Iran US war highlights: Explosions heard from south Beirut amid local reports of Israeli strike

Iran US war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump criticised NATO for refusing to cooperate with US military operations in Iran, calling it a “test” for the alliance and warning that Washington would “remember” their response.

“That’s why I’m so disappointed in NATO. Because this was a test for NATO… We’re going to remember,” he said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.

Trump also said he had asked allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but “they didn’t want to get involved,” adding, “I believe that’s going to cost them dearly.”

Iran US war LIVE updates: Explosions were heard in Iran’s capital Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj, with heavy air defence activity reported Iran state media.

There was no immediate clarity on the cause or targets of the blasts.

Iran US war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump on Thursday said taking control of Iran’s oil remains “an option,” as the conflict continues.

“It’s an option,” Trump said at a cabinet meeting, adding that the United States had done “very well” with Venezuela’s oil reserves after intervening there.

Iran US war LIVE updates: France’s armed forces chief held a videoconference with representatives from 35 countries across continents to discuss ways to re-open the Strait of Hormuz, the defence ministry said.

The ministry did not disclose the participating countries but said the initiative is independent of ongoing military operations and “strictly defensive in nature,” reported Reuters.

It added that the aim is to organise the resumption of shipping through the key waterway once hostilities come to an end.

Iran US war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump said Iran is already engaging in talks, asserting that “anybody would know they’re talking.”

“They’re not fools, they’re very smart actually in a certain way. And they’re great negotiators. I say they’re lousy fighters but they’re great negotiators,” he said.

Iran US war LIVE updates: US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington has presented Tehran with a 15-point framework as the basis for a potential peace agreement, adding that there are “strong signs” Iran could be convinced to make a deal.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting at the White House, Witkoff said the proposal was conveyed to Iran through Pakistan and described it as a possible turning point in the conflict.

“We will see where things lead, and if we can convince Iran that this is the inflection point with no good alternatives for them, other than more death and destruction. We have strong signs that this is a possibility,” he said.

Iran US war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump said military operations against Iran are progressing “extremely” ahead of schedule, signalling confidence in the pace of the ongoing campaign.

On the Strait of Hormuz, he said, “we'll see if we can make the right deal.”

Iran US war LIVE updates: Germany’s foreign minister said it would be “encouraging” if the United States is speaking directly with Iran, signalling support for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict, reported AFP.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul said it is important to reach a common position with the United States on Iran, while stressing the need to end the ongoing conflict.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone conversation with Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira to discuss bilateral relations and the ongoing US-Israeli war imposed on Iran, according to Iran's state media.

The two leaders reviewed ties between the countries and exchanged views on the evolving regional situation.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US of double standards, saying Washington backed Israel’s Gaza blockade under “security” claims while criticising Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz.

“The US backed Israel's Gaza blockade, cutting aid under ‘security’ claims, yet condemns Iran for defending itself in Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

Calling it a “double standard”, Araghchi added, “Israel's crimes are OK while Iran's defense against aggressors is condemned. International law is not tool of convenience.”

Iran US war LIVE updates: The United States on Thursday rejected claims that it had targeted Iraqi security forces, calling the allegations “categorically false,” reported AFP.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran and the United States appeared at an impasse Thursday, with each side hardening its position over talks and setting the stage for another potential escalation in the Middle East war. Thousands more U.S. troops neared the region, while Tehran tightened its grip on the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Sirens over Israel warned of barrages of incoming Iranian missiles, and Gulf nations worked to intercept fire. Heavy strikes were reported in Iran’s capital and other cities.

In a war that appears defined by who can take the most pain, the U.S. has offered shifting but ambitious objectives, including ensuring Iran’s missile and nuclear programs are no longer a threat and ending Tehran’s support for armed groups in the region. Washington at one point also pushed for the overthrow of Iran’s theocracy. (AP)

Iran US war LIVE updates: At least two persons were killed and three others injured on Thursday when debris of missiles intercepted by the UAE's air defence system fell on a street in Abu Dhabi, local media reported.

UAE's air defences are responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran at regular intervals, according to the Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates.

"Abu Dhabi authorities have responded to an incident involving falling debris in Sweihan street, following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems," Abu Dhabi Media Office reported.

"The incident resulted in the deaths of two unidentified individuals, three injuries, and damage to a number of cars. Further updates will be provided in due course," it added.

The total number of deaths has risen to 11 after the latest incident in Abu Dhabi, Gulf News reported.

