also argued that the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran constituted an act of aggression and condemned what he described as disregard for international legal principles.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran is ready to implement the terms of the interim agreement reached with the United States in June, provided Washington also returns to its commitments under the deal.

Speaking during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Pezeshkian said Iran would respond immediately if the US fulfills its obligations. He stressed that both sides must honor their commitments for the agreement to move forward.

His comments come amid renewed tensions between Tehran and Washington following recent military actions. Iran has repeatedly maintained that negotiations require mutual trust and adherence to previously agreed commitments.

Pezeshkian’s statement indicates that Iran has not completely closed the door to diplomacy, but any renewed engagement remains conditional on the United States honoring its commitments under the interim agreement.

The United States is considering limited military strikes to prevent Iran from rebuilding missile and radar systems near the Strait of Hormuz. According to US media reports, the plan aims to reduce potential threats to commercial shipping and American military assets in the strategic waterway.

US Central Command reportedly prepared the proposal last week, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supporting the plan. President Donald Trump had not approved it before the latest clashes, but officials say he could now consider authorizing the operation.

The proposed strategy would involve repeated, limited strikes designed to prevent Iran from restoring its military capabilities. US officials are particularly concerned that rebuilt missile and radar systems could threaten oil tankers, naval vessels and aircraft operating around the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington says the plan is not intended to trigger a full-scale war but to restrict Iran’s military capabilities and protect shipping. However, any new US attack could prompt an Iranian response and further intensify tensions across the region.

US President Donald Trump has threatened further action against Iran after Tehran launched retaliatory strikes on American targets in the Middle East. Trump said Washington would respond strongly following the latest escalation.

The confrontation began after US forces carried out what they described as a limited strike on Iran’s Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz, targeting two missile launchers. Iran condemned the attack and responded with ballistic missile strikes against US-linked facilities in Jordan.

Iran also claimed to have targeted the Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE, but Emirati authorities rejected reports of a missile attack on the base. The UAE did confirm that its air defenses intercepted an Iranian drone over its territorial waters.

The latest exchange has raised fears of another major escalation in the region. The Strait of Hormuz remains a key concern because any disruption to shipping there could affect global oil supplies, energy prices and international trade.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has claimed that US forces used UAE territory to launch rocket attacks on Iran’s Kharg and Abu Musa islands. He said HIMARS rocket systems were used in the strikes.

Araghchi said Iranian forces tracked the launch points and identified locations near Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai as possible sites from where the rockets were fired.

The Iranian foreign minister strongly objected to the alleged use of a neighbouring country’s territory for attacks on Iran, calling the move unacceptable. He also warned that launching rockets from areas close to densely populated locations posed a serious danger.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that its air defense forces shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz using a new advanced air defense system.

Iranian state media reported that the drone was targeted amid escalating tensions between Iranian and US forces in the region. The United States has not immediately confirmed or denied the claim.

Iran also claimed responsibility for missile attacks on US-linked military bases in Jordan and the UAE, describing them as retaliation for US strikes on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest developments have further heightened tensions around the strategic waterway, a major global oil and gas transit route. Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could worsen energy shortages and push global oil prices higher.

US President Donald Trump has again sharply criticized Iran, claiming that its government has lost the ability to run the country. He alleged that Iran’s military and economy have been severely weakened and claimed, without providing evidence, that inflation has reached 300%.

Trump also claimed that Iran no longer has an effective navy or air force and that its government is struggling to pay soldiers and police. Iranian media have rejected these claims, describing them as baseless and disputing Washington’s assessment of Iran’s economic condition.

His remarks came after US forces struck two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rocket launchers on Iran’s Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, saying they were preparing to deploy sea mines that could threaten commercial shipping.

Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles toward US bases in Jordan, claiming to have inflicted major damage. Jordan rejected the claim and said its air defenses intercepted eight missiles. The exchange has renewed regional tensions and pushed oil prices higher amid fresh concerns over Strait of Hormuz security.

The G20 finance ministers and central bank governors have begun a two-day meeting in Asheville, focusing on global economic growth, rising debt, trade imbalances, the energy crisis and economic pressure on Iran.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that global growth has remained below its potential for years, while global debt has reached a record $353 trillion. He argued that stronger economic growth is essential to addressing the mounting debt burden.

Bessent also urged G20 countries to reconsider their trade relationships with China, particularly in response to Beijing’s large trade surplus. He called for discussions on industrial subsidies, weak domestic demand and possible additional trade barriers.

The US is also seeking greater international support for its economic campaign against Iran. Bessent backed tougher sanctions, measures against Iranian banks and further efforts to isolate Iran from the global financial system, while acknowledging that the Strait of Hormuz and global oil prices must be considered.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pushing the United States into war with Iran, describing him as a “snake” in a sharp social media statement.

Araghchi claimed Netanyahu used extensive appearances in the US media to influence American public opinion and the administration, ultimately encouraging Washington to take military action against Tehran.

The Iranian foreign minister also accused Netanyahu of praising US President Donald Trump publicly while simultaneously highlighting his own influence over US policy toward Iran. Araghchi said this showed Netanyahu’s role in drawing America into the conflict.

His remarks come amid continuing military and political tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has repeatedly accused Washington and Tel Aviv of escalating regional tensions, while Israel and the US have defended their actions as necessary for national and security interests.

Iran’s air defense chief Brigadier General Alireza Elhami has warned that the Islamic Republic will respond decisively to any renewed hostility, amid a fresh wave of military confrontation with the United States.

He said Iran’s enemies would face a severe response if they made what he described as a mistake.

Elhami’s remarks came hours after the United States carried out attacks on Iranian military positions on the southern island of Larak. Iran subsequently responded by targeting US assets in the region, marking a renewed exchange of fire following previous attacks and retaliatory Iranian missile and drone operations against US bases.

The commander said Iran’s air defense force had unveiled several new interception systems in recent days, adding that the domestically developed weapons were produced using experience gained during the US-Israeli aggression against Iran that ended with a ceasefire in mid-April.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for comprehensive peace and security across West Asia, stressing that people of all religions, sects and ethnicities should be protected from war, violence and conflict.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Pezeshkian said Islamic countries possess the ability to resolve their disputes through dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding without foreign intervention.

He maintained that greater unity and solidarity among Muslim states would strengthen the region and prevent external aggression, adding that Iran has consistently advocated collective action by Islamic countries.

Iranian Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi says at least 1,000 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Iran’s retaliatory attacks against military installations, strategic sites and intelligence centers across the occupied territories.

Speaking on Monday, Shekarchi said thousands of additional Israeli military personnel had also been wounded during the joint US-Israeli war against Iran, which he said began in late February.

He added that evidence indicated the United States had also suffered hundreds of military deaths and thousands of injuries during Iranian drone and missile attacks on US bases in the region in July.

Shekarchi accused Washington and Tel Aviv of concealing the actual number of military casualties and misleading the public about losses suffered during the conflict. He pointed to the delayed disclosure of US military deaths from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars as an example of what he described as Washington’s policy of withholding casualty figures.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has praised the retaliatory operation carried out by Iranian armed forces following the US attack on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, warning foreign forces that they must learn from the consequences of their actions and leave the region.

The United States attacked Larak Island late Sunday, reportedly killing and injuring several Iranian military personnel and civilians while damaging public and private property.

Gharibabadi described the incident as part of military aggression against Iran and said any action threatening the country’s territorial integrity would face a decisive response.

He said Iranian authorities considered the attacks a serious act of aggression that would receive an appropriate response, stressing that foreign forces should be removed from the region and warned against repeating what he described as acts of aggression against Iran.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a meeting in Bishkek, where they reviewed Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations and regional developments.

Both leaders reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between the two countries and stressed the importance of further strengthening cooperation across all areas of mutual interest.

The two leaders emphasized the need to implement decisions taken during President Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan in June.

They also reviewed ongoing efforts to promote regional connectivity and increase people-to-people contacts, while stressing the importance of expanding cooperation in various sectors.

Iran’s Army says it launched a drone operation against US forces at al-Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, using dozens of suicide drones.

Iran said the attack was in response to a US strike on Larak Island that reportedly killed and wounded IRGC personnel and civilians.

The base, near Dubai, hosts US military helicopters and personnel and serves as a logistics and air transport hub. The IRGC also said it targeted US military facilities in Jordan, including bases near Mafraq and Azraq.

Iranian forces warned that further US attacks would bring stronger responses, as tensions continue to rise around the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to reconsider Washington’s relationship with South Korea after Seoul declined to participate in the US-Israeli war against Iran. In an interview with Fox News released Sunday, Trump questioned the extent of US military support for South Korea and suggested that Washington could reassess its military presence there.

He argued that the United States provides billions of dollars in assistance to allies while receiving what he described as insufficient support in return.

Trump said he would be a “fool” if he continued helping countries that were unwilling to act in accordance with US demands.

He has repeatedly raised the issue and earlier this month instructed the Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises with South Korean forces. Trump has previously criticized the annual drills as costly and described them as hostile toward North Korea, while pointing to his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a reason for reducing their scale.

Iranian professor of cardiology, echocardiography and cardio-oncology Dr. Azin Alizadeh Asl has won a gold medal at an international invention competition in Geneva, Switzerland, for developing an innovative technique to enhance transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) images.

Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education announced on Monday that the award recognizes her pioneering method for improving image clarity, which could help increase the accuracy of cardiovascular diagnoses and contribute to better treatment outcomes.

Alizadeh Asl is a cardiovascular specialist and professor at Rajaei Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center in Tehran. She founded Iran’s cardio-oncology subspecialty fellowship program and currently heads the Iranian Cardio-Oncology Association.

She has previously developed several innovations in cardiovascular medicine, including Holter echocardiography, while conducting research into the management of cardiac toxicity. She is also credited with identifying left ventricular dyssynchrony as an early indicator of cardiotoxicity.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of manipulating the United States into war with Iran, describing him as a “serpent” who deliberately influenced US policymakers and public opinion to advance Israel’s interests.

In a post on X on Monday, Araghchi pointed to what he described as a striking difference between Netanyahu’s Hebrew and English remarks concerning the conflict with Iran.

Araghchi said Netanyahu openly acknowledged in Hebrew that he had persuaded the US administration to confront Iran on Israel’s behalf. He also highlighted Netanyahu’s claim that he had “influenced” American public opinion through nearly 1,000 hours of appearances on US television networks.

According to Araghchi, Netanyahu’s Hebrew-language remarks reveal a deliberate effort to shape Washington’s approach to Iran, while his English-language statements present the US president’s role in a more favorable light.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said implementation of the memorandum of understanding reached between Iran and the United States in June could prevent Washington and Israel from creating chaos and instability in West Asia.

Speaking on Saturday, Pezeshkian said the Pakistan-mediated agreement, intended to pave the way for a permanent end to the war, could enable regional countries to pursue stability and development through unity, cooperation and greater convergence.

Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran does not seek war but will firmly confront any aggressor. He said no power could force a nation that stands with determination and strength to surrender, stressing that Iran would not bow to threats despite continuing to pursue diplomacy.

He attributed the country’s resilience to the support of the Iranian people, the efforts of government officials and the dedication of the Armed Forces’ commanders.

Iranian security forces have carried out two separate surprise operations against the so-called Jaish al-Adl terrorist group in southeastern Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan Province, inflicting losses on the militants.

Police spokesman General Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi said FARAJA personnel, in coordination with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force and the Ministry of Intelligence, conducted the operations in Saravan County on Friday.

Montazer al-Mahdi said one terrorist was neutralized and six others were arrested during the operations.

A substantial cache of weapons and ammunition was also recovered, including dozens of Kalashnikov assault rifles, hand grenades, RPG-7 launchers, around 20 kilograms of C-4 explosives and 150 rounds of live ammunition.

Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army, Major General Amir Hatami, has described martyrdom as a cherished aspiration of Iran’s Armed Forces while stressing that their primary objective is to defeat the enemy through resistance and combat.

Addressing a congress honoring 3,785 martyred Army personnel in Gilan Province, Hatami said martyrdom was an honor and a heartfelt wish, but victory through steadfast resistance remained the priority.

Hatami said that during the recent US-Israeli aggression against Iran, the enemy sought to destroy the country’s missile and drone capabilities. However, he said, Iran’s Armed Forces continued launching missiles and drones against the enemy with maximum intensity until the final moments of the aggression.

He added that Iranian forces also maintained a firm defense across multiple fronts, including air defense, damaging a number of enemy unmanned and manned aircraft as well as strategic equipment.

Iran is facing increasing economic pressure as the war with the United States continues, with sanctions and the blockade reducing trade. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei urged the government to tackle inflation, unemployment and rising prices.

President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran’s exports and imports had dropped by nearly 35% because of US sanctions and the naval blockade.

The US has also imposed sanctions on banks and entities linked to Iran. Meanwhile, tensions continue over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran saying ships need its permission to pass.

Qatar and Pakistan are supporting diplomatic efforts, but negotiations remain stalled. Shipping data showed only seven commodity vessels crossed the strait on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump has announced a major deal giving US companies majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s proven oil reserves.

Trump said the partnership could help rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry and provide more crude for US refineries. Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez welcomed the deal, saying it could increase production, attract investment and raise government revenue.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it a “win-win”, with possible benefits including lower-cost oil for the US and nearly $100 billion in private investment for Venezuela.

