Latest news US, Iran highlights: Qatar says technical talks continue after row over Netanyahu's Lebanon visit

President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha.

According to Qatar's Foreign Affairs Ministry, the officials talked about the ceasefire in Lebanon and the ongoing peace negotiations between the United States and Iran.

A senior Trump administration official told CBS News the discussions with regional leaders were "very positive" and that technical talks continue to make “good progress.”

Israeli forces raided the headquarters of the Al-Tadamon Charitable Society in Nablus in the occupied West Bank and ordered it closed for one year, Al Jazeera reported.

Witnesses told Palestinian news agency WAFA that troops entered the city's Sufian and Al-Adl streets before storming the building. Israeli forces also carried out raids in the nearby Balata and Askar refugee camps.

The Israeli military had not publicly commented on the operation at the time of writing.

Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have returned to, and on some days exceeded, pre-war levels, US Vice President JD Vance said.

“Some days there’s actually more oil coming out of the Strait than before the war even started, so there’s this element that the world economy is coming back into gear. That will take time, but we’ve already seen prices go way down,” Vance said.

He also added that both the US-Iran pact and the peace accord between Israel and Lebanon preserve Lebanon's territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that “the Iranian and American technical delegations remain in session, noting that these meetings are taking place in different contexts and with the participation of mediators to ensure their continuity.”

Iran has exported about 50 million barrels of crude oil since the US lifted its naval blockade on Iranian energy exports, according to tanker-tracking firm TankerTrackers.com.

The firm estimated exports averaged 1.66 million barrels per day in June, outpacing many regional producers still below pre-conflict levels.

The increase followed a June 17 US-Iran MOU that lifted the US naval blockade after which a 60-day US Treasury authorization allowed Iranian crude production and sales through August 21.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran expects progress on clauses covering the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon (1), the lifting of the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz (4), safe passage for commercial vessels without charges for 60 days (5), waivers allowing Iranian crude oil (10) and petroleum exports, and the release of frozen Iranian funds (11).

Ghalibaf has said that Iran will not enter another round of negotiations with the US until these conditions are met.

Majed al-Ansari, advisor to Qatar PM and a spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry, said that technical talks between the US and Iran continue despite there being no high-level meetings.

“There are currently no high-level meetings between the Iranian and American parties under the adopted negotiation mechanism,” al-Ansari said Tuesday at a media briefing in Doha, adding that technical talks are “still in session” between the two parties.

Meanwhile, the US Envoy led by Steve Whitkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are in talks with Qatari mediators Tuesday over the future of negotiations with Iran, CNN reports.

Latest news US, Iran LIVE: Palestinian Authority warns against Israeli settlement push in West Bank’s E1

The Palestinian Authority’s Cabinet has warned against continued preparations by Israeli authorities to issue a tender for the construction of more than 3,400 settlement units in the E1 area, the Government Media Office said.

It called for effective international pressure to halt what it described as Israeli aggression and to accelerate relief and recovery efforts in Gaza.

The E1 area, located between occupied East Jerusalem and the settlement of Maale Adumim in the occupied West Bank, has long been one of the most contentious settlement projects under consideration by Israel.

Critics, including past US administrations and European governments, have warned that building there would effectively cut the West Bank in two and undermine the territorial contiguity needed for a future Palestinian state.

Latest news US, Iran LIVE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday visited occupied southern Lebanon and said Israeli troops would remain there until the threat from Iran-backed Hezbollah is removed.

It was Netanyahu's first visit to occupied Lebanese territory since Israel and Lebanon reached a US-mediated security agreement last Friday under which Israel is expected to hand over two areas to the Lebanese army.

"Our insistence is that we will not leave southern Lebanon until the threat is removed," Netanyahu told Israeli soldiers, according to a statement from his office.

"And as long as Hezbollah remains here, armed and threatening us, we will remain here as well," he added.

Netanyahu was accompanied by Defence Minister Israel Katz and senior military officials during the visit.

Under the US-backed agreement, Israeli forces are to withdraw from two "pilot zones" and allow the Lebanese armed forces to take control. However, few details have been made public about how the arrangement will be implemented.

Israel invaded Lebanon after Hezbollah launched attacks on March 2 in response to US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering a wider regional conflict.

The Israeli military has since established a roughly 10-km-deep buffer zone along the Lebanese border, saying it is needed to protect northern Israeli communities from Hezbollah attacks. Israel says it has been destroying Hezbollah infrastructure, including underground tunnels, in the area.

Netanyahu claimed Hezbollah still possesses about 12,000 rockets and missiles and said Israeli forces have killed 9,000 Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon since the conflict began. Hezbollah has not released casualty figures, and Reuters reported in May that several thousand of its fighters had been killed.

