US, Iran news highlights: US could 'finish the job' in 'less than a week' if Iran is not 'reasonable,' says Trump

US-Iran news LIVE updates: Iran's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, said Tehran alone will decide how to use its frozen assets once they are unfrozen under a US-Iran deal, rejecting Washington's claims that other countries should have a role or influence in the process.

US-Iran news LIVE updates: A UN Commission of Inquiry has found that Israel deliberately targeted Palestinian children in Gaza, saying the actions amount to genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The report says children account for about 30% of those killed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023 and highlights attacks on maternity and neonatal facilities, aid blockades causing starvation, and alleged torture and sexual abuse of detained Palestinian children. The commission called for an end to violence against children and said Israel's actions threaten the future of the Palestinian people.

US Iran War LIVE Updates: Iran’s president was traveling to Pakistan on Tuesday for talks with officials who have been mediating negotiations between Tehran and Washington on a permanent end to the war in the Middle East even as discrepancies were emerging on what had been agreed so far.

President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Islamabad comes as technical teams were working on details of the deal, following high-level negotiations in Switzerland on Monday led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.

In Tehran, Iran's capital, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters that no visits have been scheduled for the U.N. watchdog — the International Atomic Energy Agency — to see Iranian nuclear sites bombed by the United States last year. Vance had previously said the negotiations in Switzerland won an agreement for IAEA to inspect the sites.

(AP)

US Iran War LIVE Updates: Iranian official Ran Baghaei said Tehran’s missile programme and defensive capabilities will not be part of negotiations with any country.

US Iran War LIVE Updates: US Vice President JD Vance said talks with Iran over the weekend were “very, very good,” as the sides attempt to reach a peace deal within two months and formally end a war that’s reverberated through the global economy.

His comments echoed those from Iranian officials after all-night discussions in Switzerland, with Vance leading the US team and Iran’s speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, doing the same for the Islamic Republic.

Vance, speaking to reporters, dismissed criticism of last week’s interim agreement between the US and Iran and said it would bring relief to Americans in the form of lower energy prices. He added that Tehran would buy American soy, wheat and corn with frozen funds it may be allowed to use as part of the deal.

(Bloomberg)

US Iran War LIVE Updates: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday to discuss greater cooperation in security, trade and other areas, in the latest sign of closer ties between the countries following the US-Iran truce that Pakistan helped mediate.

Pezeshkian is set to meet with his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari, as well as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s foreign minister and speaker of the national assembly. It will be Pezeshkian’s second visit to Islamabad as president, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.

(Bloomberg)

US Iran War LIVE Updates: The statement said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will continue operations to "neutralize threats" against Israeli soldiers and citizens, destroy terrorist infrastructure, and maintain the security zone in southern Lebanon.

US Iran War LIVE Updates: After the United States Vice President JD Vance's public praise for the country, Republican Senators raised questions regarding Pakistan's role in negotiations to end the West Asia conflict.

The senators pointed to the countries' “history of harbouring terrorists”, claiming they were helping in “propping up Iran's…terror campaign.” This came after Vance's “we love Pakistan” remark in Switzerland, where US and Iranian representatives, along with leaders from Iran and Qatar, are holding negotiations. Read more here

US Iran War LIVE Updates: American allies of President Donald Trump this week defended him to an Israeli public anxious about a U.S. interim deal with Iran and White House criticism that together appeared to signal fissures in Israel's decades-old alliance with Washington.

The U.S.-Israeli relationship has been on a roller coaster, from the early confidence they shared after their joint attack on Iran to public disagreements between Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over how to end the four-month-old war.

Netanyahu and many other Israelis see a risk that Trump's memorandum of understanding with Iran will empower a state they regard as their deadliest enemy and constrict their ability to respond to threats from Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

They sense the U.S. alliance - long the bedrock of Israel's strategic approach - is under strain as opinion polls show Americans increasingly unhappy with Israel and their strongest champion in Washington appears to be turning away.