However, analysts say the legal and financial details remain unclear, while rebuilding Venezuela’s oil infrastructure could take years.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said diplomacy with the United States can resume if Washington recognizes that pressure does not work, respects Iran’s rights and honors its commitments.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani visited Tehran as regional efforts continue to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore shipping.

Iran and Oman are discussing a proposed shipping corridor through the waterway, while Tehran is preparing conditions for reopening the strait.

Iran has previously demanded an end to the US blockade, compensation and sanctions relief. Meanwhile, US forces say they have cleared sea mines, but shipping traffic remains far below normal levels.

Iran has restored around 40% of the production capacity damaged at the South Pars gas field after US-Israeli attacks, Deputy Oil Minister Ahmad Zeraatkar said.

Several damaged units have been repaired and returned to service using domestic resources, while full reconstruction is expected to take at least two years.

Debris removal has been completed at several refineries, allowing rebuilding work to move forward. Iran is also launching two new refineries that could increase gasoline production by about 12 million liters per day.

Despite continued US sanctions and economic pressure, Iran says it has maintained energy production, continued oil exports and is strengthening its energy system.

Iran’s oil sales to China have remained largely stable this year despite growing US economic pressure on Tehran.

Industry data provider Kpler estimates that China has received around 1.2 million barrels of Iranian oil per day, only slightly below last year’s level.

Large amounts of Iranian oil are also reportedly stored on ships and in tanks near the Malacca Strait and South China Sea. Iran says oil sales and deliveries to international customers are continuing despite US-led blockades.

Meanwhile, China has strongly opposed Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign, warning that economic isolation will increase tensions and harm global economic stability.

Qatar is pushing for renewed talks between Iran and the United States, with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz emerging as a key issue. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani urged Tehran to respect freedom of navigation.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran is preparing conditions for reopening the Strait. Iran and Oman have reportedly agreed in principle on a shipping corridor through their respective waters.

Iran has previously demanded an end to the US blockade, sanctions relief and compensation. Tehran’s latest conditions have not yet been fully disclosed, leaving uncertainty over whether Washington would accept them.

Meanwhile, the US says it has cleared mines from the Strait and helped commercial ships pass through. However, traffic remains well below normal as tensions and security concerns continue.

Pakistan has rejected reports that Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Iran as US President Donald Trump’s envoy.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi called the reports “misleading and factually incorrect”, saying the August 24 visit was part of Pakistan’s mediation efforts.

He said discussions in Tehran focused on regional de-escalation, ending the military stalemate and finding a negotiated settlement to restore peace and stability.

Andrabi added that Pakistan was working with regional countries to help resolve the US-Iran standoff and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian leadership also appreciated Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts.

Iranian military officials have warned that any hostile or wrong move by the enemy will be met with an immediate response.

The Iranian military said any future conflict may not remain limited to specific geographic boundaries, with new targets potentially being included in the fighting.

Iran also warned that US military bases in the Bab el-Mandeb area and Syria could become part of a future conflict.

The Iranian side further cautioned that energy and communications infrastructure across the region could face potential risks if hostilities escalate, raising concerns over a wider regional confrontation.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has welcomed China’s rejection of Washington’s latest sanctions against Iran, saying the Iran-China strategic partnership is based on mutual respect and a shared vision of a multipolar world.

Qalibaf said the partnership “needs no one’s permission,” after China pledged to protect its interests and rejected the US sanctions as inconsistent with international law.

China remains a key economic partner for Iran, particularly in the oil sector, with Beijing buying a large share of Iranian crude exports despite US sanctions.

The exchange highlights growing tensions between Washington and Beijing over Iran, as the Trump administration pressures countries and businesses to cut economic ties with Tehran.

Qalibaf’s remarks also signal that Tehran views its relationship with China as a long-term strategic partnership rather than simply a tool in negotiations with the United States.

Iranian Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi has described the country’s electricity network as one of the most stable in the region, saying it cannot be brought to a complete halt even under intense military pressure.

Speaking in a televised interview during Government Week, Aliabadi said Iran’s water and electricity industries had become strategic national strengths despite decades of sanctions, war and external pressure. He stressed that Iran can manufacture the equipment and components required by its power sector domestically.

Aliabadi said the geographical spread of Iran’s electricity infrastructure and the distribution of generation facilities provide additional resilience. With more than 1,000 power-generating units operating across the country, he argued that even the complete exhaustion of an adversary’s arsenal would not be enough to shut down Iran’s electricity-generation network.

He added that generating capacity has grown from around 7,000 megawatts at the beginning of the 1979 Islamic Revolution to more than 103,000 megawatts today.

Iran’s mission to international organizations in Vienna has warned that Israel’s possession of nuclear weapons and its refusal to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) pose a serious challenge to the credibility of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation system.

Speaking at the 67th session of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization’s Working Group B, the Iranian delegation said Israel’s continued refusal to join the NPT and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) has allowed it to avoid international requirements concerning transparency, safeguards, verification and disarmament.

The Iranian delegation called on the international community to address Israel’s nuclear status as an integral part of efforts to strengthen the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation framework.

Israel maintains a policy of nuclear ambiguity and has not officially acknowledged possessing nuclear weapons, while international assessments commonly estimate that it has a substantial nuclear arsenal.

The commander of Iran’s Army Air Defense Force, Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, says systems that performed successfully during the recent US-Israeli aggression will be replicated, while new equipment and tactics are being developed based on lessons learned from the conflict.

Speaking at a ceremony at a specialized hospital affiliated with the Iranian Army’s Air Defense Force on Wednesday, Elhami praised the performance of Iran’s Armed Forces, particularly its air defense units, in confronting aerial attacks.

Elhami said the Army’s Air Defense Force is currently operating at “100-percent readiness,” adding that both the Army’s air defense units and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps’ air defense forces remain fully prepared.

He said Iran is maintaining comprehensive surveillance along all of its borders, with the country’s integrated air defense network continuously monitoring its airspace to detect and respond to potential threats.

Oil prices fell more than $2 a barrel on Wednesday as renewed Iran-Oman talks raised hopes that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen and ease shipping restrictions.

Brent crude fell $2.30, or 2.6%, to $86.28 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate dropped $2.08, or 2.53%, to $80.29.

Iran and Oman discussed a temporary navigation corridor and agreed to clear mines from the waterway.

However, ship traffic remains well below normal levels. Oil prices also faced pressure from rising US crude inventories and continued US sanctions on Iran.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington will maintain financial pressure on Iran, calling Tehran a threat to the global financial system.

He said Iran would not be allowed to use the Strait of Hormuz as a weapon and warned that individuals and entities supporting Iran financially would face consequences.

Bessent stressed that the United States would protect the global financial system from disruption and prevent actions that could weaken its stability amid rising tensions over Iran.

As the conflict between the United States and Iran intensifies, economist Steve Hanke has criticized Washington’s strategy as irrational and economically self-defeating.

He argues that US military actions risk undermining America’s own strategic interests while appearing increasingly influenced by Israeli priorities rather than a broader assessment of US economic and security objectives.

Hanke warns that attacks on critical infrastructure could produce serious consequences beyond the immediate battlefield, particularly if the conflict disrupts energy supplies and international trade.

Damage to key infrastructure could intensify economic instability and place additional pressure on global markets already vulnerable to supply shocks.

The question of reparations has once again emerged as a contentious issue between Iran and the United States amid the ongoing war. Iran has argued that Washington should compensate it for the destruction caused by US and Israeli attacks since February 28, 2026.

US President Donald Trump, however, has rejected that position and said that if Iran seeks compensation, the United States should also receive compensation for what he describes as decades of damage caused by Iranian actions, including the deaths and injuries of American personnel.

Trump has cited American troops killed in roadside bombings and other conflicts, as well as the families of those killed in the USS Cole attack, while also attributing broader losses to Iran and its former commander General Qassem Soleimani.

His argument raises a broader question about how far back any accounting of damages should go. If both sides are to open the books and calculate the costs of conflict, the debate cannot easily be separated from the events that shaped the modern history of Iran-US relations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told allied foreign ministers that the United States does not expect to launch new strikes against Iran for the time being, Axios reported.

Washington instead plans to increase economic and maritime pressure through sanctions, a naval blockade and efforts to move Iranian oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

US officials said major combat operations are not currently planned but military action remains possible if Iran attacks first. Iran, however, rejected US claims that mines have been cleared from the waterway.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned that US mine-sweeping vessels entering the area would be considered targets.

Iran has conveyed its conditions regarding the Strait of Hormuz to the United States through Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported.

A source close to Iran’s negotiating team said Munir’s visit to Tehran was aimed at communicating Tehran’s position and supporting efforts to restart talks, rather than delivering a threat.

Iran reportedly wants Washington to return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and implement its provisions, particularly Article 5 concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

The article requires Iran to ensure safe passage for commercial ships and consult Oman on managing the waterway. Munir met Iran’s senior leadership during his visit.

Iran has begun work on a 5,000-megawatt solar power project in Isfahan Province, a development that could place the city among the world’s largest centers of solar electricity generation if completed at its announced capacity.

The project represents a major expansion of renewable power in a country whose electricity system has struggled to keep pace with rising demand, particularly during peak summer periods.

Iran generated around 399 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2025, with about 95 percent coming from fossil fuels and natural gas accounting for roughly 90 percent of total generation. Despite its vast gas reserves and growing production, domestic demand from power plants, households, industry and petrochemical facilities has increasingly strained supplies.

Gas shortages during peak periods have forced power generators to rely on diesel and fuel oil, increasing both costs and environmental pressures.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Gharibabadi said Iran and Oman are the only coastal countries of the Strait of Hormuz, adding that there had been no major issues concerning the waterway before the recent wars. He said Iran’s strategic focus shifted toward the strait after the 40-day war, while clarifying that the agreement with Oman was not intended to immediately reopen Hormuz from the following day.

Gharibabadi said ships had passed through Omani waters for 58 years, causing significant losses to Iran, and explained that under the agreement with Oman, the route into the Persian Gulf would pass through Iranian waters, while the route out would pass through Omani territorial waters.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with Pakistani and Omani guests had emphasized regional solutions. He described a proposed new corridor, mine clearance and a framework for the future management of the Strait of Hormuz as examples of regional cooperation.

Araghchi stressed that Iran would continue sustained diplomacy with neighboring countries to promote peace and stability. He also held a telephone conversation with Qatar’s Foreign Minister, during which the two sides discussed the regional situation and bilateral issues.

Qatar said Tuesday that contacts between the United States and Iran are continuing as efforts continue to bring both sides back to negotiations.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said Qatari officials are speaking with both countries daily and working on ways to restart talks.

He also called for dialogue over the Strait of Hormuz, saying the priority is restoring freedom of navigation and reopening the waterway.

Al Ansari described the latest US sanctions against Iran as unilateral and urged all sides to engage in mediation led by Qatar, Pakistan and other regional countries. He said diplomacy remains the best way to resolve the crisis.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s “Operation Economic Outcast” represents a major escalation of Washington’s economic pressure on Iran.

The measures aim to restrict Iran’s access to international revenue and financial channels, while warning countries trading with Tehran that they could face limits on access to the US dollar system.

However, Iran has spent decades adapting to sanctions, expanding trade ties with China and Russia and developing alternative economic networks.

The article argues that both military and economic pressure have failed to force Tehran to surrender. It calls for diplomacy, genuine sanctions relief and negotiations, saying a durable agreement offers a better path toward reducing tensions.

Public support in the United States for military aggression against Iran has fallen to its lowest level since late February, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Only 31 percent of Americans now support the action, down from 37 percent in March and 34 percent earlier this month. Support among Republicans also dropped from 77 percent to 69 percent.

President Donald Trump’s approval rating remained at 33 percent, matching his lowest level in the polling series. Meanwhile, 83 percent of respondents expect the confrontation to continue for some time.

The findings could influence November’s midterm elections, with independent voters currently favoring Democrats over Republicans.

US President Donald Trump appears increasingly disengaged from the war on Iran, six months after launching what he expected to be a quick campaign.

During a recent White House event, he focused more on renovations than the conflict, mentioning Iran only three times. The war has killed at least 18 US service members and wounded more than 750, while raising costs for American consumers.

Trump’s approval ratings have also fallen, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll putting support at 33 per cent.

Critics, including some MAGA supporters, question the war’s purpose and lack of an exit strategy. Analysts warn the conflict could hurt Republicans in November’s midterm elections.

Iran has vowed to respond to expanded U.S. economic sanctions, saying it is prepared to withstand Washington’s pressure campaign.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sanctions targeting 60 individuals, entities and vessels while warning countries trading with Iran could face restrictions from the dollar-based financial system.

Iran’s Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh said Tehran has its own tools to counter the measures and warned of possible attacks. He also said China and Russia oppose the U.S. sanctions.

The measures come as the war has damaged Iran’s economy and military capabilities. China, Iran’s biggest oil buyer, also rejected U.S. pressure and promised to protect its interests.

A group of 12 US senators has called for a congressional hearing over growing pressure on American service members during the war on Iran.

Led by Senator Tammy Duckworth, the lawmakers cited poor planning, extended deployments, shortages of supplies, and worsening conditions at military bases and naval vessels.

