Donald Trump has again lashed out at Pope Leo’s stance on Iran, saying the pontiff should be reminded that the country must be nuclear weapon-free.
In response to a meeting between the Pope and Democrat and Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson on Friday, the US president wrote on Truth Social: “Someone should explain to the Pope that the Mayor of Chicago is useless, and that Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon!”
The two have repeatedly clashed over America’s invasion of Iran, with Trump earlier claiming the pontiff was “endangering Catholics” by supporting Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Pope Leo responded: “If someone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully. For years, the Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons, so there is no doubt on that point.”
Meanwhile, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei accused Donald Trump of "betraying diplomacy for the third time" in his response to a current peace proposal.
Mohsen Rezaei was pointed at Trump’s continuing a naval blockade imposed on Iran and what he described as excessive demands in negotiations, as he blamed the White House for the failure to reach a peace deal.
Key Points
- Trump criticises Pope Leo over Iran again
- Supreme leader's advisor accuses Trump of 'betraying diplomacy again'
- Trump yet to decide on proposed Iran agreement
- Iran says no ceasefire deal with US has been finalised
- Hegseth says US ready to restart strikes on Iran
Iran’s internet blackout still a reality for 60 per cent of population
05:10 , Shahana Yasmin
After 88 days of a widespread internet shutdown in Iran, the Islamic Republic partially restored access for some users this week.
State media described the move as the “return of the internet”, but an investigation by Independent Persian, global data and reports sent to us from across Iran suggest that users still only have limited, slow and unstable access.
Iran’s internet blackout still a reality for 60 per cent of population
Iran deal revised after Trump requests changes
04:50 , Shahana Yasmin
Donald Trump has reportedly asked for changes to the proposed Iran agreement negotiated by US envoys, triggering another round of talks with Tehran.
The revisions focus on Tehran’s nuclear programme, its enriched uranium stockpile, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, according to US officials cited by Axios. One official said Trump wanted more detail on “how the US gets the material and the timing”, referring to Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.
The proposed memorandum of understanding would reportedly extend the ceasefire by 60 days and create a framework for negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
US officials told Axios they expect Tehran to respond within three days. “At the turn of the week, we hope to have something,” a senior administration official said.
Everyone must do their part for peace, including on social media, Pope Leo says
04:30 , Harriette Boucher
US says missile disabled ship attempting to breach blockade
04:15 , Shahana Yasmin
The US military said it disabled a cargo ship attempting to breach its blockade of Iranian ports by firing a missile into the vessel’s engine room.
US Central Command said the Gambia-flagged cargo ship Lian Star ignored more than 20 warnings overnight as it attempted to enter an Iranian port. A US official said the ship was left adrift in the Gulf of Oman and had not been boarded by American forces.
The US military said it has now stopped six ships attempting to breach the blockade, while redirecting another 116 vessels.
Washington imposed the blockade on 17 April after Iran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz during the war. A ceasefire has held since 7 April, but Donald Trump has yet to decide whether to approve a proposed deal to extend it by another 60 days.
Trump says he's in 'no hurry' to make a deal with Iran
04:00 , Rhian Lubin
Donald Trump appeared on his daughter-in-law Lara Trump’s Fox News show on Saturday night, where he said he is in “no hurry” to make a deal with Iran.
“I'm in no hurry. I'd like to say I'm in a hurry, because you know what, gasoline prices are going to come tumbling down, but if you're going to be in a hurry, you're not going to make a good deal,” Trump told his daughter-in-law.
Watch the clip below
Trump on Iran negotiations: I'm in no hurry. I'd like to say I'm in a hurry because gas prices but if you are in a hurry you won't make a good deal. pic.twitter.com/utGem2TZve
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 31, 2026
Iran reasserts control over Strait of Hormuz
03:00 , Harriette Boucher
Iran has issued another warning to commercial and military vessels trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, reasserting its control over the shipping route.
A statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters on Saturday reminded vessels that they must abide by proscribed guidelines while passing through the strait.
According to local media, the statement underlined the need for all vessels to obtain prior permission from the IRGC navy before crossing.
It said any vessel attempting to interfere with management would be met with decisive action.
