US-Iran War Highlights: No Iran-US deal reached yet, but gaps have narrowed, says senior Iranian official

All Updates to this blog have ended.

A Palestinian man was wounded by live ammunition during an Israeli military raid on the town of Anabta, east of Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank, according to the official Wafa news agency.

Emergency teams treated the man at the scene after he suffered shrapnel injuries from live fire.

Wafa reported that Israeli forces entered the town with military vehicles and deployed along the main street, where troops stopped civilian cars, questioned passengers and later opened fire towards residents during the incursion.

Iran has reportedly destroyed more than two dozen MQ-9 Reaper drones operated by US forces since the start of the current conflict, according to Bloomberg News.

Citing unnamed sources, the report said the losses are estimated at around $1bn, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the Pentagon’s pre-war inventory of the unmanned aircraft.

Several drones were reportedly shot down by Iranian air defence systems during operations, while others were destroyed in missile strikes on US bases or lost in operational incidents, Bloomberg quoted a source with direct knowledge as saying.

The report added that US congressional assessments show at least 42 aircraft were damaged or destroyed during the war, with overall equipment losses estimated at about $2.6bn.

Hezbollah said it launched 16 separate attacks on Israeli troops stationed in southern Lebanon on Thursday, using rockets, attack drones, quadcopters and artillery fire.

In a statement, the Lebanese armed group said the strikes targeted Israeli troop gatherings, artillery sites and armoured vehicles across several southern border areas, including Rachaf, Bint Jbeil, Naqoura and Deir Seriane, Al Jazeera reported.

Al Jazeera Arabic reports that four people were killed after an Israeli air strike targeted an ambulance and emergency response centre in the southern Lebanese town of Hanouiyeh.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters that no final deal has been reached yet between Iran and the United States, although gaps in the negotiations have narrowed.

The source said Iran's uranium enrichment programme and control over the Strait of Hormuz remain key sticking points in the talks.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on regional tensions and ongoing efforts to prevent renewed escalation in the Middle East. According to Qatar's Foreign Ministry, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations along with recent regional developments, including the US-Iran ceasefire and diplomatic mediation efforts.

The ministry said Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of all sides responding positively to mediation initiatives to help secure "a sustainable agreement that prevents renewed escalation".
 

Lebanese armed group Hezbollah says it carried out multiple drone attacks on Israeli military positions in southern Lebanon on Thursday evening. In a statement, Hezbollah said its fighters targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers and military vehicles near the port area of Naqoura as well as positions in Tayr Harfa and Dibil using "attack drones".

The attacks come amid continued cross-border tensions between Hezbollah and Israeli forces despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent wider escalation in the region.

The United States says its latest sanctions against Hezbollah-linked individuals are meant to send a direct warning to Lebanese political, business and security figures accused of supporting the group. Washington accused the sanctioned individuals of aiding Hezbollah and undermining Lebanon's sovereignty.

US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the measures were designed to pressure Lebanese elites allegedly cooperating with Hezbollah.

"Fundamentally, what this is saying is that if you're in politics, business, or the security services – and you have been aiding Hezbollah and undermining the sovereignty of the Lebanese government – think twice, there will be real consequences," Pigott told Al Jazeera.

The sanctions come as the United States continues pushing for Hezbollah's disarmament amid ongoing diplomatic efforts linked to Israel-Lebanon tensions.

The United States has imposed sanctions on nine people in Lebanon accused of supporting Hezbollah and obstructing ongoing peace efforts linked to Israel-Lebanon talks. The US Treasury Department said the sanctions target individuals allegedly involved in undermining efforts to disarm Hezbollah and interfering with the political process in Lebanon.

"Hezbollah is a terrorist organization and must be fully disarmed," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

"Treasury will continue to take action against officials who have infiltrated the Lebanese government and are enabling Hezbollah to wage its senseless campaign of violence against the Lebanese people and obstruct lasting peace," he added.
 