They highlighted the USS Abraham Lincoln, deployed in the Middle East for nearly nine months, amid reports of a mental health crisis among its crew.

The senators warned that the situation could damage military recruitment and retention. Pentagon figures show 757 US personnel wounded and 18 killed since the US-Israeli war against Iran began on February 28.

Iran has issued a series of warnings to the United States, Bulgaria and other countries over sanctions, military cooperation and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei warned that continued US economic pressure could lead Tehran to prevent any oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei also rejected US claims that oil traffic through the waterway has returned to normal.

Iran separately warned Bulgaria over hosting US Air Force refueling aircraft. The warning came after two US tankers stationed at Bulgaria’s Bezmer Air Base reportedly left the country earlier than planned.

At the same time, Iran is keeping its diplomatic channel with Oman open. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi is expected in Tehran for talks on the Strait of Hormuz and wider regional tensions.

The developments suggest that while Tehran continues to reject direct US-Iran negotiations, it remains open to diplomacy through regional mediators such as Oman.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has dismissed US threats against countries trading with Iran as “big talk,” saying Tehran’s trade partners have no intention of complying with Washington’s sanctions.

Qalibaf said Iran’s partners had communicated that they considered the US threats meaningless and would continue their economic relations with Tehran.

He also argued that the prolonged US-Iran conflict has created economic problems for Washington itself, including pressure on financial markets and the housing sector.

Qalibaf said the United States was not in a strong enough economic position to further restrict its relations with other countries, warning that its pressure campaign could ultimately backfire.

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir has concluded a day-long visit to Iran as part of Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran.

During the visit, Asim Munir held meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials. Discussions focused on regional security, reducing tensions, restoring movement through the Strait of Hormuz and exploring diplomatic options for ending the conflict.

According to ISPR, Iranian leaders appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role and efforts to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran.

The visit highlights Islamabad’s growing diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating further and to promote a negotiated settlement.

Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Major General Amir Hatami says Iran is prepared to fight for generations to come to prevent foreign powers and enemies from undermining the country, stressing that the Iranian nation will not allow its homeland to be harmed.

Speaking at a ceremony in the northwestern holy city of Mashhad on Monday, Hatami said Iran would be prepared to fight for “10 generations or 20 generations” rather than allow the country to be weakened.

He added that demonstrating military strength was necessary to make the enemy understand that it could not act against Iran according to its own wishes.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has challenged US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s claim that Washington has dismantled Iran’s military capabilities and buried its nuclear program, questioning why the United States would need to launch what Bessent called its “greatest financial offensive” against a supposedly defeated Iran.

In a post on X, Gharibabadi directly addressed Bessent after the US Treasury secretary claimed that President Donald Trump had dismantled Iran’s military capabilities, destroyed nearly all of its military factories and buried its nuclear program.

Bessent also announced new sanctions against Iran, describing them as the “single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary” and saying all US institutions and authorities would be mobilized to implement them.

Iran has sold a seized US oil cargo to provide compensation to 771 Iranian patients suffering from Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare hereditary disorder that makes the skin extremely fragile and prone to injury, an Iranian judicial official said.

Judge Majid Hosseinzadeh, head of Branch 55 of Tehran’s Legal Court of International Relations, said the oil tanker was seized in the Persian Gulf in 2023.

He said the case was brought by 771 EB patients, with support from EB Home, against the US government and its officials, seeking compensation for material, moral and punitive damages allegedly caused by US sanctions and restrictions on access to specialized medical dressings and medicines.

Following a final verdict and enforcement order, the oil cargo was unloaded, the tanker was released and proceeds from its sale were deposited with Iran’s Judiciary.

A new report by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists says 31 former US lawmakers and senior congressional staffers have joined the military-industrial complex as lobbyists or contractors over the past decade, highlighting potential ethical conflicts arising from the movement of officials between the public and private sectors.

The report provides what it describes as an “eye-opening glimpse” into links between two congressional committees and more than 100 defense contractors, consultants and lobbyists. Of the 31 former officials identified, 21 served on either the House or Senate Armed Services Committee, which plays a key role in shaping Pentagon policies through the annual National Defense Authorization Act.

US envoy to Ankara Tom Barrack has clarified his recent remarks about the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, saying he was not endorsing the UN position on the disputed territory.

Barrack had said Israeli forces “still” occupy the Golan Heights, prompting questions because US President Donald Trump recognized Israeli sovereignty over the territory in 2019.

He later explained that his comments referred to the territory’s historical status and were intended to highlight how disputed borders can remain unresolved for generations.

Israel has controlled the Golan Heights since 1967, while Syria continues to claim the territory. The issue remains a major point of contention in the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Iran and China have strong potential to promote a fairer international order, strengthen multilateralism and support global peace and stability.

In an article marking 55 years of diplomatic relations, Araghchi described China as a close partner and Iran’s leading economic partner. He said ties have deepened significantly under the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership, particularly amid Western sanctions.

Araghchi highlighted cooperation through BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the UN, saying these platforms can help reduce the dominance of major powers and better represent developing countries.

He also praised China’s approach to international conflicts and said Iran is ready to further expand strategic cooperation with Beijing in areas including regional security, economic development and multilateral diplomacy.

According to Araghchi, stronger Iran-China relations could contribute to greater international justice, lasting peace and a more balanced global system.

An Israeli drone strike hit a displacement tent near Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza early Monday, killing two Palestinians and injuring several others, according to medical sources. The victims were identified as Mohammed Nasser Abu Assad and Ibrahim Nasser Abu Assad.

Israeli warplanes also carried out strikes near the hospital, while artillery fire targeted areas south of the Maghazi refugee camp. Earlier attacks in central and southern Gaza reportedly killed two Palestinians, including a child, and injured 14 others.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the latest deaths bring the number of Palestinians killed since the October 10, 2025 ceasefire to 1,286. Since the war began in October 2023, more than 73,400 Palestinians have reportedly been killed.

The prolonged conflict has devastated Gaza’s urban areas and displaced more than one million people. UN satellite assessments indicate that building destruction has increased by nearly 10% since the October ceasefire, highlighting the continuing scale of devastation despite the truce.

US Vice President JD Vance has said Iran does not have the capability to completely shut down international trade routes, including the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Vance said Washington has several options for dealing with Tehran, including imposing greater economic costs on Iran’s oil and gas trade. He stressed that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains a key objective of the US military presence in the region.

According to Vance, between 7 million and 15 million barrels of oil continue to pass through the Strait of Hormuz each day. He warned that the US could target Iran’s energy trade as part of its broader economic pressure campaign.

The remarks come amid growing concerns over disruptions to global energy supplies. Any major obstruction of the Strait of Hormuz could have significant consequences for international oil markets and countries dependent on Gulf energy exports.

Iran’s IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi has described the latest US economic sanctions as an indirect admission of Washington’s failure on the battlefield. He argued that if the US had achieved military success, it would not need to launch a new economic campaign.

Mohebbi said Iran has faced US economic pressure for decades and has developed strategies to withstand sanctions. He maintained that Tehran can continue expanding trade and economic relations with other countries despite the restrictions.

The IRGC spokesman also claimed that Iranian forces inflicted significant damage on US and allied forces during recent conflicts and that American naval forces were pushed back from the Persian Gulf.

He further claimed that Washington deployed substantial military resources to gain control of the Strait of Hormuz but ultimately failed. Mohebbi said Iran was prepared to counter the latest economic pressure and that the results of its response would become clear soon.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has accused Britain and France of contributing to Israeli actions by continuing to provide weapons and support to Israel.

Gharibabadi said the two countries could not distance themselves from the consequences simply by expressing concern over the situation in Palestine while maintaining military and political support for Israel.

He described their continued arms supplies as a deliberate policy choice and argued that such support makes Britain and France increasingly responsible for Israel’s actions.

The remarks reflect Tehran’s growing criticism of Western countries that continue military cooperation with Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Palestine.

Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Monday as Washington prepared to announce what it calls its biggest-ever economic offensive against Iran. His visit is expected to focus on reviving peace efforts under the Islamabad memorandum, US sanctions, the Pakistan-Turkey-Saudi defense pact and wider regional tensions.

Iranian officials have responded to the planned sanctions with strong warnings. Mohsen Rezaei said that continued economic warfare could lead Iran to halt oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and warned that countries supporting the US campaign could be considered to be committing an act of war.

At the same time, Iran’s leadership appears divided over how to respond. President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the country’s economic difficulties and said Iran could not remain at war indefinitely, while Rezaei adopted a much more confrontational position.

With direct US-Iran talks stalled, Munir’s Tehran visit represents one of the few active diplomatic channels between the two sides. Its significance will depend largely on whether Pakistan can preserve room for negotiations despite Washington’s new sanctions and Tehran’s increasingly forceful warnings.

Six months of Iranian missile and drone attacks have forced the Pentagon to reconsider the future of its military base network across the Gulf. More than 2,000 strikes have reportedly damaged or destroyed at least 20 US facilities across eight countries, with losses estimated at around $13 billion.

The damage has prompted a Pentagon assessment of whether maintaining large numbers of troops at vulnerable Gulf bases remains practical. Around 40,000 US personnel are normally stationed across nearly 20 facilities stretching from Jordan to Oman, many of which have faced repeated Iranian attacks.

The US has already begun moving some aircraft farther from Iran’s missile range, while Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base is being considered as a possible consolidation point. However, concentrating forces at fewer locations could create larger and more predictable targets for future Iranian attacks.

The financial and military costs are also becoming a major concern. Repairs to heavily damaged bases could cost billions, while more than 1,000 Patriot and THAAD interceptors have reportedly been used. The situation is therefore forcing Washington to weigh rebuilding its existing bases against relocating forces and reducing its exposure across the region.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran has received numerous messages from neighboring countries about creating new regional security arrangements and expanding economic cooperation.

He criticized US policies, saying Washington’s support for Israel had put the security of its regional allies at risk. Ghalibaf urged countries in the region to rely on greater cooperation rather than outside powers for security.

His comments come as the United States increases economic pressure on Iran and threatens consequences for countries maintaining economic ties with Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected the latest US measures, saying they will fail like previous sanctions against Iran.

The Iranian Army has announced a cash reward of 5 billion tomans, around $30,000, for anyone who captures or kills US troops if American forces launch a ground invasion of Iran.

Army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akrami-Nia said the reward would be doubled if an Iranian woman carried out the action.

He added that the firearm used would be purchased by the Army for twice its original value and displayed in a military museum as a symbol of honor.

The announcement comes amid continued tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel following recent military confrontations, ceasefire efforts and disputes over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has strongly condemned new US economic sanctions, saying the measures go beyond economic pressure and threaten the sovereignty of other countries.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said secondary sanctions have no basis in international law and violate the principle of sovereign equality under the UN Charter.

He argued that Washington cannot force foreign banks, businesses or airports to stop lawful trade with Iran. Baghaei also accused the United States of imposing an illegal naval blockade, calling it “military aggression.”

He warned that the campaign could mark a return to colonial-style pressure. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US strategy would ultimately fail.

Iran’s military is gradually shifting from a traditionally defensive doctrine toward a more offensive strategy following recent conflicts.

Iranian Army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akramnia said the change developed during the 12-day and 40-day wars.

He said recent battlefield experiences led the military to strengthen its ability to respond more quickly and broadly to attacks while preparing for possible pre-emptive actions.

Akramnia also said the Army has developed a plan offering rewards for killing or capturing US troops if American forces launch a ground invasion of Iran. The shift reflects Iran’s changing military approach after recent wars.

Iranian Army Commander-in-Chief Major General Amir Hatami has said the country’s domestically developed defense capabilities have strengthened its deterrence and forced adversaries to reconsider their calculations.

In a message to Acting Defense Minister Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Ibn Reza ahead of National Defense Industry Day, Hatami praised Iranian scientists and specialists for developing and upgrading a wide range of military equipment and systems.

Hatami said the Defense Ministry and Armed Forces Logistics has played an effective role in strengthening Iran’s defense capabilities, noting that a significant portion of the country’s defense achievements has demonstrated its effectiveness during recent conflicts.

He said the close integration of the armed forces’ combat capabilities with the defense industry had demonstrated Iran’s national power, resilience and defensive strength, ultimately compelling its adversaries to reconsider their positions and accept a political solution.

Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Chief Commander Major General Ahmad Vahidi has stressed that Iran must continue strengthening its defensive and offensive capabilities, warning that the country’s enemies will not abandon their hostility and conspiracies against the Iranian nation.

In a message issued on Friday to mark National Defense Industry Day, Vahidi said recent regional developments, particularly the two latest rounds of what he described as unprovoked US-Israeli aggression against Iran, demonstrate that Tehran’s adversaries remain committed to their hostile policies and schemes.

The USS Abraham Lincoln has begun its journey back to San Diego after spending nine months in the Middle East and supporting US military operations against Iran. Around 5,000 sailors and personnel spent 272 days at sea, with only brief port visits during the deployment.

The carrier now faces a roughly 13,000-mile journey that could take four to five weeks. US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper praised the crew and expressed hope they would soon reunite with their families.

