“We believe BRICS will become a real force in the global economy when the results of our cooperation are reflected in contracts, factories, ports, and the economic lives of the peoples of our countries,” he said.

He called for greater use of national currencies in trade between member states, backed by mechanisms to manage currency risks and settlements.

Pezeshkian also urged the BRICS New Development Bank to expand local-currency financing for infrastructure and energy projects, while proposing a joint reinsurance company with initial capital of $10 billion to support major investments.

He called for streamlined customs procedures, fewer regulatory barriers and greater private-sector participation across the bloc.

The Iranian president said Iran was ready to use its energy resources and geographical position to strengthen BRICS food, energy and transport supply chains.

Trump had earlier pointed to "a little activity" at Pickaxe Mountain, a fortified site near Iran's damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility, and threatened further US strikes if it continued.

Satellite imagery analysed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies shows increased construction at the site. Researchers, however, said the images could not confirm reports that centrifuges had been moved there and assessed that the facility did not yet appear capable of enriching uranium.

Iran is also reportedly rebuilding military capabilities damaged by US and Israeli strikes, including assembling ballistic missiles at underground facilities, although production remains below previous levels.

Netanyahu said Israel was continuing operations against what he called the "Iranian axis" in Gaza and Lebanon.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on September 9, 2026, beginning what UAE officials described as the first state visit to Germany by a president of the United Arab Emirates. His aircraft was escorted by German military jets after entering German airspace, while his arrival was marked by a 21-gun salute and guard of honour. His delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Foreign Trade Minister Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei, and other senior officials. On September 10, Mohamed bin Zayed was formally welcomed at Villa Borsig in Berlin by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The UAE president signed the guestbook and referred to the longstanding relationship between the two countries, while expressing hope that bilateral ties would continue to deepen. The visit includes talks with Steinmeier and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with discussions focusing on economic and development cooperation as well as regional and international issues. The UAE and Germany have maintained diplomatic relations since 1972, while a strategic partnership agreement was signed in 2004.

UAE condemns Iranian missile attack on Jordan and backs Amman’s security response

The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned an Iranian missile attack on Jordan on September 9, describing it as a violation of Jordanian sovereignty and a threat to regional security. In an official statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack represented a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan” and threatened the country’s security and stability. The ministry reiterated what it called the UAE’s full solidarity with Jordan and said Abu Dhabi supported measures taken by Amman to safeguard its security and stability. The condemnation comes amid a broader period of heightened tension between Iran and Jordan. Jordan’s close security relationship with the United States has made it a target of Iranian missile and drone attacks during the recent regional conflict. The United States operates from multiple military installations in Jordan, including Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which has played a role in US regional operations. The September 9 statement was not the first such condemnation from Abu Dhabi in 2026. The UAE also condemned Iranian attacks on Jordan on July 9 and again on July 29, repeatedly describing them as unacceptable violations of Jordanian sovereignty.

Mohammed bin Rashid tells government teams to accelerate delivery in new 2026–27 season

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has opened the government’s new 2026–27 work season with a call for faster implementation, stronger coordination and greater use of emerging technologies. At the annual New Government Season Meeting 2026–2027 on September 9, Mohammed bin Rashid met senior officials and government teams to review priorities, major projects and policy directions for the coming period. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, as well as Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Mohammed bin Rashid praised government teams for improving operational efficiency, accelerating national priorities and developing public services, but told them to increase the pace of delivery. “With the start of every government season, I begin my work by meeting my team. We set out on a new season, carrying renewed energy, strong resolve and ambitions that match our country,” he said.

UAE moves agentic AI programme into second phase with FedAI government platform

The UAE is moving into the second phase of its ambitious Agentic AI Project , part of a wider plan to automate a large share of federal government operations using autonomous artificial-intelligence systems. The Ministerial Council for Artificial Intelligence and Development, chaired by Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reviewed the programme at a meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi on September 9. The second phase includes the creation of FedAI, a national technical ecosystem designed to allow federal government entities to develop, adopt and operate agentic AI systems through a secure and flexible environment. The programme will also establish a customer experience laboratory to test agentic AI in public services and launch internal government competitions encouraging employees to develop AI-based solutions. The first phase focused on assessing government services, operations and tasks, identifying priority areas and building institutional capabilities. Ministries and federal agencies have since submitted services and processes that are expected to move into implementation during the next stage.

Labour violations fall 15% but illegal recruitment and unpaid wages remain major offences

Labour violations detected at private-sector companies in the UAE fell 15% in the first half of 2026, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, though illegal employment and failures to pay salaries remain among the most common offences. The ministry said its inspection teams conducted about 212,000 visits during the first six months of the year using what it described as a “smart monitoring system” combining artificial intelligence, data analysis and risk indicators to identify establishments most likely to breach labour rules. The number of serious cases referred to the Public Prosecution fell 49%, from 962 during the first half of 2025 to 490 in the same period of 2026. The ministry said the decline indicated fewer severe violations requiring judicial intervention. However, inspections continued to identify several recurring breaches. These included employing or recruiting workers without the required permits, failing to pay salaries through the Wage Protection System, and submitting inaccurate information or documents to the ministry. Employing someone without the appropriate permit can result in fines of between Dh100,000 and Dh1 million under UAE labour legislation. Authorities can also refuse to issue or renew work permits, or cancel existing permits, when companies provide incorrect documentation or fail to comply with the Wage Protection System.

Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, Trump linked the timing of a possible end to the conflict to the upcoming election.

"I think the war is going to end immediately after the election ," he said, referring to the November US midterms. "I think the war will end immediately after the election. Because they can't hold out any longer."

Trump also accused Iran of trying to influence the US election by continuing the conflict.

"They're desperate to try and affect the election so that we can get a nice, weak group of people in there and leave them alone and let them have their nuclear weapon. All they want is a nuclear weapon. And if they had a nuclear weapon, the whole world is in deep trouble," Trump added.

During the same exchange with reporters, Trump revealed that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week.

Asked, "Can you tell us about your conversation with President Putin?" Trump described the discussion positively.

"We had a great conversation. He is wanting to make a deal. And if Zelensky is wanting to make a deal, that would be very nice," he added.

Asked about the possibility of a trilateral meeting, Trump said: "It could happen. We had a good conversation. It could happen."

The two presidents reportedly discussed the recent visits to Moscow and Kiev by Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Trump had stressed his desire to see the Ukraine conflict brought to an end quickly.

"Trump clearly emphasised the desire to see the conflict end as soon as possible, which would immediately open up impressive and far-reaching prospects for fully restoring relations between the United States and Russia. In his view, this would have a particularly significant impact on trade and economic ties, bringing enormous benefits to both countries."

Putin held more than three hours of talks on Ukraine with Witkoff and Kushner in Moscow on Saturday. The US envoys travelled to Kiev the following day, where they met Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

Rezaei said on Sunday that ships entering the proposed restricted area with the intention of passing through the Strait of Hormuz would face sanctions.

"We will declare this area a forbidden zone, meaning that any ship that enters this zone with the intention of passing through the Strait of Hormuz and is identified, we will be placed on the sanctions list," Rezaei explained.

