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Iran war news highlights: US imposes new sanctions on Tehran's military oil sales amid reports of breakthrough in deal
Iran war news highlights: The US has imposed sanctions on eight vessels accused of helping transport Iranian crude oil and petroleum products. Among the ships named were the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Flora, the Comoros-flagged crude oil tanker Hauncayo, and the Panama-flagged tanker Ill Gap.
- 7:32 AM IST, May 29LIVE blog closed
- 5:22 AM IST, May 28CENTCOM denies Iranian claim of US aircraft shot down near Bushehr
- 4:10 AM IST, May 28Vance says US, Iran have made ‘a lot of progress’ toward deal
- 3:52 AM IST, May 28Russian envoy says Iran nuclear dispute needs ‘compromised solution’
- 3:31 AM IST, May 28UK maritime agencies raise threat level in Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf
- 2:45 AM IST, May 28Iran state TV claims US aircraft destroyed in Bushehr province
- 2:36 AM IST, May 28US imposes fresh sanctions on Iran’s military oil trade
- 2:19 AM IST, May 28Iran says explosion sounds were caused by air defences
- 1:42 AM IST, May 28Qatar emir, Trump discuss Middle East war and de-escalation efforts
- 1:10 AM IST, May 28Trump yet to approve reported Iran-US peace deal
- 11:43 PM IST, May 28Iran, US agree on plan to extend ceasefire by 60 days, says report
- 8:52 PM IST, May 28Israeli airstrike hits Beirut suburb ahead of Washington ceasefire talks
- 6:42 PM IST, May 28US to shut down Iranian airlines' access to landing spots, says Bessent
- 6:24 PM IST, May 28Oil prices rise as renewed attacks threaten ceasefire
- 5:21 PM IST, May 28US calls Iran attack on Kuwait an ‘egregious ceasefire violation’
- 4:46 PM IST, May 28Israel military says launched strike on Beirut
- 4:42 PM IST, May 28Iran's Supreme Leader says US, Israel seeking to destabilise Iran after military setbacks
- 4:38 PM IST, May 28Kuwait condemns Iranian missile and drone attacks as ‘blatant violation’ of sovereignty
- 4:24 PM IST, May 28Iran launches missile toward Kuwait, intercepted by Kuwaiti forces, saysUS CENTCOM
- 2:04 PM IST, May 28Israeli strikes kill at least 8 in Lebanon's fourth largest city
- 1:36 PM IST, May 28Iran condemns US ceasefire violations after strikes in south
- 12:55 PM IST, May 28EU's Kaja Kallas says continuation of US-Iran war ‘not in anyone’s favour'
- 12:33 PM IST, May 28Israeli soldier killed by Hezbollah drone near Lebanon border, says Israeli military
- 12:08 PM IST, May 28Iranian social media handle mocks Trump
- 11:30 AM IST, May 28Iranian official says seeking release of Iran's funds by the US
- 11:10 AM IST, May 28Israel attacks southern Lebanon's Tyre city
- 10:51 AM IST, May 28EU top diplomat warns 'not in anybody's interest' for Iran war to continue
- 10:30 AM IST, May 28Israel hits Lebanon's Tyre
- 10:05 AM IST, May 28‘Oman will behave or we’ll have to blow them up' - Trump's big warning
- 9:42 AM IST, May 28Iran war has complicated plans for an international force in Gaza that has yet to materialize
- 9:23 AM IST, May 28Trump wary of Russia or China taking Iran’s uranium
- 9:08 AM IST, May 28IRGC's statement on US strikes
- 8:56 AM IST, May 28IRGC warns of more ‘decisive’ response if US repeats attack
- 8:46 AM IST, May 28IRGC says targeted US airbase in response to American strikes
- 8:45 AM IST, May 28Sirens sound in northern Israel
- 8:34 AM IST, May 28Israeli military says it has begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon
- 8:23 AM IST, May 28Kuwaiti air defenses intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks
- 8:19 AM IST, May 28Kuwait army says facing hostile missile and drone attacks
- 8:13 AM IST, May 28Sirens sound across Kuwait, says state news agency
- 8:04 AM IST, May 28Trump says ‘don’t care about mid terms'
- 7:54 AM IST, May 28'Saudi, Qatar, UAE owe us': Trump on Abraham Accords agreement
- 7:47 AM IST, May 28Trump says not okay with China, Russia taking Iran's uranium
- 7:38 AM IST, May 28Fresh US strikes come just two days after another ‘defensive’ strikes
- 7:29 AM IST, May 28Marco Rubio indicates US-Iran peace deal has made ‘some progress’
- 7:19 AM IST, May 28‘Oman will behave,’ says Trump during cabinet meeting
- 7:10 AM IST, May 28Trump says Iran deal has ‘got to be perfect’
- 7:05 AM IST, May 28US sanctions Iranian agency responsible for controlling shipping through Hormuz
- 7:00 AM IST, May 28Pak army chief Asim Munir heads to Iran
- 6:55 AM IST, May 28Pak PM expresses hope that peace negotiations between Iran, US lead to an agreement
- 6:42 AM IST, May 28Trump says ‘nobody is going to control Hormuz'
This live blog has ended. For more updates, read here Iran war news highlights: The United States and Iran traded accusations of violating an ongoing ceasefire on Thursday after exchanging fire, marking the most serious flare-up since the truce began in April, three months after the Middle East conflict was triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran....Read More
The escalation rattled efforts to negotiate a broader end to the war and drew in US ally Kuwait, which accused Tehran of carrying out a “dangerous escalation”.