Ahead of his first visit to New Delhi, beginning May 23, Marco Rubio said Washington wants to sell India "as much energy as they'll buy" as uncertainty grows over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

"We want to be able to do more. We were already in talks with them to do more. We want them to be a bigger part of their portfolio," he said. READ THE FULL REPORT HERE

Opposition to the US-Israel war on Iran is rising across the United States, adding new political pressure on President Donald Trump as concerns over the economy continue to grow.

A new Fox News poll found that 60 per cent of Americans now oppose the war, up from 55 per cent last month. The survey also showed that 91 per cent of respondents believe the conflict is contributing to economic turmoil, including rising fuel prices and inflation.
 

US President Donald Trump said the United States wants the Strait of Hormuz to remain "free" and without tolls after Iran proposed charging vessels passing through the key shipping route. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump claimed the US blockade in the region had given Washington "total control" over the strait.

"We have total control of the Strait of Hormuz, as you know, with our blockade," Trump said.

"The blockade has been 100 percent effective. Nobody has been able to get through it; it's like a steel wall."

Trump also rejected the idea of Iran imposing transit fees on ships using the waterway.

"We want it free, we don't want tolls. It's international, it's an international waterway," he said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump is "very disappointed" with NATO's response during the US-Israeli war on Iran, pointing to Spain's refusal to allow Washington to use its military bases. Rubio said the decision had added to growing frustration inside the Trump administration over the value of the alliance for the United States.

"I know why NATO is good for Europe, but why is NATO good for America?" Rubio told reporters. "Because it gives us bases in the region that allow us to project power during a contingency in the Middle East or somewhere else," he said.

Rubio then directly criticised Spain over its refusal to allow US access to military facilities during the conflict with Iran.

"So when that is the key rationale for why you're in NATO and then you have countries like Spain denying us the use of these bases, well then why are you in NATO? That's a very fair question."

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Iran conflict with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to China, the Kremlin said on Thursday. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin shared an idea with Xi that would involve transporting and storing Iran's enriched uranium in Russia, according to Russia's Interfax news agency.
 

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says 31 commercial vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours under the coordination and protection of the IRGC Navy. In a statement carried by Iran's Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC said the vessels included oil tankers, container ships and other commercial cargo vessels.

Leading OPEC+ members are expected to approve another increase in oil production targets for July despite continued disruption linked to the Iran war, according to news agency Reuters.

Seven core OPEC+ countries are likely to agree to a modest production hike when they meet on June 7. Sources said the group is expected to raise output targets by around 188,000 barrels per day.

OPEC+ kept production steady during the first quarter of 2026 but has increased output targets every month since April despite instability in the Middle East and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. According to OPEC figures, the group’s oil production fell to 33.19 million barrels per day in April from 42.77 million barrels per day in February. Output from Gulf producers alone dropped by nearly 9.9 million barrels per day.

The US military says 94 commercial vessels have been "redirected" and four others "disabled" as part of Washington's naval blockade targeting Iranian ports. US Central Command, or United States Central Command, said the measures were aimed at enforcing the blockade imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration. Washington launched the blockade to pressure Tehran into accepting a deal to end the war and curb tensions in the region.
 

The head of the International Energy Agency has warned that the global oil market could enter the "red zone" in July or August as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to disrupt supplies. IEA chief Fatih Birol said the market faces growing pressure due to a lack of new exports from the Middle East and falling stockpiles during the peak summer fuel demand season.

Birol said the situation could improve only if the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened. Before the Iran war, around one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies passed through the key Gulf shipping route. In March, the IEA agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves held by member countries to help ease rising prices linked to the conflict.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza says at least 72,775 people have been killed and more than 172,750 wounded since the start of Israel's war on Gaza on October 7, 2023. The ministry added that 883 people have been killed and 2,648 wounded since the "ceasefire" announced in October, as Israeli attacks continue across the territory.

France has rejected the idea of NATO taking part in an international mission aimed at protecting navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. A French foreign ministry spokesperson said NATO's role should remain limited to the North Atlantic region and not expand into Middle East operations.

"Our position is clear and constant. It is that the North Atlantic Treaty applies to the North Atlantic," the spokesperson said.