He also rejected claims that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to routine maritime traffic, describing them as a "big lie".

Rezaei claimed the number of ships passing through the waterway had fallen from more than 100 per day to seven or eight. He said most of those vessels were carrying food and basic commodities imported by Iran.

He also claimed Iran had conducted its first test of an anti-ship missile against a US carrier.

"For the first time, from the 12-day war until now, we were able to test our first anti-ship missile over a US carrier 48 hours ago; a real hell was created," he said.

Rezaei also claimed Iranian forces had struck US bases in Jordan and Erbil during recent attacks. He said Tehran had identified the targets in advance and that one strike hit a site in Jordan without air defence.

Turning to Lebanon, Rezaei said he was confident the country would "rise again", warning that if the wrath of the Lebanese people were unleashed, "it will leave nothing of Israel ."

His comments followed another escalation at sea. US Central Command said it struck three Iranian crude oil tankers on Saturday after Iran's Revolutionary Guard launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships.

The attacks ended a period of relative calm and renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil shipping route.

Tehran and Washington previously signed a Pakistan and Qatar-mediated memorandum of understanding on June 18, opening the way for negotiations after an earlier halt in hostilities.

The talks have since stalled, with maritime security and passage through the Strait of Hormuz becoming major points of dispute. Both sides have accused the other of violating the agreement.

Netanyahu said Israel's strategy had been to confront Iran directly while weakening its regional allies. "My intention was that ultimately we would clash with Iran, with the head of the octopus, and we would sever the arms, clear them out, strike this axis of evil, and we did so very forcefully," he said.

His comments came as the United States and Iran engaged in their largest exchange of fire since July. US forces struck targets along Iran's southern coast on Tuesday, while Tehran launched missiles and drones at American positions across the region.

Israel has not joined the latest exchange, although Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces were prepared to strike Iran if Israel came under attack.

Gofman took over as Mossad director on June 2 after previously serving as Netanyahu's military secretary. At his inauguration, Netanyahu said helping bring down Iran's government was part of Gofman's mission.

Netanyahu also addressed Israel's operations in Gaza , claiming the country now controls more than 60 per cent of the territory. He said Israel would continue pursuing what he described as "dismantling, demilitarisation, evacuation in places where needed" to prevent Gaza from again becoming a threat to Israel.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said Iran had been close to completing the weapon when the US detected it.

"They were trying to build a rocket that drops mines. Who does that? Did you ever build a rocket that dropped? I never heard of such a thing. But that's what they were doing. They were building it. It was almost finished, so we took it out. We saw that they were building it. We see everything that they're doing. They can't move," he said.

Trump then made a striking claim about the extent of US surveillance of Iran.

"They can't go to the bathroom without us seeing it. So we saw that. We took it out," he added.

His remarks came after the US and Iran exchanged strikes this week for the first time in a month.

US forces said they struck Iranian military targets around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones towards US bases and other sites across the region.

Iran also accused the US of striking a wedding party in Sirik, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. Washington denied targeting civilians.

"This offensive operation will continue as a lesson to the Americans until they regret their crimes," he said.

Kuwait's military said its air defences intercepted attacks by hostile Iranian drones late on Tuesday, while Jordan's armed forces said 13 ballistic missiles entered its airspace, with 10 intercepted and three falling in remote areas.

US Central Command, meanwhile, said American forces had launched a new round of strikes against IRGC targets in Iran following attempted attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and US personnel in the region.

Speaking during a television interview on Sunday, Netanyahu compared Iran's nuclear programme to a "cancer" that could return if it was not fully removed.

"We recognised this cancer, a cancerous mass, and you know that after you remove cancer, you know that if you don't remove it, you... Death," Netanyahu said.

"Cancer also has metastases. And if there are metastases, it will develop into a real renewed threat," he argued.

Netanyahu repeated the warning, claiming Tehran was attempting to revive its nuclear activities.

"Cancer also has metastases. And if there are metastases, it will develop into a real renewed threat. Iran is renewing, wants to renew its nuclear programme," he continued.

The Israeli prime minister also addressed the conflict in Gaza, promising to disarm Hamas "one way or the other" and leaving open the possibility of taking Gaza City.

"They will be disarmed. As it's said in English, how should I tell you? One way or the other. The easy way or the hard way. But I am committed to this, and I will do it," he said.

"But if they don't return the weapons, the IDF will conquer the city of Gaza and dismantle Hamas of its weapons," the interviewer interjected.

"If necessary, that's what will happen," Netanyahu added.

Netanyahu also rejected the creation of a Palestinian state.

"There will not be a Palestinian state, except for the politicians who are unwilling to admit it, but there will not be, and we will not allow a Palestinian state," he said.

His remarks come amid heightened tensions in the West Bank, where there has been a reported rise in settler violence , Israeli military raids and continued settlement expansion.

Netanyahu condemned what he called "criminal acts of violence" and described the settlers responsible as "a small group of young people who come with various troubles and problems".

The comments also come as the US-backed Gaza ceasefire remains under strain, amid continued Israeli strikes and disagreements over implementing a plan aimed at moving Gaza towards demilitarisation, reconstruction and civilian governance .

The pilots went missing after Iranian military aircraft entered Qatari airspace on March 2, during the opening days of the war that followed US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Akraminia also criticised Washington's approach to the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the United States of lacking a coherent strategy. "These contradictory statements, opinions, and behaviours demonstrate that the Americans lack a coherent strategy," he said, claiming Washington had become "bewildered" in its conflict with Tehran.

His comments came after US President Donald Trump posted a map of the Strait of Hormuz on Truth Social last week labelled "New American Territory." Trump had previously said he intended to declare the strategic waterway American territory, although the White House later said the remarks were a joke and had not been officially discussed.

Speaking in Jerusalem on Wednesday, Netanyahu said Israel would continue to defend itself against Iran and insisted the country would face no future threat from Tehran.

“This is our land and it will remain ours forever. There is, of course, a very major struggle around us to uproot us not only from the heart of our land, but to uproot us altogether from the State of Israel,” he said. “There will be no threat from Iran.”

Netanyahu said he had discussed three possible approaches to Iran with US President Donald Trump : a deal, military action or tougher sanctions.

He expressed doubt that an agreement with Tehran could be reached.

“A good deal, we have no objection. I am doubtful, with this bunch over there, with these savages. Can a deal be made? I'm telling you. It's impossible to make a deal with them,” he said.

Netanyahu then addressed the possibility of further military action, referring to what US officials have described as a “kinetic option”.

“A second option is an option. What do they call it? These sanitized words? A kinetic option. Have you heard these words? A kinetic option, in short, military action. I told him we are there, we will defend ourselves,” he said.

“We won't let Iran attack us, and if God forbid they attack us, or if they attack us, they will suffer a blow they never dreamed of, much stronger than what they have suffered until now. Much stronger. And I said there is also a third option. And the third option. To tighten the siege.”

Netanyahu said Trump's latest secondary economic sanctions were aimed at “tightening the siege on those who help this regime”.

The United States announced earlier this week that it was “tightening the noose” on countries and businesses dealing with Iran.

Reports earlier this week suggested Washington was returning diplomats across the Middle East as the Trump administration appeared to move away from further military action and turn its attention towards the November midterm elections.