Iran has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Lebanon as part of its negotiations with the United States, while Israel has opposed linking the Lebanon conflict to the Iran talks.

Although Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah on June 19 under US pressure, violence has continued, and Hezbollah is not participating in the ongoing Israel-Lebanon negotiations.

Latest news US, Iran LIVE: The United States and six Gulf countries have jointly imposed terrorism-related sanctions on five Hezbollah-linked financial entities and 16 individuals, expanding efforts to curb the group's financing.

The designations were announced by the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), whose members include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the US. Those sanctioned include Hezbollah-linked financial institution al-Qard al-Hassan Association (AQAH), Bayt al-Mal, and senior Hezbollah finance officials.

In a statement, the US Treasury said: "These coordinated actions underscore TFTC members' shared commitment to disrupting Hizballah's ability to exploit the international financial system."

It added: "The networks designated by TFTC today threaten regional stability, international security, mutual interests, and global trade."

US, Iran latest news LIVE: An American citizen has been arrested in Israel on suspicion of spying for Iran, marking what appears to be the first such case involving a US national.

Israeli police said the 20-year-old suspect was detained on June 9 after allegedly maintaining contact with Iranian intelligence operatives for several months. Authorities accused the suspect of photographing sensitive sites in Israel and receiving "tens to hundreds of dollars per assignment."

Police said the suspect is being investigated for offences including "endangering Israel's security" and that the investigation was carried out under a gag order. Chief Inspector Amichai Fanta said, "We will continue to detect and expose offenses of this kind, arrest those responsible, and bring to justice anyone who endangers the security of the state and its citizens."

Latest in US, Iran LIVE: The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) has raised the maritime security threat level for the Strait of Hormuz to "substantial", warning that mine risks remain even though commercial shipping continues uninterrupted.

In its latest advisory, the JMIC said vessels are transiting through both the southern Omani corridor and the northern Iranian-controlled route, while US-assisted commercial transits have continued without disruption.

The advisory warned that "the maritime security threat level for the Strait of Hormuz has been raised to SUBSTANTIAL, with additional mine risk persisting and clearance operations ongoing."

The JMIC also reported continued navigation interference, hailing by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, drone activity and surveillance in the area, but said there were no confirmed maritime security incidents during the latest reporting period.

Latest news US, Iran LIVE: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned the attack on the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, calling it “undoubtedly a war crime that will be recorded in history.”

Speaking during a visit to an exhibition commemorating the sailors killed in the incident, Araghchi said the frigate “was attacked without any military action, without weapons, and without any prior warning.”

He added, “This action is in no way considered a naval victory, but only shows the enemy’s helplessness,” and said that “attacking an unarmed target far from the battlefield is not courageous; rather, it is a sign of cowardice.”

Araghchi also said Iran’s Foreign Ministry and Navy would “collect the documentation of this crime and we will carry out all the necessary legal follow-ups.”

Latest news US, Iran LIVE: Senior Hamas leaders met Egyptian and Turkish intelligence chiefs in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, according to Egypt's state-run Al-Ahram.

The meeting brought together Egypt's intelligence chief Major General Hassan Rashad, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, and senior Hamas leaders Khaled Meshaal, Khalil al-Hayya and Mohammed Hassan.

According to the report, the talks were "positive", with "considerable optimism" over completing implementation of US President Donald Trump's peace plan. Hamas leaders also expressed "full support for the plan and for overcoming obstacles to its execution."

Latest in US, Iran LIVE: Oil prices were little changed on Tuesday but remained on track for their steepest monthly and quarterly declines since early 2020, as markets weighed uncertainty over US-Iran technical talks in Doha and a fragile ceasefire.

Brent crude edged up 3 cents to $73.18 a barrel, while WTI fell 0.4% to $70.45. Prices have largely returned to pre-war levels after earlier volatility caused by the conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Analyst Giovanni Staunovo said, "I wouldn’t say the market has priced out a risk premium, but previously stranded ships have become available with the increase in ships moving out of the Gulf, creating a temporary wave of new supply."

Markets are also awaiting US inventory data, with analysts expecting crude stockpiles to have fallen by 4.1 million barrels last week.

Latest in US, Iran LIVE: Iran has rejected any third-party role in clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the issue is covered under its existing memorandum of understanding.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said “clearance of mines in the Strait of Hormuz is regulated by a relevant memorandum of understanding, and Tehran sees no need for third-party intervention.”

His remarks came after Emmanuel Macron said France and its partners had “decided to collaborate jointly… on de-mining the strait to secure maritime routes and ensure free and unconditional passage through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Latest in US, Iran LIVE: China has urged the US and Iran to maintain the momentum of negotiations, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi saying dialogue remains the best path to easing regional tensions.

