Iran US war highlights: Trump says Iran negotiators denying talks due to fear of being ‘killed by own people’

Iran US war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump is simultaneously preparing diplomatic options and military escalation options in the ongoing conflict with Iran, Axios reported, citing US and Israeli officials.

Officials reportedly said that the Trump administration is planning for another two to three weeks of war, even if talks take place.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that the Strait of Hormuz is not closed to those who respect Iran's trade and navigational rights.

"The Strait of Hormuz is not closed. Ships hesitate because insurers fear the war of choice you initiated, not Iran," he said in a post on X.

“No insurer, and no Iranian, will be swayed by more threats. Try respect,” he added.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters (the unified combatant command headquarters of the Iranian armed forces) spokesperson took a swipe at the claims of US President Donald Trump that Washington was negotiation with Iran, asserting that the war was coming to an end.

A video posted by Fars News agency showed the military spokesperson taking a jibe at the US, saying that the situation had reached a stage where the Americans were negotiating with themselves.

"The strategic power you used to boast about has now turned into a strategic defeat...Do not label your defeat as an 'agreement.' The era of your promises has come to an end. Today, there are two fronts in the world: Truth and Falsehood. No freedom-seeking truth-seeker will be deceived by your media waves. The level of your internal conflicts has reached the stage where you are negotiating with yourselves. There will be no more talk of your investments in the region, nor will you ever see the former prices of energy and oil again, until you understand that stability in this region is guaranteed only by the powerful hand of our armed forces," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that the Iranian forces would never come to terms with the US-Israeli forces.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that it carried 80th wave of strikes against occupied territories in the northern side, hitting US bases across the region.

"Strategic points and military centers located in the northern occupied territories were smashed under the heavy and sustained missile attacks of the IRGC's Aerospace Force," IRGC's statement read, as cited by Press TV.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Israel on Wednesday struck the Iranian capital, Tehran, reported Israeli and Iranian media, even as President Donald Trump said the US was negotiating with Iran to end the war.

The Israeli Defence Forces said in a post on Telegram that it had launched a wave of strikes targeting infrastructure across Tehran.

Iran's SNN news agency said the strikes hit a residential area in the city.

Iran US war LIVE updates: A top World Trade Organisation warned that disruptions to fertiliser supplies caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict pose a double threat to global food security through scarcity and high prices.

"Fertilisers are the number one issue of concern today. If there is no more fertiliser, there is an impact on quantities but also on prices," WTO Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam told AFP in an interview.

"The effect compounds the following year: harvests shrink and prices rise," Paugam added.

Iran US war LIVE updates: The price of diesel in Vietnam has more than doubled since the start of the US-Iran war, AFP reported, citing figures from the trade ministry.

Diesel prices skyrocketed about 105 per cent from February 26, two days before the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Serious concerns over the potential economic fallout on Pakistan are emerging as tensions escalate between Iran and the US.

Experts are reportedly warning of severe economic and social consequences if negotiations fail.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated his country's hardline stance amid the ongoing conflict and negotiations, as claimed by US President Donald Trump.

According to Press TV, Araghchi made the remarks during a telephone conversation with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

Araghchi said, "Iran will defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity until all objectives are achieved and the enemy is made to regret its violent aggression."

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Wednesday that they had fired missiles at Israel as well as military bases hosting US forces in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, Iranian state TV reported.

A statement from the Guards, carried by broadcaster IRIB, said that "targets in the heart of the occupied territories", meaning Israel, and US military bases in the region "were struck by precision-guided liquid- and solid-fuel missile systems and attack drones".

Iran US war LIVE updates: The US and Israel have reportedly granted temporary immunity for Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, and Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, Israeli media reported.

The immunity granted is valid at least for the entire five days of the negotiations that are underway with Iran, according to Israel's Channel 14.

Iran US war LIVE updates: The Trump administration on Tuesday reportedly sent a 15-point peace plan to Iran, even as the US military looked to deploy more troops in the Middle East.

The plan was sent to Iran by intermediaries from Pakistan, the Associated Press reported.

