Iran-US tensions highlights: ‘Iran cannot continue to threaten stability’ of Middle East, warns Trump

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Iran-US tensions LIVE: Donald Trump has reportedly withdrawn his support for Sir Keir Starmer’s proposed Chagos Islands agreement after failing to secure UK approval to use British military bases for a potential US strike on Iran. The US president criticised the plan to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while leasing back the Diego Garcia base, calling the arrangement “a big mistake.”

Iran-US tensions LIVE: US President Donald Trump is considering an initial limited military strike on Iran to pressure Tehran into accepting his terms for a nuclear agreement, the Wall Street Journal reported.

According to the report, the opening strike, if approved, could take place within days and would target a small number of military or government sites. The move would aim to increase pressure on Iran while stopping short of a full-scale assault that could trigger significant retaliation.

The reported limited-strike option suggests Trump may be willing to use military force not only as a response to stalled negotiations but also as leverage to secure a US-favoured agreement.

Trump could gradually intensify military action, beginning with a narrow operation before authorising larger strikes until Iran either dismantles its nuclear activities or faces deeper consequences, one of the sources told the Wall Street Journal.

Iran-US tensions LIVE: US President Donald Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Iran’s approach to renewed nuclear negotiations, The Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing European diplomats.

Following the latest round of talks in Geneva, diplomats quoted by the newspaper said Iran appeared unwilling to shift from its “core positions,” particularly on uranium enrichment.

According to the report, Iranian negotiators focused heavily on technical details, a move some diplomats viewed as an attempt to delay more substantive discussions.

“The Iranians were planning to drown them in technicalities and delay substance,” a European diplomat briefed on the talks told The Washington Post. “While a more traditional approach would have built on the dialogue, Trump does not have the patience.”

Iran-US tensions LIVE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Thursday that Iran’s leadership would “face a response they can’t even imagine” if Israel were attacked.

“We are prepared for any scenario,” Netanyahu said at a military cadets’ graduation ceremony.

“And one thing is certain — if the ayatollahs make a mistake and attack us, they will face a response they can’t even imagine.”

Netanyahu added that Israel was “operating side by side with our major ally, the United States” in confronting the threat posed by the Islamic Republic.

Iran-US tensions LIVE: Iran held annual military drills with Russia on Thursday as a second US aircraft carrier moved closer to the Middle East, with both Washington and Tehran signaling readiness for conflict if talks over Iran’s nuclear programme collapse.

Iran-US tensions LIVE: US President Donald Trump warned Iran of “bad things” if there is no deal reached upon by both sides in the nuclear talks in Geneva.

“We have to make a meaningful deal, otherwise bad things happen,” Trump said at his Board of Peace event.

“Maybe we’re going to make a deal. You’re going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days,” he added.

Iran-US tensions LIVE: US President Donald Trump spoke about American airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites in June. He said Iran's nuclear potential had been “decimated.”

Trump further added, “We may have to take it a step further or we may not.” He said that people will “be finding out over the next probably 10 days.”

Iran-US tensions LIVE: US President Donald Trump on Thursday asserted that Iran “cannot continue to threaten the stabilty” of the Middle East.

He further said this would be the time for Iran to join the Board of Peace, saying this would “complete what we are doing.”

Iran-US tensions LIVE: While speaking at the Board of Peace event, US President Donald Trump said that this is the opportune time for Iran to join them. This comes even as US pressures Iran into getting rid of their nuclear stockpile and limit their nuclear program.

“…If they join us, that'll be great. If they don't join us, that'll be great, too. But it'll be a very different path. They cannot continue to threaten the stability of the entire region,” Trump said.

Iran-US tensions LIVE: US President Donald Trump warned Iran of making a "meaningful deal" with Washington or "bad thing will happen". The warming comes amid a huge American military build-up takes shape in the Middle East.

"It's proven to be over the years not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran. We have to make a meaningful deal otherwise bad things happen," Trump said in the inaugural meeting of the “Board of Peace.”

Iran-US tensions LIVE: US President Donald Trump on Thursday hit out at Tehran saying there cannot be peace in the Middle East if Iran has nuclear weapons. While speaking at a Board of Peace event, Trump said, “They can't have nuclear weapons. They can't have peace in the Middle East if they have nuclear weapons. They have been told that very strongly.”

Iran-US tensions LIVE: Newly released satellite images show a concrete shield over a new facility at a sensitive military site in Iran, which has also been covered by soil, Al Jazeera reported.

