US-Iran war Highlights: Trump tells Xi Chinese help for Iran is ‘totally unacceptable’, US envoy says

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Iran has proposed reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and restarting negotiations over its nuclear programme within seven days, provided the United States lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales and observes a ceasefire that includes Lebanon.

The latest plan is similar to a June memorandum that provided for a 60-day interim period aimed at reducing hostilities and restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

That arrangement subsequently collapsed after renewed attacks on shipping and disagreements over its implementation. Iran and the US have since accused each other of violating the understanding.

"We made it very clear to them weeks ago that, you know, any help that they would give Iran, whether it be direct or indirect, whether it be intelligence or parts or military equipment, was totally unacceptable. President Trump made that very clear again yesterday. This is an ongoing drumbeat," US Ambassador to China David Perdue told CNBC.

Brent crude fell 1.1% to $105.46 a barrel, while WTI declined 1.1% to $93.56.

Brent was up about 2% for the week, while WTI was down around 7%.

Markets are weighing talks between Washington and Tehran on a possible phased path out of the war.

The proposed framework could involve Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the US lifting its economic blockade.

Rising Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia are raising concerns about disruptions to crude supplies.

The UN Security Council strongly condemned escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.

"The members of the Security Council condemned, in the strongest terms, continued Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including attacks impacting civilian and energy infrastructure, which have resulted in the injury of civilians, including women and children," said French UN envoy Jerome Bonnafont & the rotating president of the Council, delivering a joint statement.

The Security Council "further stressed the importance of acting in accordance with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and of upholding navigation rights and freedoms."

The body "demanded the Houthis immediately cease their military escalation and their attacks impacting civilians and civilian objects," according to the statement.

Iraq’s Najaf airport suspended all flights to and from Iran on Friday as Baghdad enforced US sanctions targeting Iranian airlines.

Airport director Hussein Muhanna said the suspension followed a directive from the prime minister’s office to the Najaf governor.

An Iraqi government source said all airports in the country, including those in Kurdistan, had enforced the ban.

Najaf is a key destination for Iranian airlines and serves pilgrims, students and patients travelling between the two countries.

Travellers forced to use land routes could face journeys of at least 12 hours, depending on their destination. (AFP)

Tehran is also seeking a ceasefire that would include Lebanon.

Tehran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the US lifts its naval blockade.

Iran wants Washington to waive sanctions on Iranian oil sales as part of the proposal.

Iran has offered to restart negotiations on its nuclear programme once the US meets its conditions.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlined the proposal during a private gathering on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

According to attendee Trita Parsi, Araghchi suggested a quick agreement could benefit Donald Trump ahead of the November midterm elections. (AP)

The US ambassador to China said President Donald Trump had made it clear that any assistance provided by Beijing to Iran would be considered completely unacceptable, CNBC reported.

Qatar's foreign ministry said top diplomat Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a mediator in the Middle East war, spoke on Friday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian about de-escalation and conditions for dialogue.

The pair met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Pezeshkian invited Sheikh Mohammed to his residence where they "reviewed the latest developments in the region and the efforts being made to de-escalate tensions and create a conducive environment for dialogue", the foreign ministry said in a statement.

— AFP

Pakistan’s chief of defence forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is likely to land in Riyadh soon for the previously reported scheduled meeting with his Saudi and Turkish counterparts, reported Al Jazeera.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear talks within seven days of Washington accepting its conditions. The proposal was conveyed through Qatari mediators, and Iran is awaiting a US response.

Turkey's Chief of General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet his Saudi and Pakistani counterparts as part of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, the Defence Ministry said on Friday.

Earlier, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said the chiefs of staff would hold an urgent meeting to discuss ways to support Riyadh under the defence pact following attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis. Ankara has said it could help meet Riyadh's military needs if necessary.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was willing to give up uranium enriched to 60% within the framework of international law and its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Asked by Fox News’ Bret Baier whether Iran would give up its 60% enriched uranium, Pezeshkian said: “Yes, within the framework of international law, based on the Nonproliferation Treaty. Whatever we are supposed to adhere to, we will.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday that Tehran wants to revive a ceasefire understanding with the United States before November’s midterm elections, NBC News reported.

“We don’t want it to get to the midterm elections,” Pezeshkian told NBC News and other news organizations on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

“We wish Americans to return to the MOU before the midterms,” he added, referring to a memorandum of understanding signed in June that outlined plans for a temporary ceasefire but later collapsed.