The USS George Washington has arrived in the Middle East and begun operations under US Central Command, replacing the Abraham Lincoln. Reports said the prolonged deployment had created logistical and welfare challenges for the Lincoln’s crew, including shortages of basic supplies, water issues, plumbing problems and mental-health concerns.

Despite the carrier rotation, the US continues to maintain around 20 warships in the wider Middle East, including two carrier strike groups, an amphibious ready group and several destroyers. The forces are also enforcing Washington’s renewed blockade of Iranian ports, now in its 38th day.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned China and other countries against providing economic support to Iran, saying nations that continue trading with Tehran could face tough US sanctions.

Bessent specifically urged China, a major buyer of Iranian oil, to cooperate with Washington’s campaign to economically isolate Iran. He said the US is preparing unprecedented economic measures targeting Iran’s revenue, oil, shipping and financial networks.

The new campaign could also pressure companies and countries that maintain business ties with Tehran. Washington has already sanctioned several Chinese and Hong Kong-linked entities involved in Iran’s trade.

Bessent said the US is currently prioritizing maximum economic pressure over renewed military action, although he stressed that the military option has not been permanently ruled out.

IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi has claimed that Iran’s missile capabilities have advanced significantly since its previous conflicts with the US and Israel.

Mohebbi said future Iranian missiles could feature more powerful warheads, greater range and improved strike precision, making any potential new conflict significantly different from the previous wars.

However, the claims have not been independently verified. Iranian officials have previously made similarly strong statements about their military capabilities and battlefield performance.

The latest remarks come as both sides continue to warn of renewed conflict. Independent reports indicate that the recent fighting placed significant pressure on US missile-defense and cruise-missile stocks, highlighting the scale of Iran’s attacks regardless of the precise technological advances claimed by Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected US President Donald Trump’s “Economic D-Day” threat, arguing that Washington’s new economic pressure campaign is intended to divert attention from America’s own economic challenges, including its $40 trillion debt.

Araghchi described US sanctions as “economic terrorism” and warned that expanding what he called failed policies would further damage US-Iran relations and the global economy. He argued that Washington’s pressure campaign would ultimately prove counterproductive.

The Iranian foreign minister also ruled out accepting another ceasefire, saying Iran wants the war to end permanently rather than through another temporary arrangement. His remarks came as Trump abandoned any clear timeline for a new deal while announcing tougher economic measures against Tehran.

The latest statements indicate that Washington and Tehran are moving further apart diplomatically, with both sides adopting increasingly hardline positions. Despite the escalating rhetoric, oil markets showed only a limited immediate reaction, suggesting traders viewed the latest threats as part of the continuing confrontation rather than an entirely new development.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with Field Marshal Asim Munir to discuss the latest regional situation and ways to reduce tensions through political and diplomatic channels.

The two sides reviewed recent diplomatic developments and exchanged views on possible initiatives aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis. They also discussed the wider regional situation and its potential consequences.

Araghchi and Asim Munir stressed the importance of continued consultation and coordination between the two countries. They also explored ways to make bilateral communication and cooperation more effective.

Both sides expressed support for advancing ongoing diplomatic efforts and strengthening mutual consultation as a means of seeking a political solution to the current tensions.

US President Donald Trump has announced what he called the “most crushing economic operation” ever imposed on a country, warning businesses, banks and nations dealing with Iran of severe economic consequences.

Trump said the campaign, dubbed “Economic D-Day,” would target oil smuggling, financial transfers, exchange houses, ship registries and front companies allegedly helping Iran bypass sanctions. However, he did not identify specific targets or provide a timeline for the new measures.

The announcement comes as Washington continues to apply economic pressure on Tehran. Trump also repeated claims that Iran’s military capabilities have been severely weakened, while Iranian officials have repeatedly disputed such statements.

Trump’s latest announcement remains short on concrete details, leaving uncertainty over how the new campaign will differ from previous sanctions. The impact will depend on the specific countries, financial institutions and trade networks ultimately targeted by Washington.

Iran has declared two French diplomats working at the French Embassy in Tehran persona non grata, accusing them of activities that violated international law and the 1961 Vienna Convention.

Iran said France failed to address the alleged violations or provide assurances that they would not be repeated.

The decision follows the diplomats’ brief detention in Tehran in July after they attended a meeting linked to a security investigation.

France accused Iran of mistreatment, while Tehran rejected the claims. Iranian officials also alleged the two had records of unconventional conduct and foreign interference. They will now be barred from entering Iran.

US President Donald Trump has shared a map of the Strait of Hormuz on Truth Social, labeling it “New US Territory.” The post came after Trump supported the idea of making the strategic waterway US territory.

However, maritime law experts say the US cannot claim ownership through a presidential order. The Strait lies between Iran and Oman, with parts within their territorial waters.

Experts say any legal transfer would require the consent of the relevant countries. They also stressed that military control does not equal ownership.

The issue could further increase tensions and affect global energy supplies.

Global oil prices have climbed to their highest level since July as attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz continue and US-Iran talks remain stalled.

Brent crude rose above $91 per barrel, while US WTI crude reached around $85. The increase followed an attack on a commercial vessel near the Strait, raising fresh concerns about oil supplies.

Saudi Arabia has restarted some crude oil loading through ship-to-ship transfers near Fujairah, with around 6 million barrels reportedly moved between August 12 and 16.

However, security concerns continue to disrupt shipping, with some companies avoiding the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.

The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) has fallen to about 293.4 million barrels, its lowest level since 1982, amid the ongoing Iran war and disruptions in oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

The US withdrew another 5.3 million barrels last week as part of emergency measures to support global oil supplies. Before the war, around 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products passed through the Strait daily.

The IEA later coordinated the release of 400 million barrels from emergency reserves, with the US pledging 172.2 million barrels.

Continued disruptions could increase fuel prices and make rebuilding America’s emergency oil reserves more difficult.

Qatar has said an agreement between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz could help restart stalled US-Iran negotiations.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said such a deal would make it easier for Washington and Tehran to return to talks aimed at ending the Middle East conflict.

Iran and Oman have been discussing navigation arrangements for the strategic waterway, which carries a major share of global energy supplies.

Iran has said the strait will not reopen until US demands are addressed, including lifting a naval blockade. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Oman over the negotiations.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Jared Kushner has said communication between the United States and Iran is stronger and more active than before.

Speaking to Fox News during his Middle East visit, Kushner said diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran have become more coordinated.

He acknowledged that the two sides have not reached a final agreement or full understanding yet, but stressed that talks are continuing. According to Kushner, representatives from both countries are involved in positive and productive discussions.

He expressed hope that the ongoing communication could help reduce tensions and support efforts to achieve greater peace and stability in the region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged the United States to continue dialogue with Iran during a phone call with US President Donald Trump.

The two leaders discussed bilateral ties, the situation in Iran and the ongoing war in Gaza. They also discussed the recent Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence agreement and its possible impact on regional security.

Erdogan said talks with Iran should continue to find a lasting solution to the crisis and offered Turkey’s support for diplomatic efforts.

He also expressed concern over continued Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, saying violence against civilians must end despite the peace plan.

Oil prices rose on Tuesday as hopes for a deal to end the Middle East conflict weakened. Brent crude climbed to $91.14 a barrel, while US WTI reached $85.04.

The increase came after Iran warned it could take a more offensive military stance, while the US ruled out extending a temporary ceasefire.

Concerns are growing over the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping traffic has fallen sharply after tanker attacks. Talks between Iran and Oman on managing traffic through the strait are continuing.

Meanwhile, Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and expectations of lower US oil inventories are adding further support to crude prices.

US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Iran, demanding that Tehran surrender while insisting that Washington will continue efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Trump said the US remains focused on securing a deal with Iran but suggested that Tehran may not accept Washington’s demands. He also claimed that backchannel communications with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard remain open despite the escalating confrontation.

The US president separately warned Oman of possible military action if it obstructs efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. His remarks add further tension around the strategically important waterway, which is vital to global energy and maritime trade.

The threats come as diplomatic efforts remain uncertain following the end of a 60-day ceasefire period without a final agreement. Trump’s latest statements suggest that Washington is maintaining pressure on Tehran while keeping military options open.

Iran has warned that it could take military action to challenge the reported US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz if Washington fails to meet its commitments under an interim peace arrangement within the coming weeks.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran has set a limited timeframe for the United States to fulfil the agreement. Iran has reportedly communicated its demands through international mediators and made compliance a condition for further diplomatic engagement.

The official warned that failure to meet the commitments could lead to precise military action around the Strait of Hormuz and other strategic areas. Iran has also reportedly instructed its military forces to remain prepared for a possible escalation.

The warning comes as Tehran signals a shift toward a more assertive strategy amid growing doubts over diplomacy with Washington. With the Strait of Hormuz remaining central to the confrontation, international mediators are continuing efforts to keep negotiations alive while Iran prepares for a tougher response if talks fail.

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that only 33% of Americans approve of President Donald Trump’s job performance, matching the lowest approval rating of his political career. Meanwhile, 64% disapprove of his performance.

The poll indicates that the Iran war has become a major factor behind the decline in public support. Rising gasoline prices, economic pressure and the prolonged conflict have increased concerns among Americans.

Support for the war remains weak even among Republicans. Only around half of Republicans believe the conflict has been worth it, while a large majority of Americans expect US involvement in Iran to continue for an extended period.

The declining approval ratings could have major political consequences ahead of the midterm elections. If the conflict continues and economic pressures persist, Trump and Republicans could face growing voter dissatisfaction.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said the Strait of Hormuz will reopen only after the United States fulfils its commitments under the Islamabad agreement.

IRGC political deputy Yadollah Javani said the war must end according to the terms of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.

He warned that the strategic waterway may not return to its pre-war situation. Javani accused the United States, Israel and their allies of seeking to take control of the Strait of Hormuz from Iran.

He said such efforts would fail and stressed that Iran would not allow attempts to take control of the important waterway to succeed.

Iran has said the 60-day deadline for talks with the United States is no longer relevant, accusing Washington of violating the June 18 memorandum of understanding.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the agreement did not formally set a fixed deadline and that the period was only intended for negotiations on sanctions relief and the nuclear issue.

He said Iran does not negotiate under pressure or ultimatums. Baghaei claimed the United States violated the understanding weeks after it was signed, preventing meaningful talks from starting.

He also stressed Iran’s sovereign rights over the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi has strongly condemned remarks by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir advocating the killing of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip based on what he described as a “nightly assassination quota.”

Gharibabadi said on Monday that such statements should be documented and preserved as evidence for potential future legal proceedings against those responsible.

His remarks came after Ben-Gvir called for targeted killings in Gaza, saying that 30 to 40 people should be killed every night and making comments questioning the humanity and right to life of Palestinians in the territory.

Several US allies in the Gulf are reportedly becoming dissatisfied with President Donald Trump’s approach toward Iran and his diplomatic strategy for ending the conflict.

According to The Washington Post, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain are increasingly concerned about hosting US military bases and are considering ways to strengthen their own regional security.

Gulf officials reportedly believe Washington’s Iran policy has been inconsistent, with Trump repeatedly threatening military action before shifting toward negotiations. This uncertainty has raised doubts about relying solely on the United States for defense.

The report suggests that Gulf states may seek stronger security partnerships beyond Washington. Recent regional defense cooperation has further highlighted the growing desire for greater strategic independence among US allies.

Iran has warned that oil pollution in the Strait of Hormuz could cause environmental damage worth trillions of dollars. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei shared footage of an oil spill near Qeshm Island and blamed a foreign vessel.

Baghaei said pollution has damaged marine ecosystems across the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman over recent decades, with Iranian coastal ecosystems facing potentially massive economic losses.

He called on all parties involved in commercial shipping to accept their legal and moral responsibility for cleaning up pollution in the region.

The reported spill involves the 247-meter oil tanker Caroline Bezengi, which was damaged in June and later stranded near Oman’s Hallaniyat Islands. The incident has reportedly polluted around 12 kilometers of Oman’s coastline.

Commander of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff Missing-in-Action Search Committee, Brigadier General Seyyed Mohammad Bagherzadeh, has called on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to urgently investigate the fate of three Iranian pilots reportedly captured by Qatari forces.

In a letter to ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric, Bagherzadeh said the pilots were captured after two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets carried out a combat mission against an enemy military base in Qatar on March 2, 2026. He said one of the four pilots, Majid Kazemi, was killed, while Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Dashtian and Emran Behrouzian were captured alive after the aircraft were struck by air defenses during their return.

Bagherzadeh accused Qatar of failing to uphold the captured pilots’ fundamental rights under international humanitarian law, saying they had been denied contact with their families and Iranian officials despite repeated diplomatic efforts.

Referring to Articles 70 and 78 of the Third Geneva Convention, he said prisoners of war are entitled to communicate with their families, submit complaints and receive visits from ICRC representatives. He expressed “grave concern” over the pilots’ condition and said the issue required urgent humanitarian attention.

Iran’s Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i has dismissed US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about ownership of the Strait of Hormuz as “nonsense,” asserting that Iran considers the strategic waterway an inseparable part of its territorial and border domain.

In a social media post on Saturday, Mohseni-Eje’i said Trump’s statements reflected what he described as “delusions” and stressed that Iran would not accept claims challenging its sovereignty.