The violence also intensified on the Lebanese front, where Israel declared large parts of southern Lebanon a combat zone and increased air strikes, including attacks near Beirut.
US and Iran exchange strikes
The United States and Iran exchanged strikes on Thursday in their most serious confrontation since the April ceasefire, raising fears over the stability of ongoing peace efforts and the reopening of the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
In fresh escalation in the war between the United States and Iran, the American forces on Wednesday struck Iran for the second time in a week on Wednesday and claimed that the strike was done in self defence after they observed some aggressive activity from the forces of the other side.
Giving an idea of the extent of this escalation, two US armed forces officials told news agency The Associated Press that they shot down four Iranian drones and attacked a base from where a fifth drone was about to be launched. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that the Iranian drones posed threat to the Strait of Hormuz, a key trade waterway that has become a central point in the war that completes three months today.
According to a US official, who spoke to Reuters, the military site that they from where they claimed a fifth drone was going to be launched was an Iranian ground control station in Iran's Bandar Abbas.
"These actions were measured, purely defensive, and intended to maintain the ceasefire," Reuters claimed the official as saying.
However, Iran said that it retaliated to the American strikes by targeting a US base in the region which was used for the attack, but refused to mention which US base it targeted specifically.
“Following the pre-dawn aggression today by the invading American army against a point on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas Airport using aerial projectiles, the American airbase, as the origin of the aggression, was targeted at 4:50 a.m.," Iran's revolutionary guards said in a statement.
The IRGC also warned that any such strikes in future will be met with “more decisive” actions.
Kuwait faces missile, drone attacks
Hours after US' fresh strikes on Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz, sirens sounded across Kuwait which came under drone and missiles threat.
Kuwait armed forces general command said that the country's air defences was intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks. In a caution message to its citizens, the armed forces said that if explosion sounds are heard, they are the result of air defense systems intercepting hostile attacks.
“We call on everyone to adhere to the security and safety instructions issued by the competent authorities,” they added.
US sanctions Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority
The United States late on Wednesday put Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a body the Islamic Republic formed to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, under sanctions.
The US added the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to its Specially Designated Nationals list, according to Treasury Department's website.
The sanctions were reportedly imposed after US' strike on Iran on Wednesday night.
US strikes Iran LIVE: IRGC says targeted US airbase in response to American strikes
US strikes Iran LIVE: Iran's revolutionary guards said on Thursday that they targeted a US airbase in response to the American strikes near Bandar Abbas airport.
US strikes Iran LIVE: Sirens sound in northern Israel
US strikes Iran LIVE: Israeli military says sirens warning of hostile aircraft infiltration were sounded in areas of northern Israel.
US strikes Iran LIVE: Israeli military says it has begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon
US strikes Iran LIVE: Israeli military says it has begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon’s Tyre.
US strikes Iran LIVE: Kuwaiti air defenses intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks
US strikes Iran LIVE: Kuwait armed forces general command said that the country's air defences are currently intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks.
In a caution message to its citizens, the armed forces said that if explosion sounds are heard, they are the result of air defense systems intercepting hostile attacks.
“We call on everyone to adhere to the security and safety instructions issued by the competent authorities,” they added.
US strikes Iran LIVE: Kuwait army says facing hostile missile and drone attacks
US strikes Iran LIVE: Kuwait army said on Thursday that its air defences are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks.
“The General Staff of the Army notes that any explosion sounds heard are the result of air defense systems intercepting the hostile attacks. Everyone is requested to adhere to the security and safety instructions issued by the competent authorities,” the army said in an official announcement on X.
US strikes Iran LIVE: Sirens sound across Kuwait, says state news agency
US strikes Iran LIVE: Sirens sound across Kuwait, says state news agency
US strikes Iran LIVE: Trump says ‘don’t care about mid terms'
US strikes Iran LIVE: The US President dismissed suggestions that Iran could use upcoming US midterm elections to gain leverage in negotiations. According to the President, Iranian leaders believed they could simply “out-wait” him because of political pressures at home and slipping approval ratings.
“They thought they were gonna out-wait me. You know, ‘We’ll out-wait him. He’s got the midterms,’” Trump said. “I don’t care about the midterms.”