Lebanon PM defends talks with Israel
02:00 , Harriette Boucher
Lebanon’s prime minister has defended negotiations with Israel at the Pentagon on Friday.
Nawaf Salam said: “Are the negotiations guaranteed to succeed? Certainly not. But they are the least costly path for our country and our people, compared to the other options available today,” CBS reported.
The two sides held two-day talks in the US on Thursday and Friday.
Hezbollah urged the government to withdraw from the talks last week, calling them a concession and urging “indirect negotiations.”
What a peace deal between Iran and the US could look like as Trump outlines key demands
01:00 , Harriette Boucher
Our senior foreign reporter James Reynolds reports:
Negotiations for a comprehensive peace deal with Iran could "take a few days," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said, tempering expectations for an imminent resolution to the nearly three month-old conflict in the Middle East.
While Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson indicated that conclusions had been reached on many points within a potential 14-point memorandum of understanding, officials stressed this does not signal a swift end to the conflict.
Following a ceasefire in early April, both sides remain at loggerheads over several issues including Iran's nuclear ambitions, Israel's conflict in Lebanon with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia, and Tehran's demands for sanctions relief and the unfreezing of assets.
After weeks of largely indirect discussions, both Washington and Tehran claim progress on a memorandum of understanding designed to halt the war and provide negotiators with a 60-day window to finalise a deal.
What could a peace deal between Iran and the US look like?
Hegseth walks back on claim that any deal would be a good deal
00:00 , Alex Croft
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has walked back on previous comments that any deal between the US and Iran would be a good deal.
He made the comments while speaking in Singapore on Friday.
But when asked about the comments, he claimed that he never said that any deal would be a good deal, accusing the press of being “disingenuous”.
“I said it will be a good deal, an important clarification that maybe CNN can get right,” he said.
He added that the president is “patient” and is “only going to get a great deal”.
Watch: A timeline of Trump and Pope Leo's escalating feud over Iran war
23:31 , Harriette Boucher
Early heatwaves and Iran war create perfect storm for energy shortages
23:04 , Alex Croft
A fierce heatwave gripping large parts of Asia is straining coal and gas markets as surging demand for air conditioning collides with the energy crunch caused by the US-Israeli war against Iran, increasing the risk of a severe crisis with the hottest months of the year still to come.
Stuti Mishra reports
Early heatwaves and Iran war create perfect storm for energy shortages
Everything Trump has hit out at Pope Leo about
22:32 , Harriette Boucher
Donald Trump has unleashed his latest attack on Pope Leo, reigniting the feud between the US president and pontiff.
The two have stood at odds on several issues, including the war in Iran and Trump’s hardline immigration policy.
In his latest criticism of the religious leader, Donald Trump said Pope Leo needed reminding that Iran cannot have a nuclear-weapon.
It follows a jab from Trump earlier this month, in which he accused the Pope of “endangering a lot of Catholics”.
He said the religious leader “would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.
“I don’t think that’s very good,” he added.
“I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people, but I guess, if it’s up to the Pope. He thinks it's just fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
Prior to that, the Pope had criticised Trump’s “unacceptable” threat to Iran, in which he said a “whole civilisation will die”.
He also suggested that a “delusion of omnipotence” was fuelling the Iran war.
In response, President Trump took to Truth Social to say Pope Leo was “WEAK” on crime and “terrible” on foreign policy.
He then posted a controversial AI-generated picture of himself as Jesus healing the sick.
The leader of the Catholic Church responded to say he had “no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the gospel”.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has come to Pope Leo’s support, denouncing Trump’s criticism as “unacceptable”.
Watch: Pete Hegseth tries to pump up troops about Iran war in Singapore speech
22:02 , Alex Croft
Trump hits out at Pope Leo over Iran again
21:48 , Harriette Boucher
Donald Trump has lashed out at Pope Leo over Iran again, saying someone needs to remind the pontiff that the country must be nuclear-free.
The president reshared a post from Democrat and Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson of a prayer he attended with the Pope at the Vatican on Friday.
“Someone should explain to the Pope that the Mayor of Chicago is useless, and that Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon,” the president wrote.
The two have butted heads several time over the US’s invasion of Iran, with Trump saying earlier this month that the pontiff was “endangering Catholics” by supporting Iran’s nuclear programme.
