US-Iran war highlights: MoU signed, Pak says peace deal will take ‘immediate effect’

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Trump commented on a US strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran’s Minab, which killed 168 schoolchildren. He said the incident was not intentional and described it as part of the broader nature of war.

“Nobody did that on purpose,” Trump said, adding that the situation was “under investigation.” He also deflected the question by saying, “What about the thousands of soldiers they blew up?”

He added, “Mistakes are made. War is nasty.”

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Trump praised several regional actors for their role in mediation around the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, naming Pakistan and Qatar as key partners while also acknowledging Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates.

Trump said, “Mohamed at the UAE is an incredible warrior,” referring to UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, and added, “He was dropping bombs … I said, ‘Who the hell is dropping all those bombs?’ It was the UAE.”

He also said Gulf nations would take part in discussions on “non-nuclear issues,” including Iran’s ballistic missile programme and regional proxy groups.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Trump said the United States will not provide funding for Iran’s reconstruction but suggested that other countries or private investors could step in if they choose. He dismissed reports that the US-Iran memorandum includes a $300bn reconstruction package.

“We’re not putting up money in Iran, but if people want to invest, they can invest,” Trump said, repeating that “we’re not doing anything.” He added that the $300bn figure would only materialise “if they’re doing things right,” without giving further details.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Trump said he believes Israeli leaders are satisfied with the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, despite criticism within Israel. He said he personally told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the deal addresses Israel’s primary security concern.

Trump said, “I told Bibi: ‘Bibi, your biggest risk was that they’d drop a nuclear weapon into the middle of Israel…’” He added, “‘Think about it Bibi, you got the best – the most important thing you were asking for … So I think they’re happy.’”

He also said he sent a copy of the deal to the Israeli government.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Trump claimed that a large majority of Iran’s missile capability has been destroyed, saying around “84–85 percent” of its missiles have been “knocked out.” He suggested the remaining arsenal is hidden and difficult to deploy.

“The rest of them are underground, they can’t even get them out,” Trump said, adding that Iran “don’t want to be firing missiles right now” and would struggle to rebuild its stockpile after recent strikes and pressure.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Trump said international allies are “thrilled” about the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, describing it as a “historic” breakthrough. He claimed he has discussed the agreement with multiple world leaders, including G7 members, and said there is broad approval for the deal.

Trump said, “Many presidents and prime ministers … they are thrilled that we made a deal, every one of them.” He also added, “There’s not one nation that came to us and said, ‘Please sir, keep dropping bombs on them, please keep dropping bombs’.”

US-Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump said his administration has effectively achieved “regime change” in Iran, suggesting the country’s leadership would now act differently following recent developments. He reiterated that he could have continued military action but chose not to, citing concerns about economic fallout.

Trump said, “I think they’re going to behave much differently,” referring to Iran’s leadership. He added, “I didn’t want to see economic catastrophe,” and claimed markets reacted positively whenever prospects of peace were raised, saying, “Every time we talked about the possibility of peace, the market shot up like a rocket ship.”

US-Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump said he is prepared to “go back to bombing” Iran if the next stage of negotiations fails to meet his expectations. He linked the continuation of talks to a 60-day timeline, warning of renewed military action if progress is not made.

Trump said, “If it doesn’t get done in 60 days, that’s all right, we go back to bombing. But we might have to, because we’re never going to let them have a nuclear weapon.” The remarks underscore his hardline stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions amid ongoing diplomatic efforts.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump linked the current US-Iran agreement talks to the 2020 killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, saying the negotiations were shaped by that decision rather than recent diplomacy.

Trump said, “This wasn’t a three-month deal. This was years in the making. You know why? Because I was the one who killed General Soleimani. And if I didn’t kill General Soleimani, we probably wouldn’t be talking right now about this deal.”

Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020 during Trump’s first term. Trump described him as “the boss of Iran” and a “mad genius,” and claimed he approved the operation after Israel declined to carry it out.

He added, “That was a joint venture between Israel and us,” referring to the strike, and said Israel had initially informed the US it did not want to proceed.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump commented on Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon, saying the country “could do better with respect to Hezbollah” while still acknowledging its right to self-defence.

