US-Iran War Highlights: Trump says Iran wants to negotiate as US signals progress in talks

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French President Emmanuel Macron said he held talks with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, raising concerns over rising tensions and calling for urgent steps to restore stability in the region. In a post on X, Macron said he expressed “deep concern over the ongoing escalation” and condemned what he described as “unjustified strikes against Emirati civilian infrastructure and several ships.”

“All parties must lift the blockade of the Strait, without delay and without conditions. We must durably return to the regime of full freedom of navigation that prevailed before the conflict,” he added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will speak with US President Donald Trump later today to discuss ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the war.

Netanyahu said the two sides remain closely aligned on key objectives. “There is full coordination between us, there are no surprises. We share common goals, and the most important goal is the removal of the enriched material from Iran, all the enriched material, and the dismantling of Iran’s enrichment capabilities,” he said.

US forces disabled an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly attempted to violate an ongoing blockade, the US military said. According to US Central Command, the vessel — identified as M/T Hasna — was spotted transiting international waters and heading towards an Iranian port.

American forces issued multiple warnings to the tanker, informing its crew that it was in breach of the blockade. When the vessel did not comply, US forces took action to stop it. CENTCOM said a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, launched from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), fired rounds from a 20mm cannon, disabling the ship’s rudder.

The tanker is no longer moving towards Iran, the statement added.

UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with both leaders condemning recent Iranian attacks on the Gulf state, according to state media. The leaders “affirmed their countries’ solidarity with the UAE and support for measures it takes to safeguard its security and stability and ensure the safety of its citizens,” state news agency WAM reported.

In a separate statement, Israel’s Arabic X account said Netanyahu expressed “strong condemnation” of the attacks, calling them a “flagrant violation of sovereignty and a threat to regional stability.” 

Israel, which launched joint strikes with the United States against Iran on February 28, also reiterated its “steadfast solidarity with the UAE and its full support for all measures it takes to protect its security and stability,” the statement added.

US President Donald Trump said there is a “very good chance” of reaching a deal with Iran, outlining terms that would see Tehran hand over its highly enriched uranium to Washington. “It goes to the United States,” Trump said in an interview with PBS. He expressed confidence in ongoing efforts to secure an agreement but made clear that the outcome remains uncertain. “There is a very good chance of making a deal,” he said. “If we don’t, we’ll go back to our old ways.”

Trump also indicated that he is unlikely to send senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan for negotiations, suggesting talks could be handled without a major diplomatic delegation.

“I think we can do it here, and maybe for the final meeting, we’ll have a signing someplace,” he said. At the same time, Trump reiterated his warning of military action if negotiations fail. “If they agree, it’s over, and if they don’t agree, we bomb,” he said.

Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon have killed a number of residents, according to the National News Agency, though the exact death toll remains unclear. The report said two intense strikes hit the al-Dawoudiya farm on the outskirts of al-Saksakieh, causing fatalities among residents in the area.

In a separate incident, the Israeli army targeted a vehicle on the Hadaya road near Al-Siraj High School, between Wadi Jilo and the town of Tyre Dibba. The strike resulted in additional casualties, the agency reported.

Israeli and Lebanese representatives are set to meet in Washington next week for a third round of negotiations, according to Arabic media reports. Lebanese broadcaster LBCI reported that the talks will take place over two consecutive days, likely either Wednesday and Thursday or Thursday and Friday.

The meeting is expected to include Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, diplomat Simon Karam, and a representative from the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Israel and Hezbollah exchanged strikes in southern Lebanon, as fighting along the border showed no signs of easing despite ongoing diplomatic efforts elsewhere in the region. The Israel Defense Forces said it carried out strikes targeting Hezbollah positions, while reporting that two of its soldiers were injured after explosive drones were launched at Israeli forces. The military said the drones originated from Hezbollah-controlled areas.

Posts on Telegram channels linked to Hezbollah indicated that the group had also targeted Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon, pointing to continued cross-border hostilities. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s health ministry said at least four people were killed and five others wounded in an Israeli strike on the town of Zilaya in the Western Beqaa district, according to the country’s National News Agency.

