US-Iran news highlights: 'Enemies of America neutralised by Trump', says US amid Iran suspense; oil rises again

US-Iran news LIVE: Iran has jailed a former goalkeeper for the national men's football team after he published earlier this year a post deeply critical of then-supreme leader Ali Khamenei, his wife said.

The Mizan news agency of the Iranian judiciary confirmed that Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri was under arrest but said he had been detained after seeking to illegally cross the border.

Mazaheri won a handful of caps for his country and was in the Iranian squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but spent most of his international career in the shadow of Iran's undisputed number one goalie in the last years, Alireza Beiranvand.

The player, who also kept goal for top domestic teams, had in February published a since-deleted Instagram post in which he described longstanding supreme leader Khamenei as "only a dark and passing chapter" in Iran's history.

(With AFP inputs)

US-Iran news LIVE: Oil prices have fell by 5 per cent amid reports of a possible deal between the US and Iran to end the conflict in the West Asia.

US-Iran news LIVE: Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Wednesday that the United States was seeking to restart the conflict in West Asia, after US President Donald Trump warned of fresh attacks if Tehran did not agree to a peace deal.

Ghalibaf, who warned of a "forceful response", made the remarks after Iran's Revolutionary Guards said any renewed conflict would extend well beyond West Asia.

"The enemy's movements, both overt and clandestine, show that despite economic and political pressure, it has not abandoned its military objectives and is seeking to start a new war," Ghalibaf said in an audio message carried by Iranian media.

US-Iran news LIVE: Efforts are ongoing to finalise the text of an agreement between Washington and Tehran, and its completion could be announced within the next few hours, Al Arabiya reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

According to the report, Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir may travel to Iran on Thursday to announce the final version of the agreement.

It also said that another round of talks is expected to take place in Islamabad after the Hajj season.

US-Iran news LIVE: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that talks with Iran had reached the final stage, while warning of more attacks if Tehran does not agree to a deal.

Six weeks after Trump paused Operation Epic Fury under a ceasefire arrangement, efforts to end the conflict have made little headway. Earlier this week, he said he had come close to approving further strikes but decided against it to allow negotiations more time.

"We're in the final stages of Iran. We'll see what happens. Either have a deal or we're going to do some things that are a little bit nasty, but hopefully that won't happen," he told reporters on Wednesday.

"We're going to give this one shot. I'm in no hurry," Trump said. "Ideally I'd like to see few people killed, as opposed to a lot. We can do it either way."

US-Iran news LIVE: US Marines test fired a dozen rockets from a mobile launcher on Wednesday at a range in the foothills of Japan's iconic Mount Fuji, in an exercise to keep sharp on weapon that is a growingly important component of the American military's arsenal.

The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is a launcher mounted on the back of a military truck that can be rapidly brought out from concealment, fire its rockets, then move quickly to a new location to avoid counter-battery fire. The so-called “shoot and scoot” tactics are becoming increasingly important with the proliferation of drones over the battlefield, which make static positions more vulnerable.

The system has been used by US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and most recently US Central Command said it was employed in the opening attack on Iran where it launched a new precision-guided rocket that could reach targets hundreds of miles away.

(With AP inputs)

US-Iran news LIVE: Israel's army chief Lieutenant Colonel Eyal Zamir on Wednesday said the military was at its highest alert level, as Tehran and Washington traded threats of war.

"At this moment, the IDF (military) is on the highest level of alert and prepared for any development," Zamir said at a meeting of all division commanders, according to a statement issued by the military.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards had earlier warned that the war would expand beyond the region if the US and Israel resumed attacks, after President Donald Trump said he would strike again unless Tehran agreed a peace deal.

US-Iran news LIVE: Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Wednesday praised Donald Trump's decision to "give diplomacy a chance" after the US president announced earlier that he had called off planned strikes on Iran.

The minister wrote on social media that the kingdom "highly appreciates the US President Donald Trump's decision to give diplomacy a chance to reach an acceptable agreement to end the war".

The minister added that Saudi Arabia remained supportive of ongoing mediation efforts carried out by Pakistan and urged Iran to seize "the opportunity to avoid the dangerous implications of escalation".

US-Iran news LIVE: The White House says Trump will be at the June 15-17 meeting in Evian-les-Bains, in the French Alps.

The war in Iran promises to be a major point of contention, as Trump has said US allies haven’t done enough to help open the Strait of Hormuz.

But Trump also wants to use discussions to reframe development conversations so they can better focus on investment partnerships that benefit investors as well as recipient nations, the White House says.

He’ll further seek to promote global innovation around artificial intelligence development, boost critical mineral supply chain resilience and strengthen international actions against drug smuggling and further tougher immigration policies. And Trump will use the meeting to promote US energy exports, the White House says.

US-Iran news LIVE: US President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, DC, said: “I’m in for three months and much of it’s been ceasefire."

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

He then said that the US “has essentially taken over” Iran.

US-Iran news LIVE: Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Wednesday said the United States was seeking to restart the war and still hoped the Islamic republic would surrender.

"The enemy's movements, both overt and clandestine, show that despite economic and political pressure, it has not abandoned its military objectives and is seeking to start a new war," Ghalibaf said in an audio message carried by Iranian media.

"Close monitoring of the situation in the United States reinforces the possibility that they still hope for the surrender of the Iranian nation," he said.

US-Iran news LIVE: Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said, “We're going to give this one shot. I'm in no hurry. You never think, oh, the midterms, I'm in a hurry. I'm in no hurry.”

