US-Iran war Highlights: Trump warns Iran — ‘The clock is ticking’ as Hormuz tensions escalate

Iran foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi wrote on X:

"The failure of Israel's terrorist killings is reflected in how Iran's state institutions continue to act with unity, purpose, and discipline.

The battlefield and diplomacy are fully coordinated fronts in the same war.

Iranians are all united, more than ever before."

“I took the country out militarily in the first four weeks. I took it out militarily,” Trump said.

“Now all we’re doing is sitting back and seeing what deal (we make). And if they don’t want to make a deal, then I’ll finish it up militarily.”

Trump rejected the idea of using nuclear weapons against Iran when asked by a reporter.

“No, I wouldn’t. We don’t need it. Why do I need it? Why would a stupid question like that be asked?” Trump fumed.

He went on, “Why would I use a nuclear weapon, when we’ve totally, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it. No, I wouldn’t use it. A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody.”

Trump said Americans may face higher gas prices “for a little while” in the near term.

He suggested the price impact is linked to broader geopolitical tensions involving Iran.

Trump argued that the trade-off is preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

He said Iran with nuclear capability could “try and blow up one of our cities or blow up the entire Middle East.”

He added that “there’s nothing worse” than a nuclear weapon capable of destroying multiple American cities.

Next round of Israel–Lebanon ambassador-level talks will be held at the White House, shifting venue from the State Department.

US President Donald Trump will personally greet both Israeli and Lebanese representatives on arrival, according to officials.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to participate in the discussions alongside senior US diplomatic officials.

The talks follow a rare direct meeting last week between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, which resulted in a fragile 10-day ceasefire agreement.

US delegation will include Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee (returning to Washington), State Department counselor Michael Needham, and Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa.

Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian replying to Trump wrote on X: "In Iran there are no "hardliners" or "moderates" We are all Iranians and revolutionaries. With ironclad unity of nation and state and obedience to the Supreme Leader, we will make the aggressor regret. One God, one nation, one leader, one path; victory for Iran, dearer than life"

Reiterating his stance on negotiations, Trump said any agreement would only happen on US terms.

“A Deal will only be made when it’s appropriate and good for the United States of America, our Allies and, in fact, the rest of the World.”

Trump made claims about Iran’s military capabilities, asserting that key assets had already been destroyed.

“Iran’s Navy is lying at the bottom of the Sea, their Air Force is demolished, their Anti Aircraft and Radar Weaponry is gone, their leaders are no longer with us…”

US President Donald Trump has claimed he is under no pressure to end the ongoing conflict with Iran, while warning that Tehran is running out of time to reach a deal, in a strongly worded post on Truth Social.

He added that time was on Washington’s side, not Tehran’s.

“I have all the time in the World, but Iran doesn’t — The clock is ticking!”

Air defence systems were heard engaging “hostile targets” in parts of Tehran, Iranian media reported

Incident reported by Mehr News Agency, a semi-official Iranian state-affiliated outlet.

The Israeli military says it will maintain a presence in southern Lebanon ahead of truce talks.

IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned residents that Israeli troops remain deployed in the region.

The current truce between Israel and Lebanon is set to expire on Sunday.

Israel aims to establish a “security zone” in southern Lebanon.

The military says operations, including destruction of infrastructure, are in response to ongoing Hezbollah activities.

Lebanon is seeking an extension of the ceasefire during talks with Israel in Washington.

The White House claims Donald Trump helped prevent the execution of eight Iranian women.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump directly urged Iranian leadership not to carry out the executions.

Trump stated the women would not be executed, with four to be released and four to receive one-month prison sentences.

Iranian judiciary-linked outlet Mizan News Agency rejected the claim as “untrue.”

Iranian media said none of the women had been sentenced to death. (Fox News)

Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, says Israel is prepared to resume war with Iran.

- says Israel is awaiting a “green light” from the United States before taking action.

Statement follows a high-level security assessment by Israeli authorities.

Katz says the military is ready for both defensive and offensive operations.

He adds that potential targets have already been identified and “marked.”

Emmanuel Macron said France is willing to host a conference to support Lebanon’s army and rebuild its southern region.

The proposal came after talks with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides.

Macron said the conference would be held at a time deemed appropriate by Lebanon.

The initiative aims to mobilise additional European funding for Lebanon’s recovery efforts.

Both leaders expressed support for a potential EU–Lebanon partnership agreement.

World’s largest international shipping association BIMCO’s chief safety and security officer Jakob Larsen said shipping firms need assurances from both Iran and the US before transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Larsen flagged sea mines as a “particular concern,” warning they pose a significant risk to commercial vessels.

He added that mine clearance operations could take several weeks to complete.

The Strait of Hormuz remains fully closed as tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to escalate.

The ongoing standoff in the Persian Gulf is disrupting one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. (AP)

Trump also sharply criticised Iran’s political leadership, alleging confusion and internal divisions within the regime.

“Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just don’t know!”

“The infighting is between the ‘Hardliners,’ who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the ‘Moderates,’ who are not very moderate at all… is CRAZY!”

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that no vessel can pass through the strategic waterway without approval from the US Navy.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz. No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy.”

He added that restrictions would remain in place until Iran agrees to a deal. “It is ‘Sealed up Tight,’ until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL!!!”

Iran takes seized ships to port of Bandar Abbas, according to Reuters sources.

Iran seized two container ships near the Strait of Hormuz, alleging permit violations and navigation system tampering.

Around 20 heavily armed Iranian personnel reportedly stormed one of the vessels and took control.

Crew members are under Iranian supervision with restricted movement, but are said to be treated well.

One vessel, the Panama-flagged Francesca, is operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

Negotiations between MSC and Iran are ongoing, with officials confirming the crew is safe.

The second vessel, Epaminondas, is Greek-operated and has a crew of 21, including Ukrainians and Filipinos.

No information has been released about the cargo onboard either ship.

Trump wrote on Truth Social: "I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be (Their naval ships are ALL, 159 of them, at the bottom of the sea!), that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine “sweepers” are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!"

The US military seized another oil tanker allegedly linked to Iranian oil smuggling in the Indian Ocean.

The vessel, identified as the Guinea-flagged tanker Majestic X, was boarded and taken over by US forces during the operation.

The Defense Department released video footage showing US personnel on the ship’s deck during the seizure.