The town had earlier been included in an evacuation warning issued by IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee, signalling the likelihood of military action in the area.

France’s Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group is moving into the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden as part of preparations by France and Britain for a potential mission to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the French military said. In a statement, the French Armed Forces ministry confirmed the carrier group had crossed the Suez Canal and is heading towards the southern Red Sea.

The carrier strike group had earlier been stationed in the eastern Mediterranean following US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. According to the ministry, it is capable of remaining at sea for four to five months, allowing for sustained operations if required.

Israel was not aware that US President Donald Trump could be close to a deal with Iran to end the war and reopen shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, an Israeli source familiar with the matter told Reuters. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Israel had instead been preparing for a possible escalation in fighting, highlighting a gap in expectations between Washington and its regional ally.
 

Iran has not yet responded to the latest United States proposal aimed at ending the more than two-month-long war, according to Tasnim News Agency, which cited an unnamed source.

The source said the draft proposal includes provisions that Tehran considers unacceptable, indicating that significant gaps remain despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. "Using the language of threat against Iran is ineffective, could worsen the situation for the United States," the source said.

Iran is reviewing a United States proposal aimed at ending the more than two-month-long conflict and will convey its response through mediator Pakistan, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday, according to ISNA.

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US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could come to an end if Tehran agrees to the terms currently under discussion, linking a potential deal to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

"Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran," he said.

However, he warned of escalation if Tehran refuses to comply. "If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before," Trump added.

Talks between the US and Iran appear to be moving forward, with the White House indicating it may be close to a memorandum of understanding, Axios reported. The discussions come amid continued tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and follow a fragile ceasefire that has been extended despite earlier setbacks. High-level negotiations in Pakistan had collapsed over key issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme and control of shipping routes. However, US President Donald Trump said talks remain “very positive” and later claimed “great progress” towards a final agreement.

Iran has also signalled cautious optimism. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said “talks are making progress”, while warning Washington against escalation and being “dragged back into quagmire”. Pakistan continues to act as a mediator, facilitating communication between both sides. Despite signs of momentum, major differences remain, leaving the outcome uncertain.

Pakistan has welcomed the US decision to pause its plan to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praising the move as a step towards de-escalation in the region. Sharif said he was “grateful to President Donald Trump for his courageous leadership and timely announcement”, after Washington halted the operation to allow space for ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The pause comes as Pakistan continues to position itself as a mediator between the US and Iran, alongside regional players. While Trump had cited Pakistan “and other countries” in his remarks, Sharif said Saudi Arabia had also pushed for the move.

Islamabad expressed hope that the current diplomatic momentum would lead to a lasting agreement between Washington and Tehran. Trump said the pause was intended to test whether a deal with Iran “can be finalised and signed”, suggesting negotiations remain active despite ongoing tensions.

The United States has formally concluded its military campaign against Iran under “Operation Epic Fury,” with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that Washington achieved its objectives despite unresolved concerns over Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpile.

Speaking at a White House briefing, Rubio said the operation had ended and emphasised that the US now prefers a diplomatic path forward. “The Operation Epic Fury is concluded. We achieved the objectives of that operation What the president would prefer is a deal,” he said, referring to Donald Trump.

Britain’s retail sector has urged the government to step in as costs surge בעקבות the Iran war, warning that price stability for consumers is at risk without support.

The British Retail Consortium said the conflict is driving up energy, production, shipping and distribution expenses, adding to existing pressures from higher employer taxes, rising wages and new packaging levies.

US President Donald Trump said the United States will temporarily pause “Project Freedom,” an initiative aimed at ensuring the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, as diplomatic efforts with Iran show progress.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision followed requests from Pakistan and other countries and came amid what he described as “tremendous military success” during the US campaign against Iran.

“Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, and the tremendous Military Success that we have had… we have mutually agreed” to pause the operation, Trump wrote.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations said a cargo vessel has been struck by an “unknown projectile” in the Strait of Hormuz, citing a report from a verified source.

