Trump says he’ll ask Putin about claims Russia shared satellite images with Iran
Donald Trump is set to make a final decision on the ceasefire in Iran after a high-stakes meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu today.
Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Qatar have been discussing a proposal that would clear up disagreements regarding the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening; however, the meditators are awaiting the US president’s meeting with the Israeli prime minister before a decision is made.
The proposal in question is to troubleshoot the gaping holes in the Memorandum of Understanding, two sources told The Times of Israel.
It comes as Trump says there are “very friendly negotiations” taking place with Iran amid a pause in military action, adding that he believes they have a good chance to end the war.
However, Trump has also warned that the US would resume “strong military action” if the talks fail.
Tehran has denied that any direct negotiations with Washington are taking place, and says it is only receiving messages from the US via mediators.
Meanwhile, Iran has threatened to retaliate against Ukraine after accusing Kyiv of a missile strike on a tanker in the Caspian Sea.
Iran releases disturbing ‘kill Melania’ video threatening the First Lady and Barron Trump
The Secret Service is investigating a disturbing video posted in Iran that threatens both Melania and Barron Trump.
The clip, titled ‘Where to kill Melania’ shows a mock up of the First Lady’s motorcade moving through the streets of New York City and calls on “freedom fighters” to take action against her. It concludes with an ominous threat against Trump’s 20-year-old son: “Barron Trump, wait for us!”
The clip was shared on Monday by the Tasnim News Agency, which has been associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iran releases disturbing ‘kill Melania’ video threatening First Lady and Barron Trump
The Secret Service says it is aware of the clip and is investigating
Maryam Zakir-Hussain28 July 2026 12:07
Trump ‘to make final decision’ on ceasefire after high-stakes meeting with Netanyahu
Donald Trump is set to make a final decision on the ceasefire in Iran after a high-stakes meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu today.
Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Qatar have been discussing a proposal that would clear up disagreements regarding the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening; however, the meditators are awaiting the US president’s meeting with the Israeli prime minister before a decision is made.
The proposal in question is to troubleshoot the gaping holes in the Memorandum of Understanding, two sources told The Times of Israel.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain28 July 2026 11:46
Nearly 7 in 10 Americans say Trump has failed to explain Iran war goals, poll finds
Public support for the war in Iran has fallen to its lowest level since the conflict began five months ago, with only one in three Americans backing the military campaign, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The survey found growing skepticism over President Donald Trump's handling of the conflict, with 69% of respondents — including four in 10 Republicans — saying he has not clearly explained the goals of U.S. military involvement in Iran.
Trump has offered varying reasons for the war, including preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, weakening its missile program and encouraging regime change.
Nearly 7 in 10 Americans say Trump has failed to explain Iran war goals, poll finds
Just one in three Americans supports the war on Iran, the lowest reading in a Reuters/Ipsos poll since the five-month-old conflict's early days
Maryam Zakir-Hussain28 July 2026 10:50
Iran executes two men over charges related to January protests
Iran has executed two men who were sentenced to death for their part in protests in Isfahan during nationwide unrest that rocked the country in January, the Judiciary's Mizan News Agency reported on Tuesday.
Abolfazl Sepahi Badjani and Amirhossein Safari `Hosseinabadi were among 12 men sentenced to death on charges of taking part in the killing of security force members in Alikhani Square in Isfahan on January 8.
Another two in the same trial had already been executed.
Nationwide anti-government protests rocked the country in January and were repressed in the biggest crackdown in the history of the Islamic Republic, during which security forces killed thousands of protesters.
On Monday UN experts said at least 24 people have been executed in connection with the January protests so far in 2026.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain28 July 2026 10:20
Iran war spreads to Caspian Sea as Ukraine accused of targeting Tehran vessel
The Iran conflict has expanded significantly, despite a temporary halt in US military strikes.
Yemen's Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, launched attacks on Saudi oil installations along the Red Sea coast, while Tehran accused Ukraine of targeting one of its vessels in the Caspian Sea.
