- Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said vessels belonging to what it described as “hostile countries” remain prohibited from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to ISNA.
- US officials said Iran deployed mine-laying speedboats in the Strait of Hormuz and flew one-way attack drones near American naval ships, sharply raising tensions in the region.
- In response to the Iranian activity, the US military struck Iranian missile launch sites and Revolutionary Guard boats in southern Iran. American warplanes reportedly sank two IRGC speedboats that were allegedly trying to place mines in the strait.
- Brent crude is trading at $99.69 a barrel (+3.69%), rallying back toward the $100 mark as fresh US defensive strikes in Iran renew shipping risk.
- Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned of a “decisive reciprocal response” if cease-fire violations continue, signaling the possibility of further military escalation.
- Iran’s blockade and military threats in the Strait of Hormuz continue to disrupt one of the world’s most important oil and gas shipping routes, which previously handled nearly 20% of global energy supply.
- Despite the latest tensions, the US and Iran are still discussing a possible deal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations are ongoing and an agreement could come within days.
- Trump said there is “no hurry” for a deal, while also warning that hostilities could resume if talks fail.
- American intelligence assessments reportedly say Iran has regained access to most of its missile launch sites and underground facilities despite damage from the US-Israel campaign.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military is “deepening its operation” in Lebanon, with troops operating beyond the “yellow line” in southern Lebanon.
- Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said online activity in Iran has been partially restored after a blackout that lasted for months.
Araghchi says US, Israel responsible for Strait of Hormuz tensions
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the United States and Israel bear “direct and exclusive” responsibility for the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz during a phone call with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters. According to Iran’s state-linked ISNA news agency, Araghchi described the recent developments as the result of aggression against Iran and called on the international community to hold Washington and Tel Aviv accountable for what he termed a “flagrant violation” of the UN Charter.
Trump says US and Iran ‘have things understood’, but signals no deal yet
US President Donald Trump said Washington and Tehran have reached a level of understanding in ongoing negotiations, while suggesting key issues remain unresolved. “We have things understood now with Iran,” Trump said, adding: “This is regime change.” He also claimed US negotiators are “doing very well” in talks with Tehran, but cautioned that the administration was not yet ready to finalize an agreement. “We can make a good deal right now, but maybe not a great deal,” Trump said.
Trump says no country will ‘control’ Strait of Hormuz, rules out Iran sanctions relief
US President Donald Trump said no country would be allowed to control the Strait of Hormuz, describing the strategic waterway as a central issue in ongoing negotiations with Iran. “We’ll watch over it, but nobody’s going to control it,” Trump said during a cabinet meeting. Referring to reports that Oman could help coordinate management of shipping through the strait, Trump warned that Muscat “will have to behave like everybody else,” adding that “they’ll be fine.”
Israel orders evacuations south of Lebanon’s Zahrani River, warns of ‘extreme force’
The Israeli military has ordered all residents living south of Lebanon’s Zahrani River to leave their homes, warning that the area will be treated as an active combat zone. In a post on X, the military’s Arabic-language spokesperson said Israeli forces would use “extreme force” against Hezbollah positions in the region.
Oil prices tumble 4% as optimism grows over possible US-Iran agreement
Global oil prices fell about 4% on Wednesday as hopes for a potential US-Iran agreement eased fears of prolonged supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude dropped to around $95.59 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate fell to roughly $88.91, after Iranian state TV reported seeing a draft framework for a possible deal with Washington.
Trump says Iran ‘negotiating on fumes’ as White House pushes for peace deal
US President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran are moving toward a deal, saying Tehran is “negotiating on fumes” as talks remain in flux. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump suggested mounting economic and military pressure has weakened Iran’s position and increased its urgency to reach an agreement.
Pakistan PM Sharif speaks with Iran’s Pezeshkian, voices hope for peace deal soon
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone conversation on Sunday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office. Sharif expressed hope that a peace agreement related to the ongoing Iran conflict would be finalized soon, as diplomatic efforts continue across the region.