"The United States and Israel have an unbreakable bond," Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, said on Sunday after acknowledging there was an "enormous level of anxiety about the relationship."
(Reuters)

US Iran War LIVE Updates: Lebanon heads into a new round of talks with Israel on Tuesday in Washington, with Beirut determined to press ahead with direct negotiations even as they appear to be overshadowed by Iran's decision to make Lebanon part of its negotiations with the United States.

Lebanese officials have insisted that face-to-face negotiations with Israel are the only way to secure an end to the war raging since March 2, when armed group Hezbollah fired at Israel in support of Iran and triggered Israeli air and ground attacks that have killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon.

But four rounds of Lebanese-Israeli talks since April failed to produce a durable ceasefire.

Instead, the longest lull in fighting came this week after Iran and the U.S. agreed a memorandum of understanding that stipulated fighting would halt across all fronts, including Lebanon.

That deal buoyed Iran-backed Hezbollah and dealt a blow to the Lebanese state, whose leaders including President Joseph Aoun had repeatedly warned that Tehran cannot negotiate on Lebanon's behalf.

(Reuters)

Iran war LIVE: The United States waived sanctions on Iran for 60 days from Monday after the first talks under a nascent peace deal, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying he will "do what I have to do" if Iran does not stick to its side of the agreement.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland had laid a good foundation for a final peace deal, although Iran denied that it had begun discussions of its nuclear program.

The two sides, trying to build on the interim deal they signed last week, agreed a roadmap towards a permanent agreement within 60 days at the talks in the Qatari-owned Swiss mountain resort of Buergenstock, mediators Pakistan and Qatar said.

They also agreed on a mechanism to end fighting in Lebanon between U.S. ally Israel and Iran-aligned Hezbollah, and opened a communications line to help ensure safe passage for commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz in order to avoid conflict in the strategic waterway.

In the first of several steps envisaged under the agreement to provide economic relief to Iran, the U.S. Treasury announced a waiver until August 21 on sanctions, allowing Tehran to sell oil and related products and receive payment for them.

(Reuters)

Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump said "respect" from Iran would be key to sustaining peace after the end of the Iran-Israel war, expressing optimism about fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz to create "an oil gusher".

"As long as they respect us, I don't want to use the word fear because that's an inappropriate word, but as long as they respect us, we're not going to have any trouble," Trump told reporters at his Oval Office on Monday.

Iran effectively closed the strait after the US and Israel attacked on Feb 28, causing fuel prices to skyrocket far beyond the region. The interim agreement to end the war was supposed to reopen the channel. Dozens of ships passed through it over the weekend, even though the main route is still mined and closed.

The lead negotiator of the Iranian delegation, Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, insisted on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz will be managed by Iran, but following international laws.

"Hopefully we can activate the strait again, in terms of passage, and bring prosperity back to regional and global economy," he told Iranian state media on the plane on his way back from Switzerland.

(AP)

US Iran War LIVE Updates: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio faces a delicate mission this week pitching Washington's Iran peace deal to Gulf Arab leaders who fear excessive concessions will strengthen Tehran and reshape the region's security balance and oil flows.

Rubio will meet them in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, before traveling to Kuwait and Bahrain, where he will meet officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council, a grouping of monarchies that also includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman.

At issue are elements of a draft agreement that include no limits on Iran’s ballistic missiles, a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund and provisions that could expand Tehran’s regional influence and control over critical oil shipping lanes.

All six GCC nations are strategic U.S. allies that offered some degree of logistical support to Washington during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran that began four months ago and all were buffeted by Iranian airstrikes as a result.

(Reuters)

US Iran War LIVE Updates: Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz can “never return to what it was before the war,” adding that it will be “managed under Iranian arrangements.”

“I was among the first to say clearly at the start of the war, everyone should know that management of the Strait of Hormuz will never return to the way it was before the war,” he said, adding that “Iran has never trusted the Americans and never will.”

Ghalibaf, speaking to Iranian media on the flight back from negotiations in Switzerland, also said that Iran has agreed to set up a “telephone hotline” for the strategic waterway to “prevent and resolve any misunderstandings” with the US and other countries as ships pass through it.