"It is neither its purpose, nor in reality the appropriate alliance, for it then to be focused on an issue in the Middle East and on Hormuz."

Iran's near-total internet shutdown has entered its 83rd day, with international networks blocked for more than 1,968 hours, internet watchdog NetBlocks said. The Iranian government imposed the blackout nationwide within hours of the US-Israeli attack on February 28. The restrictions followed a separate 20-day outage during nationwide anti-government protests in January.

Israeli attacks continued across southern Lebanon, with an air raid striking the town of Sarafand in the Tyre district, according to Al Jazeera. Israeli artillery also shelled the towns of Baraashit and Kfar Dounine, while a separate drone strike targeted the town of Yaroun in southern Lebanon.

Italy has asked the European Union to impose sanctions on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir after he shared a video showing detained Gaza-bound flotilla activists kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads to the ground.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had formally requested sanctions against Ben Gvir over what he called "unacceptable acts" against the activists. In a post on X, Tajani accused Israel of seizing the flotilla in international waters and subjecting detainees to "harassment and humiliation" in violation of basic human rights.

Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir's reported visit to Tehran is being seen as a major diplomatic move, with many viewing it as a final effort to stop the conflict from restarting. Observers say such a visit would not take place without key messages being exchanged between the sides.

Major differences, however, still remain. Iran wants guarantees against another war, but the US is unable to assure that Israel will halt targeted assassinations inside Iran. Tehran is also demanding control over the Strait of Hormuz, the return of frozen assets, and permission to retain part of its enriched uranium stockpile inside the country.

Washington, meanwhile, wants Iran to shut down all nuclear facilities except the Tehran site, which it says should operate without uranium enrichment.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly directed that Iran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium should not be transferred outside the country, according to two senior Iranian sources, signalling a tougher stance by Tehran on a key issue in ongoing negotiations with the United States.

The reported directive is expected to complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the ongoing US-Israel conflict involving Iran, while also posing a challenge to demands made by US President Donald Trump during peace talks.

One of Washington’s central conditions has been the removal of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile, which could potentially be used in the development of nuclear weapons. Israeli officials, according to Reuters, have said Trump assured Israel that any future agreement with Tehran would require the uranium reserves to be moved out of Iran as part of the deal. (Reuters)

Russia has reiterated that the ongoing crisis involving Iran can only be resolved through diplomatic channels that respect Tehran’s interests.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, speaking at a briefing on Thursday, stressed that any settlement must take into account Iran’s position. She further stated that decisions regarding Iran’s uranium reserves rest solely with the country itself. (Reuters)

Mohsin Naqvi met an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander in Tehran as Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran intensified, with both sides engaged in high-stakes negotiations aimed at easing the conflict.
 

An Iranian military source claimed Tehran possesses advanced domestically produced weapons that have neither been used nor tested in combat, warning that the country is fully prepared for any future confrontation with the US.

Speaking to Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency, the source said Iran faced no shortages in military equipment or defence capabilities and signalled a tougher response in the event of another US strike, saying Tehran no longer intended to show restraint.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy political deputy Mohammad Akbarzadeh claimed the Strait of Hormuz was closed under orders from commander Alireza Tangsiri and said the US had failed to reopen the strategic waterway despite repeated efforts. He also asserted that Washington lacked a proper understanding of Iran and its military capabilities.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller warned Iran that it faces a stark choice as negotiations with the US remain stalled, saying Tehran must either accept terms satisfactory to Washington or face massive military consequences.

Speaking to Fox News, Miller said the Iranian leadership could either sign an agreement acceptable to the US or risk “punishment” from the American military on a scale “not seen in modern history.”

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held talks in Iran as Islamabad continued mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran, while Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian President Vladimir Putin that a comprehensive ceasefire was urgently needed. Iran also tightened controls in the Strait of Hormuz by requiring authorisation for vessels entering a newly designated maritime zone, as US forces reportedly boarded and redirected an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman.

US President Donald Trump said Washington’s options in the Iran conflict remain open, asking whether the US would “finish it up” or if Tehran would agree to a deal. Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that the US and Israel would “regret attacking Iran again”, saying Iranian forces had rebuilt capabilities during the ceasefire.