The UKMTO did not provide further details on the nature of the projectile or the extent of damage, but confirmed the incident as part of ongoing security alerts in the region.

The development comes amid heightened tensions in the key shipping corridor, where commercial vessels have faced increasing risks in recent days.
 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is in contact with multiple shipping companies to help move vessels safely through the Strait of Hormuz, as efforts continue to stabilise maritime traffic in the region.

Speaking at the White House, Rubio said the US is working “with a bunch” of shipping liners and expressed hope that security conditions would improve soon. “We hope to continue improving the security situation, and we’ll start to see some of that movement,” he said.

Turning to regional diplomacy, Rubio said a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon is “achievable”, but described Hezbollah as the main obstacle.

He added that the US wants Lebanon’s armed forces to build the capacity to challenge and disarm Hezbollah, signalling a long-term security goal for the region.

On efforts to restore a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, Rubio cautioned that progress would be difficult. “It’s not going to be easy… we’re going to do everything we can to make sure both sides continue to talk so that progress can be made,” he said.

Lebanon-based group Hezbollah said it carried out multiple attacks against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, targeting troops and military positions across several locations. According to statements released by the group, Israeli soldiers in the town of Rashaf were hit by a strike drone at around 4:30pm (13:30 GMT). Hezbollah said it later launched a rocket salvo at the “newly established” al-Balat site at 6:00pm (15:00 GMT).

The group added that about 15 minutes later, it targeted Israeli military vehicles in the Wadi Jmal area, between the towns of Marjayoun and Hula, using artillery shells.
 

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has denied carrying out recent missile or drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates, pushing back against what it described as “baseless accusations” and media claims. Spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari said Tehran has not conducted any such operations in recent days.

In a sharply worded statement, Zolfaghari warned the UAE against hosting US or Israeli military assets, saying it should not “become a nest for Americans and Zionists and their military forces and equipment.”

He accused the Gulf state of amplifying “unfair media attacks, baseless accusations, and propaganda” against Iran, adding that it has become “one of the main bases for the Americans and Zionists, as enemies of the Islamic world and the main cause of insecurity in the region.” “We warn that if any action is taken from the soil of the UAE against Iranian islands, ports, and coasts of our country, we will give a crushing and regretful response,” he added.
 

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has accused social media platform X of “selective censorship” after the removal of verification badges from official Iranian accounts. In a post on X, Baqaei said the blue check mark had been stripped from his account, as well as those of the foreign ministry and the foreign minister, despite paid subscriptions.

“X has now removed the blue check from Iran's MFA Spokesperson’s account—after stripping the Ministry and Minister's verified badges—despite our full Premium+ payments,” he said. Baqaei described the move as “arbitrary de-verification” and part of what he called a broader pattern aimed at suppressing Tehran’s narrative on the conflict with the United States.

US Central Command said its “Project Freedom” operation in the Strait of Hormuz has “just begun”, describing it as a temporary mission designed to create a “safe corridor” and a wider “security umbrella” for commercial shipping.

A CENTCOM spokesperson told Al Jazeera Arabic that the initiative is aimed at ensuring vessels can transit the waterway safely, with early signs of support from industry stakeholders. The spokesperson added that ship owners and insurance companies have responded positively to the effort, which seeks to stabilise shipping flows and support both regional and global economies.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned it will take action against vessels that deviate from routes approved by Tehran through the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions over control of the key shipping lane.

“We warn all vessels planning to transit the Strait of Hormuz that the only safe passage is the corridor previously announced by Iran. Any diversion of ships to other routes is dangerous and will result in a firm response from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards navy,” the force said in a statement carried by state television. The warning comes on the second day of a US-led effort to move commercial shipping through the strait after Iran shut the waterway in response to the US-Israel conflict.

Israel’s military chief Eyal Zamir said the country is closely tracking developments in the Gulf and remains prepared to act against any emerging threats. His remarks come amid heightened regional tensions.

“We are ready to respond forcefully against any attempt to harm Israel,” Zamir said, according to Ynet.