Mohseni-Eje’i said Iran had demonstrated its position through its military capabilities and warned that any hostile action or “adventurism” in the strategic waterway would face a forceful response.

He further argued that, from Iran’s perspective, international law and the principles of national sovereignty support Tehran’s position regarding the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and remains one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes.

The Indian Army has been accused of supporting the banned Awami Action Committee, with critics saying the move highlights alleged links between the group and India.

Reports claim videos supporting the committee and its leader Aman were displayed on large screens in the Keran sector near the Line of Control (LoC) on August 13 and 14.

The reported display came after Indian media allegedly supported the group. Experts said residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir celebrated Pakistan’s Independence Day enthusiastically and rejected what they described as the Indian narrative.

They claimed the alleged display was an attempt to create anti-Pakistan sentiment and provoke tensions along the LoC.

The US Army has temporarily suspended all Apache helicopter training missions after a deadly crash at Fort Hood, Texas, killed two soldiers.

The stand-down will remain in effect while investigators determine the cause of the Wednesday crash. Army investigators from Fort Rucker, Alabama, are examining the incident, but no cause has been announced.

Officials described the crash as severe and said it sparked a wildfire but did not hit any buildings. The suspension comes amid increased scrutiny of US military aviation safety following previous deadly accidents.

Fort Hood has also witnessed fatal training crashes in the past, including a 2015 Black Hawk crash that killed four soldiers.

Hamas has condemned Israel’s decision to transfer law enforcement powers involving extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank from the military to the Israeli police.

Hamas warned that the move could encourage annexation, settlement expansion and the Judaization of Palestinian land. It said the decision violates international law and could increase protection for settler violence against Palestinians and their property.

Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh also criticized the plan, calling it a breach of international law and another attempt to extend Israeli authority over occupied territory.

Israel’s military chief said the police would handle civilian law enforcement while the military focuses on security operations.

Iran has strongly rejected US President Donald Trump’s statement about the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran alone has the authority to decide whether the strategic waterway remains open or closed.

He also said Tehran is not afraid of US threats or military pressure. Trump earlier claimed that he would soon announce the Strait of Hormuz as US territory.

Speaking to Fox News, the US president also said Washington was preparing stronger economic pressure on Iran. He said the measures were aimed at forcing Tehran to end the ongoing war and increase pressure on the Iranian government.

The US has reportedly lost around 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during the war with Iran, representing nearly a quarter of its fleet, according to The Washington Post.

The reported losses are valued at about $1.3 billion. Not all were reportedly shot down by Iran, with some lost after operators lost communication with the drones.

The MQ-9 Reaper is used for surveillance, intelligence gathering and precision strikes. The losses could add operational and financial pressure on the US military.

The US is reportedly considering cheaper drones that can operate in large numbers, reducing reliance on expensive platforms like the MQ-9 Reaper.

Rising tensions in the Gulf and the worsening security situation around the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted domestic and international air travel from the United Arab Emirates. Several airlines have canceled or adjusted flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and other regional destinations.

Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia and flydubai have issued updated schedules and travel instructions. Passengers have been advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport because last-minute changes may occur due to the security situation.

Several international airlines have also suspended or reduced services to the region. British Airways, Philippine Airlines, Air France, Air Canada and Singapore Airlines have announced various flight suspensions or schedule changes involving Dubai, Bahrain, Riyadh, Tel Aviv and other destinations.

The disruptions highlight the wider impact of the escalating regional tensions on air travel. Airlines are continuing to monitor the situation, while passengers are being urged to check for the latest updates and allow additional time at airports.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked controversy by suggesting that Britain could become the world’s first “Islamic republic” with nuclear weapons. The remarks were made during a podcast interview for Israeli Army Radio and have drawn criticism.

Netanyahu compared present-day Britain with its past, claiming that the country no longer has the same pro-Israel environment. When asked about similar shifts across Europe, he repeated the controversial reference to Britain as a potential nuclear Islamic republic.

The comments come amid growing disagreements between Britain and Israel over the Gaza war, Israeli settlements and the recognition of a Palestinian state. British officials have increasingly supported tougher measures against Israel, including possible sanctions and restrictions linked to settlements.

Israeli opposition figures criticized Netanyahu’s remarks, arguing that mocking an important ally reflects a serious diplo

US President Donald Trump has said he will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory after what he described as a defeat of Iran. His remarks were delivered at a New York rally, though it remained unclear whether the statement represented an actual policy plan or political provocation.

Trump also warned that Washington could impose unprecedented economic pressure on Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US is preparing new financial measures alongside the naval blockade, while Trump warned that any Iranian attack on US interests would face a much stronger response.

Iran quickly rejected Trump’s territorial claim. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the Strait of Hormuz could not be seized through a political statement, military force or executive action, stressing that Iran was not intimidated by US threats.

The developments come amid escalating US-Iran tensions and uncertainty over the future of the conflict. Washington is expected to announce additional sanctions soon, while Tehran continues to reject US pressure and claims over the strategic waterway.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran has not yet decided whether to resume negotiations with the United States.

Araghchi said mediators Pakistan and Qatar are exchanging messages with Iran, but stressed that this communication does not mean direct talks between Tehran and Washington have resumed.

Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected US President Donald Trump’s remarks about the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran alone has the authority to decide whether the strategic waterway is opened or closed.

Gharibabadi also said Iran is not intimidated by US threats or displays of force. Trump has meanwhile threatened to increase economic pressure on Iran to push Tehran toward ending the war.

Global oil prices edged higher after the United States threatened to maintain a naval blockade of Iran indefinitely, raising concerns about possible disruptions to Iranian crude supplies.

Brent crude futures rose 9 cents, or 0.1%, to $87.16 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased 4 cents to $81.29. Both benchmarks had dropped more than 2% in the previous session.

Despite the latest rise, Brent and WTI remain on track for weekly gains of around 4%.

Investors are closely monitoring US-Iran tensions and developments around the Strait of Hormuz, where prolonged disruptions could affect Middle Eastern oil supplies and global energy markets.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that Iran could face severe economic pressure and unprecedented isolation from the global economy.

He said Washington is expected to announce new sanctions and economic measures against Tehran next week. Bessent said the measures would further separate Iran from global trade and financial systems.

He also warned that continued restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt the movement of goods from Iranian ports. The comments indicate that the US plans to intensify economic pressure alongside military measures.

Any new sanctions could affect Iran’s trade, revenues and financial access while also creating wider risks for oil prices and regional trade.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said a possible agreement with Oman on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz would not automatically lead to the waterway’s reopening.

He said Iran and Oman are working on a new Traffic Separation Scheme to protect both countries’ sovereign rights, national interests and security.

Baghaei said the talks are progressing well but stressed that reopening the strait is a separate issue linked to security and sovereignty concerns.

He blamed US and Israeli actions for restrictions on the waterway and rejected foreign pressure. Baghaei also emphasized that Iran-Oman talks are strictly bilateral.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naghdi has warned the United States against using nuclear weapons against Iran, saying such an action could have serious consequences for American interests and military bases worldwide.

In an interview with PBS, Naghdi said a nuclear attack would be a major mistake and argued that the consequences of such a move would extend beyond the region. He also claimed that Iran does not need nuclear weapons because it has other military capabilities for defense.

Naghdi further claimed that Iran has sufficient missiles to continue fighting even if a conflict lasts for years. He argued that Iran could maintain its military response during a prolonged war and put pressure on US interests around the world.

The Iranian official’s remarks reflect Tehran’s stated position and have not been independently verified. US officials had not immediately responded to the warnings and claims at the time of the report.

The US Navy is preparing to deploy the aircraft carrier USS George Washington to the Middle East, where it is expected to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been operating in the region for more than eight months.

The Abraham Lincoln has reportedly spent around 200 days without a port visit, far longer than the typical 30-to-45-day interval. The extended deployment has highlighted the pressure on US warships and their crews amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The USS George Washington was previously operating in the Western Pacific and recently visited Vietnam. It is now heading west through the Strait of Malacca and the Indian Ocean toward the Middle East.

The carrier’s deployment will help maintain US naval operations in the region while allowing the Abraham Lincoln’s crew to receive rest and recovery after its prolonged mission. Its arrival comes amid continuing tensions and military confrontation between the US and Iran.

A senior Iranian official has warned that Iran would respond more strongly and aggressively if another war breaks out in the future. Brigadier General Rasul Sanaei Rad, a political adviser in the Supreme Leader’s office, said Iran demonstrated strong resistance during the recent conflict.

Sanaei Rad said Iran would be prepared to adopt an even tougher approach in any future confrontation. Although he did not directly name the United States, he accused Iran’s enemies of trying to exploit economic pressure to create divisions within Iranian society.

According to the Iranian official, attempts to widen the gap between the Iranian people and the state through economic difficulties failed to achieve their objectives. He said Iran maintained its resistance despite facing significant pressure during the recent conflict.

His remarks come as tensions between Iran and its rivals remain high. The warning suggests that Tehran is prepared to adopt a more forceful defensive and retaliatory strategy if another military confrontation occurs.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned recent claims by Israeli officials regarding the occupied Golan Heights, reaffirming that the strategic territory remains an inseparable part of Syria.

In a statement issued Thursday, the ministry rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that the Golan Heights would remain under Israeli control “for eternity” and criticized his opposition to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the Palestinian people have the right to determine their own future and that Israeli policies cannot alter the legal status of Palestinian territory.

It also stressed that “the Golan Heights are an inseparable part of the territory of Syria,” arguing that what it described as colonial and occupation policies cannot change the territory’s historical and legal status.

Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani has claimed that Mojtaba Khamenei was the main target of the February 28 missile attack that killed Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Speaking to the Student News Network, Zakani said the missile struck the building where Mojtaba was staying, suggesting he was the intended target.

He said Mojtaba was injured, while his wife, Zahra Haddad, remained home that morning because she was unwell.

The attack reportedly killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several family members. Mojtaba Khamenei was later appointed Iran’s Supreme Leader following his father’s death.

Iranian weightlifting prodigy Mohammad Javad Beiranvand has dedicated his nine gold medals at the Asian Youth & Junior Weightlifting Championships to the country’s fallen soldiers, saying he hopes his future performances will bring pride and happiness to the Iranian people.

The 16-year-old made history in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, by winning all nine available gold medals in the men’s 75-kilogram category while also setting three youth world records.

Speaking after his title-winning performance, Beiranvand said he felt immense pride seeing the Iranian flag raised on the international podium. “For an athlete, there is nothing greater than being able to make the name of his country proud at an international event,” he said, dedicating his achievements to what he described as the “innocent martyred soldier of my homeland.”

The Canadian government’s delayed disclosure of a military medal awarded to Colonel David Turenne has raised questions over Ottawa’s role in the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

The Canadian Armed Forces said Turenne, a former CF-18 fighter pilot and current deputy commander of 1 Canadian Air Division, was honored for his “exceptional leadership” in facilitating the evacuation of around 10,000 personnel from Qatar’s al-Udeid Air Base in June 2025 amid Iranian retaliatory strikes. He received the medal on July 26, more than a year after organizing the emergency evacuation, but details of the award emerged only recently.

The delayed announcement has prompted criticism over the transparency of Canada’s military activities in West Asia. Former Canadian defense minister Peter MacKay questioned why the award was not publicly celebrated, while Canadian officials have faced scrutiny over the country’s regional military presence.

In March, Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, said approximately 200 Canadian personnel were deployed in the region, raising questions about Ottawa’s earlier claims that Canada had not participated in “offensive actions” against Iran.

Iran has called on all parties benefiting from commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to accept legal and moral responsibility for environmental damage in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said oil pollution had recently appeared along Qeshm Island, with initial evidence suggesting a foreign bulk carrier may be responsible.

He said pollution has affected several coastal and marine areas, causing long-term damage to the region’s ecosystem.

Baghaei said Iran has suffered losses worth trillions of dollars and urged shipping beneficiaries, insurers, and other involved parties to compensate for environmental damage.

Reports of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln attempting to jump overboard have raised serious concerns about the mental health and living conditions of nearly 5,000 sailors and Marines.

The carrier has been deployed for nine months, including 250 consecutive days without making land. Families have raised concerns over repeated deployment extensions and poor onboard conditions.

Lawmakers also reported problems including mold, broken toilets, laundry disruptions, lack of hot water, and inadequate meals and supplies.

The deployment was extended after the carrier was redirected to West Asia amid US and Israeli military actions against Iran.

Iran has denied reports that it has agreed with the United States to extend a 60-day ceasefire. The denial came after Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, citing Pakistani sources, reported that Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts had helped secure an extension.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that no talks are currently taking place with Washington over extending the ceasefire. According to the official, Tehran considers the previous interim agreement expired, making an extension unnecessary.

The Iranian official said Washington must first implement the terms of the interim agreement reached in June. The 60-day arrangement had been intended to maintain a ceasefire while allowing negotiations toward a permanent peace agreement, but President Donald Trump declared it over on July 7.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran and held meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the foreign minister and his Iranian counterpart. Discussions reportedly included efforts to revive the US-Iran memorandum, the ceasefire framework and broader regional developments.

US Central Command says its forces have redirected 59 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two others as part of the naval blockade on Iran. The latest figures represent a sharp increase in maritime interceptions since late July.

