US-Iran war Highlights: Iran claims ship attack by Ukraine was carried out at Israel’s behest, threatens response

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Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said exchanges of messages between Tehran and Washington are ongoing.

The statement comes amid reported mediation efforts by Oman aimed at easing tensions and reviving talks.

Pope Leo XIV appealed for an immediate halt to military operations in the Middle East, warning that continued fighting was worsening the humanitarian crisis.

The Pope said renewed military escalation had caused “violence and destruction” while threatening civilian lives and worsening shortages of essential supplies, including water and electricity.

“From the depths of my heart, I exhort all parties involved to suspend the attacks and urgently reopen paths of dialogue and diplomacy,” Pope Leo XIV said.

He urged all sides to return to negotiations, saying diplomacy was the only route towards lasting peace in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran would be a key topic during his meeting with Trump in Washington.

“Tomorrow I will fly to Washington to meet, at his invitation, with President Trump… I will also discuss all pending issues with President Trump, including the situation in Iran,” Netanyahu said during a Cabinet meeting before departing.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking to Fox News said the conflict with Iran could only end if Tehran abandons its nuclear ambitions and changes its broader regional policies.

“I think when this regime is either toppled or it's sufficiently weakened that it knows it has to end its nuclear program and has to change its course,” Netanyahu said.

“But one way or the other, they have to end their nuclear program. And with a deal or without a deal, that has to come to an end,” Netanyahu said.

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy urged US President Donald Trump to pressure Netanyahu’s government over what he described as extremist policies and moves toward the “de facto annexation” of the West Bank. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also appealed to Arab countries and the European Union to pressure Israel to stop settler violence, describing it as a systematic policy and a dangerous escalation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on X: "Zelenskyy has attacked an Iranian commercial vessel, killing a sailor. A blatant UN Charter violation done at Israel's behest to drag Europe into its war. In calls with EU High Rep Kallas and FM Lavrov, made clear that what the freeloader in Kyiv did CANNOT GO UNANSWERED."

Iran’s Army said it is fully prepared for all possible scenarios and has strengthened its air defence capabilities ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s US visit.

Iranian Army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia claimed the US failed to achieve its objectives during the recent conflict with Iran and was now reassessing its strategy.

Akraminia alleged Washington was seeking a new approach, including a possible withdrawal from the conflict, but only “with Israel’s permission.”

Iran said it used the three-month ceasefire period to rebuild military capabilities, especially its air defence systems.

The Iranian Army spokesperson said damaged air defence systems had been repaired and new equipment had been integrated into operational units.

Speaking to Fox News, Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he fully supported Trump's efforts to pressure Iran into abandoning its nuclear ambitions through diplomacy if possible.

"If he can do so without returning to intense military fighting, that's fine. Why not?" Netanyahu said.

However, he warned that Iran would make "a terrible mistake" if it launched new attacks against Israel directly or through proxy groups.

A regional official involved in mediation efforts described the pause in US strikes on Iran, launched in response to Tehran's attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as a "positive signal" that could help de-escalate the conflict.

According to the official, both Washington and Tehran are seeking to return to the interim agreement reached in mid-June.

Negotiators are reportedly discussing a compromise under which Iran would continue managing vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz while easing restrictions on international shipping.

The Pentagon did not explain why it halted its military campaign after nearly two weeks of strikes on Iranian coastal areas and infrastructure, launched in response to Tehran's attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said President Donald Trump continued to favour diplomacy while keeping military options available.

"President Trump has always been consistent in saying he prefers a diplomatic solution, but he continues to retain all options if Iran continues terrorist activities in the Strait of Hormuz or against allies," Cheung said, urging Tehran to pursue a negotiated settlement.

Trump pauses wider military offensive against Iran amid Pentagon concerns over dwindling air defence stockpiles, The New York Times reported.

General Dan Caine reportedly cautioned that while expanded strikes were militarily possible, they would leave US forces and allies more vulnerable.

US fears reduced missile shield could expose troops, Gulf allies and key military bases to further Iranian retaliation.

The US had reportedly fired over 1,200 Patriot interceptors by late April, with each missile costing more than $4 million, raising concerns over replenishing inventories.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) says the American naval blockade against Iran remains in full effect, with enforcement operations continuing across regional waterways.

US forces disabled two non-compliant vessels and boarded two others to ensure compliance with the blockade, CENTCOM said.

Coalition forces have redirected 12 commercial ships that attempted to breach the maritime blockade en route to Iranian ports.

US troops conducted a verification boarding of the Comoros-flagged tanker M/T Charminar in the Arabian Sea before allowing it to continue its voyage.

CENTCOM disabled the Mozambique-flagged tanker M/T Lavine in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly ignored repeated warnings and attempted to violate the blockade.

Iran says it has made progress in talks with Oman on the management of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian and Omani deputy foreign ministers held multiple rounds of negotiations in Tehran on Friday and Saturday.

The discussions focused on ensuring safe shipping through the Strait while respecting the sovereign rights of both countries.

Iran describes the talks as "useful," saying technical and political consultations are continuing.

The negotiations come after the US resumed attacks on Iran, seeking to end Tehran's control over the vital waterway.

Trump pauses Iran strikes to allow more room for diplomacy, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz says.

"He's giving talks some space," Waltz tells Fox News, without revealing details of the diplomatic efforts.

Pentagon halts bombing operations after 13 consecutive nights of escalating US strikes on Iran.

Weekend sees a lull in fighting between the US and Iran, with no fresh reports of attacks.

No reported Iranian attacks on neighboring countries during the pause in hostilities.

The diplomatic window comes after nearly two weeks of intensifying military exchanges between Washington and Tehran.

Israeli prime minister Netanyahu said Israel would intensify security operations across the West Bank under government directives.

He said Israeli forces had been instructed to enter villages, conduct searches, seize weapons and arrest suspects.

Netanyahu said security forces recently entered a hospital in Nablus and detained two alleged accomplices.

He added that the home of a suspect had been sealed ahead of demolition.

Authorities have also mapped the homes of other alleged accomplices in preparation for further action, he said.

Netanyahu said Israel was prepared to broaden operations against what he described as "terrorist nests" in the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran would be a central topic of discussion during his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, alongside Israel's military operations in the occupied West Bank and recent developments at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

A tanker exploded after striking a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a news agency affiliated with Iran's armed forces. The report said the vessel was operating outside an Iran-approved shipping route.

An unknown projectile struck the water near a vessel in the southern Red Sea on Friday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations said. The ship and its crew were safe, while authorities continued investigating the incident and any possible environmental impact.

Iran warned on Sunday that Ukraine's alleged attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea "will not go unanswered". Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Nikzad said any location used to launch attacks on Iran would be considered a legitimate target and also warned that shipping rules in the Strait of Hormuz would not return to their pre-war state.