Netanyahu has faced criticism over claims that he “bounced” Trump into the latest conflict with Iran, an allegation denied by both Israel and the United States.

The night before the attack, Motahreh spoke excitedly about upcoming holidays, weddings and clothes she wanted to buy. She ate a Ramadan pre-fast meal before her mother tucked her into bed.

“I never saw her again. (That was) the last time,” the 44-year-old mother said.

Motahreh woke before her parents and took a bus to Shajareh Tayebeh school. Hours later, attacks on Iran began and Zakeri received a call asking her to collect her daughter.

She arrived after the school had been struck.

Motahreh was among at least 155 people killed, most of them children , in what Iran says was the deadliest strike reported during the war.

Her body was recovered later that day and identified “by her earrings and bracelet.”

Six months later, much of the school remains in ruins. Portraits of the children killed now surround collapsed walls and twisted steel , while Iranian flags fly above the rubble.

Iran says two separate U.S. Tomahawk missiles struck the school. Neither the United States nor Israel has officially claimed responsibility. Amnesty International blamed the U.S., while The New York Times reported that a U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile hit the school.

Since an April ceasefire, the intense bombardments have largely stopped, but diplomatic efforts to end the war have stalled.

Zakeri chose not to see her daughter’s body after it was recovered because she feared the sight would replace her memories of Motahreh.

“She was very loving, cheerful and really energetic,” she said.

“Now, our house is completely quiet.”

Persian literature teacher Yaghoub Yazdanpanah also remembers receiving urgent calls telling him to collect his 6-year-old daughter Fatemeh as strikes hit Iran.

Then came another call informing him that her school had been struck.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” the 34-year-old said.

Yazdanpanah rushed towards the school but encountered traffic as fire and thick smoke rose over the area.

The scale of the attack became clear when he reached the scene.

“I couldn’t breathe. I went and sat in a corner. I had collapsed and couldn’t really stand on my feet,” he said.

Fatemeh’s body was found later that day.

Painter Javad Shahrjou also rushed to the school searching for his youngest son, Alireza. He said a second missile strike blew him and his motorcycle away shortly after he arrived.

“When I entered the yard, children were in pieces ... a head here, a foot there. A girl was falling from the second floor,” he said.

His 7-year-old son was recovered three days later and identified through his underwear, socks and shoes.

“He was all charred,” Shahrjou said.

Authorities plan to preserve the damaged school as a memorial. Search operations are also continuing for three missing children.

For some parents, returning to the site remains too difficult.

“It’s very difficult for me after what I had seen up close,” Yazdanpanah said.

Instead, families visit the cemetery where their children are buried.

Arash Tondro, who lives near the school and lost an 8-year-old relative, questioned why the site was hit.

“The place where the school was had been a military base about 10 or 12 years ago,” he said.

Now, he said, “there is absolutely no military site or anything.”

Zakeri continues to visit Motahreh’s grave but says her grief has made thinking about the future difficult.

“Imagining the future is very difficult for me,” she said.

“We have no plans at all. We just can’t bring ourselves to go anywhere or do anything.”

His failure to achieve that objective has far-reaching consequences for almost every nation on earth. But how far-reaching?

Six months after US and Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February, the strait remains effectively closed. Traffic that once reached 130 vessels daily has fallen to as low as eight. Analysts have described it as the largest energy disruption in recorded history.

Everyone has felt it. Brent crude stood at just over $72 a barrel on the eve of the war, spiked above $112 in late March, and is currently in the high $80s, more than 20% above pre-war levels. The World Bank cut its 2026 global growth forecast to 2.5%, the weakest since the pandemic, and the United Nations has warned that the combined energy and food effects could push more than 30 million people into poverty worldwide.

And of course, the Global South is hardest hit, because governments have less capacity to cushion citizens, who themselves have lower savings.

Resilience

Broadly speaking, oil-exporting nations tend to benefit as higher oil prices bring in increased government revenues. Oil importers suffer because their foreign exchange reserves come under pressure.

"Compared with previous oil and commodity shocks such as 2007-08 and 2021-22, many Global South economies have demonstrated greater resilience to the current shock," Ronel Oberholzer, head of Sub-Saharan Africa Economics at S&P Global Market Intelligence, told Global South World. "However, this reflects a combination of structural improvements and favourable cyclical factors, rather than a fundamental elimination of vulnerability."

The cyclical factors result from higher commodity prices, on which lower-income countries are often disproportionately reliant. The structural changes result from reforms to central banks — more credible inflation targeting, more flexible exchange rates and larger reserve buffers — as well as a reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels, Oberholzer said.

That resilience has limits. Nigeria , one of Africa's largest crude exporters, has still seen inflation driven higher by fuel and transport costs, because it remains dependent on imported refinery inputs and international petroleum markets.

While the initial and most widely reported impact of the conflict was felt through oil prices, a second significant export from the Middle East has also been dramatically affected — fertiliser. The Gulf accounts for close to a quarter of global urea exports, and the war has knocked out a large share of that capacity: prices of urea, used to replace Nitrogen in the soil, climbed above $850 a tonne in April, an 80% rise in two months. Fertiliser affordability for farmers is now at its weakest since mid-2022.

Unlike oil prices, where increases are felt almost immediately through global markets, fertiliser prices take longer to feed into the economy.

"Farmers make planting and fertiliser decisions well before harvests, meaning lower fertiliser usage today can reduce crop yields and raise food prices several months later," Oberholzer said. "Even if the conflict ended tomorrow, some effects would persist."

Other experts are less concerned about future impacts.

"If the price is high enough, it [fertiliser] will come out, and stocks will be drawn down," said Joseph Glauber, Emeritus Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute. "I'm much more worried about the weather right now."

Glauber points to 2022 as a precedent. Record fertiliser prices that year cut global application rates of potash and phosphate by around 10%, with little effect on yields. Because modern agriculture typically over-applies fertilizer, high prices tend to produce more careful soil testing rather than failed harvests.

The current El Niño, predicted to be the most intense in more than a century, is the bigger concern. The pattern is likely to cause water shortages across South Asia, hitting essential rice harvests.

Who is most impacted?

The nations most threatened by El Niño are also those that have already been hardest hit by Trump's war.

Marcelo Estevão, Chief Economist of the Institute of International Finance, cites India, Bangladesh and Pakistan: "For those countries, this is not merely a price shock. They are highly dependent on the physical supply of oil from the Middle East."

The scarcity is already visible. Bangladesh has been buying liquefied natural gas at close to three times normal benchmark prices and has imposed energy rationing. Pakistan moved to a four-day working week. Across Asia, governments that rely on the Gulf for the majority of their crude imports have been forced into emergency measures.

On the other hand, major Latin American countries could find their economies boosted by oil exports, Estevão notes:

"In countries benefiting substantially — such as Argentina, Brazil or Colombia — it is incumbent upon governments to use the additional revenue to address existing problems and ease people's hardship. They could improve social spending — not necessarily by increasing it, but by making government programmes work better."

Mexico is the exception. Long associated with oil production through Pemex, it now imports more fuel than it exports — leaving it exposed to higher prices without the offsetting revenue.