It is not exactly clear what the terms mentioned in the peace plan are, but the proposal reportedly includes a strict limitation on Iran's nuclear programme and ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Drones hit a fuel tank and triggered a fire at the Kuwait International Airport, the Gulf nation's civil aviation authority said on Wednesday.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said in a statement, citing preliminary information, that the attack had caused only "limited" damage and no casualties.

Firefighters were working to bring the fire under control, said agency spokesman Abdullah Al-Rajhi.

The Kuwait National Guard said that its forces intercepted six drones early on Wednesday, adding that the army said air defences were "responding to hostile missile and drone attacks".

Iran US war LIVE updates: Japan's Nikkei share climbed roughly 3 per cent on Wednesday after optimism spread over Trump's peace plan proposal to Iran.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index advanced 2.93 per cent to 53,784.43. The broader Topix climbed 2.5% to 3,648.78.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran said that foreign aid ships are allowed to cross the Strait of Hormuz, the world's biggest oil chokepoint, as long as they are against the aggressors of the Islamic Republic and follow regulations imposed by Tehran.

In a letter circulated to members of the International Maritime Organisation on Tuesday, Iran said that countries could benefit from the safe passage “in co-ordination with the competent Iranian authorities,” Bloomberg reported.

Iran US war LIVE updates: The US military is reportedly preparing to deploy at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East in the coming days, The Associated Press reported, citing three people familiar with the plans.

The force would include a battalion of the 1st Brigade Combat Team as well as Major General Brandon Tegtmeier, the division's commander, and staff, the people said.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Kuwaiti air defences responded to missile and drone attacks early on Wednesday, the army said, as Iran continued its retaliatory strikes across Gulf nations.

"Kuwaiti air defences are currently responding to hostile missile and drone attacks," the army posted on X.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran has reportedly indicated to the Trump administration that it would prefer holding talks with Vice President JD Vance, rather than negotiating with special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

The message signals that Iran believes discussions with Witkoff and Kushner won't prove productive amid a lack of trust, CNN reported.

Vance is viewed as more sympathetic to wanting to end the war, CNN reported, citing sources.

“The perception is that Vance would be intent on wrapping up the conflict,” one of the sources reportedly said.

Iran US war LIVE updates: The Israel Defence Forces on Wednesday said that a missile launched by Israel fell in Lebanon's Beirut.

The IDF posted on X, "A ballistic missile fired by the Iranian Regime fell in Beirut following multiple launches directed toward Israel. Once again, the Iranian regime shows it doesn't care who gets hurt in its efforts to target Israel."

Iran US war LIVE updates: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday called for restraint after Iran informed the intergovernmental body that a projectile had hit its Bushehr nuclear power plant.

The IAEA said, according to Tehran, no injures were reported, adding that the plant is functioning normally.

"The IAEA has been informed by Iran that another projectile hit the premises of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant today. According to Iran, there was no damage to the NPP itself nor injuries to staff, and the condition of the plant is normal. IAEA DG Rafael Mariano Grossi reiterates call for maximum restraint to avoid nuclear safety risks during conflict," the body said in a post on X.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran has claimed that its Bushehr nuclear power plant was struck by a projectile.

Iran US war LIVE updates: The 82nd Airborne is considered the American Army's emergency response force, and is reportedly technically deployed on short notice. It would be the latest addition of US troops after officials last week said that thousands of Marines aboard several Navy ships would be heading to the Middle East.

The 82nd Airborne troops are reportedly trained to parachute into hostile or contested territory to secure key territory and airfields.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Oil prices dropped more than 5 per cent on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump reportedly sent a peace plan proposal to Iran.

Brent crude futures fell 5.9 per cent to $98.28 per barrel, while the US West Texas Intermediate fell 5.1 per cent at $87.68.

Iran US war LIVE updates: The Israel Defence Forces on Wednesday morning said they identified missiles launched from Iran toward the Israeli territory, noting that defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat.

The Israeli authorities also sent a direct precautionary directive to mobile phones in the relevant areas.

The public has been instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice.

Iran US war LIVE updates: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, meanwhile, publicly announced that Islamabad was ready to facilitate the talks.

In a post on X, he said, "Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict.”