He said, “I’m not saying they shouldn’t protect themselves,” but added, “You don’t have to knock down buildings in Beirut. They could behave better.” Trump also praised Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing them as close partners despite his criticism of the conduct of the campaign.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Trump said Iran’s frozen funds may eventually have to be released back to Tehran, describing them as Iranian assets held by the United States. He acknowledged that the money had been blocked during sanctions but suggested this situation cannot remain permanent.

Trump said, “We have their money. It’s their money and we froze. At a certain point of time we have to give it back."

US-Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump said Israel is no longer under threat of being “nuked,” adding that he had personally told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel had achieved what it wanted. He also suggested that Israel is satisfied with the current outcome of the US-Iran understanding.

Trump said, “They’re not gonna be nuked. I told Bibi. You got the best, what you wanted.. I think they’re happy,” referring to Netanyahu and Israel’s position in the evolving regional arrangement.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump said the new agreement with Iran will be signed “shortly,” possibly within the next day or two. Speaking to reporters, he said Iran also wants to move ahead with the deal.

Trump stated, “So, the deal we reached with Iran on Sunday will be signed shortly, tomorrow, maybe the next day.” His remarks come shortly after he also described the agreement as not final and warned that military action could resume if he is not satisfied with how talks progress.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: The United States, Iran, and mediators are discussing moving up the signing of their memorandum of understanding (MoU) from Friday to as early as Wednesday, according to Axios.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Russia’s Rosatom calls for ‘compromise’ on Iran’s nuclear programme

Russian specialists are expected to soon return to Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, according to the head of Russia’s state nuclear company.

The plant “remains our priority,” Rosatom’s Alexey Likhachev said in a statement carried by Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency.

“We welcome the efforts to reach a compromise on Iran’s nuclear programme with the participation of the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency],” he added, but said the agency must “take into account the interests of all parties”.

Bushehr came under repeated attacks by the US and Israel following their offensive against Iran, prompting the evacuation of nearly 200 Rosatom employees in April.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: French President Emmanuel Macron said the US-Iran memorandum of understanding does not resolve all outstanding issues immediately, but still represents “a good thing” for regional stability. Speaking to reporters, he argued that continued conflict risked wider economic and humanitarian damage across the Middle East.

Macron said the agreement helps prevent escalation in key flashpoints, including the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon, adding that ongoing war could have destabilised global energy supplies and prolonged loss of life. He described the deal as a step that reduces violence across the region, even if major disputes remain unresolved.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Hamas has condemned Israel’s reported approval of around 576 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank, calling the move further “aggression” against Palestinians. Israeli media said the Higher Planning Council also approved a religious school project in Hebron.

Hamas official Abdul Rahman Shadid said in a statement shared on Telegram that “these settlements will not grant any legitimacy or right to the occupation of our land”. He added that “every new settlement decision constitutes a political crime and a blatant violation of international law”.

The approvals come amid rising tensions in the West Bank, where Palestinians have reported increased Israeli military and settler activity during the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Israel has approved new construction plans to expand a Jewish school for settlers in the centre of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, according to Reuters. The move comes amid broader Israeli efforts to increase settlement activity in the area, which Palestinians say violates longstanding agreements governing the city.

The expansion was announced by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich shortly after he said parts of the Hebron Agreement, which previously gave the Palestinian municipality limited planning authority, had been scrapped. Palestinians argue the changes undermine local governance and could further restrict Palestinian access to services in the historic city.

Hebron’s contested enclave, home to both Israeli settlers and tens of thousands of Palestinians, remains a major flashpoint, with concerns rising that the new measures could intensify tensions and deepen displacement fears.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Israel has rejected a US request to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon, citing the continued presence of Hezbollah. The disagreement comes as Washington and Tehran push ahead with a broader interim agreement that includes efforts to reduce hostilities in the region.

According to Israeli official Zev Elkin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the US president: “We understand the concerns, but this is a critical issue for our national security and we won’t pull out.” Israel argues that its military presence is necessary due to ongoing threats from Hezbollah.