Governments can have a major part to play in insulating citizens from dramatic spikes in energy prices. S&P's Oberholzer points to the case of Ethiopia, where the government has absorbed a significant proportion of higher oil costs — though at a considerable budgetary cost, and one that will eventually have to be paid for.

For the people and economy of Iran, of course, the impacts of the conflict have been of a different order of magnitude altogether. Iranian state media put the death toll at over 3,300 by mid-June. The IMF expects Iran's economy to contract by 6.1% this year, with food inflation reported above 100%.

Lebanon too has been devastated with more than 4,000 killed and food shortages fuelling rampant inflation.

And Trump's latest threats have been to scale up an economic war to achieve his goals.

But for other countries in the region, despite the trauma and shock of becoming unwitting participants, some believe that the current crisis could have longer-term positives.

"There is a challenge, and the region is trying to turn it into an opportunity — to say, okay, this is a challenge today. The way to deal with it is actually to build the infrastructure we need around it and make sure that we continue to have seamless flows, without actually having to be taken hostage," said Middle East expert Alain Bejjani.

Bejjani, who previously ran one of the UAE's biggest businesses, the Majid Al Futtaim Group, and is the author of NEXT: Leading Through the New Realities , told Global South World that the conflict could end up resolving a longstanding problem. He points to the UAE's stated plan to make Hormuz redundant for all of its exports, DP World's new port capacity on the Fujairah side of the peninsula, and Saudi Arabia's pipeline routes to the Red Sea — infrastructure that between them can already carry a substantial share of Gulf output around the strait rather than through it.

Iran, he argues, "doesn't have any more capabilities to create, I would say, fundamental disruptions of what the fundamentals are. This is a positive and it supports a thesis of more stability on the short to long term."

How much more the global economy can take depends less on the fighting than on the timetable for repair. Oil prices would fall quickly if the strait reopened. Shipping networks, fertiliser plants and depleted inventories would take considerably longer. On Oberholzer's reckoning, food inflation, currency pressure and the bills governments have run up subsidising fuel would still be working through Global South economies for months after any settlement.

[Image: Deposit Photos ]

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said during an appearance in Wisconsin on Monday that Washington had not ruled out further strikes around Iran or the Strait of Hormuz.

"Is it fair to say kinetic strikes are on pause right now?" Hegseth was asked.

"No, if we need to use kinetic strikes, we'll use them. If Iran is foolish enough to, to, to overplay their hand or mess with the American military, we'll do what we need to do," Hegseth hit back.

"But economic pressure, we know, hurts them the most right now. And, but by no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran."

His comments came as the Trump administration unveiled wider secondary sanctions targeting countries and businesses that continue to do business with Iran.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the sanctions campaign as "Operation Economic Outcast" and vowed to "tighten the noose" on Tehran.

"Let me be clear, any entity that facilitates money laundering on behalf of Iran will be removed from the US dollar system," Bessent said.

Bessent called the measures "economic D-Day" and the "toughest sanctions in history", while Tehran has accused Washington of "economic terrorism".

The Treasury Secretary warned that countries and businesses providing economic support to Iran could face penalties and be isolated from the United States.

He warned that countries joining US economic measures would be considered enemies, adding that Tehran would initially seek talks before taking action against their interests.

Rezaei also threatened US commercial interests if Washington imposed further sanctions. "The US has many oil companies and economic interests around Iran and in other places; well, we will hit those," he said.

Trump announced a new economic pressure campaign last week, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has promised the "toughest sanctions in history."

Rezaei also argued that US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities had undermined confidence in the global non-proliferation system. Iran remains a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

He separately said Iran and Oman had agreed on a transit route through the Strait of Hormuz, although negotiations were not complete, and warned Washington against hostile military moves around the waterway.

"If they make any movement along the southern route [Strait of Hormuz], we will hit them," he said. Rezaei, a former commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council earlier this month.

"As in the past, the Strait of Hormuz is under the full management and control of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and no commercial or oil tanker has had, nor will have, the possibility of secure transit through this strait without the permit and supervision of Iran's powerful armed forces," Zolfaghari said.

"The proud armed forces of Islamic Iran are monitoring all the movements of the American-Zionist enemies in the region," he added, saying Iran would respond to any threat at any level.

US President Donald Trump said Washington had "total control" of the Strait of Hormuz and warned that Iran could be "blown away" if Tehran chose to escalate.

Trump's remarks came as Iran said the waterway would remain closed unless Washington accepted its conditions for ending the conflict.

Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei said those conditions included the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to conflicts elsewhere in the region, including Lebanon and Gaza.

Iran and the United States signed the Qatar- and Pakistan-mediated Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 18, ending military operations and addressing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Talks later stalled amid disagreements over maritime security and passage through the strategic waterway.

Araghchi said Iran and Oman had made progress on plans for new shipping routes, with experts working on maps to replace existing routes.

He stressed, however, that an agreement with Oman on a new maritime route "does not mean the opening of the Strait of Hormuz."

Araghchi said reopening the strait would depend on separate conditions being communicated to Washington through intermediaries.

Speaking in a televised address from Tehran, Pezeshkian said Washington's long-running pressure campaign had reached its highest level under his administration.

"They [the US and Israel] expected the country to collapse under the pressure they applied. This pressure has been ongoing for years and didn't have much to do with this government or the previous one. They were steadily pushing our economy closer to the abyss day by day and creating problems," he said.

"Now, under our government, this pressure has reached its maximum, and they are surprised in their analyses as to why we still haven't collapsed," Pezeshkian added.

The president acknowledged that sanctions remain a reality but said Iran has adapted by strengthening trade with neighbouring countries.

"Since they have us blockaded, we naturally have various trade routes with our neighbours, and we are expanding our trade and increasing transactions with them. Since we cannot transfer money, we are naturally operating on a barter basis," he said.

His remarks come amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington.

Earlier this week, media reports claimed the United States was facing shortages of some missile stockpiles following the conflict with Iran, although the White House rejected those reports.

The comments also follow conflicting statements over possible US-Iran talks after President Donald Trump said discussions had resumed, while Tehran denied any negotiations were taking place.

Speaking on Wednesday, Gharibabadi said Iran and Oman had reached broad agreement on the framework for maritime traffic and transit routes.

"All issues that were raised, the roadmap for transit routes, entry and exit routes, or maritime traffic, and the side agreements with Oman - as it's not just a map - basic understandings have been reached with Oman. In other words, significant progress has been made in the talks with Oman, and these advancements are on the verge of being finalised," he stated.

He said a proposed 60-day period following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States would not include transit fees, but added that implementation depends on decisions about reopening the Strait.

"It was envisioned that within 60 days after the signing of the memorandum of understanding,  Iran would not charge any costs. Now, this entirely depends on that second phase, whether the Strait of Hormuz is opened or not, and what the decision of the high-ranking officials of the system will be for the second phase," he stated.

Gharibabadi also denied that Iran was holding direct negotiations with Washington, despite acknowledging continued communication.

"The United States is claiming that we are negotiating with Iran, but there are no negotiations. Of course, we received messages from the US several days ago, and these messages are ongoing, stating that the US is fully prepared to return to its commitments," he said.

