Iran War latest news: Key Developments June 3
- Lebanese and Israeli officials held US-mediated talks in Washington to discuss ending the Lebanon war
- Marco Rubio said an interim US-Iran deal could happen at any time but may not be politically acceptable in Washington.
- Rubio has ruled out lifting sanctions on Iran in return for a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, saying any sanctions relief would depend on Tehran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium.
- Trump described Iran talks as “very boring” and said he would not care if negotiations collapsed.
- Netanyahu paused a planned major strike on Beirut after pressure from Trump but continued operations in southern Lebanon.
- Lebanon says Hezbollah may be open to a cease-fire, though the group has not publicly confirmed it.
- The US sanctioned Nobitex, Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, and several of its founders.
- Oil prices remained volatile as investors monitored cease-fire efforts and US-Iran negotiations.
- Brent crude oil is trading at approximately $95.95 to $96.15 per barrel.
- Iran warns it could halt negotiations with the US if attacks on Lebanon continue. Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also warned of a possible direct confrontation with Israel.
Rubio says Iran deal could come at any time
Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said an interim agreement with Iran could arrive sooner than expected.
"It could happen today, it could happen tomorrow, it could happen next week," Rubio said.
However, he cautioned that even if negotiators reach an agreement, there is no guarantee it would be "acceptable to the Senate or acceptable to the American people."
President Donald Trump struck a very different tone a day earlier during an interview with CNBC. He described the talks as "very boring" and said that if Iran decided to walk away from negotiations, "I couldn't care less."
Rubio acknowledged that diplomacy has become much more complicated since the war began. According to him, communication with Tehran now largely takes place through written messages and intermediaries, with responses often taking several days.
He also firmly rejected suggestions that Washington would offer sanctions relief in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
"That's not been discussed, that's not been offered," Rubio told senators. "Any sanctions relief is condition-based, which means it has to be in return for the reason why those sanctions were put in place in the first place, which is their nuclear program."
Rubio also accused Iran of trying to tie the Lebanon negotiations to the broader talks with Washington.
"We are trying to view the Lebanon-Israeli talks as separate and distinct from Iran, and what Iran wants to do is mix it all together," he said.
According to Rubio, Iran is "trying to stymie any effort in which Israel and Lebanon can work together" and prolong negotiations so that Tehran can later claim credit for any eventual agreement.
Lebanese and Israeli officials held US-mediated talks
Lebanese and Israeli officials met in Washington on Tuesday for another round of U.S.-mediated talks aimed at ending the war in Lebanon. But even as diplomats sat around the negotiating table, the fighting continued on the ground, with Israel launching fresh attacks against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
The war in Lebanon has become deeply tied to the wider conflict involving Iran, Hezbollah's main backer, and the Trump administration offered mixed signals about where diplomatic efforts with Tehran currently stand.
Iran Plans Three-Day Funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Iranian authorities are preparing a three-day public funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed earlier this year in US-Israeli strikes, according to state broadcaster IRIB.
Tehran Deputy Mayor Mohammad Amin Tavakolizadeh said ceremonies will be held in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad. A 24-hour memorial event is also planned in the capital.
Officials are reportedly preparing for a massive turnout, with as many as 20 million people expected to participate in the Tehran ceremony.
Rubio Says Iran’s Supreme Leader Is Alive and Active
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress that Iran’s supreme leader is alive and “increasingly engaging”, offering a rare public assessment of his condition and role.
The remarks refer to Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed Iran’s top leadership position after the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in US strikes earlier this year. Mojtaba was reportedly wounded in the attack.
Since then, he has not appeared publicly, with only written messages attributed to him being broadcast by Iranian state media.
Rubio’s comments come amid speculation about Khamenei’s health and security, as well as concerns that he could be a target of assassination attempts by the US or Israel
IAEA Chief, Qatar PM Discuss Iran Nuclear Talks
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has met with Qatar’s Prime Minister in Doha to discuss cooperation between Qatar and the UN nuclear watchdog, as well as the latest developments in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
According to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties between Qatar and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and reviewing ongoing diplomatic efforts related to Iran’s nuclear activities.