CENTCOM said the US Navy is enforcing what it calls a “steel wall blockade” while keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to neutral shipping. US forces reportedly restrict Iran-linked vessels through warnings, redirection, disabling actions and boarding operations.

Iran rejects Washington’s description of the waterway, with the IRGC-linked Persian Gulf Strait Authority maintaining that the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked until Tehran’s conditions are met. The conflicting claims highlight the continuing dispute over control and access through the strategic waterway.

The growing number of intercepted vessels is adding pressure on Iran’s oil exports, which are already affected by international sanctions. The escalation could either push Tehran toward renewed diplomacy or further intensify the standoff between the two sides.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has effectively lost its navy and air force and that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is severely weakened. He also said the US has “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz and described the American naval blockade as a “wall of steel.”

Trump further claimed that Iranian troops are going unpaid, the IRGC has been decimated, and Iran is facing a worsening economic crisis with inflation reaching 300%. He concluded by declaring that Iran is no longer a dominant regional power.

However, Iran’s officials have made sharply contrasting claims. IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi said the US has no warships in the Persian Gulf, while military adviser Mohammad Reza Naghdi claimed Iran had successfully resisted US-Israeli objectives and was adopting a more offensive military doctrine.

Neither side’s military claims have been independently verified. While Iran’s economy has faced severe pressure from sanctions, currency weakness and the conflict, the competing statements from Washington and Tehran highlight the continuing battle over how the war and its military consequences are portrayed.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that Iran does not seek instability in the region, stressing that aggressive actions by the United States and Israel have damaged regional peace and stability.

He said civilians, including the Supreme Leader and children at a school in Minab, were killed in the attacks, while vital civilian infrastructure was also destroyed.

Pezeshkian said Iran has not taken any action outside the framework of international law and has consistently sought to improve relations with neighboring countries.

He warned that Iran’s adversaries are seeking to create internal divisions and instability in order to undermine the Islamic system, adding that the current confrontation is more complex than previous conflicts.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in Tehran, where the two sides discussed the regional situation and matters of mutual interest.

According to Iranian media, Rezaei described Pakistan as a strategic partner of the Islamic Republic, saying successive Iranian leaders have attached great importance to relations with the neighboring country.

Rezaei described the relationship between Iran and Pakistan as genuine and rooted in faith and said Iran considers the Pakistani government, military and people a great asset to the Muslim world.

He also noted that Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff are playing a more active role in regional developments, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attaches special importance to Pakistan.

Iran has rapidly adapted its missile and drone tactics during the conflict with the United States, increasingly testing US air defenses across West Asia, according to The New York Times.

Iran has used waves of drones and missiles to overwhelm defenses, with one missile reportedly striking a US base in Jordan on July 17, killing three American soldiers and injuring more than 100.

The Pentagon has reportedly used over 1,500 Patriot interceptors, with fewer than 1,700 remaining.

Experts say Iran has studied tactics from the Ukraine war, combining drones, ballistic missiles and surveillance to exploit weaknesses in US defenses. Tensions remain high.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi has called on all Caspian Sea coastal states to explicitly condemn what he described as recent aggressive actions by Israel and Ukraine in the region.

In a message marking Caspian Sea Day, Gharibabadi, who also serves as Iran’s special representative for Caspian Sea affairs, stressed the need to uphold national sovereignty and territorial integrity, while highlighting the importance of the 2006 Tehran Convention as a framework for cooperation among the five littoral states.

Gharibabadi warned that the Caspian Sea is facing serious environmental challenges, particularly a sharp decline in its water level, which is affecting ecosystems, ports, shipping and fisheries.

He said the problem is linked not only to natural factors but also to climate change and human activity, calling for stronger institutional cooperation, joint scientific research and continuous data sharing among the coastal countries.

Iran has denied holding talks with the United States to extend a 60-day ceasefire, saying the agreement never officially took effect from Tehran’s perspective.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters that there was therefore no ceasefire period to extend. The remarks followed reports that Iran and the US had agreed to prolong the ceasefire under an interim agreement signed in June.

Iran said the US violated the deal shortly after it was reached and later withdrew from it.

Tehran said further negotiations would require conditions including a ceasefire in Lebanon, freedom of navigation in the Gulf and permission to sell oil through sanctions waivers. No progress has been reported.

Air defense systems have been deployed around US President Donald Trump’s private golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, amid concerns over possible Iranian drone and missile attacks.

US media reported that an Avenger air defense system and Sentinel radar were seen near the club while Trump was present.

The White House confirmed the authenticity of the footage and photos. Security concerns also increased after two civilian aircraft entered a temporary restricted airspace near the golf club. NORAD said F-16 fighter jets intercepted and escorted the aircraft out safely.

The measures reflect heightened security concerns amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States.

Iran has launched missiles and drones at Kurdish positions near Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, according to international media reports.

Iranian forces reportedly targeted Kurdish bases in and around Erbil, raising security concerns in northern Iraq.

Four drones were reported to have crashed in Erbil province, although it was unclear which side they belonged to or how they were brought down. No immediate casualties or major damage were reported.

The strikes come amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States and long-standing disputes between Iran and Kurdish armed groups operating from Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard adviser Mohammad Reza Naqdi has claimed that Iran gained valuable military experience during its ongoing conflict with the United States.

In an interview with PBS, Naqdi said Iran had been successful and would continue what he called its achievements. He said the longer the conflict lasted, the more experience Iranian forces would gain.

Naqdi claimed Iran had learned about US military tactics and capabilities while testing its own forces. He also said Iran found the US military weaker than expected.

Naqdi described Iran as the winner of the conflict, while no immediate US response to his remarks was reported.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran and conveyed a special message from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

Naqvi also briefed the Iranian president about the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.

During the meeting, Pezeshkian said Iran was ready to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan. He stressed that stronger bilateral ties would benefit both countries and contribute to regional security and stability.

The Iranian president also said closer Pakistan-Iran relations could help improve security and cooperation across the region and further strengthen bilateral ties.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran is ready to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in security and other areas, stressing that stronger bilateral ties could contribute to regional stability.

Speaking after meeting Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran, Pezeshkian said Iran is prepared to expand relations with Pakistan in political, economic, trade, cultural and security fields.

Naqvi said Pakistan is committed to strengthening its relations with Iran across all sectors and described the ties between the two countries as strong and enduring. He also highlighted Islamabad’s serious efforts to expand comprehensive cooperation with Tehran.

During his visit, Naqvi also met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Iranian counterpart, Mohsen Momeni. The meetings focused on bilateral relations and the evolving regional situation.

Pakistan’s efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran are facing growing pressure as the ceasefire remains fragile. A South Asian Voices analysis argues that Islamabad should not be blamed if the peace process falters.

Pakistan’s ties with Washington, Tehran, Saudi Arabia and China give it a unique diplomatic position. Its efforts helped facilitate direct US-Iran talks and contributed to a broader ceasefire framework with Qatar.

However, renewed fighting has raised doubts about the durability of the agreement. The analysis attributes the instability mainly to deep mistrust between the US and Iran rather than failures by Pakistan as a mediator.

Pakistan’s mediation has strengthened its diplomatic profile, particularly in Washington, but its long-term success will depend on whether the US-Iran ceasefire can hold. The outcome remains largely beyond Islamabad’s control.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has claimed that the US Navy no longer has any warships in the Persian Gulf, describing it as a major reversal from its earlier reported presence of 30 to 40 vessels.

IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi linked the alleged withdrawal to Iran’s retaliation against US, Israeli and allied targets following strikes on Iranian energy facilities.

The claim conflicts with US President Donald Trump’s statement that the US Navy maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz and is clearing mines from the waterway. Neither side’s claims have been independently verified.

The conflict has significantly disrupted shipping through the region, with vessel traffic reportedly falling sharply. Independent satellite tracking and shipping data may provide a clearer picture of the current naval situation.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has congratulated the appointment of six senior officials to key positions, stressing the importance of greater coordination among the country’s armed forces and the advancement of defense and technological capabilities.

In a message to Major General Ali Abdollahi on Tuesday, Pezeshkian said safeguarding Iran’s security, independence and territorial integrity requires “vigilance, coordination and all-out readiness.”

He described the position of Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces as strategically important, saying Abdollahi’s experience in various command roles and his record in defending the country would be valuable in carrying out the responsibility.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran achieved victory both on the battlefield and diplomatically during the recent US-Israeli aggression and 12-day war, stressing that Iranian resistance ultimately forced the adversary to seek negotiations.

Speaking at a ceremony to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between diplomacy and the health sector to rebuild infrastructure damaged during the war, Araghchi said the conflict, like the eight-year Iran-Iraq War, witnessed unprecedented courage and sacrifice by Iranians across all sectors.

Araghchi said Iranian men and women ensured that livelihoods and access to essential health, hygiene and medical services remained uninterrupted despite the aggression.

He said Iran had demonstrated its ability to withstand what he described as the world’s largest conventional military force. “Iran rendered the world’s largest conventional army incapable and defeated it. This is not a slogan; it is a reality,” he said, adding that Iran had shown itself to be a resilient and formidable power.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei has made a series of major appointments to six senior military positions, including the commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Navy.

Major General Ali Abdollahi has been appointed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, while Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari will serve as his deputy. Major General Ahmad Vahidi has been named IRGC commander, with Major General Mostafa Izadi appointed as his deputy.

Rear Admiral Ali Ozamaei has been appointed commander of the IRGC Navy, with orders to strengthen naval training, equipment, intelligence capabilities and operational readiness. Hojjatoleslam Hossein Taeb has also been named head of the Basij Organization, with a focus on expanding its capabilities and training.

The appointments come amid heightened tensions and follow the reported deaths of several senior Iranian commanders in US-Israeli strikes. The new leadership has been tasked with strengthening Iran’s defense capabilities, improving military preparedness and enhancing the country’s ability to respond to conventional, hybrid and emerging threats.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has criticized the United States, accusing Washington of turning to sanctions after failing to achieve its objectives through diplomacy.

Baghaei said on X that when US sanctions fail to produce the desired results, Washington increases the pressure instead of pursuing diplomatic solutions. He stressed that Iran would not be forced to surrender by sanctions.

The Iranian spokesperson argued that sanctions have become a habitual tool of US foreign policy rather than an effective means of resolving disputes. He maintained that previous sanctions had also failed to force Tehran to change its policies.

Tensions between Iran and the US have persisted for decades, with Washington continuing economic pressure over Iran’s nuclear program and regional policies. Tehran has repeatedly called for dialogue and diplomacy instead of unilateral sanctions.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the US military has cleared mines from the Strait of Hormuz, while avoiding details about Washington’s next steps against Iran.

Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, Trump said the US could further intensify its actions against Iran and seek compensation for the damage allegedly caused by Tehran.

Trump also claimed that the US Navy currently controls the Strait of Hormuz, describing the American blockade as highly effective and likening it to an “iron wall” that allows only authorized vessels to pass.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global energy route connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. Any disruption or security threat in the waterway could affect maritime traffic and place additional pressure on global oil and energy prices.

Iranian Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Nikzad has said the United States must accept arrangements established by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that the restrictions have created a new political and military order in the Persian Gulf.

Addressing an open parliamentary session on Monday, Nikzad said the US and Israel had realized that military force could not reopen the strategic waterway and would have to accept the region’s new realities.

Nikzad said Iran had spent recent months using dialogue to explain what he called the “battlefield realities” to Washington, particularly that the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its pre-war conditions.

Iran began restricting transit through the waterway in early March following the start of joint US-Israeli aggression, affecting a route through which around one-fifth of global oil supplies traditionally pass. Iran and the US later signed a memorandum of understanding in June under which Iran would manage the strait and gradually restore transit, while the US would lift sanctions and its blockade.

As Japan marks the 81st anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the Japanese city has hosted the family of seven-year-old Makan Nasiri, who was killed in a US-Israeli attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Iran’s Minab. Makan was reportedly the only victim of the attack whose body has not been recovered.

During their visit, Makan’s parents met Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui and briefed him on the attack and its impact on children and civilians.

Makan’s mother said she and her husband had left their other two children in Minab to travel to Japan and ensure that the voices of their son and other children affected by war were heard internationally.

Rejecting claims by US President Donald Trump questioning images from the attack site, she insisted that the images were authentic and called for accountability. She said families and the international community must ensure that such tragedies are not forgotten or repeated.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution and Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Armed Forces, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, has appointed Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi as the new commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), as part of new appointments to six senior military positions.

In a decree issued Monday, the Leader promoted Vahidi to the rank of major general, citing his extensive experience and distinguished record of service.

Ayatollah Khamenei said Vahidi’s appointment followed the “honorable and proud martyrdom” of former IRGC commander Major General Mohammad Pakpour at the hands of what he described as the “Zionist-American enemy.”

He tasked Vahidi with strengthening Iran’s military capabilities to achieve maximum deterrence and maintaining smart readiness for powerful offensive operations, describing the appointment as taking place amid a strategic and decisive confrontation with the “global arrogance.”

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed regional developments and efforts to promote peace and stability. Dar also briefed Araghchi on the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. Both ministers agreed to maintain close contact on matters of mutual interest.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has revealed details of his recent seven-hour meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, saying the Leader stressed that preserving national unity and cohesion is essential to confronting enemy plots.

