US-Iran war news highlights: Trump ‘seriously considering’ fresh strikes on Iran, says report

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has “strongly condemned” the US Treasury Department’s announcement that it was imposing sanctions on Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, alongside a number of Lebanese officials and citizens.

The US announced sanctions against nine people for what it claimed was “obstructing the peace process in Lebanon and impeding the disarmament of Hezbollah”.

Sheibani, the Iranian ambassador-designate to Lebanon, had already been ordered to leave Beirut at the end of March after Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry declared him persona non grata and withdrew its approval of his candidature.

US-Iran peace deal LIVE: Pakistan stepped up diplomacy on Thursday to hasten US and Iran peace talks even as Tehran appeared to harden its stance over nuclear materials amid new threats of strikes from US President Donald Trump if he did not get the “right answers”.

Six weeks since a fragile ceasefire took effect, talks to end the war have made little progress, while soaring oil prices are stoking inflation and straining the global economy.

Trump also faces domestic pressure ahead of November’s midterm elections, with his approval rating near its lowest since he returned to the White House.

(Reuters)

US-Iran war LIVE: Amid intense indirect discussion over a ceasefire framework between Washington and Tehran, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that the strike group of the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is maintaining peak readiness if it is called to action.

In a post on X, CENTCOM shared images of US Navy fighter jets launching from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), showing US strength and preparedness for war.

CENTCOM also stated that it continues to enforce the US blockade against Iranian ports, a move Washington pulled out after Tehran exercised its control on the Strait of Hormuz.

"US Navy fighter jets launch from aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is maintaining peak readiness while enforcing the US blockade against Iranian ports," CENTCOM said. (ANI)

US-Iran war LIVE: Iran could be planning a surprise missile and drone attack targeting Gulf countries and Israel amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Tehran, Jerusalem Post reported, citing intelligence officials.

The possibility of a preemptive Iranian strike was discussed during a security assessment involving senior military officials and Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The development comes as the United States and Iran continue indirect ceasefire talks, while reports indicate differences between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the approach towards Tehran.

Security officials said Iran could attempt to launch an attack before the US and Israel conclude that diplomatic efforts have failed and decide to take military action. Officials reportedly compared the potential operation to the opening stages of Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion. (ANI)

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that an overnight air strike targeting an Islamic Health Authority centre in the town of Hannaouiyah, in the Tyre District, has killed four people.

The air attack also wounded two paramedics, according to the NNA.

Iran could be planning a surprise missile and drone attack targeting Gulf countries and Israel amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Tehran, the Jerusalem Post reported, citing intelligence officials.

The possibility of a preemptive Iranian strike was discussed during a security assessment involving senior military officials and Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The development comes as the United States and Iran continue indirect ceasefire talks, while reports indicate differences between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the approach towards Tehran.

Security officials said Iran could attempt to launch an attack before the US and Israel conclude that diplomatic efforts have failed and decide to take military action. Officials reportedly compared the potential operation to the opening stages of Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has shared videos for the first time showing its workers and volunteers rescuing people harmed in US and Israeli air attacks on Iran, before the current ceasefire.

The videos show multiple people being pulled from the rubble, covered in dust, after entire buildings have been destroyed in bombing raids, many of which appeared to be multistorey residential buildings.

“IRCS aid workers rescued more than 7,200 people alive from beneath the rubble during the war,” which continued from February 28 until the ceasefire on April 8, the humanitarian organisation said in a post on social media.

Amid intense indirect discussions over a ceasefire framework between Washington and Tehran, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the Abraham Lincoln strike group is maintaining peak readiness if called to action.

In a post on X, CENTCOM shared images of US Navy fighter jets launching from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), showing US strength and preparedness for war.

CENTCOM also stated that it continues to enforce the US blockade against Iranian ports, a move Washington pulled out after Tehran exercised its control on the Strait of Hormuz.

"US Navy fighter jets launch from aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is maintaining peak readiness while enforcing the US blockade against Iranian ports," CENTCOM said.

Meanwhile, the United States and Iran are engaged in indirect talks aimed at developing a framework for a possible agreement, Iran's ISNA News Agency reported.

Oil prices have climbed as investors grow sceptical about a potential breakthrough in US-Iran talks as the two nations remain deadlocked over Tehran’s uranium stockpile and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude oil rose by $2.38, or 2.3 per cent, reaching $104.96 per barrel as of 00:34 (GMT) on Friday, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose by $1.73, or 1.8 per cent, to settle at $98.08 per barrel.

The rise followed a roughly 2 per cent drop for both benchmarks’ crude on Thursday, which had marked their lowest prices in almost two weeks.

The Australian and New Zealand dollars slipped on Friday as investors digested conflicting signals on a Gulf peace deal, which failed to provide clarity on when the Strait of Hormuz might reopen.

The Aussie slipped 0.1% to $0.7141, having bounced off an intraday low of 71 cents overnight on hopes for a peace deal in the Middle East. That helped it recoup losses after a soft jobs report led markets to reduce the chance of a fourth rate hike.