He added that the proposed navigation system would replace the previous northern and southern routes with a new model shared between Iranian and Omani territorial waters.

"Regarding the new route, a suitable portion of it lies within Iranian territorial waters, and another part lies within Omani territorial waters; meaning that it has been designed so that commercial ships will pass through Iranian territorial waters both on the entry path and, in parts, on the exit path," he said.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran were "moving along very nicely" and suggested more clarity would come within 48 hours. Tehran has continued to deny that direct talks with Washington are taking place.

He said Iran was instead holding talks with Oman to establish a temporary route to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. "We are seeking, in consultation and cooperation with Oman, to determine this route as soon as possible," Baghaei said.

Trump had earlier claimed he halted what he described as the "largest attack since World War II" after appeals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iran, saying Tehran wanted an agreement.

Baghaei also dismissed speculation that Iran's negotiating team had travelled abroad, saying all members remained in the country while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was visiting Iraq for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage.

He further accused the United States of committing "war crimes" by striking residential areas in Qeshm, Minab and Lamerd, saying Iran would pursue legal action through international channels.

Trump also renewed his criticism of the nuclear agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama, describing it as "a road to a nuclear weapon."

He credited recent US military strikes, including B-2 bomber missions targeting what he described as Iranian nuclear infrastructure, with preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

"If that didn't happen, they would have had a nuclear weapon and there would be no Israel," Trump said, referring to the strikes. The US president further claimed that his administration's actions had prevented a wider regional catastrophe.

"If I wasn't here, if I wasn't president, there would be no Israel and there probably would be no Middle East ," he said, adding that he believed Iran would have used a nuclear weapon if it had obtained one.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran chose the path of diplomacy and dialogue, and negotiations were underway to settle differences. The response to diplomacy came not through negotiation, but through a military attack," he said.

He argued that such actions weakened confidence in diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

"Such behaviour undermines confidence in diplomacy, calls into question the credibility of mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes, and carries a dangerous message for the future of international relations," Araghchi said.

The Iranian foreign minister also accused the United States and Israel of violating international law, citing what he described as breaches of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's commitment to cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, saying Tehran was ready to make its transport, energy and regional trade capabilities available to fellow member states.

His remarks came after a 13th consecutive night of US strikes on Iran, while Tehran continued targeting American military assets across the region.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump said the United States was maintaining pressure on Tehran and insisted Iran could not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.

"We're doing very well against the Islamic Republic of Iran. We're doing extremely well. They would like to do something, but I say they're not ready yet. They need more of the same. They're not ready yet. They got some evil intentions. We cannot let them have a nuclear weapon," he said.

Earlier, Trump told one media outlet he was considering a "massive attack" that would be "bigger than ever before" and said he was "close to making a decision."

A Pakistan-brokered Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the United States and Iran in June to halt the war that began on February 28.

Despite the agreement, fighting has resumed, with Washington carrying out repeated strikes on Iranian targets while Tehran has launched attacks on US assets across the region.

Speaking on Sunday, Trump said the latest military action was intended to honour US troops killed during recent attacks in the Middle East .

"We control the strait [of Hormuz]. They don't control anything. So we'll see what happens. But we hit them very hard again tonight, and we did that in honour of the probably three - it's probably three as opposed to two - great patriots," he said.

Trump's remarks came as tensions between Washington and Tehran continued to escalate.

US Central Command said it launched a "new wave" of strikes for the ninth consecutive night.

Tehran said it responded with what it described as a "surprise attack" in Syria and Jordan.

The latest exchange followed attacks that left US service members dead over the past two days.

On Saturday, one US service member was confirmed killed in an attack in Iraq, while two were reported dead on Friday following a strike on a base in Jordan.

"The Great Satan has once again unveiled its true, unmasked face, so that this dark experience of crime and bad faith serves as yet another strong document of America's mendacity, irrationality, unreliability and vileness," he said.

Khamenei also warned the United States against what he described as "warmongering," saying it would only bring "heavier costs and greater disgrace" to Washington.

"The dear nation of Iran and the Resistance Front have unforgettable lessons for [the US], lessons of which the valor of Islamic fighters and the zeal of the brave people along the southern front have shown examples in recent days," he said.

He also called for unity within Iran, urging the public to avoid political disputes and divisions.

Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17, opening a 60-day period for negotiations toward a final agreement.

Footage showed medics evacuating patients from the hospital as the blasts sent shockwaves through the facility.

"Four explosions in a row occurred, so much so that the blast wave spread throughout, and the patients, even those downstairs, were truly affected by a very heavy wave," one nurse said, adding that breathing equipment for some patients had been shaken.

"It was so close that we thought perhaps the entire hospital was hit. Really, the entire staff, patients, and companions, just rushed out," he continued.

The nurse described how patients in different conditions were quickly evacuated from the building.

"The patients were in different conditions, in the paediatric ward, the baby was in the mother's arms... One was taken in a wheelchair, the other was taken out with help, everyone was evacuated."

The United States had not commented on the reported strikes at the time of publication.

Early on Thursday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it had launched an "evening wave of strikes against Iran" on July 15.

According to CENTCOM, the operation targeted Iranian command centres, air defence sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities to "further degrading Iran's ability to threaten innocent mariners operating aboard commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz."

Iran responded by launching attacks on what it described as American military and naval positions across the region.

Speaking at the 2026 Defence and Innovation Summit in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, Trump said the United States had acted because Iran had failed to comply with its obligations.

"I had to take tough action because they did not obey what they're supposed to obey," he said.

Trump added that he believed the conflict was moving in Washington's favour.

"We'll have Iran defeated soon," he stated.

His remarks came as fighting between the United States and Iran intensified.

Earlier on Wednesday, US Central Command confirmed two additional waves of strikes against Iranian targets.

Tehran responded by saying it "should not be afraid of war or negotiation" and described the Strait of Hormuz as "Iran's invincible red line."

Iran also announced it had launched retaliatory strikes against US targets across the Gulf .

"Should the United States continue to violate its obligations under the MoU, Iran will no longer be bound to fulfil its obligations under the MoU," Iravani said.

He accused Washington of violating the agreement by carrying out military strikes on Iranian territory, including attacks on southern cities and several islands in the Persian Gulf on July 7 and 8.

"The United States bears full international responsibility for all legal and political consequences arising from its unlawful action," he said.

Addressing the Strait of Hormuz, Iravani said responsibility for reopening the strategic waterway and conducting demining operations rested solely with Iran under the memorandum. He warned that any attempts by external powers to establish separate arrangements would breach the agreement, delay the resumption of commercial shipping and increase regional tensions.

The United States has said its latest strikes were carried out in response to attacks on commercial vessels transiting the strait. Tehran has not claimed responsibility for those attacks, Viory reports.

Speaking in a telephone interview on Wednesday, Gharibabadi criticised Trump's approach to international affairs and questioned the US administration's commitment to diplomacy.

"The president that America is currently facing does not recognise international structures, nor international responsibility and rights. He constantly uses offensive language against various countries," he explained.

Gharibabadi said Iran had not entered formal negotiations with the United States, despite technical working groups being established after talks in Switzerland.