US President Donald Trump said Washington is making "tremendous" progress in talks with allies to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, pointing to ongoing discussions with South Korea and Japan. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the US-led effort to restore shipping flows through the critical waterway is gaining traction.

He added that he expects a constructive conversation with Xi Jinping during an upcoming visit to China. Trump also said the US blockade strategy is proving effective and claimed Iran is under pressure to negotiate.

"They play games, but let me tell you, they want to make a deal," he said.

US President Donald Trump said Iran is aware of the limits it must not cross under the fragile ceasefire, dismissing its military capabilities while warning against further violations. â€œThey know what not to do,” he said when asked what would constitute a breach of the ceasefire, adding that Iran continues to test boundaries but remains interested in a deal.

“They play games but want deal,” Trump said.

US President Donald Trump said Iran stands no chance in the ongoing conflict, reiterating claims of US military dominance during remarks at the Oval Office. Speaking at White House, Trump said Tehran is aware of its position despite public messaging to the contrary.

“Iran has no chance. They never did. They know it. They express it to me when I talk to them and then they get on television and say how well they’re doing,” he said.

Trump also repeated his assertion that US operations have significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities, claiming its army, navy, air force and leadership structure have been effectively dismantled.

US President Donald Trump said Washington has dealt a decisive blow to Iran’s military. Speaking during the signing of a proclamation on children’s physical fitness, Trump pointed to recent clashes in the Strait of Hormuz as evidence of US military dominance.

“We beat them very badly, now they’re reduced to little boats with machine guns on the front of them,” he said, repeating his claim that Iran’s navy has been largely destroyed. “Every single ship they had is resting underwater at the bottom of the sea.”

On Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Trump added: “These are sick people, and we’re not going to let lunatics have a nuclear weapon.”

He said the US is doing “well” in the conflict, adding: “We have beaten them badly.” Trump also referred to a recent, limited military engagement but did not provide details.

An interceptor missile was launched toward a suspected Hezbollah drone a short while ago, the military says. The “suspicious aerial target” did not cross the border from Lebanon into Israel, according to the IDF.
 

QatarEnergy has extended its force majeure on liquefied natural gas supplies to Italian utility Edison, cancelling two additional cargoes and pushing the disruption into early July. The move affects one of QatarEnergy’s key European customers amid ongoing supply constraints.

Edison said in a statement on Tuesday that the cancellations would not affect deliveries to its end customers, signalling that contingency measures are in place to manage the shortfall.

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has condemned Iran’s actions in the region, describing the recent attack on the United Arab Emirates as clear and direct aggression. In a statement, Hariri said the incident stripped away any remaining ambiguity about Tehran’s intentions.

“What happened yesterday (attack on the UAE) left no room for new illusions. The narrative has fallen, and the scene has revealed its true face,” he said.

“It is direct aggression without masks, without preliminaries, and without need for pretexts.” Hariri, who served as Lebanon’s prime minister during two separate terms, framed the attack as a turning point in how Iran’s role in the region is perceived.

Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace Gaza point man, said he held a “positive and substantive discussion” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the next steps for Gaza, signalling cautious progress in ongoing talks. The meeting focused on advancing a broader framework aimed at stabilising the region.

“We all reaffirmed our commitment to the full implementation of (US) President (Donald) Trump’s 20-Point Comprehensive Plan,” he said. Mladenov added that efforts are now centred on translating commitments into action on the ground. “Working with all sides to turn commitment into concrete actions,” he wrote on X, noting that meaningful progress will depend on key decisions in the coming phase.

“This will require decisions for progress. We keep moving forward in the interest of a better future for Israelis and Palestinians.”

The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems are actively responding to incoming threats from Iran, confirming it is dealing with “missile and drone attacks” targeting parts of the country. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Defense said multiple aerial threats had been intercepted.

“The Ministry of Defense confirms that the sounds heard in scattered areas of the country are the result of the UAE’s air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones,” the ministry said on X, adding that the attacks originated from Iran.