Pope Leo responded saying “the mission of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel, to preach peace.
“If someone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully. For years, the Church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons, so there is no doubt on that point.”
Centcom confirms military disabled vessel heading toward Iranian port
21:35 , Harriette Boucher
The US has confirmed it disabled a Gambian-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Oman.
We reported earlier that bulk carrier Lian Star ignored several warnings from US forces and attempted to enter an Iranian port overnight.
A statement from the US Central Command said: “US forces operating in the Gulf of Oman enforced blockade measures by disabling a Gambia-flagged maritime vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, May 29.
“Centcom forces observed M/V Lian Star transiting international waters toward an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman and issued more than 20 warnings while informing the vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade.
“A US aircraft disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship’s engine room after Lian Star’s crew failed to comply. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran.”
It added that its forces had now disabled five commercial vessels since enforcing the blockade.
What have been the key sticking points in an Iran-US peace deal?
21:03 , Alex Croft
Our senior foreign reporter James Reynolds reports:
Tehran views its control of Hormuz and Washington its blockade of Iranian ports as their primary points of leverage. The United States suspects Iran aims to develop a nuclear weapon, a claim Iran consistently denies, asserting its atomic programme is exclusively for peaceful purposes.
The focus remains on Iran's uranium enrichment, which can produce fuel for power but also material for a warhead. A potential agreement might eventually include a lengthy moratorium on enrichment and the export or dilution of existing stockpiles.
Iranian sources suggested Iran might eventually agree to dilute part of its highly enriched uranium in a friendly country to 5% purity, with subsequent return.
However, numerous other issues would still need addressing, including the duration of any nuclear programme halt, the potential dismantling of nuclear sites, the fate of 20% and 5% enriched uranium stockpiles, and the future of Iran’s advanced centrifuges and research and development programmes.
A key US demand prior to the war was for Iran to limit the range of its ballistic missiles to prevent them from reaching Israel.
Iran has consistently refused to discuss its ballistic missiles, maintaining that its right to conventional weapons is non-negotiable and that it possesses a substantial arsenal.
Iran's economy has been severely impacted by years of sanctions, contributing to nationwide unrest in January. Tehran urgently seeks the lifting of these sanctions, the release of tens of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian oil revenues held in foreign banks, and reparations for war damage.
Kazakhstan offers to store Iran’s enriched uranium, says IAEA chief
20:00 , Alex Croft
Kazakhstan has offered to take custody of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium if Washington and Tehran reach a nuclear agreement.
Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the Financial Times that Kazakhstan has “a place where this could be stored safely,” since it has a “bank” for low-enriched uranium.
Iran’s 440kg stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity has become one of the biggest sticking points in negotiations over a proposed deal to extend the ceasefire and restart talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Experts have said the material could be refined further to produce about 10 nuclear weapons.
Donald Trump has demanded the stockpile either be removed from Iran or destroyed under international supervision.
Any deal would be a good deal, says Hegseth - ICYMI
19:01 , Alex Croft
As we earlier reported, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the US stands ready to resume strikes on Iran if a peace deal falls through.
The US military’s stockpiles, he said, are “more than suited for that, both there and around the globe, so we’re in a very good place”,
Speaking in Singapore on Friday, Hegseth also claimed that any deal with Iran would be a good deal.
It came after vice president JD Vance said negotiators are “not there yet, but we’re very close and we’re going to keep working at it”.
US says it disabled another commercial ship trying to breach blockade and reach Iran
18:01 , Harriette Boucher
A ship trying to break through the American blockade of Iranian ports has been blocked by the US military, an official with knowledge of the situation has said.
Gambia-flagged bulk carrier Lian Star attempted to enter an Iranian port overnight, ignoring several warnings from US forces.
The official told the Associated Press that the ship was disabled by US aircraft in the Gulf of Oman and remains adrift there.
They said US forces had not boarded it.
Iran’s internet blackout still a reality for 60 per cent of population
18:00 , Alex Croft
This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Persian
After 88 days of a widespread internet shutdown in Iran, the Islamic Republic partially restored access for some users this week.
State media described the move as the “return of the internet”, but an investigation by Independent Persian, global data and reports sent to us from across Iran suggest that users still only have limited, slow and unstable access.