"We had not yet commenced negotiations with the US," Gharibabadi continued, adding that technical working groups were established following a meeting in Switzerland, but no sessions have taken place.

He said Tehran cancelled a meeting scheduled for last week, citing what it described as aggressive actions in the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Iranian territory.

Gharibabadi said Iran informed Washington that it "would not participate in those talks."

Earlier on Wednesday, US Central Command announced overnight strikes against Iran, accusing Tehran of targeting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also accused Washington of committing "serious violations of the memorandum of understanding," including "attacks on southern Iran."

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched strikes against 85 US military targets across the region in response.

Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17 that included a ceasefire and the launch of an initial round of negotiations in Switzerland aimed at securing a final agreement.

In recent weeks, both governments have accused each other of breaching the terms of the agreement.

Responding to questions about the use of Italian military bases, Meloni said the government's position had remained unchanged.

"As far as the bases are concerned, it is not that we made decisions or choices in such a way, one day doing one thing and another day doing something else. We have had a very clear line from the beginning of the conflict in Iran, and we maintain that line," she said.

Her remarks came after US President Donald Trump criticised Italy's refusal to support US military action against Iran.

On Tuesday, Trump described Meloni as "a nice person" but said her decision not to become involved had affected their relationship.

"She refused to get involved, so it soured my relationship with her a little bit...I think she made a mistake," Trump told reporters in Turkey. Meloni also voiced concern over the worsening security situation in the Middle East, warning that further escalation could destabilise the wider region.

"I am obviously very concerned about what is happening in Iran," she said. "We cannot rule out that this might also spread to other areas of this delicate region." The Italian prime minister argued that military action had failed to produce lasting results and said diplomacy remained the best path toward resolving the crisis.

On NATO, Meloni said discussions with allies had not included any plans to reduce US troop deployments in Europe. She added, however, that Washington had long called on European allies to assume a greater share of the alliance's defence responsibilities.

Speaking ahead of talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Tuesday, Trump said the United States did not require military assistance but wanted to know which allies would stand alongside Washington.

"We didn't need any help at all [...] I was testing people . I was testing to see whether or not they'd be there. Because I'd said that we helped them, but I'm not sure that they'd be there for us," he stated.

Trump claimed several European allies declined to support the United States.

"Italy turned us down. Germany turned us down. France turned us down," he continued. "Why are we spending hundreds of billions of dollars and they're not there for us? We've always been there for them."

Asked whether the United States could reduce its military presence in Europe, Trump said he was dissatisfied with NATO's response during the conflict with Iran.

"I was very disappointed with NATO [...] We weren't treated well because we did something in Iran. We don't need anybody's help. I didn't even want the help," he said.

He also questioned the value of continued US investment in the alliance.

"We've invested trillions of dollars in NATO. Why? To protect European countries and others," he added. "You would think that they'd be very willing to do something to help us."

Trump made the remarks as leaders from all 32 NATO member states gathered in Ankara for a two-day summit focused on defence spending, arms production and support for Ukraine.

His comments shifted attention toward burden-sharing within the alliance and the future of the US military presence in Europe.

Speaking about Iran, Trump said his administration's priority remained preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

"I went in for one reason very strongly, that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," he said.

Trump also claimed the United States would take possession of Iran's enriched nuclear material.

"We're going to be getting the, as I call it, dust, the enriched material, nuclear dust, I call it. It seems to have taken off, but it's enriched material. We're getting it."

He said lower global oil prices reflected actions taken by the United States and argued that predictions of a sharp increase in oil prices had not materialised.

According to Trump, US naval operations disrupted maritime activity through the Strait of Hormuz by targeting Iranian capabilities.

"So we took them out late at night with no lights, with no nothing, and our great Navy, which did the greatest blockade anyone's ever seen. Not one ship got through in two months."

Trump said the blockade was later eased because negotiations were progressing.

"And we then freed up the blockade because we're close to maybe making a deal. I don't know."

Despite expressing hope for a diplomatic outcome, he warned that military action remained an option.

"Look, we're going to win one way or the other. We're either going to make a deal or we're going to finish the job, okay? And it won't be tough to finish the job."

Trump said he preferred an agreement because he did not want ordinary Iranians to suffer.

"I'd rather make a deal because I don't want to affect 91 million people."

He added that the United States had the capability to rapidly strike Iran's critical infrastructure if necessary.

"We can knock down their bridges in one hour. We can knock out their energy supply, all of those big plants that they built, big, beautiful, modern plants."

"We can knock out their electricity and power generating plants in, I would say, a small part of an afternoon. Every plant will be gone. And they know that. They know that."

Among those attending was Reyhaneh Abdi, who spoke of her grief during the ceremony.

"I loved my leader with all my soul, and my greatest wish was to sacrifice my life for him, but it didn't happen. Now, I am deeply ashamed before my leader that I survived, while my leader was martyred, by the most wicked creatures and the lowest of people ," she said.

Another mourner, Saeid Khane-Baz, said Khamenei's death would not weaken the Islamic Republic.

"They are so weak to think that by martyring the high official, the commander-in-chief, the Supreme Leader, the country will be destroyed. No, they are mistaken. They have trained many soldiers. I am also a soldier. We are all soldiers, and we will remain soldiers of this country," he said.

Iranian authorities have introduced extensive arrangements to accommodate the large crowds, converting mosques, parks and stadiums into temporary facilities and setting up camps for mourners.

A public funeral procession is scheduled to take place on July 6 before ceremonies move to the holy city of Qom on July 7.

The funeral observances are expected to conclude in Mashhad, where Khamenei is due to be buried at the Imam Reza shrine on July 9.

“Our rise to being the world's strongest and most powerful nation was no accident of history . We rebuilt our military in my first term. We use it a little bit in our... Actually, I should say third term, but I won't do that because I don't want any controversy,” he said.

“But we use it, and we've had tremendous success. You look at Venezuela , you look at Iran. We wiped it out. Wiped out their military.”

Later in the speech, Trump compared a recent US operation against Iran to the US Navy’s victory over Spain at the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898.

“To its right, the banner that flew atop our flagship after America's Navy sank the Spanish fleet to the bottom of the Manila Bay, one of the greatest naval victories in history, much like our recent victory by sinking the entire Iranian Navy, 159 ships to the bottom of the sea, all done in just a moment's time. Happened very quickly,” he said.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran following recent military exchanges and ongoing disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security.

"We beat Venezuela in one day, and we knocked the hell out of Iran. They're dying to settle. They want to settle so badly. We gave them a week off for a funeral because we're nice," Trump said.

Trump made the remarks while highlighting what he described as America's military strength and global leadership. He also praised the country's achievements over the past 250 years, citing advances in science, technology, culture and space exploration .

"For 250 years, the entire world has looked to our country and been inspired by the leaps of progress, feats of strength, and acts of selflessness, faith, and hope that could only have happened right here," he said.

The president also pointed to US accomplishments ranging from mapping the human genome and landing astronauts on the moon to its influence in music, sports and innovation. He noted that the United States has won the most Olympic medals and Nobel Prizes, before joking that he had yet to receive the prestigious award himself.

