US-Iran war Highlights: Iran president Pezeshkian backs leadership ‘until the end’

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Hamas says it is ready to move to the second phase of the US-backed Gaza peace plan and begin implementing the agreement.

Hamas said it has told mediators that it is prepared to hand over its weapons to a new Palestinian governing committee under the next phase of the plan.

The group said implementation would depend on Israeli approval and Israel beginning to fulfil its commitments under the agreement.

Hamas urged the US administration to pressure Israel to accept the deal and proceed to the second phase.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has also dismissed speculation that he could resign amid reports of disagreements within Iran’s political establishment over a 14-point memorandum of understanding.

He said he would continue working “resolutely,” rejecting suggestions that internal political tensions could force him from office.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in an interview with Iranian state television rejected speculation of a dispute between his administration and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“There is no rift between the government and the armed forces. Iran is united and cohesive,” he said.

Pezeshkian accused Iran’s opponents of attempting to sow divisions within the country and praised the performance of Iranian forces during the conflict.

“Our fighters amazed the world,” he said.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the country will stand by decisions taken by its leadership “until the end” as the conflict continues.

Speaking in remarks cited by Iran’s Fars News Agency, Pezeshkian said decisions on whether to continue fighting should be left to the country’s military commanders and leadership.

“Whatever decision the leadership takes, we will stand by it until the end,” Pezeshkian said.

He added that military commanders were better placed to assess Iran’s capabilities and determine the course of the conflict.

“Whether we fight or not, the war commanders know better than you and me. They know their own capabilities. The Leadership will decide, and whatever decision they take, we will stand by it until the end,” he said.

A vessel owned by Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil giant ADNOC was attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.

The UAE Foreign Ministry said Iran fired a missile at the vessel as part of attacks on commercial shipping.

ADNOC said no one was injured or killed in the latest attack.

ADNOC did not disclose the vessel’s exact location or provide details about any damage caused by the attack.

Ukraine has agreed not to target certain non-Russian oil tankers and Black Sea infrastructure critical to Kazakhstan’s crude exports, according to a US official.

Kyiv has created designated points of contact for commercial shippers to share vessel information and help ensure safe passage.

The commitment emerged from July 31 discussions between senior US officials and Ukrainian leaders.

The agreement covers infrastructure linked to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal in Novorossiysk, a crucial outlet for Kazakhstan’s oil.

The terminal normally handles about 2% of global crude supplies, while Kazakhstan has limited alternative export capacity.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said reopening the Strait of Hormuz depends on Washington accepting Tehran’s conditions.

IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi said the reopening decision is separate from Iran-Oman negotiations.

Mohebbi did not specify the demands Tehran wants Washington to accept.

Mohebbi said Washington must stop interfering in the regional negotiation process.

“Whenever the United States accepts Iran’s conditions, the Strait of Hormuz will certainly be reopened,” Mohebbi said, according to Tasnim.

Washington says talks between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz are making progress.

A US official said an agreement could be reached shortly.

The proposed deal would aim to restore unrestricted commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.

Washington says it would lift its blockade of Iranian ports once a deal restoring commercial shipping is announced.

The US expects the agreement to allow normal oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington stressed that any steps it takes will remain performance-based and depend on Iran fulfilling its commitments.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran and Muscat are “very close” to an agreement on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.

Araqchi said reopening the strait depends on additional conditions, including US compensation to Iran.

Iran no longer accepts the previous shipping traffic separation scheme through the strait.

Iran and Oman are working on a temporary shipping arrangement to facilitate maritime traffic.

The shipping arrangement is a crucial part of efforts to restore normal commercial traffic through the strategic waterway.

A vessel was hit by an unknown projectile about 18 nautical miles east of Khasab, Oman, UKMTO said.

The impact sparked a fire onboard the vessel.

The blaze was successfully brought under control.

The vessel and its crew were reported safe following the incident.

No pollution or environmental damage was reported.

UKMTO did not identify the type or origin of the projectile.

Ankara is restricting some commercial ship traffic entering the Black Sea amid growing security concerns over Russian and Ukrainian attacks on vessels.

Ships heading to Novorossiysk, a major Russian oil and grain export hub, have reportedly been denied transit permits or told that applications require additional review.

Some ships have reportedly been told the restrictions could apply to vessels heading to Ukrainian ports as well.

The delays are effectively limiting the flow of commercial vessels through the Dardanelles Strait into the Black Sea.

Ankara’s concerns intensified after drone attacks damaged two Turkish-owned vessels and injured several Turkish citizens.

The UAE strongly condemned Iran's reported attack on an ADNOC tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a "flagrant violation" of UN Security Council Resolution 2817. Abu Dhabi said targeting commercial vessels threatens regional stability and global energy security.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran and Muscat are currently discussing a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, as the two countries work to facilitate maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.

Iran and Oman are "very close" to reaching an agreement on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said. The proposed route could help restore maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson said reopening the Strait of Hormuz depends on the US fully accepting Tehran's conditions. He added that the issue is separate from ongoing negotiations between Iran and Oman.

Iraq currently produces around 2.7 million barrels per day of oil and exports about half of its output, the country's Oil Minister said, according to the state news agency.

Iraq is in talks with Iran to allow Iraqi oil exports to resume, but no arrangement is active yet, Iraq's Oil Minister said, according to the state news agency.

A general framework of understanding has been reached between Iran and Oman, according to the spokesperson of Iran's parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Al Jazeera reported. The framework is awaiting final approval at a higher level.

Aliakbar Velayati, adviser to Iran's supreme leader, said foreign forces must leave the region, calling them the "main factor of insecurity". He said regional countries could ensure security through greater cooperation after what he described as the "defeat" of the US and Israel.