US-Iran War Highlights: ‘No money given to Iran’ — Trump rejects reports of direct payments

Oil prices plunge over $3 as fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East ease.

Brent crude falls 4.3% to settle at $73.74 a barrel, its lowest close since before the Iran conflict escalated.

US WTI crude drops 3.9% to $70.34 a barrel.

More oil tankers resume transit through the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns over a potential supply bottleneck.

Brent touched an intraday low of $73.12, its weakest level since February 27.

WTI slipped below $70 a barrel for the first time since early March.

"We were let down. We didn't need help on this at all. We demolished (Iran) literally in the first week but it would have been nice if they would have said, 'We'd like to help,'" Trump during a meeting with Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House.

"For the second time in less than 48 hours, the Israeli enemy army deliberately targeted Lebanese citizens who were inspecting their homes" near the town of Kfar Rumman, Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group said in a statement.

Hezbollah said it "reiterates that the enemy's actions constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire to which it has adhered thus far, and that it is monitoring and documenting these violations".

"We're winning by a lot. Iran is making very big concessions. We'll see what happens," Trump told reporters.

"We're going to be completely aligned with our partners in the Gulf," Rubio told reporters in Kuwait City before departing for Bahrain. "That's why I've taken these trips now, and it's the reason why I'm here."

"We're not going to do anything that undermines the security of our allies, our longstanding allies in the region," Rubio said.

"If Iran wants to make a good and real deal, the United States is open to that. If they're not, then of course the President has options," Rubio said.

Iran challenged IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi after he insisted that international monitoring of Iran's nuclear activities is explicitly required under the memorandum of understanding signed by both governments.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said discussions on inspections of sensitive enrichment facilities would only take place within the framework of a final agreement.

In a post on X, Gharibabadi said: "These issues will be reviewed and decided only within the framework of a final agreement and as a result of practical action by the other side to end all sanctions and other measures."

"You cannot advance the 'stir up and take over' policy with media hype."

The next phase of US-Iran diplomacy is expected to take place at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland, where technical-level negotiations are scheduled to resume next week.

Pakistan, which played an important role in mediating the interim agreement, said the talks will focus on resolving implementation issues and negotiating longer-term arrangements.

The outcome could determine whether the current ceasefire evolves into a more comprehensive diplomatic settlement.

Speaking at a news conference at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said:

"I can understand political statements, they are part of the reality, but the fundamental thing I would like to remind you and draw your attention to is that there has been a Memorandum of Understanding, signed by both presidents."

"The accord says explicitly that the nuclear activities that are going to be carried out with regards to the nuclear material facilities will be supervised by the IAEA — in all letters."

"Obviously, to do that, we will have to inspect. Whether this happens the day after tomorrow or in one week or in 10 days, it's important, but not essential. This is going to happen."

The US Embassy in Kuwait resumed operations after being closed for several months following Iranian attacks in March.

The reopening coincided with a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Kuwait.

The embassy in Kuwait City will immediately restart emergency services for American citizens.

Embassy operations in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were suspended in March after Iranian drones targeted the diplomatic missions.

Lebanon and Israel are discussing a US-backed proposal that would see Israeli forces transfer some territory captured during the war with Hezbollah to the Lebanese military.

The proposal is being discussed as part of the latest round of Israeli-Lebanese negotiations in Washington.

Officials on both sides confirmed that talks are focused on arrangements for areas currently under Israeli military control.

The plan is being framed as a pilot project, potentially serving as a model for broader security and territorial arrangements.

Under the proposal, the Lebanese Armed Forces would assume control of designated areas vacated by Israeli troops.

Trump wrote on Truth Social: "…no money has been given to Iran, or released from their money to them, by the U.S. We will be releasing some of their money, that is totally controlled by us, to our Farmers and Ranchers, for the purchase of Corn, Wheat, Soybeans, and more. Food is desperately needed in Iran, and we will be purchasing it for them exclusively from the United States."

Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Iran has informed the U.S. that, despite troublemaking Fake News reporting to the contrary, there are “NO TOLLS, NO INSURANCE COSTS, & NO OTHER CHARGES OF ANY KIND BEING SOUGHT OR RECEIVED BY IRAN ON SHIPS TRAVELING THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ.” If this is false information, negotiations would end, immediately! Additionally, no money has been given to Iran, or released from their money to them, by the U.S. We will be releasing some of their money, that is totally controlled by us, to our Farmers and Ranchers, for the purchase of Corn, Wheat, Soybeans, and more. Food is desperately needed in Iran, and we will be purchasing it for them exclusively from the United States."

Iran has again rejected US President Donald Trump's claim that Tehran agreed to nuclear inspections "into infinity" under the initial accord.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said there is currently no agreement on unrestricted inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities.

Gharibabadi stated that no meeting took place in Switzerland with Rafael Grossi despite Grossi's request.

Iran said there are no current plans to allow access to nuclear facilities that were attacked during the conflict.

Tehran also ruled out immediate access to nuclear materials.

"The IDF is prepared ... and we are not retreating. We announced that in any case we are not withdrawing, and as of this moment — and this is a political achievement — there is no American demand for Israel to withdraw from Lebanon," Israel's defence minister Katz said in an interview at a conference in Tel Aviv.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani visited Muscat for talks with Omani leaders.

Discussions focused on launching negotiations involving Iran, Iraq and Gulf Arab states over the Strait of Hormuz.

The proposed talks aim to address security, navigation and regional cooperation in the strategically vital waterway.

The initiative comes after disruptions to oil and gas shipping in the Strait of Hormuz during the recent regional conflict.

Qatar and Oman appear to be taking a leading diplomatic role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and its Gulf Arab neighbours.

Separate plans are underway for broader regional reconciliation talks in Riyadh.

The proposed Riyadh talks would involve Iran, Gulf Arab states and potentially other regional countries.

"The Islamabad understanding was not the result of pressure and coercion, but rather the result of the resistance and authority of the brave Iranian nation," Iran's negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said of the deal, which was finalised through Pakistan's mediation.

"That is why, the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding became a declaration of America's defeat," he said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his Middle East tour.

The visit aims to reassure Gulf allies concerned that the proposed Iran peace deal is too lenient toward Tehran.

Rubio held talks with senior UAE officials, including National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Discussions focused on the memorandum of understanding with Iran and broader regional security issues.

Rubio and UAE leaders discussed ensuring safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, where oil and gas shipping was disrupted during the conflict.

The US reaffirmed its commitment to the security of the UAE.

Rubio acknowledged Gulf allies' concerns about the Iran accord, saying the issue would be addressed in his meetings.

Additional topics beyond the Iran memorandum were also discussed.

Rubio's regional tour includes visits to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain.

All three Gulf states host key US military bases and were targeted by Iranian missile attacks during the war, resulting in civilian casualties.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a Middle East tour in earnest on Wednesday, seeking to reassure Gulf allies who view concessions in President Donald Trump’s Iran deal that include a proposed $300 billion fund as too generous to a regional foe.

Arriving in the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi late on Tuesday for a three-day Gulf trip, Rubio is undertaking his first high-level diplomatic mission on the agreement reached last week to end the four-month-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

Rubio held a working lunch on Wednesday with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other senior officials, including National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Oil and gas shortages triggered by the US-Israel war against Iran should be a lesson for countries to accelerate their energy transitions, according to China’s climate envoy.

While some nations responded by shifting back to coal, that’s only a temporary solution, Liu Zhenmin, China’s special envoy for climate change, said during a panel discussion at a World Economic Forum event in Dalian.

Iran's top diplomat spoke with a senior official from the Palestinian militant group Hamas regarding talks between Iran and the United States, state television reported on Wednesday.

Abbas Araghchi discussed the "latest developments" in the region with Basem Naeem, a member of Hamas's political bureau, Iranian television said.