Speaking during a meeting in Beijing with his Saudi counterpart, Wang said: “The current ceasefire remains fragile, but talking is better than fighting, and dialogue is better than confrontation.” He added that China is ready to work with Saudi Arabia to help reduce tensions and promote lasting peace in the region.

Latest in US, Iran LIVE: Gulf stock markets closed mixed on Tuesday as investor sentiment weakened amid uncertainty over whether US-Iran talks in Doha would produce progress toward ending the four-month conflict.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index rose 0.1%, while Dubai's main index fell 0.6%, led by a 1.8% decline in Emirates NBD. Abu Dhabi's benchmark slipped 0.4%, and Qatar's index eased 0.1%, weighed down by a 2.2% drop in Qatar National Bank. Oil prices also eased after last week's spike linked to renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Latest in US, Iran LIVE: The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has condemned reported Israeli plans to establish around 100 new settlement sites in Area A of the occupied West Bank, calling the move “a dangerous Israeli settlement scheme.”

In a statement, the ministry accused settler organisations of acting with support from Israeli government ministers and said the plan “violated international law and existing agreements” and “amounted to a systematic war crime.”

The ministry reiterated that “Israel holds no sovereignty over occupied Palestinian land, including East Jerusalem,” arguing that continued occupation and settlement expansion remain the root cause of regional instability.

Latest in US, Iran LIVE: Military and diplomatic analyst Alexandru Hudishtanu says the wording of the Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is “vague and open to interpretation” and could prove “poison” for negotiators trying to reach a lasting agreement.

Hudishtanu said “Article 13 broadly speaking favours Iran” because it stipulates that Tehran will not discuss its nuclear programme until Articles 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11 “are starting to be implemented”, but added that “that wording specifically leaves a lot of room for interpretation.”

He also argued that the US is linking sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets to progress on the nuclear issue, saying: “We see that, [talks on] reconstruction funds and assets freezes are actually bound to a negotiation of the nuclear file.”

Latest in US, Iran LIVE: Israeli military operations and reported settler attacks have continued across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem amid the focus on US-Iran diplomacy. Reported incidents include an assault on a Palestinian driver near Ramallah, raids on refugee camps in Nablus, and the closure of the UNRWA-run Qalandiya Vocational Training Center.

Local reports also said Israeli settlers attacked village council staff in Asira al-Qibliya after they extinguished a nearby fire. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished the sports field at Battir Secondary School and raided and ordered the closure of the al-Tadamon Charitable Society headquarters in Nablus for one year.

Latest in US, Iran LIVE: A report from Gaza describes the severe humanitarian and social impact of the ongoing war, saying Palestinians are being deprived of basic rights, including identity, privacy, and burial practices. It highlights conditions in displacement camps such as Gaza City’s Yarmouk camp, where overcrowding has made private life nearly impossible.

The report also notes widespread loss of identity documents, making it difficult for people to access services or travel. It adds that damaged or overcrowded cemeteries have further disrupted burial rites, stripping many families of the ability to properly bury their dead.

Latest in US, Iran LIVE: US and Iranian delegations are in Doha for lower-level “technical talks” focused on implementing the memorandum of understanding between the two sides. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the meetings are not high-level negotiations and will be mediated by Qatari officials, with no direct contact between US and Iranian delegations.

Key issues include sanctions relief, the free flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear programme, release of frozen Iranian assets, and broader regional security.

The US team is led by special envoy Steve Witkoff, while Iran is represented by deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi. The discussions are expected to produce draft documents for later high-level approval.

Latest in US, Iran LIVE: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that most countries are avoiding purchases of Iranian oil due to fears of potential US sanctions being reimposed, leaving China as the only major buyer. He said this economic pressure is encouraging Tehran to continue negotiations with Washington.

Bessent noted that Iranian oil is still trading at a discount because buyers remain cautious about sanctions risk, reinforcing US leverage ahead of ongoing peace talks scheduled in Doha, Qatar.

Latest in US, Iran LIVE: Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has accused the US of acting against hosting principles during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying the Iranian national team faced “highly politicised” treatment.

He said visa issuance was a major issue from the start, with several technical staff and football federation officials reportedly denied entry. He also criticised logistical arrangements, including the team being placed away from official match venues.

Baghaei further condemned remarks by US official Markwayne Mullin, who reportedly said he “maybe even danced a happy dance” after Iran’s exit from the tournament, calling the comments inappropriate and politicised.

Latest in US, Iran LIVE: US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Doha for mediated talks on implementing the initial US-Iran deal aimed at ending the war in Iran. Qatar confirmed that there will be no direct negotiations between US and Iranian officials, with discussions instead taking place indirectly through mediators.