The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said its fighters targeted Israeli soldiers operating in southern Lebanon early this morning.

In a statement, Hezbollah said it launched rocket barrages at gatherings of Israeli military vehicles and troops in the occupied Lebanese towns of Debel, Rachaf and Biyyada.

The group added that its fighters later deployed a swarm of loitering drones targeting additional Israeli military positions in Debel and the nearby area of Haddatha.

Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, has criticised the UN Security Council for failing to respond to what he described as an unprovoked US-Israel attack on Iran.

“Regrettably, the Security Council has failed to discharge its responsibilities in the face of this grave violation due to the obstruction of a permanent member that is itself an aggressor,” Iravani said.

He added that “the United States and the Israeli regime, and those who assisted and facilitated this aggression, must bear full legal and international responsibility for this heinous crime and serious violations”.

Iravani warned that impunity for such actions “not only betrays the victims, but also threatens international peace and security”.

Addressing the body responsible for maintaining global peace and security, he also said it “must not remain silent or indifferent to the repeated and daily baseless threats made by the president of the United States against Iran”.

According to Iravani, Trump’s rhetoric “sets a dangerous precedent”. Al Jazeera reported.

The United States has lifted sanctions on Francesca Albanese, according to the Treasury Department website, after a federal court temporarily blocked the measures.

The decision came a week after a judge issued an injunction, ruling that the Trump administration likely violated Albanese’s free speech rights by sanctioning her over criticism of Israel’s war on Gaza.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has condemned Israel’s treatment of Gaza flotilla activists, describing footage showing activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs as “degrading and wrong”.

Kallas said the conduct of Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, seen taunting the detainees in the video, was “unbecoming of anyone holding office in a democracy”.

Several countries, including Italy, France, the Netherlands and Canada, have summoned Israeli ambassadors to express outrage over the treatment of the activists.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it coordinated the passage of 26 vessels through the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours, amid stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran on reopening traffic through the strategic waterway, Al Jazeera said.

An Israeli air strike on the town of Mahrouna in southern Lebanon wounded three people, according to Lebanon's official National News Agency. Civil defence teams responded to the attack and transferred the injured to hospitals in the Tyre district.
 

Germany has condemned Israeli plans to remove residents from the Palestinian village of Khan al-Ahmar in the occupied West Bank, warning against any forced evictions. Berlin said it viewed remarks by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich with "utmost concern" amid fears the move could pave the way for further settlement expansion.

"There must be no evictions," a German Foreign Office spokesperson said, urging Israel to abandon the plan.

Khan al-Ahmar has long been at the centre of international criticism over Israeli settlement policy in the occupied West Bank.

The United Nations called on Israel to treat detained Gaza flotilla activists "with respect and dignity" and return them to their home countries swiftly. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the activists must be treated properly while in detention.

"Everyone who has been detained by the Israeli authorities who were members of the flotilla needs to be treated with respect and dignity, like anyone who is detained," Dujarric told reporters in New York.

He also called for their immediate return. "And they need to be returned back to their homes, immediately," he added.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told US President Donald Trump that a "reasonable solution" could be reached with Iran, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency. During a phone call on Wednesday, Erdogan welcomed the extension of the ceasefire between the US and Iran and described it as a positive step for the region.

"During the meeting, our president stated that he viewed the decision to extend the ceasefire in the conflict zone in our region as a positive development," the presidency said.

Erdogan also said he believed "a reasonable solution to the disputed issues was possible", according to the statement.

US President Donald Trump said Washington would wait "a few days" for Iran's response during ongoing negotiations with Tehran.

"We have to get the right answer," Trump told reporters.

The US president also said American officials were "dealing with reasonable people" in talks with Iran. Trump made clear that sanctions relief would not come before an agreement is reached.

"Not doing any relief until deal is reached," he said.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remains open to all options while insisting diplomacy must be based on mutual respect rather than pressure or threats.

In a post on X, Pezeshkian said Iran had "consistently honored its commitments and explored every avenue to avert war".