US strikes Iran LIVE: ‘Saudi, Qatar, UAE owe us’, says Trump on Abraham Accords agreement
US strikes Iran LIVE: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday asserted that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar “owe it to” the United States to sign the Abraham Accords and hinted that he may not go forward with the Iran deal if they don’t.
Speaking to reporters during a cabinet meeting he said, “I am not sure we should make the deal if they don’t sign. You want to know the truth. If they don't sign to join the Abraham Accords, I don't know. we have countries in there already. UAE, great, great countries, bold countries.”
“It'll be historic if they do it. I think they owe that to us, to be honest, I think, because that really would be a tremendous time. And I think those countries owe it to us,” he added. Read more.
US strikes Iran LIVE: Trump says not okay with China, Russia taking Iran's uranium
US strikes Iran LIVE: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he “wouldn’t be comfortable” if either Russia or China take Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Both countries maintain close ties with Tehran, and nuclear experts have suggested they could serve as acceptable third parties to hold the material as part of a potential agreement.
US strikes Iran LIVE: Fresh US strikes come just two days after another ‘defensive’ strikes
US strikes Iran LIVE: The latest strikes came after the US forces on Monday carried out what the Pentagon described as “defensive” attacks on missile launch sites and minelaying boats in southern Iran. Washington has maintained that both military actions this week were conducted with restraint amid a fragile ceasefire that has held for weeks.
US strikes Iran LIVE: Marco Rubio indicates US-Iran peace deal has made ‘some progress’
US strikes Iran LIVE: US secretary of state Marco Rubio offered a more measured assessment of the negotiations, saying there had been “some progress” in discussions with Iran and that the “next few hours and days” would provide greater clarity.
Sitting beside Trump during the meeting, Rubio reiterated, “We prefer the negotiated, diplomatic route, and we’re going to give it every chance to succeed,” while adding that the President had “other options” if talks fail.
US strikes Iran LIVE: ‘Oman will behave,’ says Trump during cabinet meeting
US strikes Iran LIVE: When Trump was asked during cabinet meeting whether he would accept a deal that allowed Iran and Oman to jointly control the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump rejected the idea outright and issued a blunt warning to Oman.
“Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up,” he said.
The president added that the waterway must remain open to all countries and insisted that “nobody can control it,” while also saying the United States would continue to “watch over it.”
Moments later, Trump appeared to soften the rhetoric, adding: “They understand that. They’ll be fine.”
US strikes Iran LIVE: Trump says Iran deal has ‘got to be perfect’
US strikes Iran LIVE: US President Donald Trump, during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, made it clear that he remains unconvinced about signing an agreement unless it delivers sweeping strategic gains for the US and its allies. The president said a “good deal” with Iran was possible but stressed he wanted something stronger and more comprehensive.
“It’s got to be perfect,” Trump said. “I didn’t do this to get a crummy agreement.”
Referring to the Abraham Accords – the US-brokered agreements from his first term that normalised ties between Israel and several Arab nations – Trump said he was “requesting strongly” that more countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, join the framework.
However, when asked whether an Iran deal depended on those countries signing the accords, Trump stopped short of making it an official condition.
US strikes Iran LIVE: US sanctions Iranian agency responsible for controlling shipping through Hormuz
US strikes Iran LIVE: The Trump administration on Wednesday announced new sanctions on Iran under its wider economic pressure strategy during the conflict, targeting a recently created body by Iran responsible for controlling shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US has put Persian Gulf Strait Authority to its Specially Designated Nationals list, according to the Treasury Department's website.
US strikes Iran LIVE: Pak army chief Asim Munir heads to Iran
US strikes Iran LIVE: Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir is reportedly headed to Iran' capital Tehran to discuss a peace deal between the US and Iran.
Bloomberg cited a Pakistani security official familiar with the matter as saying that Munir was going to Iran for discussions on Iran-US deal and also peace in the West Asia region.
US-Iran war news LIVE: Pak PM expresses hope that peace negotiations between Iran, US lead to an agreement
US-Iran war news LIVE: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday and wished him Eid ul-Adha over a phone call.
He said that President Pezeshkian graciously appreciated “Pakistan’s sincere efforts for peace in the region and acknowledged the important role played by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, alongside the support of brotherly countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye.”
“I reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people of Iran over the tragic loss of precious lives during the current crisis and emphasized that Pakistan will always stand by Iran as a sincere friend and neighbour. I expressed hope that the ongoing peace efforts would soon lead to an enduring agreement, paving the way for regional stability, prosperity and cooperation,” Sharif wrote in a post on X.
US-Iran war news LIVE: Trump says ‘nobody is going to control Hormuz'
US-Iran war news LIVE: During a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said that “nobody’s going to control" the Strait of Hormuz as it is international waters.
He added that “the strait’s going to be open to everybody” and the US will “watch over it”, when he was asked if he would be open to a temporary peace deal which gives Iran control of the Strait of Hormuz.