These reports indicate that the internet has not been restored to what it was before the January protests and the subsequent US-Israel war that began a month ago.
The large-scale internet blackout in Iran, imposed after the killing of Ali Khamenei and the start of the conflict, has become the longest state-imposed internet shutdown in modern history.
As state media hails the ‘return of the internet’, Amirhossein Miresmaeili hears from users within Iran who say they only have limited access
Iran’s internet blackout still a reality for 60 per cent of population
Hamas rejects Israeli plans to further extend Gaza control in breach of ceasefire agreement
16:59 , Alex Croft
Palestinian militant group Hamas has warned that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration that his country would expand its area of control in Gaza is a dangerous escalation.
European states and residents of the Palestinian territory have also voiced alarm at the plan, which would see the Israeli military further breach the terms of an agreed ceasefire deal.
Under the deal in October Israel's military was to temporarily remain in control of 53 per cent of Gaza, but Netanyahu said on Friday that it would expand that area to an initial 70 per cent, without laying out details or a timeline.
"Any attempt to impose a new reality of occupation in Gaza is null and illegitimate," said Ismail al-Thawabta, head of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, adding that Netanyahu's statement "represents a dangerous escalation".
More than eight months into the ceasefire, and with global attention fixed on the war in Iran, Gaza's underlying conflict remains stubbornly unresolved with continued Israeli attacks, little aid reaching civilians and the risk of major new violence.
Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in the territory since the ceasefire agreement was announced.
Israel has already expanded its area of control in Gaza from the 53 per cent lying behind a "yellow line" mapped into the ceasefire deal up to around 64 per cent, with an area it has designated as restricted in maps shared with aid groups.
Watch: Hegseth walks back on 'any Iran deal will be a good deal' comment with 'important clarification'
16:16 , Alex Croft
Iran is coming in our direction in talks, says Hegseth
15:29 , Alex Croft
We can bring you more of US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s quotes from Singapore yesterday.
"Any deal that the president is willing to make, he's only going to make what he believes is a great deal, for our country and the world,” he said according to Sky News.
“You saw it in how he's been talking about it publicly. The goalposts haven't shifted at all... the closer they come to that reality, the closer we're going to get to that kind of a deal."
Iran "knows very, very clearly what our expectations are", he said, adding: "They're coming in our direction and the talks have been productive. They know where it needs to go, and I'm quite confident with our president who makes nothing but great deals."
The financial cost of the US war on Iran
14:44 , Alex Croft
Senior foreign affairs reporter James Reynolds writes:
Jules Hurst III, the chief financial official for the Pentagon, said on 12 May that the US war on Iran has cost around $29bn so far, an increase of $4bn from the end of April due to repair and replacement costs, as well as the “general operational costs to keep people in theatre”.
The Pentagon has been reluctant to share a detailed breakdown of costs, but the latest figures yield a mean average spend of $386.67m per day – quite a departure from the $2bn a day the Pentagon was said to be spending in March, according to Republican lawmakers.
Professor Linda Bilmes, senior lecturer in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School, told The Independent that the reported upfront costs are just the “tip of the iceberg”.
“When the Pentagon talked about their figures of $29bn, they systematically underestimate the cost because they are basing this on the historical cost of inventory of munitions. But the actual replacement costs are much higher,” explained Professor Bilmes, who served as assistant secretary and CFO of the US department of commerce during the Clinton administration.
A Tomahawk missile may be valued at around $2m each in inventory, she said, but replacement today would cost between $3m and $3.5m. Patriot missiles are priced at $1m to $2m, but the newer models cost $4m to $5m.
Late last month, and after the ceasefire took effect, the Center for Strategic and International Studies assessed that the United States had used upwards of 1,000 Tomahawks and between 1,060-1,430 Patriots since 28 February.
Professor Bilmes said the $29bn figure could be double or “probably three times as much” with accrual accounting.
But behind that figure, the United States will still have to make repairs to damaged military sites and facilities, like embassies, spread across the region, she added, giving a ballpark figure of an additional $300bn.
Omani sea authorities urge caution near suspected sea mine
14:06 , Alex Croft
Where hearing from Omani security authorities that vessels have been urged to steer clear of a floating object suspected to be a naval mine.
