US-Iran war news highlights: Deal with Iran that includes fees in Hormuz ‘unacceptable’, says Trump

US-Iran war news highlights: US President Donald Trump said a Senate vote on the War Powers Act had complicated his administration’s efforts to pressure Iran, claiming Tehran was on the verge of making significant concessions.

US-Iran war news highlights: The Indian Embassy in Tehran revised its travel advisory, urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran despite improved conditions. Indians in Iran were advised to remain vigilant, register with the embassy and follow local authorities' instructions. Next round of US-Iran talks next week, says Pakistan

Pakistan said the next round of technical talks between the US and Iran will be held next week, according to AFP, as efforts continue to formalise an agreement aimed at ending the conflict. The announcement follows an initial round of technical discussions in Switzerland earlier this week, where officials from both sides began working through key issues related to the proposed deal.

Oil prices see record fall since war began

The price of crude oil prices has fallen below $76 a barrel, touching their lowest levels since the start of the war between the US and Iran, as tanker traffic gradually move out of Strait of Hormuz and concerns over supply disruptions eased.

Iran said $12 billion in frozen assets would be released under ongoing talks with the US, alongside sanctions relief and a proposed $300 billion rehabilitation fund. The measures have drawn criticism of President Donald Trump, with Gulf nations warning Tehran could use the funds to rebuild its military and back groups like Hezbollah.

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Mariano Grossi said on Wednesday that inspectors would soon be allowed to visit Iran's uranium enrichment facilities, a crucial part of the interim agreement between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the conflict.

Qatar seeks a hotline between US and Iran

Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told Financial Times a direct hotline between the United States and Iran is crucial to prevent rogue actors from disrupting the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Al Thani also expressed confidence that Qatar would return to normal liquefied natural gas production within a few weeks.

US Senate votes to halt Iran war escalation, Trump unhappy

US President Donald Trump said a Senate vote on the War Powers Act had complicated his administration’s efforts to pressure Iran, claiming Tehran was on the verge of making significant concessions. Trump accused four Republican senators of siding with Democrats and sending a confusing signal to Iran at a critical moment.

The Republican-led Senate voted 50-48 to end US military hostilities with Iran, marking its first effort to halt the conflict. The move comes despite Trump having already reached an interim peace agreement with Tehran.

The practical effect of the vote remains uncertain because the resolution relies on the 1973 War Powers Act, a law whose application has long been disputed, reported Bloomberg. The measure requires the US to cease hostilities against Iran unless Congress explicitly authorises further military action.

Four Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski, Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins and Rand Paul, joined Democrats in backing the resolution. Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against it. Republican Senators Mitch McConnell and David McCormick, both of whom had previously supported military action against Iran, did not participate in the vote.

The resolution had already cleared the House and, under the War Powers Act, cannot be vetoed by the president.

Travel in US eases for Iran's football team

Meanwhile, the US has granted Iran’s national football team an extra day to prepare for its upcoming World Cup match in Seattle, allowing the squad to arrive two days before Friday’s game, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said, according to Bloomberg.

Trump puts a condition on release of Iran funds

President Donald Trump said Iran will only be able to use any funds released from frozen accounts to buy food and medical supplies from the United States, addressing a key sticking point in peace negotiations that both sides say are progressing.

“The money and/or sanctions that the US Treasury is releasing goes into escrow, controlled by the USA, and will be used for the purchase of food and medical supplies, exclusively from the United States,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday.

However, Iran rejected that characterization. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the funds would be available for Tehran to use “freely, in whatever manner it deems appropriate,” rather than being restricted to purchases from the US, according to Bloomberg.

Oil declines

Meanwhile, oil prices extended their decline as more tankers resumed openly transiting the Strait of Hormuz, signalling growing confidence that disruptions to global energy supplies may ease.

Brent crude slipped below $77 a barrel after falling 1.1% in the previous session, while West Texas Intermediate traded near $73, according to Bloomberg.