The diplomatic meetings took place as Iran entered several days of national mourning before Khamenei's funeral and burial ceremonies.

Among the first leaders to arrive was Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who was welcomed by Pezeshkian before joining a tribute ceremony in honour of Khamenei.

Pezeshkian also held separate meetings with Turkmenistan's National Leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon after receiving them in the Iranian capital.

The visits formed part of a broader diplomatic programme involving foreign leaders and officials travelling to Tehran to pay their respects to Khamenei.

The funeral, which was postponed for several months following Khamenei's death in a joint US-Israeli airstrike earlier this year, will begin on July 4 at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Mosalla.

Mourners are expected to gather there over two days before a public funeral procession takes place on July 6.

The ceremonies will then move to the holy city of Qom on July 7 before concluding with the final procession and burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad on July 9.

Iranian authorities have prepared accommodation in mosques, stadiums, parks and temporary camps to receive the large number of mourners expected to attend.

Delegations, government officials and religious leaders from more than 90 countries are expected at the ceremonies, including Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior representatives from Russia , China, India and Iraq.

Iran finished third in Group G with three points after drawing all three matches against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, missing out on a place in the knockout stage.

Senior figures in Iranian football blamed tournament conditions and restrictions imposed during the competition for the team's early exit.

"For the next 50 years, this host country (US) cannot stage the World Cup," said Amir Mehdi Alavi of Iran's football federation.

"Not only Iran, but all the other teams were upset. Look at the match lighting; look at the hydration facilities provided for the players. It proved itself incapable of hosting."

Heydar Baharvand, president of the Iranian Football League Organisation, claimed the team's elimination was influenced by actions taken by the United States.

"Look, we are the only national team that was eliminated without a loss, and that was due to the sabotage carried out by the US government ," he said.

Iran was based in Tijuana, Mexico, throughout the tournament after facing visa issues and restrictions on entering the United States.

One supporter, Karami, also criticised the tournament organisers, saying the team had not been treated fairly.

"The organising committee did not treat our national team with the fairness they deserved; they showed a lack of consideration regarding the flights to and from venues, which, to put it plainly, affected the boys' morale."

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first tournament to feature 48 teams and is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The competition runs from June 11 to July 19 across 16 host cities in North America .

Speaking during the second part of a televised interview broadcast by Iranian state television on Wednesday, Ghalibaf said decisions on access to nuclear facilities rested with Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

"Under no circumstances will access be granted on sites [Nuclear] that have been bombed and damaged," he said, adding: "The Supreme National Security Council is the body authorised to determine access."

According to Ghalibaf, international inspectors currently have access to only two nuclear facilities: Bushehr and the Tehran research reactor.

His remarks came after US Vice President JD Vance announced following talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland that both countries had agreed to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to visit Iranian sites.

Last week, US President Donald Trump also said IAEA inspectors would enter Iran "at the appropriate time."

Iran's position followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington last month aimed at ending the war . The agreement was followed by the first round of negotiations toward a final deal.

Speaking at the opening of the Great American State Fair in Washington DC on Wednesday, Trump described the recent agreement with Iran as a historic breakthrough.

"Last week, we signed a historic agreement to end the conflict with Iran, fully open the Strait of Hormuz, and accomplish what no president has ever been able to accomplish before. Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. That's done," Trump said.

He claimed the agreement had removed a long-standing regional threat.

"Their leadership has been obliterated. And for the first time in 3,000 years, we are finally going to have peace in the Middle East. We're going to have peace in the Middle East," he added.

Trump also praised the US military's recent operations in Iran and Venezuela , suggesting Washington remained prepared to take further action if necessary.

"How good is our military ? One week, Iran was essentially finished. In one hour, Venezuela was finished. And I guess we have other things in store, but we don't want to get carried away," he said.

The remarks came as Trump launched the Freedom 250 celebrations on the National Mall during a rally marking the opening of the Great American State Fair.

The event opens to the public on June 25 and runs until July 10, featuring exhibitions, performances, food, attractions and cultural displays representing all 50 US states and six territories.

The celebrations will culminate on July 4, marking 250 years since the adoption of the United States Declaration of Independence.

Developments dominating regional attention include a breakthrough in negotiations between the United States and Iran, which concluded high-level talks at the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock with an agreement to pursue a final settlement within 60 days. The negotiations were conducted under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, with mediation from Qatar and Pakistan. US Vice President JD Vance led the American delegation, while senior Iranian officials represented Tehran. According to the joint statement issued after the talks, both sides agreed on a roadmap covering nuclear issues, regional security, sanctions relief, and confidence-building measures. Mediators described the discussions as “positive and constructive”, although officials acknowledged that substantial differences remain. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later described the negotiations as having made “major progress”, particularly regarding oil exports, financial restrictions, and future economic cooperation. For Syria, the talks are significant because any broader US-Iran understanding could directly affect regional conflict dynamics, sanctions regimes, and the balance of power involving Iran-backed groups operating across the Levant.

Washington and Tehran establish a direct Hormuz communication channel

One of the most important outcomes of the Swiss negotiations was the establishment of a direct communication mechanism between the United States and Iran to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz , one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints. Mediators said the hotline was designed to avoid “incidents and miscommunication” as maritime traffic gradually resumes following months of disruption. The agreement comes after prolonged instability in the waterway, through which roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies normally pass. Qatar and Pakistan argued that direct communication is essential to prevent accidental escalation, false alarms, or interference by non-state actors. The move reflects growing recognition that maritime security has become inseparable from broader diplomatic negotiations. For Syria and the wider Middle East, uninterrupted shipping through Hormuz remains critical because energy prices, trade flows, and regional economic stability are heavily influenced by developments in the Gulf.

Massive explosion at Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas hub raises energy security concerns

Regional energy markets were shaken by a major explosion at Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, home to the world's largest liquefied natural gas processing and export facilities. The blast occurred on 21 June 2026 during restart operations at the Barzan gas facility, one of Qatar’s most strategically important energy sites. Qatari authorities reported that at least 13 people were killed, 66 were injured, and 18 were missing after the explosion. Emergency crews launched extensive rescue operations while investigators worked to determine the cause of the incident. QatarEnergy stated that exports continued, but the accident nevertheless sparked concern across global energy markets because of Ras Laffan’s central role in international LNG supply chains. The incident highlights the vulnerability of regional energy infrastructure at a time when Middle Eastern stability remains closely linked to global energy security. Any disruption to Gulf gas exports has the potential to affect energy prices, industrial supply chains, and economic recovery efforts across multiple continents.

Lebanon ceasefire and Hormuz reopening dominate first round of Swiss talks

Beyond the nuclear file, discussions in Switzerland focused heavily on regional security issues, particularly the situation in Lebanon and the future status of the Strait of Hormuz . According to reports from the negotiations, both sides explored mechanisms to reduce tensions involving Iran-backed groups and prevent the expansion of regional conflict. Negotiators reportedly discussed ceasefire arrangements linked to Lebanon, maritime security guarantees, and measures intended to prevent future confrontations between regional actors. The talks reflected a growing understanding that any durable agreement between Washington and Tehran must address interconnected regional conflicts rather than focusing solely on nuclear issues. For Syria, these discussions are particularly relevant because developments in Lebanon, Iran, and the Gulf often have direct implications for regional military alignments, refugee movements, border security, and economic conditions.