Iran has defended its strikes on Gulf countries as acts of self-defence, with foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei saying the moves were aimed at countering what Tehran describes as joint US-Israeli aggression. Speaking to state broadcaster Press TV, Baghaei said: “We feel no animosity toward any country of the region,” Baghaei said. “The only reason we have to target their territories was simply because we have to defend ourselves against an active aggression by the United States and Israel.”

He added that Washington has relied on bases and logistical support from some countries in the region to carry out operations against Iran.

“And now, it’s an open secret that the United States used its military bases, its military assets, and also used the logistical support provided by some of these countries to further their act of aggression against Iran,” the Iranian official said.
 

Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Iran’s recent actions at sea have not crossed the line that would trigger a return to full-scale conflict, despite repeated incidents since the ceasefire. Speaking about developments in the Strait of Hormuz, Caine said Tehran’s attacks remain below the threshold for restarting major US combat operations.

Caine said that since the ceasefire announced on April 7, Iran has fired at commercial vessels nine times and seized two container ships. He added that Iranian forces have also targeted US troops more than 10 times during the same period. He told reporters that the actions so far fall “below the threshold of restarting major combat operations at this point.” 

Iran has signalled it is prepared to escalate if its grip over the Strait of Hormuz is challenged, warning it has multiple ways to complicate the conflict for the United States. Even as Washington pushes to break the current deadlock, Tehran has indicated it is ready to defend what it sees as a new status quo in the waterway.

In a fresh message, Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the country will maintain control over the strait, even if the US finds the situation “intolerable”.

“We have not even begun yet,” he warned, as quoted by CNN. The statement comes as Iranian officials, seeking to regain ground after setbacks during the conflict.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the ceasefire with Iran remains in place, while urging Tehran to act with restraint. He stressed that Washington will not allow the conflict to turn into a prolonged nation-building effort and maintained that a safe corridor for commercial shipping continues to operate in the Strait of Hormuz. Hegseth said the US is in contact with a South Korean vessel hit during recent incidents and expressed hope that Seoul will step up its role in securing maritime routes. His remarks come amid ongoing tensions despite a fragile truce, with the US continuing efforts to protect shipping in the region.

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Top US General, Dan Caine, said on Tuesday that Iran’s recent attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remain below the threshold that would trigger a resumption of major US combat operations. He said US forces expect more vessels to pass through the waterway in the coming days and remain ready to escalate if ordered, stressing that any decision to restart full combat would be political. 

He added that Iranian forces have used small arms from fast boats, while US military presence continues to project force at sea and in the air. He said around 22,500 mariners remain stranded in the Gulf, with Iran accused of firing at commercial vessels nine times and seizing two container ships since the ceasefire.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that Washington’s priority is to safeguard commercial shipping from Iranian threats, adding that its Strait of Hormuz mission, dubbed Project Freedom, is only a temporary measure.

Israel has claimed to have eliminated  Ans Muhammad Ibrahim Hamed, a special force commander of Hamas, who was allegedly behind the Nova festival massacre on October 7. The development came amid Israel's operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

IDF eliminates Nukhba commander who raided the Nova festival on October 7 and posed an immediate threat to our forces. The IDF struck yesterday in the centre of the Gaza Strip and eliminated Ans Muhammad Ibrahim Hamed, Nukhba commander in the Hamas terror organisation, who raided the territory of the State of Israel and the Nova festival during the murderous massacre on October 7," it wrote on X.

"The terrorist posed an immediate threat to IDF forces operating in the Gaza Strip, and was eliminated in a precise airstrike. IDF forces under Southern Command are deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat," it further added.

Despite the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which saw its initial 10-day truce extended for an additional three weeks on April 23, hostilities have persisted in the region. Israeli air attacks were recently reported in the southern Lebanese towns of al-Mansouri and Qaaqaait al-Jisr, while Hezbollah claimed to have struck a tank with a guided missile in al-Bayadah. These continued exchanges highlight the fragility of the current diplomatic agreement as both sides maintain military operations.