He added that the US and Iran have “reached an agreement to establish coordination mechanisms — a telephone hotline and a center so that if any ambiguity or issue arises, ships can contact that center,” CNN reported. Read more here

US Iran War LIVE Updates: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker HE Ghalibaf arrived in Muscat on Monday, as part of their official visit to Oman.

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi recieved and extended a heartfelt welcome to the Iranian delegation.

In a post on X, the Foreign Ministry of Oman wrote, "His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi @badralbusaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, received this evening His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Consultative Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the accompanying delegation, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as part of his official visit to the Sultanate of Oman."

The Ministry stated that the leaders held key discussions on topics ranging from the relations of cooperation between Oman and Iran, along with a "constructive" talk on the Iran-US MoU, and the announcements made regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

"During the meeting, they discussed the relations of cooperation and good neighborliness between the Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and ways to develop them in a manner that serves common interests, alongside exchanging views on the latest developments in the regional situation. Both sides affirmed the importance of utilizing the current diplomatic moment to support peace efforts, enhance de-escalation and stability, in accordance with the principles of international law and good neighborliness, in a way that bolsters opportunities for de-escalation and preserves the security of the region and the safety of maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and international waterways," it wrote.

"The meeting was attended by His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Hinaai, His Excellency Musa Farhank, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran accredited to the Sultanate of Oman, and a number of officials from both sides," it added.

(ANI)

Iran war LIVE: Vice President JD Vance on Monday said his lengthy talks with senior Iranian officials in Switzerland created a “good foundation for a successful final deal” as they seek a permanent end to the war that the U.S. and Israel began in late February.

Vance and U.S. officials claimed progress on multiple fronts, including the establishment of “mechanisms” to ensure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global energy shipments, stays open and to address fighting between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon, where a ceasefire appeared to be holding.

The interim deal to end the fighting in Iran, signed last week by the leaders of the U.S. and Iran, sets a 60-day period for negotiations on key issues, including the future of Tehran’s nuclear program amid concerns that Iran wants to use it for military purposes, a claim the country denies.

(AP)

Iran war LIVE: Iran foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Muscat on Monday, as part of their official visit to Oman.

Oman's foreign ministry stated that the leaders held key discussions on topics ranging from the relations of cooperation between Oman and Iran, along with a "constructive" talk on the Iran-US MoU, ANI news agency reported.

US Iran War LIVE Updates: US President Donald Trump on Monday said he would take whatever steps he considers necessary if Iran fails to follow through on any agreement reached after the first round of technical discussions between the two countries in Switzerland.

Speaking at the White House Oval Office during the signing of two Executive Orders on quantum technology, Trump said any failure by Tehran to comply would invite a response from Washington.

"If Iran doesn't live up to their agreement, or if they're not behaving, I will do what I have to do," Trump told reporters. Read more here

US Iran War LIVE Updates: Gold fell as inflationary concerns overshadowed early optimism around negotiations to resolve the Iran war.

Bullion slipped as much as 1.2% to below $4,140 an ounce, erasing a modest gain in the previous session. Higher consumer prices stoked by nearly four months of conflict in the Middle East have raised the likelihood that central banks will hike borrowing costs – a headwind for precious metals, which don’t pay interest.

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee said Monday he was concerned about inflation and questioned whether all the factors driving prices higher were temporary. “We’ve been dealing with an inflation problem that’s well above the target and has been going the wrong way,” he said in an interview on American Public Media’s Marketplace radio program.

(Bloomberg)

US Iran War LIVE Updates: US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) reiterated Vice President JD Vance's assertion that Iran is prepared to accept extensive weapons inspections as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts following recent talks between Washington and Tehran in Switzerland under the 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU).

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran would agree to stringent inspections aimed at ensuring transparency regarding its nuclear activities.

"Everybody is fully aware that Iran will agree to have Major Weapons Inspections in order to ensure 'Nuclear Honesty' long into the future," Trump wrote in his post.

(ANI)

Iran war LIVE: Iranian crude is flooding onto the global market again, just as the US waives sanctions on the cargoes, permitting far more countries to buy them.