The talks come amid continued international engagement aimed at addressing concerns surrounding Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Israeli Air Strikes Hit Multiple Areas in Southern Lebanon
Israeli air strikes have targeted several locations in southern Lebanon, including the city of Nabatieh and the nearby town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, according to reports from the ground.
Additional strikes were reported in Sultaniyeh and Bir al-Salasil, both situated in the Bint Jbeil district.
The attacks come amid ongoing military operations and heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Oil Prices Ease Amid Hormuz Hopes
Oil prices fell on hopes of a potential agreement between the United States and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global energy supplies.
US crude dropped $1.26 to $90.90 a barrel, while Brent crude fell by the same amount to $93.72 a barrel. Despite the decline, both benchmarks remain well above the roughly $70-a-barrel levels seen before the war.
Markets are closely watching efforts to restore oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, with any breakthrough expected to ease supply concerns and help reduce inflationary pressures.
‘No Iranian Navy Left’: Rubio Defends US Strikes
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the US military campaign in Iran, calling Operation Epic Fury “highly successful” in meeting its objectives. Speaking before lawmakers, Rubio said the operation had severely weakened Iran’s defence-industrial capabilities and claimed the country’s naval forces had been effectively destroyed.
“Today, there is no Iranian navy,” Rubio said. “It lies at the bottom of the ocean.”
Marco Rubio Faces Scrutiny Over Iran War and Stalled Diplomacy at Capitol Hill Hearings
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is facing questions on the Trump administration’s foreign policy and diplomatic efforts as he appears before House and Senate committees on Capitol Hill for the first time since the US-Israel war with Iran began.
While Rubio is scheduled to present the State Department’s annual budget request, lawmakers are expected to focus on the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, which has come under renewed strain following recent exchanges of attacks.
Rubio and other administration officials have defended President Donald Trump’s decision to enter the conflict despite his longstanding opposition to “forever wars” in the Middle East. However, shifting US objectives have complicated that defence.
As the war enters its third month, a growing number of Republicans have joined Democrats in raising concerns about the conflict’s financial costs and broader economic impact ahead of this year’s midterm elections.
German Chancellor Urges Restraint as Israel Expands Operations in Southern Lebanon
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Israel to exercise restraint in its military campaign in southern Lebanon amid growing concerns over escalating violence and rising civilian casualties.
Speaking on the latest developments, Merz said Germany was watching the situation in southern Lebanon with “great concern” as Israeli attacks and ground operations continue to expand.
He also urged Hezbollah to lay down its arms, stressing the need to prevent further escalation in the conflict, according to comments carried by Reuters.
Lebanese President Says Negotiations Only Path to Ending Conflict With Israel
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has said there is no alternative to negotiations with Israel to bring an end to the conflict, while warning against internal divisions that could undermine Lebanon’s stability.
In a post shared by the Lebanese presidency on X, Aoun said Lebanon remains committed to preserving peace and argued that anyone fuelling domestic discord is serving Israel’s interests.
He noted that more than 3,000 people have been killed during the conflict, around one million displaced, and thousands of homes destroyed.
“There is no horizon for ending this situation,” Aoun said, stressing that it is the state’s responsibility to protect its citizens and that “there is no other option but negotiation”.
Fourth Round of Israel-Lebanon Talks Begins in Washington
The fourth round of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon has begun in Washington, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
The agency reported that the talks got under way at the US State Department headquarters following the arrival of the participating delegations.
The latest round of discussions comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to address tensions between the two countries and advance negotiations on key outstanding issues.
Spain Reaffirms Opposition to US-Israel War on Iran, Rejects Military Escalation
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has reiterated Spain’s opposition to the US-Israel war against Iran, stressing that Madrid will not be drawn into the conflict.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Albares said Spain would not participate in any action that could further escalate tensions, arguing that there is no military solution to the crisis.
He said the key divide in today’s international order is between a system based on international law and what he described as the “law of the jungle” — a world where chaos, violence and war replace diplomacy as the primary tool of foreign policy.