The object has been spotted west of the inshore traffic zone in the Strait of Hormuz, within Oman’s sea territories.
Iranian forces are believed to have laid mines in the Strait of Hormuz to prevent commercial and military shipping from passing through.
Milan prosecutors investigate two Iranians over threats to dissidents
13:31 , Alex Croft
Milan prosecutors have placed two Iranians living in Italy under investigation and ordered their homes to be searched over alleged threats to compatriots opposed to the Tehran government, judicial documents showed on Friday.
According to a nine-page search warrant seen by Reuters, prosecutors suspect the two people of aggravated threats and association for the purpose of terrorism and subversion of democracy.
The case stems from complaints filed by several Iranian citizens living in Italy.
In one case cited in the warrant, an Iranian dissident told investigators she had received a phone call telling her she had been sentenced to death for being an opposition supporter and would have her assets in Iran confiscated.
One of the two suspects had an Instagram profile from which death threats were made against anyone hoping for the accession to power of Reza Pahlavi - the exiled son of Iran's former Shah - the warrant showed.
It said both suspects, named as Jalilian Farshid and Adib Ansari Rohoulah, were known to attend an Islamic centre in Milan owned by the Iranian consulate.
ICYMI: The Situation Room meeting that had the world watching for a deal
12:59 , Alex Croft
President Donald Trump on Friday met with with top aides in the White House Situation Room “to make a final determination” on whether to accept a proposed agreement to end the war he started with Iran three months ago and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global maritime traffic.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports would end and Iran would “complete the immediate removal and/or detonation of any mines” in the key waterway so that the strait would be “immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic” to allow hundreds of ships that have been trapped on the wrong end of the strait to “start the process of ‘heading home!’”
“Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite President,” he said.
“I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination.”
Andrew Feinberg had this report on the meeting.
Trump in Situation Room to make final call on Iran peace deal
Hegseth warns no more 'freeloading' by Europe and Nato
12:29 , Alex Croft
Yesterday we heard from US defence secretary Pete Hegseth, who echoed president Donald Trump's long-standing demand that allies shoulder more of their own defence costs.
Trump has repeatedly said European and Nato partners should reduce reliance on Washington since he reassumed office in 2025.
"The era of the United States subsidizing the defence of wealthy nations is over," Hegseth said. "We need partners, not protectorates," he added. "We don't have a strong alliance unless everyone has skin in the game. No freeloading."
Hegseth praised contributions from allies including South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and said Japan was taking concrete steps to bolster its defences.
Tokyo and Washington "must each pull our weight to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance,” he said.
What is contained in the peace deal?
11:57 , Alex Croft
The proposed framework centres on ending the war and lifting a US naval blockade, in exchange for Tehran guaranteeing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei.
Senior Iranian diplomat Hossein Nooshabadi told ISNA news agency that Iran's draft for an initial agreement encompasses an end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, the release of blocked Iranian assets, the lifting of the US naval blockade, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the withdrawal of US forces from Iran's vicinity, and the freedom to sell Iranian oil.
Crucially, Nooshabadi stated that this initial draft contained no commitments regarding Iran's nuclear programme.
However, a senior official in US President Donald Trump's administration, speaking anonymously, indicated that Iran had agreed "in principle" to open the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the US lifting its naval blockade, and to dispose of Tehran's highly enriched uranium.
Iranian sources, meanwhile, suggested a framework deal would solely focus on ending the war, establishing a 30-day period for movement through Hormuz and shipping, and potentially offering some financial relief.
Early heatwaves and Iran war create perfect storm for energy shortages
11:26 , Alex Croft
A fierce heatwave gripping large parts of Asia is straining coal and gas markets as surging demand for air conditioning collides with the energy crunch caused by the US-Israeli war against Iran, increasing the risk of a severe crisis with the hottest months of the year still to come.
Stuti Mishra reports
Early heatwaves and Iran war create perfect storm for energy shortages
Kazakhstan offers to store Iran’s enriched uranium, says IAEA chief
10:58 , Alex Croft
Kazakhstan has offered to take custody of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium if Washington and Tehran reach a nuclear agreement.
Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the Financial Times that Kazakhstan has “a place where this could be stored safely,” since it has a “bank” for low-enriched uranium.