The US-Iran draft agreement reportedly calls for a halt to hostilities across all fronts, including Lebanon, and Iran has pushed for a clause requiring Israel to leave its so-called “security zone.” However, US officials have indicated that Israeli withdrawal is not a condition of the deal.

US President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with the prolonged conflict, saying the fighting has “dragged on too long” and at times risks undermining diplomatic progress. Israeli officials, however, say they expect continued US scrutiny as negotiations advance.

Talks between Israel and Lebanon are ongoing, including proposals for “pilot zones” where Israeli forces would gradually hand over territory to the Lebanese army. The broader negotiations are scheduled to continue later this month.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Iran and China discussed the US-Iran interim agreement in a phone call between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, ahead of its expected signing on Friday. The conversation focused on the contents of the deal and its implementation.

According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, Araghchi “thanked Beijing for its support for the negotiation process as well as its support for the relevant memorandum of understanding”.

Wang Yi “welcomed the memorandum of understanding … and praised the responsible and diplomatic approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran in resolving issues and advancing dialogue,” the statement said. He also “announced China’s readiness to facilitate its implementation, strengthen regional interactions and help resolve the ambiguities and challenges between the countries of the region”.

Both sides “emphasised the need for the international community to support this memorandum of understanding” and highlighted the UN Security Council’s role in ensuring it is implemented in full.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Donald Trump’s political standing is expected to be closely tied to the next 60 days of US-Iran negotiations, according to analysis from Washington. Although Trump has tried to shift attention to other domestic issues, the deal remains politically sensitive and is likely to dominate questions at public appearances.

The agreement is not final and could extend beyond 60 days if both sides agree to continue talks, leaving significant uncertainty. Analysts say this prolonged negotiation process will keep pressure on Trump, with potential consequences for both the US economy and his political position. (Al Jazeera)

US-Iran war LIVE updates: French President Emmanuel Macron told G7 leaders that the group “unanimously welcomes” the US-Iran agreement brokered by President Donald Trump. He said the deal is supported because it addresses a major source of regional instability and its wider economic fallout.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: At the G7 summit, French President Emmanuel Macron called for a “full and immediate” ceasefire in Lebanon, saying it is “absolutely necessary” and urging that any US-Iran understanding must also protect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. While Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have eased, they have not stopped completely.

Macron also said G7 leaders “unanimously welcome” the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, calling it a step toward reducing instability and easing economic pressures linked to regional conflict.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the deal is not final and warned that military action against Iran could resume if talks fail. He described the agreement as a “very strong” framework aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, while also stressing that Israel should exercise “good judgement” in Lebanon.

The developments come amid continued tensions in southern Lebanon, where Israeli drone strikes and skirmishes have left soldiers injured, and broader uncertainty remains over the fragile ceasefire process.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Israeli media has been sharply critical of Donald Trump, with commentary suggesting he is “abandoning Israel” amid emerging diplomatic shifts. Reports indicate frustration over perceived changes in US support, especially as discussions point to Israel scaling back military activity in Lebanon and potentially reducing strikes. This has sparked concerns in Israel about a breakdown in trust between Washington and Tel Aviv.

Despite the criticism, Israeli leaders — including the prime minister and defence minister — have insisted there will be no withdrawal from what they describe as “buffer zones” in Lebanon, Syria, or Gaza. Officials argue that maintaining these positions is central to Israel’s long-term security strategy and political standing.

The debate in Israel is now focused less on reversing policy and more on managing tensions with the US while maintaining its regional military posture, particularly as domestic political pressures and upcoming elections loom. (Al Jazeera)

US-Iran war LIVE updates: The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint, is expected to reopen after nearly four months following a US–Iran peace deal.

According to AFP analysis, shipping could technically resume almost immediately once formal approval is given, though a return to normal operations is likely to take time. Hundreds of vessels and thousands of seafarers have been stranded during the closure, with some ships requiring maintenance, hull cleaning, and crew rotations before fully re-entering service. Maritime experts note that insurers may initially demand higher war-risk premiums and even naval escorts for transits. While some tankers—particularly those not tied to major listed operators—may be the first to pass, full recovery of traffic through the strait could take several months. Analysts estimate that crude flows may not return to pre-war levels for four to six months, as supply chains adjust and alternative trade routes remain in use.