IRGC Says 24 Commercial Ships Passed Through Strait of Hormuz in Past Day
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says 24 commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours after obtaining permission and coordinating with the IRGC navy.
According to Iran’s state-owned broadcaster IRIB, the IRGC said it continues to monitor maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.
In a statement, the force said it would maintain what it described as “intelligent control” of the Strait of Hormuz and asserted that “evil foreigners” would have no place in the Persian Gulf and the key shipping route.
Bahrain Bans Travel to Iran and Iraq Amid Regional Security Concerns
Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior has prohibited its citizens from travelling to Iran and Iraq, citing ongoing regional tensions and security concerns.
In a statement, the ministry said the measure was being introduced in light of the current security situation and urged Bahraini citizens to comply with the decision.
The announcement comes as a fragile ceasefire remains in place across parts of the Middle East, with authorities warning that regional instability continues to pose risks to travellers.
Iran Urges UN Security Council to Take Action Against Israel
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has called on the UN Security Council to move beyond statements of concern and adopt what he described as “punitive and binding decisions” against Israel.
In a post on X, Gharibabadi said the ongoing crisis in the Middle East stems from what he called Israel’s violations of state sovereignty, ceasefire agreements and Palestinian rights, arguing that international law cannot be upheld through “low-cost and ineffective condemnations”.
He also questioned US involvement in regional diplomacy, citing President Donald Trump's claim that he had persuaded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to launch a major attack on Beirut.
According to Gharibabadi, the claim raises broader questions about Washington’s role in Israeli military actions and why repeated ceasefire violations, attacks on Lebanon and threats to its sovereignty continued despite international concern and Western support for Israel.
Israeli Military Orders Evacuation of Nabatiyeh Ahead of Planned Strikes
The Israeli military has renewed its evacuation warning for residents of Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon, urging them to leave the city ahead of planned military strikes.
In a post on X, an Israeli army spokesperson said the military was preparing to act against Hezbollah, accusing the group of violating the ceasefire agreement.
“For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move north of the Zahrani River,” the spokesperson said, calling on residents to leave the area without delay.
Israeli Drone Strike in Central Gaza Kills One, Injures Two
One Palestinian was killed and two others were injured in an Israeli drone strike on the town of az-Zawayda in central Gaza, according to the Wafa news agency.
The casualties were transported to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah for treatment, the report said.
The strike comes amid continued Israeli military operations across Gaza despite a ceasefire that took effect in October. Residents and local media have reported ongoing air strikes and artillery shelling in several parts of the enclave.
Iran war puts RBI in razor-edge policy bind over inflation, growth and rupee
India's central bank faces one of the toughest interest rate calls in recent memory this week, as the Middle East energy shock, a slumping currency and a weak monsoon risk both crimping growth and stoking inflation.
The rupee has tumbled to record lows since the Iran war broke out at the end of February, as a resultant spike in crude prices delivered a severe blow to Asia's third-largest economy, which imports nearly 90% of its oil needs.
A hike in the Reserve Bank of India's policy repo rate from the current 5.25% on Friday could comfort the currency, but might also rile the rates market, which sees scope for the central bank to stand pat as inflation remains below target.
The RBI is approaching the June meeting with a "dilemma of whether to respond to market pressures or incoming data", Rahul Bajoria, chief India economist at BofA Global Research said in a note.
'Even if Iran surrenders...': Trump lashes out at critics
"If Iran surrenders, admits their Navy is gone and resting at the bottom of the sea, and their Air Force is no longer with us, and if their entire Military walks out of Tehran, weapons dropped and hands held high, each shouting "I surrender, I surrender" while wildly waving the representative White Flag, and if their entire remaining Leadership signs all necessary "Documents of Surrender," and admit their defeat to the great power and force of the magnificent USA," the President wrote on social media.
Trump said that multiple US media outlets would still portray Iran as having achieved "a Masterful and Brilliant Victory over The United States of America," despite the fulfilment of hypothetical conditions described.