Speaking on Monday during a meeting with secretaries-general of political parties and political figures at the Interior Ministry, Pezeshkian described his talks with the Leader as “very productive” and said all major issues facing Iran were discussed.

Pezeshkian said maintaining unity and cohesion was Ayatollah Khamenei’s most important recommendation, warning that Iran’s adversaries were seeking to exploit divisions within the country.

“Today, the enemy’s entire strategy is focused on sowing discord,” he said, urging political groups and citizens to avoid disagreements and statements that could undermine national cohesion.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held discussions with DRC President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and former Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

Dar briefed them on the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, highlighting its role in strengthening defence cooperation, strategic coordination, and regional stability.

During his meeting with President Tshisekedi, Dar also discussed Pakistan-DRC bilateral relations. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation through increased high-level exchanges and stronger engagement.

The meetings reflect Pakistan’s efforts to expand diplomatic partnerships while promoting regional security, strategic cooperation, and stronger relations with international partners.

This provides a strong argument that Iran’s missile production capabilities remain operational and adaptable despite sustained military pressure. The reported development of the hybrid Haj Qassem–Kheybar Shekan/Fattah configuration suggests continued engineering activity, modular integration, and efforts to expand operational capabilities.

The broader picture points to an Iranian defense industry that has adapted to sanctions, sabotage, and direct attacks by relying heavily on domestic expertise and production. Rather than indicating a complete breakdown, continued missile development and fielding would suggest that parts of Iran’s industrial and technical infrastructure remain functional.

The hybrid configuration is particularly significant because it reportedly combines components from existing missile families, demonstrating an approach focused on adapting established technologies rather than developing every system entirely from scratch.

However, claims about surplus production, improved accuracy, terminal guidance, and the scale of Iran’s industrial expansion would require independent technical and intelligence assessments for definitive confirmation.

Greenlandic authorities have issued a stronger warning to a US oil company after it brought drilling equipment ashore without obtaining the required government approvals.

The equipment was reportedly brought to eastern Greenland for an oil exploration project in the Jameson Land region. Officials said the company must obtain approval for future logistical operations.

The dispute involves Greenland Energy, which claims the area could contain oil reserves worth up to $1 trillion. The company recently acquired a majority stake in the exploration project.

The incident comes amid renewed US interest in Greenland, with President Donald Trump continuing to highlight the territory’s strategic and resource importance. Greenland and Denmark have previously opposed any attempt to challenge the territory’s sovereignty.

The regulatory dispute could therefore become part of the wider geopolitical debate over Greenland’s natural resources, strategic location and US interests in the Arctic.

Uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a fresh rise in global oil prices, reflecting continued concerns over energy supplies and maritime security.

During Asian trading, Brent crude prices climbed by more than 1%, surpassing $84 per barrel, while US crude prices also gained over 1%.

The future of shipping through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz remains unclear as negotiations continue over maritime access and new shipping arrangements.

Iran says talks with Oman on establishing new maritime routes through the strait are nearing completion, but Tehran maintains that the United States must meet additional conditions before the situation can fully normalize.

Major General Mohsen Rezaei has reportedly been appointed as Iran’s representative to the Supreme National Security Council.

Rezaei, a former IRGC commander and current senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, has extensive experience in Iranian security and military affairs.

The appointment formally strengthens his role in Iran’s key wartime security and strategic decision-making process.

Rezaei has been highly active in commenting on Iran’s military posture, negotiations, and responses to US and regional actions during the conflict.

His expanded role could signal greater reliance on experienced security officials as the conflict continues without a clear resolution.

Iranian Ground Forces Commander Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi warned that any US soldier entering Iranian territory would face a full military response.

He said Iran’s ground forces remain fully combat-ready and continue monitoring the country’s borders.

The warning comes amid concerns that Washington could consider limited ground operations in Iran after months of air, naval, and missile strikes.

Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that a US ground incursion would represent a major escalation and a fundamentally different phase of the conflict.

The statement appears aimed at deterring any potential US ground operation, although it remains unclear whether Iran has intelligence indicating such plans.

Head of Iran’s Media Basij Organization Morteza Karamouzian has said that 353 Iranian media workers have been martyred during three wars imposed on the country in 1980–1988, 2025 and earlier this year.

He announced the figures on Sunday, saying the 1980–1988 Iraqi-imposed war claimed the lives of 333 Iranian media personnel.

Karamouzian said the illegal US-Israeli aggression against Iran in June 2025 killed 12 media workers, including two employees of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

He added that eight more media personnel were martyred during the third imposed war, which began on February 28 following US and Israeli attacks and ended in early April after 40 days.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement aimed at strengthening defence cooperation, security coordination and collective response capabilities among the three countries. Signed during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit, the pact states that any armed attack against one of the three nations will be considered an attack against all.

The agreement seeks to enhance military cooperation, address emerging security threats and promote regional stability amid growing tensions in the Middle East. The pact also builds on existing defence relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia while highlighting a shared commitment among the three countries to work together on security challenges.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said diplomacy forced the United States to move towards an understanding with Tehran, calling it a success for Iran’s diplomatic efforts. He claimed Washington failed to follow the guidelines agreed under the Iran-Oman framework and Islamabad Memorandum, which led Iran to respond.

Pezeshkian said a special team is working to address the situation and expressed hope that Iran would continue forward with dignity and determination. He added that Tehran’s policy towards the US remains unchanged and accused Washington and Israel of trying to weaken Iran through pressure and internal divisions.

The Iranian president urged the public to remain united, saying national solidarity is essential to protect Iran’s security and defense capabilities.

A media report says President Donald Trump is facing a difficult situation as the Iran war enters its sixth month.

Trump faces a choice between accepting a proposed interim agreement between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz or increasing military action.

Under the proposed deal, Iran could receive a limited role in monitoring maritime traffic, while the US insists the waterway must remain fully open and free from any country’s control.

Rising fuel prices, public opposition, and declining political support are creating additional pressure on the Trump administration.

Analysts say the war has not yet achieved its main objectives, while China, Russia, and North Korea are closely watching US capabilities and strategy.

President Trump has ordered an investigation into the alleged leak of classified information about US weapons stockpiles during the Iran war, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Trump rejected reports of ammunition shortages, claiming the US has more weapons than any other country and calling those responsible for leaks “traitors.”

The investigation follows reports that US military officials warned about pressure on interceptor missile supplies and the need to increase weapons production.

The move has highlighted tensions between the administration’s public statements and internal military assessments regarding US weapons readiness.

The inquiry will determine whether sensitive military information was illegally disclosed and whether the reports about weapons shortages contain accurate details.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed regional developments, peace efforts, and bilateral cooperation during a phone call.

The two leaders also focused on maritime security and freedom of navigation amid disruptions affecting key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.

The conversation reflects Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen international coordination as it faces growing regional security challenges involving Iran-linked tensions and threats to shipping and energy infrastructure.

Riyadh and Paris reaffirmed the importance of cooperation to support regional stability and protect global trade routes.

Iranian military spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said that Iran has strengthened its military capabilities and is fully prepared to respond to any threats.

He said Iran is upgrading its defense systems, expanding domestic production, and improving operational readiness to face possible challenges.

Akraminia warned that Iran’s retaliatory actions would continue if the US carries out further attacks on Iranian territory and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance said Washington would use military, economic, and diplomatic tools to resolve the conflict with Iran, while noting that negotiations remain difficult due to divisions within Iran’s leadership.

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced on Thursday that it had identified and arrested 21 individuals allegedly linked to Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, along with four members of armed groups involved in unrest and criminal activities in Kerman Province.

According to the ministry, one key suspect and 20 other individuals were detained in separate operations across various cities in the province.

Authorities alleged that the main suspect collected classified information on sensitive military and air defense facilities and transmitted it to the Israeli intelligence service.

The ministry added that several of the other suspects were arrested over their activities on social media, while investigations into their alleged roles remain ongoing.

Iranian Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarqandi on Wednesday condemned the attack on a sports stadium in Lamerd that killed and injured civilians, describing it as a humanitarian tragedy and a “clear crime against defenseless people.” During a visit to the county, the minister assessed the healthcare response and reviewed the medical needs of hospitals treating victims of the attack.

Zafarqandi toured various departments of a local hospital to evaluate healthcare services, treatment capacity and emergency preparedness in the aftermath of the incident.

He said the purpose of his visit was to examine the region’s healthcare infrastructure, assess the performance of medical and health networks during the crisis, and identify the resources needed to strengthen treatment and emergency care services.

Pakistan and Iran have signed the agreed minutes of the 10th Pakistan-Iran Joint Trade Committee meeting, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen economic ties.

Both countries pledged to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion and finalize a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as soon as possible.

They agreed to boost business-to-business links, expand border trade, and improve transport, logistics, and border connectivity.

The two sides also decided to accelerate the opening of the Cheedgi-Kohak border market, expand agricultural trade, and establish joint committees to manage border markets. Technical committees will continue working to implement the agreed decisions without delay.

The United States, Iran and Oman are reportedly on the verge of reaching an interim agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with a formal announcement expected as early as Wednesday, according to a report by Axios citing two regional sources and a US official.

The proposed arrangement follows weeks of negotiations aimed at restoring the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran and paving the way for renewed talks on Iran’s nuclear program. US President Donald Trump said negotiations were ongoing, adding that he wanted to give Iran “one last chance” before any potentially devastating military action.

According to the report, the draft agreement would accommodate some of Iran’s demands regarding greater control over maritime traffic in the strategically vital waterway. Under a proposed 60-day temporary arrangement between Iran and Oman, which could be extended, all vessels entering the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz would transit via the northern shipping lane passing through Iranian waters.

Outbound traffic heading toward the Arabian Sea would use the southern lane through Omani waters in coordination with Iran. No tolls or transit fees would be imposed during the interim period.

The US Department of War has reportedly introduced a new system for tracking military casualties linked to Iran’s retaliatory strikes, separating personnel killed or wounded after July 7 from those recorded during the earlier phase of the conflict.

According to an investigative report by The Intercept, casualties sustained since July 7 are now listed on a separate “Overseas Operations” webpage instead of being included in the Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS), which covers losses incurred during the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran between February 27 and April 7.

The report states that the new page lists 273 US troops as killed or wounded since July 7. When combined with casualties previously recorded during Iran’s retaliation to the 40-day conflict, the official US casualty figure reaches 704 personnel.

However, The Intercept said its own investigation identified additional known casualties absent from official records, estimating that the overall number exceeds 900 service members.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Amman, Jordan, to attend a ministerial meeting on Jerusalem hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom.

During the visit, Dar is scheduled to participate in discussions on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, meet King Abdullah II, and hold bilateral meetings with other foreign ministers.

The meeting highlights Jordan’s role in protecting the status of Jerusalem’s holy sites and comes amid rising regional tensions, including developments in Gaza and broader Middle East security issues.

Pakistan’s participation reflects Islamabad’s continued diplomatic engagement on regional peace, Palestinian issues, and Middle East stability.

President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz will reopen “very soon” as negotiations with Iran continue, while warning that Tehran would face severe military action if no agreement is reached.

Trump claimed he had been prepared to launch a major attack on Iran but agreed to talks after Iranian officials allegedly requested negotiations. He also reiterated that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

However, Iran has denied Trump’s claims, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei insisting that no direct negotiations with the United States are taking place and that discussions are limited to Oman over the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflicting statements highlight continued uncertainty over US-Iran diplomacy, while the future of the Strait of Hormuz remains a key issue affecting regional security and global energy markets.

Iran and Oman are nearing an agreement on a new maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said discussions are ongoing to create a temporary secure passage with separate lanes for incoming and outgoing vessels.

He added that an agreement with Oman alone would not fully restore normal conditions in the strait if tensions with the US continue.

The development comes as concerns remain over the impact of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route.

Global oil prices rose about 1% as concerns grew over continued Middle East supply disruptions and uncertainty surrounding US-Iran diplomacy.

Brent crude increased to $84.89 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate climbed to $81.11 after prices had fallen sharply the previous day following hopes of possible talks between Washington and Tehran.

The rebound came after Iran denied US claims that negotiations were underway, reducing market confidence over a potential diplomatic breakthrough.

Analysts say oil markets remain highly sensitive to developments around the Strait of Hormuz, with continued uncertainty over shipping and conflict risks likely to keep prices volatile.

Iran has rejected any alternative route through the Strait of Hormuz, with senior advisor Mohsen Rezaei warning that any US military presence in the strait would be considered a target.

Rezaei said Iran will not allow shipping arrangements outside its control, claiming many vessels have turned back after Iranian warnings. His remarks reinforce Tehran’s firm position on maintaining authority over the strategic waterway.

He also revealed that Iran had prepared possible strikes on Ukrainian targets after an attack on an Iranian vessel but halted the plan after Ukraine reportedly acknowledged the incident as a mistake.

The comments come amid continued uncertainty over US-Iran diplomacy, with Washington claiming talks are ongoing while Tehran denies direct negotiations. The Strait of Hormuz remains the main unresolved issue between the two sides.

A group of 25 Democratic-led US states has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging new tariffs imposed on 60 trading partners. The states argue that the president exceeded his legal authority by imposing broad import taxes.