According to these images, Iran has also ⁠buried tunnel entrances at a nuclear site bombed by the US during Tehran's 12-day-war with Israel last year. It has fortified tunnel entrances at another site and repaired missile bases struck in the conflict.

Iran-US tensions LIVE: The US military is reportedly prepared to strike Iran as early as this weekend. However, President Donald Trump is yet to take a final call on whether he'll authorise such actions, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The White House has reportedly been briefed that the military could be ready for an attack by the weekend. However, one source, cited by CNN, said that Trump has privately argued both for and against military action in Tehran. He has also polled advisers and allies on the best course of action.

"He is spending a lot of time thinking about this," a source was quoted as saying.

Iran-US tensions LIVE: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted on Wednesday that "we do not want war" but suggested that Tehran could not give in to US demands. "From the day I took office, I have believed that war must be set aside. But if they are going to try to impose their will on us, humiliate us and demand that we bow our heads at any cost, should we accept that?" he asked.

Iran-US tensions LIVE: The US military is reportedly prepared to strike Iran as early as this weekend. However, President Donald Trump is yet to take a final call on whether he'll authorise such actions, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The White House has reportedly been briefed that the military could be ready for an attack by the weekend. However, one source, cited by CNN, said that Trump has privately argued both for and against military action in Tehran. He has also polled advisers and allies on the best course of action.

"He is spending a lot of time thinking about this," a source was quoted as saying.

Iran-US tensions LIVE: The United States has assembled a massive air fleet, including jet fighters and support aircraft, in the Middle East, amid tensions with Iran. This comes even as officials and advisers signaled that military action against Iran could begin sooner rather than later, Axios reported. Read full story here

Iran-US tensions LIVE: An old X post of US President has surfaced where he is seen taking dig at former POTUS Barack Obama, saying “In order to get elected, @BarackObama will start a war with Iran.”

Iran-US tensions LIVE: The US announced visa restrictions on Iranian officials and executives for repressing recent anti-government protests and cutting off internet access, as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure on Tehran amid ongoing nuclear talks. The State Department said it is targeting 18 Iranian officials and telecommunications industry leaders and their immediate family members for the crackdown and communications blackout, blaming them for “inhibiting the right of Iranians to free expression and peaceful assembly.”

Iran-US tensions LIVE: Head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said that the US military build-up in the Middle East means Iran’s window to reach a diplomatic agreement over its atomic activities is at risk of closing. “There is not much time but we are working on something concrete,” Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi told Bloomberg.

Iran-US tensions LIVE: Asking the Polish citizens to leave Iran in view of Tehran's simmering tensions with Washington, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, that due to the potential for armed conflict evacuation may no longer be possible in a matter of hours.

"Please leave Iran immediately... and do not go to this country under any circumstances," Tusk said.

Iran-US tensions LIVE: As tensions between US and Iran continue to escalate, Poland has asked its citizens in Iran to leave immediately. This comes amid reports of possible US strikes against Iran as soon as this weekend.

US Senator Ted Cruz said that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has only one option, and that is to leave power.

“His regime is in tatters. He wants time to rebuild. I don't think President Trump is going to fall for that. I think the only deal the ayatollah can make is to say, I'm out of here. Let me leave. Let me go to Russia. Let me go to somewhere else other than here,” Cruz said in an interview with Fox News.

“I believe there is no deal to be had in terms of the nuclear program,” Cruz said. He also said that Tehran had never agreed to "any place, anywhere, any time" inspections.

Iran-US tensions LIVE: Oil prices rose on Thursday as the U.S. and Iran attempted to ease a standoff in talks over Tehran's nuclear programme while both sides heightened military activity in the key oil-producing region.

Brent futures climbed 23 cents, or 0.3% to $70.58 a barrel by 0735 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 25 cents, or 0.4%, to trade at $65.44 a barrel.

Both benchmarks settled more than 4% higher on Wednesday, posting their highest settlements since January 30, as traders priced in the risk of supply disruptions in the event of a conflict.

"Oil prices are rallying as the market becomes increasingly concerned over the potential for imminent U.S. action against Iran," said ING analysts in a Thursday note. (Reuters)

The US has reportedly imposed visa restrictions on 18 Iranian officials and telecommunications industry leaders over their role in the violent crackdown on protests, the State Department said on Tuesday.

The restrictions are also imposed on immediate family members, bringing the total number targeted under the policy to 58, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.