'Deal signing shortly:' Trump cancels scheduled strikes and announces Iran's leadership agrees to deal | LIVE BLOG

Iranian Foreign Ministry confirms: Memorandum of Understanding almost final, working to bridge gaps

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said a significant portion of the negotiating text with the United States had already been finalized, but accused Washington of repeatedly shifting its stance throughout the talks. According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, the spokesperson said that "Americans kept changing their positions," suggesting the evolving U.S. demands had complicated efforts to reach a final agreement.

PMO: Netanyahu welcomes Trump’s commitment to remove Iran’s enriched uranium under final deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday regarding the emerging memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran aimed at launching negotiations, according to the Prime Minister's Office. While Israel is not a party to the proposed agreement, Netanyahu expressed appreciation for Trump's commitment that any final deal would include the removal of Iran's enriched nuclear material, the dismantling of its enrichment infrastructure, restrictions on missile production, and an end to Tehran's support for terrorist proxies across the region.

Trump: US has reached a ‘great settlement’ with Iran, could be signed in Europe; the deal will ensure Tehran ‘will never have a nuclear weapon’

President Donald Trump announced that the United States had reached what he described as a "great settlement" with Iran, saying the final documents are expected to be completed in the coming days. Trump said a signing ceremony could take place in Europe, possibly over the weekend, and indicated that Vice President JD Vance may attend on his behalf if he is unable to do so. "We have a deal that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon," Trump said, adding that "the whole Middle East is happy" with the agreement.

Trump and Netanyahu held phone call amid Iran deal developments

US accepts Iran’s draft proposal, likelihood of final approval by Iran is high, Iranian media reports

Trump tells New York Post: Agreement to begin nuclear negotiations with Iran is ‘pretty much all wrapped up’

‘We are surprised by Trump’s announcement, we need to see what Iranians publish to determine if its accurate,’ two Israeli officials tell i24NEWS

According to an Israeli source: "Everyone lives off Trump's tweets. We need to hear what the Iranians publish to know whether the president is indeed accurate in his assessment. Experience shows that not so much..."

Kuwait says Iranian attacks early Thursday morning caused injuries, serious material damage at airport

Trump cancels scheduled attacks on Iran this evening, says deal signing announcement coming shortly

"Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening. Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others. The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized — Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly."

Iran submits draft agreement to US via Qatari mediators - report

Iran has finalized and submitted a draft agreement with the United States to Qatari mediators for delivery to Washington, according to US and regional sources cited by New York Post. 

A regional source said the text was completed Wednesday evening and that Doha has been facilitating contacts between the two sides. A US source familiar with the mediation efforts confirmed that a draft proposal had been submitted, although details of the agreement were not immediately disclosed. Pakistan has reportedly played a central role in communications between Washington and Tehran, with discussions focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and launching nuclear negotiations.

Iran warns US of harsher response, says ‘the fire of war will become more widespread’

Iran ’s top joint military command: "We warn that if the US attempts to carry out attacks against Iran again, it will receive a response more severe than before. The fire of war will become more widespread and extensive, causing insecurity in the region"

IDF says troops established operational control north of the Saluki River in southern Lebanon

The IDF announced it has completed operations north of the Saluki River in southern Lebanon aimed at removing threats to northern Israeli communities, saying troops killed more than 50 terrorists and destroyed hundreds of Hezbollah infrastructure sites.

A meeting between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey expected to take place to evaluate mediation efforts, Al Arabiya reports

US draws up plans to capture Iran's Kharg Island

CNN reports that Washington has repeatedly considered military options to take control of Iran's Kharg Island in recent months, but the plans were set aside over concerns about the potential risks involved

UAE and Iranian officials held face-to-face talks for the first time since the start of the war, seeking to de-escalate tensions - report

Senior national security officials from the United Arab Emirates and Iran have held a face-to-face meeting for the first time since the newest outbreak of clashes between the United States and Iran. 

According to a Bloomberg News report citing people familiar with the matter, the discussions took place this week, marking a sharp diplomatic turn for both nations amid a mutual recognition of the urgent need for calmer bilateral relations. 

Iran threatens to target Elon Musk’s companies in Middle East, state media reports

Iran will consider Elon Musk's companies operating in the Middle East, including Starlink, as military targets in retaliation against the US, according to Iranian state-affiliated media outlet Fars. Fars reported that Tehran is targeting "all interests related to economic holdings managed by Elon Musk in West Asia."

Trump: Iran is finished, there will be more bombing tonight, ‘bigger and more powerful'

’Trump said Iran remains engaged in negotiations with the United States, saying, "They are negotiating with us to make a deal, but they are proud," while expressing hope that an agreement could still be reached. "I'd like to reach a deal now," Trump said, adding that he was "not frustrated" with Tehran despite ongoing tensions.

Trump struck a combative tone when discussing Iran, describing the country as "only good at publicity, not at fighting," and claiming that U.S. aircraft were operating over Tehran without Iranian authorities' knowledge. "They have no idea," he said.

The president also suggested that, if military action were necessary, he would prefer targeting strategic assets such as Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal, while indicating he would rather avoid strikes on civilian infrastructure. "I'd rather not hit bridges and power plants," Trump said.

Warning that military operations could intensify, Trump said, "There will be more bombing tonight, bigger, more powerful," before adding, "Iran is finished."

In separate remarks, Trump also referenced the Kurds, saying he would remember that "the Kurds let us down."

Trump: Iran is finished, there will be more bombing tonight, ‘bigger and more powerful'

’Trump said Iran remains engaged in negotiations with the United States, saying, "They are negotiating with us to make a deal, but they are proud," while expressing hope that an agreement could still be reached. "I'd like to reach a deal now," Trump said, adding that he was "not frustrated" with Tehran despite ongoing tensions.

Trump struck a combative tone when discussing Iran, describing the country as "only good at publicity, not at fighting," and claiming that U.S. aircraft were operating over Tehran without Iranian authorities' knowledge. "They have no idea," he said.

The president also suggested that, if military action were necessary, he would prefer targeting strategic assets such as Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal, while indicating he would rather avoid strikes on civilian infrastructure. "I'd rather not hit bridges and power plants," Trump said.

Warning that military operations could intensify, Trump said, "There will be more bombing tonight, bigger, more powerful," before adding, "Iran is finished."

In separate remarks, Trump also referenced the Kurds, saying he would remember that "the Kurds let us down."

Trump: The US will hit Iran very hard tonight; at some point we will be taking Kharg Island, and assume total control of their oil and gas markets

IDF officer severely injured by explosive device detonating during counterterrorism operation in Jenin

IDF: Earlier today (Thursday), a during IDF counterterrorism activity in the area of Jenin, an explosive device was detonated. As a result of the explosion, an IDF officer was severely injured, and an NCO was lightly injured.