More than 30 million barrels departed for Asia in the past week — a mix of crude that had been blockaded by the US, and exports from Kharg Island, the nation’s top export facility in the northern Persian Gulf.

Ultimately, because the gush mostly reflects a clear-out of cargoes that were blockaded, the export rate will drop again. Shipping rates of 2 million barrels a day are high for Iran in recent years.

Even so, the short-term surge could see Tehran benefit from increased sales at smaller price discounts given the potentially wider customer base that the sanctions waiver will allow.

(Bloomberg)

Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump on Monday said that he will get "problems solved real fast" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the latter refused to remove the forces from southern Lebanon, despite the ongoing US-Iran peace talks.

When asked how he would ensure that the Israeli PM doesn't sabotage the negotiations regarding the 14-point MoU, Trump refused to inform his plan but recognised himself as a "problem solver."

"I'm not going to tell you what I'm going to do, but it gets solved. I'm a problem solver. I get problems solved real fast, including with Bibi," Trump told reporters.

President Trump's statement comes in light of Benjamin Netanyahu's statement yesterday that Israeli forces will continue to remain in Lebanon.

(ANI)

Iran war LIVE: Here's a quick recap:

-US-Iran negotiations gain momentum: JD Vance said negotiators have made “significant progress” in discussions with Iran, adding that a strong foundation has been created for a possible final agreement.

-Weapons inspections: Trump said Iran " will agree" to international inspections of its nuclear facilities.

-Iranian negotiators return home: Iran’s senior negotiating team is heading back to Tehran after intensive discussions in Switzerland. Meanwhile, technical experts will remain in Switzerland to continue working on details based on the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.

-Sanctions on Iranian oil: The US Treasury Department has issued a temporary sanctions waiver allowing the sale of Iranian crude oil, petrochemicals and petroleum products until August 21.

-Iranian President to visit Pakistan: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to make a one-day visit to Pakistan on Tuesday.

-Lebanon ceasefire largely holds despite tensions: A ceasefire in Lebanon has remained mostly intact, reducing fears of immediate escalation. However, continued uncertainty and concerns over renewed clashes have prevented many displaced residents from returning to their homes.

Iran war LIVE: The United States waived sanctions on Iran for 60 days from Monday after the first talks under a nascent peace deal, while officials reported a sustained lull in fighting in Lebanon under the agreement aimed at ending hostilities across the region. The developments followed a weekend that had appeared to put the week-old accord in jeopardy, including threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to restart the war if Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran declared the strategic waterway closed. Tanker traffic through the strait started to pick up on Monday and oil prices resumed their slide. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland had laid a good foundation for a final peace deal, although Iran denied that it had begun discussions of its nuclear program. U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, and Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions. The Iran war has also shaken markets around the world and raised global oil prices, which settled 3% lower on Monday after Vance reported progress had been made.

The two sides, trying to build on the interim deal they signed last week, agreed a roadmap towards a permanent agreement within 60 days at the talks in the Qatari-owned Swiss mountain resort of Buergenstock, mediators Pakistan and Qatar said.

They also agreed on a mechanism to end fighting in Lebanon between U.S. ally Israel and Iran-aligned Hezbollah, and opened a communications line to help ensure safe passage for commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz in order to avoid conflict in the strategic waterway. In the first of several steps envisaged under the agreement to provide economic relief to Iran, the U.S. Treasury announced a waiver until August 21 on sanctions, allowing Tehran to sell oil and related products and receive payment for them.

(Reuters)

Iran war LIVE: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and US Vice President JD Vance discussed a de-confliction mechanism for Lebanon on Monday, Aoun's office said, as Vance said the move aimed to prevent spiralling Israel-Hezbollah violence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nonetheless declared that Israeli forces had been granted "full freedom" to engage any threat encountered in southern Lebanon, reaffirming that troops would remain deployed in the region for as long as deemed necessary.

"My directive, and that of the minister of defence, to the IDF is clear and has not changed: Our fighters in southern Lebanon have full freedom of action to thwart any direct or developing threat to them or to the residents of the North," Netanyahu said in a statement.

(AFP)