Iran news highlights: Explosions, sirens heard in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait; IRGC says 'region will turn to ashes'

Explosions were heard across Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain.

Iran news highlights: Explosions have been reported in Erbil, Iraq, as well as in Bahrain and Kuwait, with significant air defense activity underway across the region. The situation comes amid heightened tensions, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) saying it is targeting US bases. In a statement, the IRGC said, “The era of ‘hit and run’ is over.” It warned that “Any new foolishness will be met with a seismic, crushing, and decisive response that goes beyond established rules and boundaries.” The statement further added, “We will not hesitate to turn all aggressors’ headquarters and interests in the region to ashes.”

Bahrain’s interior ministry said a warning siren has been activated and asked citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe place.

Tehran remains open to negotiations with Washington, though competing hardline positions are narrowing the path to an agreement. Iran's leaders maintain there will be no "surrender", but subtle divisions over strategy persist.

The US stopped a Botswana-flagged oil tanker called M/T Lexie while it was sailing through international waters towards Iran’s Kharg Island.

A partial ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel took effect on Monday, offering a limited easing of hostilities. The deal calls for Israel to stop attacks on Beirut and its southern suburbs, while Hezbollah suspends strikes on Israel, but falls short of ending the war in Lebanon.

Despite Trump's claims of progress, Iran has halted mediator-led discussions, citing Israel's continued bombardment of Lebanon. Fighting on the ground has continued despite ceasefire efforts.

Trump lashes out at Netanyahu

Trump lashed out at one of his staunchest allies, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a heated phone call on Monday over Israel’s continuous bombardment of Lebanon, reported Axios, citing US officials and a source briefed on the call.

During the call, Trump referred to Netanyahu as “crazy” and accused him of being ungrateful, the report said.

Summarising his remarks, a US official told Axios: "You're f**king crazy. You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving your a*s. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this."

Earlier the same day, Iran had warned it could pull out of negotiations with the US in response to Israel’s actions in Lebanon.

A second source said Trump also shouted at Netanyahu: "What the f**k are you doing?"

The US-Iran peace talks

Donald Trump expressed optimism about a breakthrough in the Middle East, noting that he anticipates securing an agreement with Iran to extend the truce and restore transit through the strategic maritime chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz, "over the next week".

He told ABC News he has thus far withheld final approval on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at unblocking the vital shipping lane, explaining, "I still have to get a few more points."

This optimistic outlook builds on a statement he had made just a few hours earlier on Monday, when the US President announced that negotiations with Tehran are progressing "at a rapid pace", despite a recent exchange of fire that has severely tested the fragile truce between the two nations.

Elaborating during that earlier window on Monday via social media, the US President posted on Truth Social, "Talks are continuing, at a rapid pace, with the Islamic Republic of Iran."

However, this diplomatic momentum is moving against a volatile backdrop, as the ceasefire, which was established nearly two months ago following weeks of intense conflict, faces renewed friction after American and Iranian forces engaged in retaliatory strikes over the weekend and into Monday. These latest hostilities have triggered widespread concern that the truce might break down and disrupt ongoing diplomatic channels entirely.

Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the US naval blockade and Lebanon escalation were "clear evidence of US non-compliance with the ceasefire".

Late Monday, Tasnim reported that Iran was suspending "dialogues and exchange of texts through mediators" over Israel's actions in Lebanon.

In a message carried by state TV, the Revolutionary Guards intelligence body said "crossing the red lines in Lebanon and Gaza" would mean "direct war".

It said Iran was determined to preserve what it called the "Strait of Hormuz equation" and to take "meaningful actions" by opening other fronts.

Trump told NBC that he did not mean Washington would "start dropping bombs all over there", but insisted the US naval blockade would remain.

Tasnim reported that Iran would keep Hormuz blocked and, with its allies, "activate other fronts", including the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the entrance of the Red Sea.

Tehran's Houthi allies in Yemen have previously attacked shipping near Bab al-Mandab, whose closure could disrupt millions more barrels of oil exported daily by Saudi Arabia through its Red Sea port of Yanbu.

In another sign of danger to Gulf shipping, the UKMTO maritime agency reported a "large explosion" on a cargo vessel off Iraq "following a hit from an unknown projectile".