The tariffs, introduced on July 24, include 10% and 12.5% duties on countries including the European Union. The Trump administration says the measures target goods linked to forced labor, while critics claim they are another expansion of executive power.

The legal challenge follows previous court defeats for Trump’s tariff policies, including rulings that blocked earlier sweeping tariffs imposed under emergency powers.

The outcome of the case could determine whether Trump’s broader tariff strategy can continue, as courts examine whether the administration has the authority to apply such wide-ranging trade measures.

President Trump said talks with Iran were underway and described them as Tehran’s “last chance” to reach a deal, but Iran’s Foreign Ministry denied that any negotiations with Washington were taking place or planned.

Trump claimed the talks were requested by Iran and Gulf allies, while Iran said only discussions with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz were ongoing. The conflicting statements highlighted major differences between Washington and Tehran over the status of diplomacy.

Tensions remain centered on the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides maintaining opposing positions on control of the key shipping route. Trump warned of further action if no agreement is reached, while Iran continues to reject direct negotiations with the US.

Despite the uncertainty, global markets reacted positively to signs of possible de-escalation, with oil prices falling and stocks gaining as investors hoped the pause in fighting could lead to a diplomatic breakthrough.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss regional and international developments, including the situation in Occupied East Jerusalem.

During the call, Ishaq Dar invited Araghchi to visit Pakistan, highlighting the strong diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Tehran.

The two ministers reaffirmed the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation to address regional challenges and promote peace and stability.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that the United States has the capability to carry out military operations against Iran on a scale rarely seen since World War II.

In a statement on social media platform X, Hegseth said the US military remains fully prepared for any possible action and that American forces are at maximum combat readiness.

His remarks came amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, with both sides issuing strong warnings over regional security developments.

Earlier, President Donald Trump also warned that the US could launch extremely large-scale strikes against Iran if necessary, increasing fears of a wider military confrontation.

Iran has executed two men convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, according to the Iranian judiciary.

Authorities identified the individuals as Omid Behzad and Pouria Safvat, accusing them of providing sensitive information to networks linked with Mossad. Iranian officials said the men shared details related to military, security, and strategic locations.

According to Iran’s judiciary, Behzad allegedly provided geographical coordinates of sensitive sites, while Safvat was accused of sending images and videos of locations, including air defense systems, which officials claimed were later targeted.

The two men were arrested by Iran’s IRGC intelligence unit and their death sentences were approved by the Supreme Court before execution. The move comes amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, with both sides accusing each other of espionage and covert operations.

The CIA and Israel’s Mossad are reportedly facing challenges in locating Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, with analysts suggesting his strict security measures have made intelligence tracking difficult.

Reports claim Mojtaba Khamenei has avoided digital communication methods for months, limiting electronic surveillance opportunities and forcing intelligence agencies to rely more heavily on human intelligence networks.

Security experts say Iran’s leadership has adopted strong protection measures, making traditional intelligence operations more complicated. Former Mossad officials have also acknowledged the difficulty of tracking high-level Iranian figures operating under tight security.

The situation highlights the ongoing intelligence competition between Iran and its adversaries, with both sides continuously adapting their strategies as regional tensions continue.

Israel has expressed serious concerns over a US-backed proposal requiring Hamas to give up its weapons, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office questioning whether the group is genuinely willing to disarm. Israel says Hamas could rebuild its military strength if Israeli forces withdraw too early.

Hamas, however, says any agreement must begin with an end to Israeli attacks, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the delivery of humanitarian aid. The group says weapons-related arrangements can only be discussed after security guarantees are provided.

The main disagreement centers on Israel’s demand for the complete destruction of Hamas’s weapons and continued military freedom in Gaza, while Hamas seeks a full ceasefire and withdrawal before taking further steps.

The conflicting conditions highlight major obstacles in ceasefire negotiations, with both sides holding different views on security, withdrawal, and disarmament. The success of any future agreement will depend on whether these fundamental differences can be resolved.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has rejected President Trump’s claim that Tehran requested the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and sought a new agreement with Washington. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei called the statement baseless and warned that any US action would have regional consequences.

Baghaei said Iran will not surrender to pressure and that talks with Oman over Hormuz are only bilateral, aimed at protecting Iranian interests rather than returning to previous arrangements. He also denied that Iran had asked Gulf countries to intervene for a deal.

The spokesperson said Iran believes the US violated earlier commitments by launching attacks before the agreed period ended. Iranian officials maintain that Hormuz restrictions will continue, with shipping allowed only under conditions set by Iranian authorities.

The conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran highlight continued disagreement over the status of negotiations. The outcome of upcoming talks will depend on whether both sides can establish a common understanding on Hormuz and broader security issues.

President Donald Trump said US-Iran talks will resume on Monday after he canceled what he described as a massive planned military strike against Iran. He said negotiations would begin Monday afternoon after requests from allies and Iran to give diplomacy another chance.

Trump said Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran urged the US to halt the operation, believing a diplomatic agreement was still possible. He added that the US was fully prepared to carry out the strike but chose to pause it.

According to Trump, the negotiations will first focus on resolving issues related to the Strait of Hormuz, followed by separate talks on Iran’s nuclear program. The phased approach is intended to address the most pressing disputes before broader issues.

The renewed talks come after weeks of military escalation and failed mediation efforts. Whether this latest diplomatic push succeeds will depend on both sides reaching common ground on the Strait of Hormuz and other key disagreements.

Iran has dismissed media reports claiming that it has agreed to a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, describing the reports as false and insisting that no change has been made to its policy regarding the strategic waterway. The reports had cited Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, who claimed Iran had accepted a proposal allowing ships to enter the Persian Gulf through Iranian territorial waters and exit via Omani waters.

According to Fars News Agency, citing a source close to Iran’s nuclear negotiating team, the Islamic Republic has reached no agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The source said the reports were “false” and reaffirmed that no decision had been taken to alter Iran’s position on the passage.

Senior Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei said no country, including European states, accepts what he described as US interference in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that the strategic waterway is a matter for the countries of the region.

Speaking on Saturday, the former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the Strait of Hormuz “has nothing to do with the US government.”

Rezaei said the Strait of Hormuz is used by countries around the world but questioned the legal basis for US involvement in the waterway.

Iranian authorities are continuing efforts to determine the fate of three Air Force Su-24 pilots who went missing after participating in an operation against the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, according to Iranian Army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia.

In a televised interview, Brigadier General Akraminia said the Iranian Army launched air operations against US military bases in the region two days after what Iran described as US and Israeli aggression on February 28, under plans prepared in advance.

Akraminia said one operation involved F-5 fighter jets targeting the Al Adiri base in Kuwait, while a separate mission saw Su-24 bombers strike the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

He described the Su-24 mission as one of the most complex operations carried out by the Iranian Air Force, citing the extensive deployment of enemy air defense systems across the region.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr warned that continued US “provocations” could lead to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and other strategic waterways.

He said such a move could have serious effects on the “global economy, the energy market, and American voters.”

The US Central Command announced on July 14 that a maritime blockade on Iran had been reimposed under President Donald Trump’s direction.

Tensions remain high as Washington demands freedom of navigation, while Iran says shipping through the Strait of Hormuz should be managed under a system controlled by Tehran.

• Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters warned the US and Israel against attacking key infrastructure, saying any military action would have serious consequences.
• Major General Ali Abdollahi said Iran has the capability, determination and plans to respond to any attack and warned against military “miscalculations.”
• US President Donald Trump said his administration was preparing strong military action against Iran, with the aim of pressuring Tehran to surrender.
• Trump claimed previous US strikes had severely damaged Iran’s military capabilities and said pressure would continue until Iran could no longer endure the situation.

The US military rejected Iran’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed, saying commercial shipping continues normally.

US Central Command said thousands of vessels have passed through the strategic waterway over the past four months.

Iran claimed its forces stopped two vessels from leaving the strait and forced four oil tankers to turn back.

The conflicting claims have raised international concerns about maritime security and possible impacts on global energy markets.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the UK against helping countries carrying out attacks on Iran, calling such cooperation “unacceptable.”

Araghchi said allowing an aggressor to use a country’s territory or facilities for attacks could be considered an act of aggression under international law.

He criticised Britain’s policy toward Iran and urged the UK government to reconsider its position, warning third countries against supporting US actions.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK “is not part of the war with Iran” and stressed that diplomacy should be used to reduce tensions.

A US Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet crashed near MCAS Miramar in San Diego on Friday, causing a brush fire.

The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and was recovered after the crash. No injuries or deaths were immediately reported.

The crash involved an aircraft from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Aircraft Group 11.

The cause remains under investigation, while firefighters controlled the brush fire and the military secured the crash site.

The Wall Street Journal reports that US President Donald Trump has instructed the military to prepare for possible new action against Iran.

The US and Israel are reportedly considering targets, including Iran’s energy facilities, as tensions increase. Trump warned that Washington could launch stronger military operations if Tehran refuses to change its policies.

He accused Iran of breaking commitments and taking provocative steps that threaten regional peace. Trump also said the US would not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.

He claimed previous US actions had weakened Iran’s military capabilities and warned that continued pressure could eventually force Tehran to negotiate.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its forces shot down an Israeli drone over Bandar Imam Khomeini after detecting it in the city’s airspace.

According to a statement issued by the IRGC unit in Bandar Imam Khomeini, the drone was intercepted and brought down before it could complete its mission.

The statement said debris from the drone fell onto a residential building in Bandar Imam Khomeini, but no casualties were reported. Iranian authorities said the incident caused material damage only, with no injuries or fatalities among residents.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged Bulgaria to reconsider its decision to allow the deployment of US military aircraft at Bezmer Air Base during a phone call with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova on Thursday.

Araghchi blamed the United States for escalating military tensions in West Asia and criticized Sofia’s approval of Washington’s request, calling it “condemnable, unacceptable, and inconsistent” with the longstanding friendly relations between Iran and Bulgaria.

Araghchi argued that permitting a state’s territory to be used by another country to launch military action against a third state constitutes an act of aggression under Article 3 of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3314.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its latest military operation was carried out as part of what it described as the “punishment of the aggressor.”

In a statement, the IRGC said its Aerospace Force and Ground Force continue operations against US forces while nationwide public gatherings across Iran have persisted alongside the campaign.

According to the statement, public rallies have continued for 150 consecutive nights, with participants demanding what the IRGC described as “revenge for the blood of the martyred Imam” and calling for the expulsion of American forces from the region. The organization presented the demonstrations as a sign of continued public support for its position.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos held talks on regional security, with Araghchi emphasizing the importance of preventing foreign military bases in Cyprus from being used for hostile actions against Iran.

He stressed the need to ensure that such facilities are not exploited by external forces to target the Islamic Republic.

Kombos reaffirmed Cyprus’ commitment to international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

He said the Cypriot government had been in contact with the United Kingdom and had received assurances that the British military bases located in Cyprus would not be used against any country, including Iran.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has criticized the international community’s handling of ongoing conflicts, saying international law is being increasingly ignored while violations continue without accountability.

In remarks published on Thursday, Baghaei warned that growing impunity is undermining confidence in the global legal system and making it increasingly difficult to achieve or sustain agreements reached through diplomacy.

Referring to the situation in the Middle East, Baghaei said the ongoing crisis has inflicted devastating consequences on both the region and the wider international community.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday that two oil tankers attempted to leave the “unsafe southern route” of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday night after being directed by US aircraft.

According to the IRGC, one of the tankers caught fire, prompting both vessels to reverse course and return.

In its statement, the IRGC asserted that the Strait of Hormuz falls under Iran’s control, saying its naval forces maintain firm authority over the strategic waterway

The analysis claims that US military casualties in the conflict with Iran included 64 officers, two generals, and nearly one-third of the reserve personnel. It also alleges that traumatic brain injuries were the most common type of injury, affecting at least 170 soldiers.

The report further argues that the Pentagon has historically understated military casualties in conflicts such as the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars to maintain troop morale and sustain military operations..

According to the analysis, one of the main reasons for the reported increase in US casualties was the extensive network of American military bases across West Asia, particularly in the Persian Gulf. It argues that bases in Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia provided Iran with multiple potential targets.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said an overnight US attack struck two residential houses in Qeshm with bunker-buster bombs, killing three members of the same family a father, mother, and child and injuring two other children, according to a statement issued by the IRGC’s Public Relations Office.

The IRGC said it responded on Thursday morning by launching several ballistic missiles at the parking apron and maintenance hangars used by US F-35 fighter jets at Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan.

The force claimed the attack destroyed three F-35 aircraft, heavily damaged three others, and killed several US officers and maintenance personnel.

Oil prices fell on Thursday as tankers continued leaving the Middle East despite escalating US-Iran tensions. Brent crude dropped 1.42% to $89.45 a barrel, while WTI fell 0.66% to $83.90.

The decline followed strong gains in the previous session. Shipping activity through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait increased, but the Strait of Hormuz remained largely restricted, raising concerns over global energy supplies.

Iran rejected a proposal for joint management of Hormuz. Meanwhile, US and Saudi forces struck paramilitary groups in Iraq, while Iran attacked US bases in Jordan and oil tankers.

Houthi threats also increased shipping risks in the Red Sea.