He added, “Ideally, I'd like to see a few people killed as opposed to a lot. We could do it either way, but I'd like to see a few people killed. I just wonder whether or not they have the good of the people because some of the things they're doing to me mean they don't have the good of the people, and they have to have the good of the people.”

US-Iran news LIVE: The UAE demanded on Wednesday that Iraq "immediately" prevent further attacks from its territory, following an accusation by the Emirates that a drone targeting a nuclear plant was launched from there.

The foreign ministry in a statement called on "Iraq to prevent all hostile acts originating from its territory urgently and without conditions", saying there was a "need to address those threats promptly, immediately, and responsibly".

On Sunday, an unclaimed drone attack struck an electrical generator near the Arab world's only nuclear power plant in Barakah in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, triggering a fire but causing no injuries or radiation leak. Two other drones were intercepted.

(With AFP inputs)

US-Iran news LIVE: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy said on Wednesday that 26 vessels, including oil tankers, container ships and other commercial vessels, transited the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours in coordination with Iran, state media reported.

The IRGC navy added that transit through the waterway was ongoing, with permits obtained and coordination carried out with the force.

US-Iran news LIVE: UAE ADNOC chief executive Sultan Al Jaber said on Wednesday the country had moved ahead in 2025 with plans for a new pipeline designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, and the project was now already 50% complete.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed directed the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to fast-track the West-East Pipeline project during an executive committee meeting, ADMO said, adding the pipeline is under construction and expected to start operating next year.

US-Iran news LIVE: Italy's government said on Tuesday that Israel's treatment of Flotilla activists trying to take aid to Gaza was unacceptable and that it would summon the Israeli ambassador for an explanation.

A strongly worded statement by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy "demands an apology for the treatment" of the activists and the "total disrespect" for the Italian government's requests.

US-Iran news LIVE: Iran has not decided yet whether its foreign minister will take part in a United Nations Security Council meeting on May 26, ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told ISNA on Wednesday.

"Considering China's rotating presidency of the UN Security Council and its plan to hold a special meeting of foreign ministers on issues related to international peace and security, our country's foreign minister has also been invited to participate in this meeting.", Baghaei said.

US-Iran news LIVE: A South Korean oil tanker safely transited the Strait of Hormuz, the country's foreign ministry said Wednesday, marking the first passage by a South Korean vessel through the waterway since the Iran war began.

One South Korean oil tanker "transited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, May 20, and is continuing its voyage," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Approximately 10 South Korean crew members are on board the vessel."

The announcement followed earlier comments by Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who told the National Assembly that the tanker was "passing through" the strategic waterway at the time of his remarks.

"It is the first South Korea-flagged ship to pass through the Strait of Hormuz since the Iran war began," a foreign ministry official told AFP earlier.

US-Iran news LIVE: Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei marked the second anniversary of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's death by urging officials across the Islamic Republic to strengthen what he described as service, unity and continuity in governance.

The most significant part of his message focused on the ongoing war, where he said Iran was facing what he called a historic resistance against “two global terrorist armies", Iran International reported.

US-Iran news LIVE: US President Donald Trump threatened to resume strikes on Iran in the coming days as part of the push for a deal to end the war, after he said he had just called off a US attack.

“I hope we don’t have to do the war, but we may have to give them another big hit,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday. When asked how long he would wait, he said: “Well, I mean, I’m saying two or three days, maybe Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Something maybe early next week — a limited period of time.”

US-Iran news LIVE: Israel moved closer on Wednesday to a snap election after lawmakers gave an initial nod to dissolve parliament, with opinion polls showing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would lose the first national vote since the 2023 Hamas attacks.

Lawmakers voted almost unanimously for an early ballot in a preliminary reading of a bill to disband the 120-seat Knesset. If it receives final approval, a process that could take weeks, Israel could hold an election several weeks ahead of an October 27 deadline.

US-Iran news LIVE: Pakistan's interior minister headed to Iran on Wednesday for the second time this week amid an impasse between Tehran and Washington over a proposal to end the war, Iranian state media reported.

"Mohsin Naqvi travelled to Tehran to meet officials from the Islamic republic," Iran's official IRNA news agency reported, citing diplomatic sources in Islamabad.

Pakistan has been mediating between Iran and the United States, with Naqvi previously in Tehran on Saturday to "facilitate" the process between Tehran and Washington, according to Iranian media.

US-Iran news LIVE: The Jordanian military announced it had shot down a drone of unknown origin in its airspace on Wednesday. No casualties were reported.

"This morning, the Jordanian Armed Forces engaged with a drone of unknown origin that entered Jordanian airspace and was brought down in Jerash Governorate, without any injuries," the military said of an area located around 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of the capital Amman.

US-Iran news LIVE: Israeli warplanes have targeted the town of Ghandouriyeh in the Bint Jbeil district, southern Lebanon, the country’s National News Agency (NNA) reported.

Another raid was launched in the area between Ghandouriyeh and Abbasiyeh in the Tyre district, and the Israeli army artillery shelled the town of Siddiqin.

US-Iran news LIVE: Activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have been taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod after their vessel was intercepted in international waters, according to the Adalah rights group.

The organisation said participants, who were attempting to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge the blockade on Gaza, were “forcibly removed” and taken into Israeli territory against their will.

It described the incident as part of broader Israeli policies toward Gaza. The flotilla had set sail from Turkiye last week as part of renewed efforts by activists to break the maritime blockade.