Iran’s 440kg stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity has become one of the biggest sticking points in negotiations over a proposed deal to extend the ceasefire and restart talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Experts have said the material could be refined further to produce about 10 nuclear weapons.
Donald Trump has demanded the stockpile either be removed from Iran or destroyed under international supervision.
Supreme leader's advisor accuses Trump of 'betraying diplomacy again'
10:29 , Alex Croft
Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, said on Saturday that US president Donald Trump was "betraying diplomacy for the third time" in his response to a current peace proposal.
Rezaei was referring to Trump’s continuing a naval blockade imposed on Iran and what he described as excessive demands in negotiations.
Watch: Hegseth walks back on 'any Iran deal will be a good deal' comment
10:01 , Alex Croft
Hegseth walks back on claim that any deal would be a good deal
09:42 , Alex Croft
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has walked back on previous comments that any deal between the US and Iran would be a good deal.
He made the comments while speaking in Singapore on Friday.
But when asked about the comments, he claimed that he never said that any deal would be a good deal, accusing the press of being “disingenuous”.
“I said it will be a good deal, an important clarification that maybe CNN can get right,” he said.
He added that the president is “patient” and is “only going to get a great deal”.
Hamas rejects Israeli plans to further extend Gaza control in breach of ceasefire agreement
09:20 , Alex Croft
Palestinian militant group Hamas has warned that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration that his country would expand its area of control in Gaza is a dangerous escalation.
European states and residents of the Palestinian territory have also voiced alarm at the plan, which would see the Israeli military further breach the terms of an agreed ceasefire deal.
Under the deal in October Israel's military was to temporarily remain in control of 53 per cent of Gaza, but Netanyahu said on Friday that it would expand that area to an initial 70 per cent, without laying out details or a timeline.
"Any attempt to impose a new reality of occupation in Gaza is null and illegitimate," said Ismail al-Thawabta, head of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, adding that Netanyahu's statement "represents a dangerous escalation".
More than eight months into the ceasefire, and with global attention fixed on the war in Iran, Gaza's underlying conflict remains stubbornly unresolved with continued Israeli attacks, little aid reaching civilians and the risk of major new violence.
Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in the territory since the ceasefire agreement was announced.
Israel has already expanded its area of control in Gaza from the 53 per cent lying behind a "yellow line" mapped into the ceasefire deal up to around 64 per cent, with an area it has designated as restricted in maps shared with aid groups.
Watch: Pete Hegseth tries to pump up troops about Iran war in Singapore speech
08:57 , Alex Croft
Is Trump’s threat to ‘blow up’ Oman a sign he regrets his war with Iran?
08:35 , Shahana Yasmin
The president’s casual menacing of a longstanding Gulf ally may yet be a turning point for US relations with several Middle East states, Israel included, says Mary Dejevsky
Is Trump’s threat to ‘blow up’ Oman a sign he regrets his war with Iran?
US has seized $1 billion in Iranian crypto so far, Bessent says
08:14 , Alex Croft
The US has seized $1 billion in Iranian cryptocurrency so far as part of its efforts to financially hammer Tehran.
“Just outright grabbed the wallets,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday during an event at the Reagan National Economic Forum. “Some of them may be typing in right now and might not realize their wallet had been grabbed.”
The fate of Iranian assets, which have faced a mix of seizures and sanctions, reportedly remains one of the key issues still being debated by negotiators on both sides.
Any deal would be a good deal, says Hegseth
07:51 , Alex Croft
As we earlier reported, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the US stands ready to resume strikes on Iran if a peace deal falls through.
The US military’s stockpiles, he said, are “more than suited for that, both there and around the globe, so we’re in a very good place”,
Speaking in Singapore on Friday, Hegseth also claimed that any deal with Iran would be a good deal.
It came after vice president JD Vance said negotiators are “not there yet, but we’re very close and we’re going to keep working at it”.
US-Iran war in numbers: Trump’s war costs more than $29bn in three months
07:30 , Shahana Yasmin
The conflict in the Middle East is entering its fourth month with negotiators yet to make a breakthrough, which would pave the way for an enduring peace.
Both sides have been back and forth with revisions of draft agreements to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and lift the dual blockades, allowing for more comprehensive talks on the central nuclear issue.