"All paths remain open from our side," he wrote. The Iranian president also pushed back against efforts to pressure Tehran into concessions, saying: "Forcing Iran to surrender through coercion is nothing but an illusion."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held talks with Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsen Naqvi during the latter's latest visit to Tehran, with discussions focused on ongoing US-Iran negotiations and regional stability.

According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, Pezeshkian voiced support for Pakistan's efforts aimed at promoting regional cooperation and stability. Naqvi, meanwhile, stressed "the importance of continuing the path of dialogue and understanding" amid tensions in the region.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Wednesday criticised Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after footage emerged showing detained Gaza flotilla activists bound and kneeling.

In a post on X, Huckabee said Ben-Gvir had "betrayed dignity of his nation" by publishing the video, which has sparked international outrage. Huckabee also dismissed the Gaza-bound flotilla as a "stupid stunt".

However, it remained unclear whether the US envoy was condemning the treatment of the activists or only criticising the decision to release the footage publicly.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday said American forces boarded an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that was suspected of attempting to violate the Trump administration's blockade on Iranian ports.

According to CENTCOM, US Marines searched the vessel before directing the crew to change course and later released the ship.

"American forces released the vessel after searching and directing the ship's crew to alter course," CENTCOM said in a statement.

CENTCOM also said the US military has now "redirected" 91 commercial vessels since the blockade was imposed.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei on Wednesday said "threats and ultimatums" against Tehran would never work, insisting that Iran remained focused on protecting its national interests and asserting its "legitimate rights".

Speaking to Tasnim news agency, Baghaei also accused the Trump administration of destabilising global energy markets and urged the international community to pressure Washington to end what he described as "maritime piracy".

On the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei said Iran was prepared to work with neighbouring countries to develop protocols aimed at ensuring safe shipping through the crucial waterway.
 

Germany and Belgium on Wednesday condemned Israel over footage showing detained Gaza flotilla activists bound and humiliated after their interception at sea. Germany's ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, described the treatment as "wholly unacceptable" in a post on X. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot also criticised the actions, calling the images "deeply disturbing" and confirming that Belgian citizens were among those detained. He said Israel's handling of the activists was "unacceptable".

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday raised the possibility of further military action against Iran while speaking at a commencement address at the US Coast Guard Academy.

"Everything's gone. Their navy's gone. Their air force is gone. Just about everything," Trump said while referring to Iran's military capabilities.

"The only question is do we go and finish it up? Or are they going to be signing a document? Let's see what happens," he added.

Iran's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said negotiations between Tehran and Washington were continuing through Pakistani mediators. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo that the discussions remained active through diplomatic channels facilitated by Pakistan.

"Basically, what we want is not a demand but our rights," Baghaei said, according to Iran's IRNA news agency. He added that lifting US sanctions against Iran remained one of Tehran's key demands and described it as "part of our rights".

France on Wednesday summoned the Israeli ambassador over the treatment of activists detained from the Gaza-bound flotilla after a video emerged showing them restrained and kneeling. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot described the actions shown in the footage shared by Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir as "unacceptable". Barrot said he had asked for the Israeli envoy to be summoned to "express our outrage and obtain explanations". While noting France’s disagreement with the flotilla’s methods, he stressed that French citizens detained by Israel "must be treated with respect and released as soon as possible".

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would do "whatever I want him to do" regarding any potential military strike on Iran. Speaking to reporters, Trump was asked what he had recently told Netanyahu about a possible attack on Iran.

"He's fine, he'll do whatever I want him to do," Trump said.

"He's a very good man, he'll do whatever I want him to do. And he's a great guy… Don't forget he was a wartime prime minister," he added.

Trump also said he was in no rush to finalise an agreement with Iran when asked whether he would support a limited deal focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and extending the ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that the United States had "essentially taken over" Iran while speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, DC. Responding to a question on whether negotiations with Tehran were taking longer than expected, Trump compared the situation to past US wars in Afghanistan and Vietnam. "I'm in for three months and much of it's been ceasefire," he said, before adding that the US "has essentially taken over" Iran.