Nine people killed earlier include three members of the armed forces. Six people of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi and Palestinian nationalities have also been killed till now, the Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates said. (PTI)

Iran US war LIVE updates: Smoke rises after an Israeli strike, amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as the US-Israeli conflict with Iran continues, in southern Lebanon.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran is letting Malaysian tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz after talks with Iranian, Turkish and other regional leaders, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday.

"We're now in the process of releasing the Malaysian oil tankers and the workers involved so that they can continue their journey home," Anwar said in a televised address in which he also thanked Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. (AFP)

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran and the United States appeared at an impasse Thursday, with each side hardening its position over talks and setting the stage for another potential escalation in the Middle East war. Thousands more US troops neared the region, while Tehran tightened its grip on the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Sirens over Israel warned of barrages of incoming Iranian missiles and Gulf nations worked to intercept fire. Heavy strikes were reported in Iran’s capital and other cities.

In a war that appears defined by who can take the most pain, the U.S. has offered shifting but ambitious objectives, including ensuring Iran’s missile and nuclear programs are no longer a threat and ending Tehran’s support for armed groups in the region. Washington at one point also pushed for the overthrow of Iran’s theocracy. (AP)

Iran US war LIVE updates: Gulf countries said Thursday that they wanted to be involved in any talks between the United States and Iran, insisting that while they had a right to self-defence they preferred diplomacy.

"We emphasize the necessity of involving the GCC countries in any talks or agreements to resolve this crisis, in a way that contributes to strengthening their security and stability," Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem AlBudaiwi said in a televised speech.

AlBudaiwi also said Iran had been asking vessels to pay sums of money to cross the Strait of Homuz. (AFP)

Iran US war LIVE updates: Islamabad claims that discussions between Washington and Tehran are taking place, news agency AFP reported.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Maritime trackers reported that some vessels were still crossing the Strait of Hormuz, the world's biggest oil chokepoint, guarded by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, every day, with most of the tankers exiting the Gulf.

The handful of vessels reportedly crossing the Strait daily were taking a new Iran-approved route being dubbed as "Tehran Toll Booth", news agency AFP reported, citing shipping journal Lloyd's List.

At least one vetted vessel reportedly paid $2 million to use the narrow waterway around Larak Island just off Iran's coast.

Additionally, Iran is also mulling a law to introduce a fee for ships passing through the Hormuz. The Iranian parliament is reportedly drafting the bill, ensuring a fee that would effectively charge for security and oversight, reported Fars News Agency.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran’s ambassador to Japan Peiman Seadat on Thursday said that the US can’t just unilaterally impose a peace plan upon Tehran, as the two countries continue to give conflicting signals on talks with no clear conclusion to hostilities in sight.

“It cannot be that he comes up with a peace plan and then says, ‘I will impose it,’” Seadat said in Tokyo, apparently referring to US President Donald Trump. “No unilateral imposition. That is not acceptable,” he added.

Iran US war LIVE updates: The Pentagon is weighing whether to redirect weapons originally meant for Ukraine to the Middle East, as the war in Iran strains supplies of some of the US military's most critical munitions, the Washington Post reported.

The weapons that could be redirected include air defense interceptor missiles purchased through a NATO initiative launched last year, under which partner countries buy US arms for Kyiv, the report said.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Israel and Iran exchanged missile strikes as the status of potential peace talks remains uncertain, extending a war that’s wreaked havoc across the Middle East and global markets.

US President Donald Trump claimed Iran is desperate to make a deal to end the nearly month-long conflict, while Iran publicly rejected Washington’s push for discussions. Tehran is seeking its own guarantees, including that the US and Israel won’t resume their attacks, reparations for war damages and recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, state-owned Press TV said.

Stocks and bonds edged lower and oil climbed as the conflicting signals eroded optimism that a resolution to the war is imminent. (Bloomberg)

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran and the United States hardened their positions as a diplomatic push for a ceasefire in the Middle East war appeared to falter on Thursday.

Tehran moved to formalise its control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz while Washington prepared for the arrival of US troops in the region that could be used on the ground in the Islamic Republic.

Sirens over Israel warned of barrages of incoming Iranian missiles and in the United Arab Emirates, two persons were reported killed and three were wounded by falling shrapnel from a missile interception over Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Industry experts say Iran is implementing a "de facto toll booth' regime," with some ships paying in Chinese yuan to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, where 20 per cent of all traded oil and natural gas is transported in peacetime. (PTI)

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iranian lawmaker Mohammadreza Rezaei Kouchi said on Thursday that a draft proposal to collect transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz has been prepared and would be sent to the Parliament's research centre next week for legal review.

Kouchi said he had prepared the draft jointly with Tehran lawmaker Somayyeh Rafiei, adding that they planned to finalise it with a legal team, Iran International reported.