Trump: «I haven't decided yet on a massive attack against Iran»
«We are talking, we'll see what happens,» added the tycoon, specifying that in his view Tehran is «serious as it should be» in negotiating – ALL UPDATES
22:01
Trump: «We are talking to Iran more seriously, I'm in no hurry»
Iran wants an agreement and «we are talking, but I think we are not ready yet. I'm in no hurry; despite the midterms, things need to be done right.» This is what Donald Trump said, emphasizing that in his view Tehran is becoming «more serious» in negotiations as days go by «for obvious reasons.» The talks are being held, among others, by «Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.»
«I haven't decided yet on a massive attack against Iran,» Trump said in the Oval Office. «We are talking, we'll see what happens,» he added, specifying that in his view Tehran is «serious as it should be» in negotiating. Iran «cannot have nuclear weapons, it's very simple. We think they are serious in negotiating, more serious than we have ever seen, but that doesn't mean we will reach an agreement. We'll see what happens,» he highlighted. «Iran's problem is disappearing day by day. They were the bullies of the Middle East, they won't be anymore,» he had said earlier.
21:33
Coalition for Hormuz: US and Britain plan a meeting in London
The United States and Britain are planning to convene, next week in London, a high-level international meeting to discuss the Strait of Hormuz. This is reported exclusively by the Axios website, citing two European diplomats and two other well-informed sources. In particular, the goal is to create a potential international coalition to protect maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The date has not yet been set, but according to European diplomats, the meeting could bring together defense ministers and high military commanders from Western and regional countries. The participation of Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine is expected.
According to sources, the United States wants to follow up on discussions that the United Kingdom and France have had with several countries in recent months regarding a potential international coalition for the Strait of Hormuz. One of the fundamental conditions, set by many countries, is that fighting in the Strait ceases, so that the situation is safe enough for an international maritime mission. According to sources, the United States wants its allies to send minesweeping ships, military units, and drones to the region to help ensure the safety of sea lanes. «The Americans are looking for a way out and need our help,» said a European diplomat, cited by Axios. A new escalation in the Strait of Hormuz occurred after negotiations between Oman, Iran, and Qatar on a new agreement ended without results. Shortly after, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi returned to Tehran for consultations and the Revolutionary Guards began firing at ships in the strait. Today, an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran to resume talks on the mechanism for reopening the strait.
14:35
«Netanyahu accelerates recognition of settlements»
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Israel Katz have indicated that they have instructed the military to accelerate the legalization of unauthorized outposts in the West Bank and to create new ones, following recent clashes near Nablus. This is reported by the left-leaning Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
After the security cabinet meeting, the two also stated that they had ordered the demolition of the home of the Palestinian accused of killing the Israeli settler, as well as an «intensive operation» in villages they described as «terrorist strongholds,» which includes the seizure of weapons and the revocation of work permits.
14:22
Three settler attacks near Nablus since this morning
Israeli settlers injured four Palestinians during an attack on the Palestinian village of Far'ata, southeast of Nablus. This is reported by the left-leaning Israeli newspaper Haaretz, citing the Red Crescent, which claims it is the third such incident reported in the West Bank since this morning.
Two Palestinians are in critical condition after being hit by gunfire – one in the head and the other in the chest – while a third was wounded in the hand. A fourth person was physically assaulted and taken to hospital.
Meanwhile, Wafa, the official Palestinian Authority news agency, reports that settlers entered the village and set fire to commercial buildings, two homes, and agricultural land. No injuries are reported from the arson. Far'ata is located a few kilometers from Havat Gilad and the village of Jit, near Tell, where an Israeli and four Palestinians were killed in a clash this morning.
10:45
Israeli army chief: «Massive deployment in the West Bank»
The Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, indicated that he had ordered the reinforcement of forces in the West Bank following the «serious terrorist attack» this morning in the Palestinian village of Jit, near Tell. During an assessment, Zamir ordered «a massive deployment of forces to strengthen defense in the area and capture all terrorists involved in the attack.»