US President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, said that he was in no hurry to bring the conflict with Iran to an end. He said that achieving the mission's objectives was more important than setting a timeline for its conclusion.

"We're going to give this one shot. I'm in no hurry," he said.

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday welcomed US President Donald Trump's decision to give negotiations with Iran more time before considering military action. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said the kingdom appreciated Trump’s move to allow diplomacy to continue. Earlier this week, Trump claimed Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar had urged him to postpone a planned US strike on Iran to create more space for negotiations.

Hamas condemned footage shared by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir showing detained activists from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla bound and kneeling during detention.

In a statement, Hamas said the images reflected the behaviour of Israel’s leadership during the arrest of the activists.

"We, in the Hamas Movement affirm that the scenes of torture and humiliation orchestrated by the criminal, fascist Zionist minister, [Itamar] Ben-Gvir, during the arrest of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, are an expression of the moral depravity and sadism that govern the mentality of the leaders of the criminal enemy entity (Israel)," the group said.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been invited to attend a United Nations Security Council meeting on international peace in New York next week, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Tuesday. According to Tehran, the invitation was extended because China currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council. Iranian officials said no final decision has yet been made on whether Araghchi will attend the meeting.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that both the "obvious and hidden moves" of the "enemy" showed efforts were underway to trigger a new round of war.

Ghalibaf also said Iran's military had used the ceasefire period "in the best way" to rebuild its strength and preparedness. He further insisted that growing economic pressure and blockades would not force Tehran to surrender, adding that Iran and the United States were currently engaged in a "war of wills".

The Israeli military said it had struck a Hezbollah weapons production site in the Tyre area of southern Lebanon that was allegedly operating from a former civilian clinic located near a mosque. According to the IDF, the strike took place two days ago and was followed by secondary explosions, which it said indicated the presence of weapons inside the building. The Israeli army accused Hezbollah of continuing to operate from civilian infrastructure, including religious and medical sites, to carry out attacks against Israel and its forces.

Italy said it would summon the Israeli ambassador after calling Israel's treatment of activists aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla "unacceptable". In a joint statement, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani demanded an apology over what they described as the "total disrespect" shown towards requests made by the Italian government. According to flotilla organisers, 30 Italian citizens were among those detained by Israeli forces, including a member of parliament and a journalist.

Russia said it was ready to assist negotiations between the United States and Iran if both sides requested help, but stressed that Moscow would not force itself into the process. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told TASS news agency that Russia was prepared to provide "all possible assistance" in resolving the conflict. However, he added that Moscow had "never imposed and do not intend to impose" its services. Ryabkov also reiterated that Russia remained committed to resolving tensions "exclusively through political and diplomatic channels".

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Tuesday that at least 26 ships had crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours with coordination from Iranian authorities. According to the IRGC, the vessels included oil tankers, container ships and other commercial vessels.

• Iran said it remains open to diplomatic engagement with the United States but also warned that it is at the "maximum level of preparation" for any future confrontation.
• Iranian officials said all maritime operations are under the control of the IRGC naval forces and stressed that no military ships or vessels would be allowed to transit.
• Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi travelled to Tehran for talks with Iranian officials. It is his second visit in a week as Islamabad continues mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran.
• Internet watchdog NetBlocks said Iran has now entered its 82nd day of near-total internet blackout, with the country still largely disconnected from the global internet.
• The UAE demanded that Iraq immediately stop attacks allegedly launched from its territory after claims that a drone targeting a UAE nuclear facility originated there.
• In a statement, the UAE foreign ministry urged Iraq to prevent "all hostile acts" originating from its territory and called for immediate action against such threats.
• Israeli forces continued raids across the occupied West Bank and arrested 20 people from Hizma, east of Jerusalem.
• At least 19 people were killed and 17 others wounded in Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon on Tuesday.
• Oil prices fell after US President Donald Trump said the Iran war would end "very quickly".
• Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian President Vladimir Putin that an immediate ceasefire was urgently needed in the US-Israel conflict with Iran and stressed that negotiations must continue.