Rubio says Trump prefers diplomatic solution with Iran, cites progress in talks
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump continues to prefer a diplomatic resolution with Iran, while acknowledging that negotiations have shown signs of progress. Rubio said “some progress” has been made in talks aimed at resolving tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz. “The President’s preference is always to solve problems such as these through a negotiated diplomatic solution,” Rubio said, while cautioning that Washington still has “other options” if diplomacy fails.
Trump says Iran wants deal but warns US may ‘finish the job’ if talks fail
US President Donald Trump said Iran is eager to reach a deal with Washington, but added that negotiations have not yet met US expectations. “Iran is very much intent, they want very much to make a deal. So far they haven't gotten there,” Trump said. He added that the US is “not satisfied” with the current state of talks but expressed confidence that an acceptable outcome could still be reached. “We will be either that or we'll have to just finish the job,” Trump warned.
Trump rules out sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for enriched uranium
US President Donald Trump said Iran would not receive sanctions relief in exchange for surrendering its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, drawing a firm line in ongoing negotiations. Asked by PBS whether sanctions relief could be offered as part of such a deal, Trump responded, “No, no, not at all. Not sanctions relief, no.”
White House says US-Iran talks ‘proceeding nicely’
The White House said negotiations with Iran are making progress, despite rejecting recent Iranian media reports about a proposed memorandum of understanding to end the conflict. Assistant Press Secretary Olivia Wales told US media outlets that talks “are proceeding nicely” and said President Donald Trump has made Washington’s red lines clear. “President Trump will only make a good deal for the American people, which must ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” Wales said. Her comments came shortly after the White House dismissed reports in Iranian media about a prospective agreement as “a complete fabrication.”
Iran seeks release of $24 billion in frozen assets as 'condition' for peace deal, says report
Iran is seeking the release of $24 billion in frozen assets as part of any agreement to end its conflict with the United States, according to Telegraph report citing sources close to Tehran’s negotiating team. Around half of the amount - $12 billion - would need to be released immediately upon the announcement of a memorandum of understanding, with the remaining funds transferred within 60 days.
The White House has dismissed reports carried by Iranian state-controlled media claiming that Tehran had received a draft memorandum of understanding with the United States to end the conflict. A White House official described the report as “not true and a complete fabrication,” directly rejecting the claims.
Oil prices plunge 5% on growing optimism over US-Iran deal
Global oil prices fell sharply on Wednesday as investors grew increasingly optimistic about progress in negotiations between the United States and Iran. Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped about 5% to below $95 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slid nearly 6% to around $88 a barrel.
Israeli army reports ‘explosive drone’ impacts in northern Israel
Israeli forces have identified the impacts of “several explosive drones” in the northern part of the country, the military says, reported Al Jazeera.
US will need years to replenish stockpiles of advanced weapons used in Iran war, new analysis finds
U.S. military contractors need at least three years to replenish stockpiles of three key weapons systems used heavily in the Iran war, according to an analysis released Wednesday, adding to concerns that American forces would have limited firepower in any future conflict with China, reported Associated Press.
Iran state TV says Tehran has draft framework of conflict-ending deal with US
Iran’s state television reported that Tehran has obtained a draft of an initial, unofficial framework for a memorandum of understanding with the United States aimed at ending the conflict between the two countries. According to the reported framework, Iran would restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within a month, while the US would withdraw military forces from Iran’s vicinity and lift its naval blockade. Iranian state TV said the proposal remains unfinished and stressed that “no step will be taken by Iran without tangible verification.”
US says it ‘redirected’ 109 commercial vessels during Hormuz blockade
The US military says it “redirected” 109 commercial vessels in the Arabian Sea to enforce President Trump’s blockade of ships travelling to and from Iranian ports via the Strait of Hormuz.
23 vessels crossed Hormuz in last 24 hours: IRGC
The IRGC navy reports a total of 23 vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz with its permission in the last 24 hours, according to Iran’s IRIB broadcaster. The Revolutionary Guard on Tuesday said 25 ships passed the critical strait in coordination with its navy.