Regional foreign ministers meet in Cairo as diplomacy intensifies

Diplomatic activity continued with a quadrilateral foreign ministers’ meeting in Cairo, where regional leaders discussed security coordination, conflict de-escalation , and the evolving diplomatic landscape following the US-Iran negotiations. The gathering reflected increasing efforts by Middle Eastern governments to shape outcomes through diplomacy rather than military confrontation. The meeting comes at a pivotal moment as governments across the region seek to stabilise trade routes, protect energy infrastructure, and prevent further escalation after months of heightened tensions. Officials focused on strengthening regional dialogue mechanisms and supporting initiatives aimed at reducing conflict risks. For Syria, the Cairo consultations underscore how regional diplomacy is becoming increasingly interconnected. Negotiations involving Iran, the Gulf states, Lebanon, Egypt, and international powers are likely to influence the broader political environment in which Syria's future security and reconstruction challenges will be addressed.

“If it was not for Iran's missile capabilities, our country would have been plundered and destroyed and plowed by the US regime and Israel and the Zionist regime, like what the Israelis did in Gaza,” he said.

Pezeshkian also supported Sharif’s position that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) reached between Tehran and Washington does not include provisions related to Iran’s ballistic missile programme.

“We shall never compromise on our missile programme and capabilities. And this shall never be part of any part of any agreement between Iran and any other parties,” he said.

The comments came after US Vice President JD Vance said President Donald Trump had not demanded that Iran abandon its right to self-defence.

Responding to questions about Washington’s position on Iran’s missile programme, Vance said countries retain the right to defend themselves. However, he added that the United States expects any final agreement to include restrictions preventing Iran from developing missiles capable of threatening large areas beyond its borders.

Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan included meetings with Prime Minister Sharif and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The trip followed high-level talks between the United States and Iran held on June 21, 2026, in Burgenstock, Switzerland, with Pakistan and Qatar serving as mediators. The discussions focused on implementing the memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran.

Pakistan and Qatar later announced that both sides had agreed to establish a high-level committee and develop a roadmap toward a final agreement within 60 days.

The mediators also said a communication mechanism would be created to reduce the risk of incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and help safeguard commercial shipping through one of the world ’s most important energy transit routes.

He also claimed US President Donald Trump had shifted his position on Iran’s nuclear programme, saying Washington had moved from demanding unconditional surrender to acknowledging Iran’s rights. His remarks come as Qatar announced the start of the Lake Lucerne Summit, bringing together US and Iranian representatives with mediation from Qatar and Pakistan. Talks are expected to address a regional ceasefire, navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s nuclear programme, alongside a 14-point memorandum outlining de-escalation measures and a 60-day window for broader negotiations.

One Iranian participant said the deaths were part of a broader pattern of violence against children in the region.

"It was not surprising for me, because it is not the first time that they tried to kill children, to kill students. They did this pattern in other countries in the Middle East , like in Palestine, in Gaza, in Lebanon, in Syria," she said.

"The students are also a wealth for a country, because they will grow up and build their future. So it's not surprising for me they want to kill the children ," she added.

Another activist from the United States criticised Washington's response to the incident, accusing the country of avoiding accountability.

"I have never seen the country take responsibility for colonialism, imperialism, or the wars it causes. They always have an excuse," she said. "They are never going to take responsibility for the killings, the wars they start, or the aggressions they carry out. No, I do not expect to see that happen in my lifetime."

The Minab school strike was among the deadliest reported incidents of the conflict. Iranian authorities said up to 170 people were killed, including many children.

Others criticised the reliability of the agreement and the US position, suggesting shifting policies could undermine trust. The memorandum of understanding, signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reportedly includes a 60-day ceasefire framework, steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted calls for withdrawal from Lebanon.

“In principle, I held a different view, but because of the commitment the honourable president, as the head of the Supreme National Security Council, gave me on his own behalf and on behalf of other members to safeguard the rights of the Iranian nation and the Resistance Front, and because he explicitly accepted responsibility for it, I granted permission for it,” the statement said.

Khamenei added that Pezeshkian had assured him Iran “will not submit” if the United States makes what he described as excessive demands during the next stage of negotiations.

He stressed that engaging in direct talks with Washington did not amount to “accepting the enemy's views.”

The supreme leader also praised Iranian officials for their efforts in advancing the negotiations and claimed that US President Donald Trump had used “various levers” in an attempt to secure the agreement.

The agreement follows months of fighting that disrupted regional security, shipping routes and energy markets .

The agreement, expected to be signed in Geneva, would see Iran commit to renouncing the development or acquisition of nuclear weapons in exchange for support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route. The deal follows nearly four months of conflict involving the US and Israel, which has resulted in over 7,000 deaths, according to official figures, and has raised concerns over regional stability and energy markets .

The match saw Iran respond to two goals from New Zealand’s Elijah Just, with strikes from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi earning a point. The result leaves all teams in Group G level, while Iran’s participation has been overshadowed by visa issues that forced changes to their tournament preparations.

“Iran's blocked assets will also be released according to the memorandum of understanding that will be signed,” he said.

Araghchi also indicated that the framework would address broader regional issues, including the conflict in Lebanon, as part of efforts to reduce tensions across the Middle East.

The foreign minister warned that opponents of the negotiations were attempting to derail the process, singling out Israel as the main adversary of the proposed agreement.

“I must explicitly state that this agreement has enemies, at the forefront of which is the Zionist regime, and they are looking for pretexts to disrupt this agreement,” he said.

He stressed that pressure and threats would not change Iran's position and could instead undermine diplomatic progress.

“In these circumstances, threats are not only ineffective but also set back a potential agreement; threats must stop, and we must speak with the language of respect in order for us to reach an agreement,” Araghchi said.

His comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a deal with Iran could be signed “this weekend” and suggested a formal signing ceremony could take place in Europe.

Trump also said he had cancelled a planned military strike on Iran following recent exchanges of attacks between the two countries, including incidents linked to a U.S. Apache helicopter crash that Washington blamed on an Iranian drone.

“Of course, it is natural for the US President to make such remarks because he has gained nothing,” Azizi said. “He did not achieve anything in the 40-day war, nor in these times. Now, because he has an empty track record and empty hands, and has incurred very heavy costs in this war that have brought no gains for the Americans, while also causing numerous economic problems for the world and the Americans, he is forced to make these threats.”

His comments came amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington despite ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a broader agreement following the conflict.

Azizi warned that any future military action against Iran would be met with a stronger response from Tehran.

“However, he should know that this is Iran. This is a united front with a firm ideology based on the principles and ideals of Islam ,” he said.

“Just as our nation and our armed forces stood united during the Ramadan war, should he take any uncalculated action, he will definitely receive a more regretful, more painful, and undoubtedly more decisive response.”

The remarks follow recent warnings from Trump, who has suggested that further military action against Iran remains an option if negotiations fail or if Tehran resumes activities Washington views as threatening regional security .