US will only lift naval blockade on Iran 'when there is a deal' Trump says | LIVE BLOG

Iran accuses the United States of "continued ceasefire violations"

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denounced to his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, the "continued violations of the ceasefire" by the United States. According to Tehran, these actions constitute a major obstacle to the continuation of the diplomatic process. During a telephone conversation, Araghchi indicated that Iran would assess all the factors before deciding on its next steps.

Trump says he will only lift the blockade if there is an "agreement" with Iran

"The blockade, which we will not lift until there is a deal, is completely destroying Iran. They are losing $500 million a day, an unsustainable figure for them, even in the short term," President Trump wrote on Truth Social, in a message sharply criticizing American media coverage of the conflict.

The ceasefire will expire overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, Donald Trump announced

The ceasefire in Iran will expire "Wednesday evening, Washington time," Donald Trump told Bloomberg, deeming any extension of the truce with Tehran "very unlikely." "A lot of bombs will go off" if there is no agreement, the US president also warned on PBS, raising fears of a new escalation in the region.

The Crown Prince of Jordan on a solidarity visit to the Gulf

Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II arrived in Doha today, the first stop on a solidarity tour of the Gulf, where he met with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. During their meeting, he expressed "Jordan's full solidarity with Qatar and the other Gulf states," emphasizing that "the security of the Arab Gulf states is essential to the stability of the region," according to the Hashemite Royal Court. This visit comes at a sensitive regional time and aims to strengthen ties between Amman and the Gulf countries. The Crown Prince is expected to travel to Bahrain later today to continue his tour.

United Arab Emirates: Iran-linked terrorist cell dismantled

The United Arab Emirates announced it had dismantled a terrorist cell linked to Iran and arrested its members, according to the official news agency WAM. Authorities stated that the group was conducting recruitment and mobilization operations with the aim of gaining access to sensitive sites and undermining the country's stability.

Iran signals openness to US peace talks as Pakistan mediates end of US blockade - report 

Israel and Lebanon to hold second direct meeting in Washington on Thursday, i24NEWS learns

Israeli Ambassador to US Yechiel Leiter and the Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad will attend the meeting. 

Lebanese president says Trump imposed ceasefire, signals readiness for talks with Israel

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said a short while ago that US President Donald Trump imposed the ceasefire on Israel and “expressed full understanding and responsiveness to Lebanon's demands” during a phone call last week.

Aoun said Lebanon will move toward negotiations with Israel through a single delegation led by former ambassador to Washington Simon Karam, adding that contacts will continue to maintain the ceasefire and begin talks aimed at ending hostilities.

He said the negotiations seek to end the IDF presence in southern Lebanon, extend Lebanese army control to internationally recognized borders, and achieve “sustainable stability,” adding, “Lebanon faces two options: the continuation of the war… or negotiation to put an end to this war… I have chosen negotiation.”

‘I was stunned and saddened’: PM Netanyahu condemns the smashing of a Jesus statue in southern Lebanon by an IDF soldier

FM Sa'ar: Over the past 2.5 years, about 30 attacks were attempted or carried out against our embassies and diplomats around the world, including 2 in the UAE

Pakistani security source to Reuters: Army Chief Munir told Trump Hormuz blockade is a hurdle to talks; Trump said he'd consider his advice

Tsunami warning issued after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits the east coast of Honshu in Japan

Iran’s Foreign Ministry says there is no plan for second round of talks; differences over nuclear program remain, per Iranian source to Reuters

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said a short while ago that Tehran has no plans for another round of negotiations with the United States, adding that “if the US sends a team to Islamabad, that is a matter that concerns them.”

Baqaei said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not accept any deadlines or ultimatums to safeguard its national interests,” stressing that Iran “will not change our principled positions.” He also said that transferring Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles abroad “is not on the agenda of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Mossad foils an attempt by Iran to damage the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline as well as target Jewish and Israeli targets in Azerbaijan READ MORE

Shin Bet and police arrest two Israeli citizens over alleged Iran espionage recruitment plot, including plans to travel abroad for training READ MORE

IDF strikes loaded launcher north of the Yellow Line in southern Lebanon overnight

US Marines board and seize Iranian-flagged vessel in the Arabian Sea attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach Bandar Abbas in violation of US naval blockade

Iran’s top joint military command accuses US of violating ceasefire and vows to retaliate after US seizes Iranian cargo ship, says Iranian forces launched drone attacks targeting US military ships

Iran’s top joint military command Khatam al-Anbiya said overnight into Monday that US forces violated the ceasefire by firing at an Iranian commercial vessel, describing the incident as “maritime and armed robbery.” The statement said the ship was traveling from China to Iran and warned that Tehran “will soon respond and retaliate.”

The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News said Iranian forces also launched drone attacks targeting some US military ships following the incident. US Central Command said earlier that American forces intercepted the Iranian-flagged vessel M/V Touska in the Arabian Sea after it failed to comply with repeated warnings and disabled it before boarding.

US Central Command added that the ship was attempting to reach Bandar Abbas in violation of a US naval blockade and said the operation was conducted in a “deliberate, professional, and proportional manner.” Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam criticized the US action, saying continued enforcement of the blockade and “threaten[ing] Iran with further war crimes” undermines diplomatic efforts.

IDF condemns, probes soldier over damage to Christian symbol in Lebanon

The IDF said a short while ago that an initial examination found a widely circulated photograph showing a soldier damaging a Christian symbol was taken in southern Lebanon. The military said it views the incident “with great severity,” adding the conduct is not in line with the values expected of its troops.

According to the IDF, the case is under investigation by Northern Command and is being handled through the chain of command, with appropriate measures to be taken based on the findings. The military also said it is working to assist the local community in restoring the statue.

The IDF stressed it is operating against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon and “has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols.” READ MORE