But the effects of three months of conflict have been seismic, with an estimated 7,000 people killed in the region, major disruption to the global economy and more than a million people displaced from their homes – without delivering on any of Donald Trump’s stated objectives.
Read the full report here:
US-Iran war in numbers: Trump’s war costs more than $29bn in three months
Protests erupt worldwide over fuel hikes linked to Iran war
07:15 , Shahana Yasmin
Trump yet to decide on proposed Iran agreement
07:00 , Shahana Yasmin
US president Donald Trump has yet to decide whether to approve a proposed agreement with Iran, despite holding a two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room on Friday to discuss the deal.
Asked whether the president had made a decision, a White House official told CBS News: “President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his redlines. Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon.”
Trump had earlier said he would make a “final determination” during the meeting. The proposed agreement would extend the current ceasefire by 60 days, reopen shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, ease restrictions on Iranian ports and begin negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
US officials have said the draft memorandum of understanding remains pending Trump’s approval.
ICYMI: The Situation Room meeting that had the world watching for a deal
06:45 , Josh Marcus
President Donald Trump on Friday met with with top aides in the White House Situation Room “to make a final determination” on whether to accept a proposed agreement to end the war he started with Iran three months ago and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global maritime traffic.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports would end and Iran would “complete the immediate removal and/or detonation of any mines” in the key waterway so that the strait would be “immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic” to allow hundreds of ships that have been trapped on the wrong end of the strait to “start the process of ‘heading home!’”
“Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite President,” he said.
“I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination.”
Andrew Feinberg had this report on the meeting.
Trump in Situation Room to make final call on Iran peace deal
Trump’s fears over the midterms have forced him to do a deal with Iran
06:30 , Shahana Yasmin
The tentative ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran has revealed a belligerent president reduced to bargaining in order to end the war he started – and it is a measure of how far he is from claiming the victory he desperately needs, says Anne McElvoy
Trump’s fears over the midterms have forced him to do a deal with Iran
Iran says no ceasefire deal with US has been finalised
06:15 , Shahana Yasmin
Iran has denied reports that a ceasefire agreement with the US has already been finalised, as negotiations continue over a proposed extension to the current truce.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Saturday that no agreement had yet been completed between Tehran and Washington, according to Al Jazeera.
“Other points have been mentioned, like the nuclear issue,” Baghaei said. “I emphasise, we are focused on the end of war at this point and are not discussing the details of the nuclear plan.”
On Wednesday, US officials said that negotiators had reached a memorandum of understanding that would extend the ceasefire by 60 days and open talks on Iran’s nuclear programme. The proposed agreement still requires Donald Trump’s approval.
‘A cartoon villain’: Hegseth shredded for ‘cringe’ pep talk to Navy soldiers about Iran war
06:00 , Shahana Yasmin
A clip of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth giving a “cringe” speech to US sailors about the Iran war is going viral.
Hegseth was in Singapore on Friday, where he did drills with the crew of the USS Boxer and then spoke to a group of assembled sailors about the ongoing conflict.
Online commentators quickly mocked the speech and the audience of service members, who appeared to be mostly unmoved by Hegseth’s call to arms.
Kazakhstan offers to store Iran’s enriched uranium, says IAEA chief
05:45 , Shahana Yasmin
Kazakhstan has offered to take custody of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium if Washington and Tehran reach a nuclear agreement.
Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the Financial Times that Kazakhstan has “a place where this could be stored safely,” since it has a “bank” for low-enriched uranium.
Iran’s 440kg stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity has become one of the biggest sticking points in negotiations over a proposed deal to extend the ceasefire and restart talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Experts have said the material could be refined further to produce about 10 nuclear weapons.
Donald Trump has demanded the stockpile either be removed from Iran or destroyed under international supervision.
Early heatwaves and Iran war create perfect storm for energy shortages
05:30 , Shahana Yasmin
A fierce heatwave gripping large parts of Asia is straining coal and gas markets as surging demand for air conditioning collides with the energy crunch caused by the US-Israeli war against Iran, increasing the risk of a severe crisis with the hottest months of the year still to come.
Stuti Mishra reports
Early heatwaves and Iran war create perfect storm for energy shortages