Iran says draft deal with US would reopen Hormuz shipping, end naval blockade
Iran's state TV said Tehran had obtained a draft of an initial, unofficial framework for a memorandum of understanding with the United States on ending their conflict. Under the framework, Iran would restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within a month, while the United States would withdraw military forces from Iran's vicinity and lift a naval blockade.
Israel issues new displacement orders in southern Lebanon, Bekaa Valley
Israel has issued fresh displacement orders for residents in several towns in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley, including Kfar Huna, Aramtah, Malikh, Jarjou and Humin al-Fawqa. The orders came just hours after similar directives were issued for residents of Nabatieh, one of southern Lebanon’s largest cities.
IRGC official warns Gulf coast would become ‘graveyard for aggressors’ if US strikes resume
A senior official in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy warned that Iran would respond forcefully if the United States resumes military action, despite reports that negotiators are closer to an initial agreement than at any point since the April ceasefire. “We will turn the area from Chabahar to Mahshahr into a graveyard for aggressors,” IRGC Navy political deputy Mohammad Akbarzadeh said, according to Tasnim News Agency. He added that Iranian forces remain prepared for direct confrontation, saying, “Our fighters today carry in their chests the urge for hand-to-hand battle with the enemy.”
Israeli military chief says Iran’s nuclear programme set back ‘years’ as Tehran weighs deal
Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said Iran’s nuclear programme has been pushed back by “years” following recent military operations, even as reports suggest a possible agreement with Tehran could be nearing. Zamir claimed the Iran-led “axis of evil” has been significantly weakened, saying its leadership remains under pursuit and much of its military capability has been destroyed.
IRGC official says chances of renewed war with US are ‘low’
A senior official in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the likelihood of a renewed conflict with the United States is low, while warning that Tehran remains prepared for any military action. “The possibility of war is low because of the enemy’s weakness,” said Mohammad Akbarzadeh, deputy political chief of the IRGC Navy, according to Tasnim News Agency.
Iranian President Pezeshkian calls economy the ‘main battleground’ amid ongoing war
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged businesses to strengthen the country’s economy as the conflict continues, stressing the importance of a resilient private sector. Meeting members of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Pezeshkian said, “The main battleground today is the economic war.”
IRGC says vessels from ‘hostile countries’ still barred from Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said vessels belonging to what it described as “hostile countries” remain prohibited from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to ISNA. The statement signals that despite ongoing diplomatic efforts and limited commercial traffic through the strategic waterway, restrictions on certain foreign vessels remain in place. Iran has in recent weeks required ships to obtain authorization and coordinate passage with the IRGC Navy before entering the strait. Tehran maintains that it is overseeing maritime traffic through Hormuz, while negotiations aimed at easing regional tensions continue.
Iran announces reopening of Tabriz airport after war damage
Tabriz International Airport in northwestern Iran is set to reopen, the Civil Aviation Organization has announced. “Tabriz Airport, which was attacked during the recent war, has now been restored to activity by Iranian specialists and will reopen on Wednesday,” Iran’s public broadcaster IRIB cited a spokesperson as saying.
Adversaries turning to hybrid warfare, Iran’s Intelligence Ministry says
Iran’s Intelligence Ministry says the enemy has been “defeated” on the battlefield and is now resorting to other means of warfare. The tactics include economic pressure, cyberattacks, weapons smuggling, assassinations and hostile media campaigns, it alleged. “The defeated enemy on the military front has now shifted its focus to soft war, cognitive warfare, and social provocations,” it said.
Israeli army issues forced displacement order for Nabatieh
Israel has issued a new forced displacement threat to residents of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon. In a post on X, the army’s Arabic language spokesperson told residents, “you must evacuate your homes immediately and move north of the Zahrani River”.
South Korea says Iranian missile likely hit container ship in Hormuz
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry says an Iranian-made anti-ship missile was “highly likely” used in an attack earlier this month on the HMM Namu in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel is operated by South Korean shipping company HMM, reported Al Jazeera.