The kiwi was 0.05% lower to $0.5871 after edging up 0.1% overnight to as high as $0.5887. Near-term resistance is around 59 cents, with support around $0.5816.

In a post on X, the Israeli military says the two individuals were “attacked and eliminated in an airstrike” after “suspicious movement” was identified by Israeli military posts in southern Lebanon, “hundreds of metres from the border with Israel.”

According to the Israeli military, the two individuals were armed.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope for progress toward ending the war with Iran, as he looked to Pakistani mediators to help advance efforts to reach an agreement.

Previous comments by President Donald Trump had suggested weeks of stop-start negotiations to strike a permanent end to the war were teetering on the "borderline" between a deal and renewed attacks.

"I believe the Pakistanis will be travelling to Tehran today. So hopefully that'll advance this further," Rubio told reporters on Thursday.

A ceasefire on April 8 halted the war launched weeks earlier by the United States and Israel, but negotiation efforts, including historic face-to-face talks hosted in Islamabad, have so far failed to yield a lasting agreement.

Pakistan's interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, who is widely considered close to army chief Asim Munir, visited Iran for the second time in a week on Wednesday.

Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono said nine Indonesian citizens seized by Israeli forces while sailing with the Gaza-bound aid mission have arrived safely in Istanbul, Turkiye.

Sugiono added that Indonesia was working to ensure they returned home “safely and as soon as possible”.

“Indonesia strongly condemns the acts of torture carried out by Israel against Indonesian citizens during their detention,” Sugionio said in a statement shared on X.

“Indonesia reiterates that all forms of inhumane actions against Global Sumud Flotilla volunteers by the Israeli military constitute violations of international law and are contrary to humanitarian principles.”

Asian stocks rose on Friday while the US dollar sat near six- week highs and oil prices were whipsawed as investors held on to hopes of a breakthrough in US-Iran peace talks although both sides remained at odds over key issues.

The worry for investors remains the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for the world's energy supplies, that has sent oil prices soaring and rewired the global interest rate outlook because of inflationary concerns.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been "some good signs" in talks to end the nearly three month old war in the Middle East but differences remain over Tehran's uranium stockpile and controls over the waterway.

In stock markets, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was 0.3% higher, set for a modest weekly rise. Japan's Nikkei gained 2%.

US stocks futures rose 0.2% and European futures gained 0.8%.

Australian shares extended their gains into a second straight session on Friday, with most sectors trading in positive territory, as hopes for progress in a potential US-Iran peace deal improved investor optimism.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.5% to 8,666.10 as of 0028 GMT. The benchmark advanced 1.5% on Thursday.

It is on track to eke out a 0.2% weekly gain, capping a week marked by developments in West Asia and the domestic economy. Investors hinged their hopes on a possible ceasefire between the US and Iran.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been "some good signs" in talks with Iran, although Tehran's uranium stockpile and control over the Strait of Hormuz remained sticking points and added to uncertainty.

The United States has paused a proposed $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan amid concerns over munitions requirements linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran, according to a report by The Hill.

Speaking during a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing on Thursday, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the pause was aimed at ensuring the US military maintained adequate stockpiles for "Operation Epic Fury".

"Right now we're doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury -- which we have plenty," Cao told Senator Mitch McConnell, according to The Hill. "We're just making sure we have everything, but then the foreign military sales will continue when the administration deems necessary."

When McConnell asked whether the sale would eventually go ahead, Cao said the decision would rest with War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"Yeah, that's what's really distressing," McConnell replied.

Cao's remarks appeared to differ from comments made earlier by US President Donald Trump, who suggested the arms sale could be used as a 'bargaining chip' in negotiations with China.

"I haven't approved it yet. We're going to see what happens," Trump told Fox News, as cited by The Hill. "I may do it; I may not do it."

The Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported that the General Company for Ports of Iraq has mobilised its maritime control and search and rescue teams to track two missing Bolivian-flagged vessels, Bridge 1 and Bridge 2.

According to a company statement, security authorities from several ports across the Gulf basin, along with the ships’ owners, contacted Iraqi officials requesting any available information after losing communication with the vessels.

The state-owned company confirmed that neither ship has entered Iraqi territorial waters, and its maritime departments have not received any distress signals from either crew.

While the port authority currently has no data on the location of the ships, it emphasised that satellite tracking operations are ongoing in close coordination with regional search and rescue administrations.

US-Iran war LIVE: Iran has reportedly destroyed more than two dozen MQ-9 Reaper drones operated by US forces since the war began on February 28, a significant loss worth nearly $1 billion that represents 20 per cent of the Pentagon's pre-war inventory for the hard-to-replace unmanned system.

The US has denied that the cancellation of sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territory, constitutes a change in government policy.

On Thursday, the US Department of State clarified that the administration of President Donald Trump only removed Albanese from a sanctions list due to a recent court ruling.

“The Government has appealed the court’s order,” the State Department added in its statement, before reaffirming its intention to return Albanese to the list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) due to her work on Palestine.