The US military confirmed its naval blockade against Iran "remains in full effect" on Saturday, though it offered no explanation for the cessation of 13 consecutive nights of escalating strikes.
There were no reports of retaliatory attacks by Iran on its neighbours over the weekend, a departure from its usual daily responses to US actions.
Iran war spreads to Caspian Sea as Ukraine accused of targeting Tehran vessel
There has been a temporary halt in US strikes, but the Iran war still escalated over the weekend
Maryam Zakir-Hussain28 July 2026 09:50
Iran releases video on ‘how to kill Melania Trump’
Iranian media has released a video indicating how to kill Melania Trump.
Tasnim News Agency, which is close to Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, published a video that began with a slide reading, “Where to Kill Melania?!”
The video, which is largely AI-generated, lists multiple ways to kill the US president’s wife.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain28 July 2026 09:34
Stocks jump as US-Iran pause sees oil price fall
In the Middle East, the US held fire at the weekend after 13 days of attacks on sites in Iran, and Donald Trump’s UN envoy said the US president was “giving talks some space”.
Tehran said in turn it would stop its retaliatory attacks on regional neighbours, handing Gulf shipping and the oil industry a respite.
David Morrison at Trade Nation said it is “unclear” if this is a precursor to a resumption of peace talks, or a tactical move militarily.
Read more here:
Stocks jump as US-Iran pause sees oil price fall
The US held fire at the weekend after 13 days of attacks on sites in Iran.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain28 July 2026 08:57
Oman presented regional mechanism for Hormuz to Iran, source says
Oman has presented a proposal to Iran for a joint regional mechanism to manage the Strait of Hormuz with voluntary fees, a Gulf source told Reuters on Tuesday.
Under the Omani proposal, which has regional backing, Iran would not exercise sole control of the vital waterway, the source added.
The proposal is based on the Strait of Malacca, where those who use the strait voluntarily contribute to fund navigation, environmental protection and search and rescue.
The U.S. abruptly suspended a campaign of air strikes against Iran over the weekend, raising hopes of a diplomatic solution that would allow shipping to resume in the Strait of Hormuz - which carried a fifth of global energy supplies before the conflict.
President Donald Trump said on Monday the United States was having "good talks" with Iran and there was a chance of a deal, but he warned that U.S. strikes would resume if the negotiations failed to deliver.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi discussed the Strait of Hormuz with his Omani and Saudi counterparts on Monday.
"He emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation and advance joint diplomatic efforts to establish stability in the region, and lift the insecurity imposed on the Strait of Hormuz due to the aggressive actions of the United States," according to Iran's foreign ministry statement.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain28 July 2026 08:40
Russia and North Korea close to completing first road bridge amid military supply concerns
Russia and North Korea are close to completing their first-ever road bridge, officially billed as a project to boost trade and tourism.
However, a new investigation by Ukrainian group Truth Hounds argues the crossing is primarily intended to strengthen military cooperation, allowing troops, weapons and supplies to move more quickly and with less satellite detection than by rail, the Guardian reported on Tuesday.
The report comes as Ukraine has warned that Russia is preparing to receive another 30,000 North Korean troops.
The first-ever road bridge linking Russia and North Korea is nearly complete across the Tumen River. North Korea has finished its section, but Russia is reportedly still completing work on its side.
Maroosha Muzaffar28 July 2026 08:25
Kyiv rejects Iran’s threats over Caspian tanker strike
Ukraine has rejected Iran’s threats after Kyiv said it struck an Iranian-linked cargo vessel in the Caspian Sea.
Ukraine says the ship was carrying drone and missile components for Russia, while Iran denies aiding Moscow’s war and has vowed the attack “cannot go unanswered”.
“Iran’s threats are unjustified and groundless,” Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X.
“The regime in Tehran is a direct accomplice to Russian aggression against Ukraine, fuelling Moscow’s criminal war with weapons that have killed Ukrainians since 2022,” he wrote.
Maroosha Muzaffar28 July 2026 07:55