10:30
Dozens of settlers break into a Palestinian village after a shooting
Dozens of settlers have begun to break into the Palestinian village of Jit, near Tell, where a shooting killed four Palestinians and an Israeli in the context of clashes in the area around the Havat Gilad settler outpost in the West Bank. This is reported by the left-leaning Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
09:36
Explosions near Erbil airport, home to US troops
Several explosions were heard near Erbil airport, which hosts troops from the US-led coalition in the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan, according to a journalist from the France-Presse (AFP) news agency.
The explosions were heard after the activation of air defense systems, according to the journalist, who also spotted drones flying over the city and smoke rising in the airport area.
Since hostilities resumed in the Middle East, drones have been repeatedly intercepted over Erbil, which is also home to a major US consulate complex.
06:59
Alarm sirens in Bahrain, Iran reports explosions at US base
Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced on X that alarm sirens rang out across the country following the Iranian missile attack. According to Iranian agency Tasnim, explosions occurred inside the US Navy's Fifth Fleet base and noise was heard in some areas of Bahrain.
06:32
«Netanyahu should be arrested and tried»
«Instead of conducting a campaign against the International Criminal Court and continuing to arm a government that commits genocide, US authorities should defend human rights and respect the rule of law. Mamdani is right: Netanyahu should be arrested and brought before the International Criminal Court to be tried.» This is what Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy, and Campaigns at Amnesty International, writes on X.
06:30
«Iran ready to strike Tel Aviv if Trump follows through on threats»
According to the New York Times, two Iranian officials say that Tehran will strike Tel Aviv if Trump follows through on threats. The news is highlighted by the Times of Israel.
The US newspaper reports statements from officials, according to which if US President Donald Trump follows through on threats to strike Tehran and Iranian infrastructure, the Islamic Republic will respond by attacking Tel Aviv and asking the Houthi rebel group in Yemen to impose a maritime blockade on the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
During the first phase of the war, which began on February 28, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) participated in attacks on Iran and Tehran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel. However, Israel has stayed out of the current resumption of conflict and Iran has not struck the Jewish state in recent weeks.
06:27
The state of play at 6:00 AM
Iran yesterday rejected a ceasefire proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump and conveyed to Tehran by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. This is reported by the New York Times, according to Iranian and Iraqi officials. The failed mediation attempt occurred as Trump threatened to intensify the conflict and strike Iranian critical infrastructure.
The officials, who requested anonymity, said that al-Zaidi's mission to Iran followed his recent meeting with Trump at the White House. The details of the truce proposal were not immediately clear; however, Iranian officials said it was the only offer on the table and that their government was not interested in a temporary agreement that left the issue of control over the Strait of Hormuz unresolved.
Al-Zaidi traveled to Tehran with a delegation of his senior officials and met with President Masoud Pezeshkian, chief Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to local media. Araghchi told state television that Iran and Iraq, neighboring countries, share economic, political, security interests and close ties, noting that the visit was particularly important in light of the current situation in the region.
The last hours
The Iranian news agency Mehr, as well as other Iranian sources, report activity of air defense in the eastern part of Tehran. Additionally, «Arab sources report that alarm sirens were heard and several explosions occurred at American bases in Kuwait,» according to the Iranian agency Tasnim.
In recent hours, two people were injured in attacks on the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, according to Iranian media reported by Al-Jazeera. The attacks reportedly hit the residential neighborhood of Tappeh Allah-o-Akbar in Hormozgan province. A provincial official said: «We are working to restore electricity in some areas of Bandar Abbas damaged by US attacks.» The deputy governor of Markazi province, according to Iranian agency Fars, reports a site outside the city of Khandab targeted by US missile attacks. The deputy governor for political, security, and social affairs of Lorestan province told Iranian agency Irna: «A point in the city of Khorramabad was hit by an enemy projectile a few minutes ago.» According to Fars, several explosions were also felt in the city of Jask, in Hormozgan province, in southern Iran.