(Inputs from Al-Jazeera)

Israeli forces on Tuesday conducted raids in south Lebanon's Tebnine town, targeting several Hezbollah operatives. 

The military operation came amid the existing ceasefire between the two countries.

Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, will travel to China to discuss the prevailing situation in West Asia. 

“During the visit he will meet his Chinese counterpart [Wang Yi] to discuss bilateral ties and regional and international developments,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a brief statement as reported by Al-Jazeera.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Iran to return to negotiations after condemning its attack on the United Arab Emirates.

Merz expressed Berlin’s solidarity with the UAE and regional partners, urging Tehran to de-escalate tensions.

“Tehran must return to the negotiating table and stop taking the region and the world hostage: The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz must end. Tehran must not build a nuclear weapon. There must be no further threats or attacks against our partners,” he said in a post on X.

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi briefed Iran’s National Security Committee on proposals discussed during recent Iran-US talks in Islamabad, according to a statement from the foreign ministry.

He outlined key suggestions raised during the discussions and provided an update on ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the regional conflict.

The ministry said the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission expressed concerns over the negotiations, stressing that any outcome must prioritise Iran’s national interests.
 

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned Iran’s attacks during a phone call with Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, expressing Riyadh’s support for the United Arab Emirates. According to Saudi state media, the crown prince conveyed the Kingdom’s “strong condemnation” of the strikes, describing them as “unjustified Iranian attacks targeting the sisterly United Arab Emirates.”

He also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s backing for the UAE in its “defence of its security and stability,” underscoring regional solidarity amid escalating tensions.

Saudi Crown Prince speaks with UAE President, condemns Iran’s “unjustified” attacks on UAE: Saudi state media

European Commission and Kuwait have condemned Iran’s missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates, expressing solidarity with Abu Dhabi.

Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah spoke with his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and denounced what he described as “sinful Iranian aggressions,” according to state media.

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticised the strikes, saying the UAE had once again been targeted by “vicious missiles and drone attacks.”

“These attacks are unacceptable and constitute a clear violation of sovereignty and international law,” von der Leyen wrote on X.

Iran has denied any premeditated plan to target oil facilities in the United Arab Emirates’s Fujairah, according to statements carried by Iranian state television citing a military official.

The official said the incident at Fujairah port was not part of a planned attack on energy infrastructure, even as tensions continue to escalate in the region. Iranian state media instead blamed the development on US actions, saying what happened at Fujairah was the “result of US military’s adventurism to create passage for illegal ship transit” through the Strait of Hormuz.

The United Arab Emirates said Iran launched a fresh barrage of 15 missiles and four drones on Monday, marking one of the latest escalations in the ongoing conflict. According to the Emirati defence ministry, the attack included 12 ballistic missiles and three cruise missiles, along with four drones. Authorities said the strikes resulted in three moderate injuries.

Officials also provided a broader account of the scale of attacks since the conflict began on February 28, stating that Iran has fired a total of 549 ballistic missiles, 29 cruise missiles and 2,260 drones at the UAE.

• The risk of renewed conflict between the United States and Iran has risen after missile and drone attacks hit the United Arab Emirates, breaking the lull since the April ceasefire.
• A major petroleum complex in Fujairah caught fire following a drone strike, with three people — including Indian nationals — injured, according to Emirati authorities.
• The UAE described the attacks as a “dangerous escalation” and said it reserves the “full and legitimate right” to respond under international law.
• Iranian state media said Tehran had no premeditated plan to hit UAE oil facilities, blaming the incident on “US military adventurism” linked to Hormuz operations.
• US Central Command said 50 commercial vessels have been redirected to ensure compliance with its blockade of Iranian ports.
• US officials said Iranian forces launched “multiple cruise missiles, drones and small boats” at US Navy ships and commercial vessels in the Gulf.
• US President Donald Trump said Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it targets US vessels, while confirming strikes on seven Iranian boats.
• Washington has rolled out “Project Freedom” to escort stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz and urged allies to support maritime security efforts.
• Global oil prices jumped around 6% amid fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.