Brent crude falls as Trump says talks with Iran ongoing
According to a Reuters update, Brent crude futures have fallen $1.04 TO $93.94/BBL. It reversed previous gains after Trump said talks with Iran are ongoing.
US envoy says Trump 'cares deeply about Lebanon personally'
US envoy to the UN, Mike Waltz, said Trump "cares deeply about Lebanon personally." As reported by Al Jazeera, he said that the POTUS' proposal to Iran includes a "clear sequence to end the conflict."
“Hezbollah, which started the fighting, must stop its attacks in Israel”, he added.
'We will not stop fighting to end this war once and for all’: US Senator
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reiterated his criticism of Trump's war on Iran.
Referring to Trump's recent comments during an CNBC interview, he wrote on X
“Tell that to our troops in harm’s way. Tell that to their families. Tell that to the Americans getting crushed by record gas prices at the pump,” he said.: “Trump says he’s in ‘no hurry’ to end the war in Iran. No hurry?"
“We will not stop fighting to end this war once and for all,” he added.
Another Iranian official warns of consequences for Israel if attacks continue
In addition to Iranian parliament speaker sounding the alarm on potentially abandoning US talks, Ebrahim Azizi, the head of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, has also spoken out against Israel's continued attacks in Lebanon
“If the attacks against Lebanon do not stop completely, the consequences will be severe for the Zionist regime and US forces in the region," he wrote on X.
“They are fully aware that this is not an empty threat, and we are prepared for a military response.”
More Israeli air strikes reported in southern Lebanon
Despite emerging conversations around controlling the air strikes in Lebanon, the country's National News Agency reported Tuesday that Israeli warplanes launched an air strike on the town of al-Mansouri in the Tyre district early this morning.
Two wounded people were pulled from the rubble and hospitalised, as per the report.
How Trump-Netanyahu phone call unfolded
Contrary to the viral Axios report suggesting that the phone call between Trump and Netanyahu on Monday was possible the worst one they ever had, Trump maintained a cordial outlook on social media.
As far as the POTUS' narrative goes, Netanyahu fully paid heed to what he said during the interaction.
“I had a conversation with Bibi Netanyahu today, asking him not to go into a major raid of Beirut, Lebanon,” the POTUS wrote on Truth Social. “He turned his Troops around. Thank you Bibi!”
https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2061565728860291273
Iran's warning to US amid Israeli attacks on Lebanon
Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that talks with the US will halt if Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue.
In a post on X, Ghalibaf said: “In my conversation with my brother, Mr Nabih Berri, the speaker of the Lebanese parliament, I emphasised that if the crimes of the Zionist regime in Lebanon continue, we will not only halt the dialogue process, but also stand firmly against them.”
“Long live the resistance! Long live the defence of the motherland! Long live the brotherhood of the Iranian and Lebanese people!” he added.
Trump shrugs off possible collapse of Iran talks
In an interview with CNBC, Trump said that he doesn't care if the peace negotiations with Iran are over. “I really don’t care. I couldn’t care less,” he told the outlet, saying he thought the protracted discussions “started to get very boring.”
It marks a sharp departure from his remarks to other outlets otherwise. In a recent ABC News interview, the POTUS strongly maintained that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and extend the ceasefire could be reached "over the next week."
US source says peace deal talks are back on despite Iran's rejection
Semi-official Iranian state media said earlier that the talks between the US and Tehran were suspended amid Israeli attacks in Lebanon. However, a regional source with knowledge of the talks said the negotiations were back on track, as quoted by CNN.
Trump also maintained that the talks continue at a "rapid pace."
Trump says Iran talks moving ‘at rapid pace’ after claiming he ‘couldn’t care less’
Soon after Trump claimed that he "really don’t care. I couldn’t care less" about Iran walking out of the talks, he took to TruthSocial to confirm that the talks are underway "at a rapid pace".
In another post, Trump said he held a conversation with Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah.
"I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu... and there will be no Troops going to Beirut... Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop — That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel," he declared on TruthSocial.