Iran team arrives in US for Fifa World Cup opener

Iran's soccer team arrived in the United States for the first time at this World Cup on Sunday, landing at Los Angeles International Airport and holding a press conference on the same day that a peace deal between the two nations was announced.

The Iran squad arrived after a short flight from Tijuana, Mexico, where they left their base camp earlier to a rousing sendoff ahead of their opening game against New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday.

"I am very happy to be representing the great, proud and strong nation of Iran," Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said through a translator in a press conference at the stadium.

"I hope that football will bring about joy and enjoyment, and bring closer the cultures and countries."

The squad's Group G fixture against New Zealand will be played against the backdrop of the US war with Iran and the newly-announced peace deal, adding a charged atmosphere to a contest between two nations who have never met at a World Cup.

Iran moved their World Cup base camp from a sports complex in Arizona to Mexico late last month after the US and Israel conducted joint strikes on Iran beginning in late February.

Iran will now have to make the trip from Mexico to the US for each of their three group matches and Ghalenoei said the travel and the denial of visas into the US for some members of their soccer federation had negatively affected the squad.

The US-Iran deal to end the war will be signed during an official ceremony on Friday in Switzerland, US President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on social media on Sunday.

Ghalenoei said the squad's players and coaches were "not political people."

"We are here to play football and represent the respectful people of Iran, be it the Iranians inside Iran or the Iranian diaspora."

'Mexico stands with you'

Earlier in Tijuana, supporters lining five-deep on a packed sidewalk outside Iran's hotel chanted "Team Melli" — Persian for "national team" — as the Iranian players emerged from the hotel and walked towards the waiting bus.

Many of the players waved and smiled at those who had gathered while some members of the delegation took video of the scene with their phones.

One supporter held a yellow sign with black lettering reading: "Iran, you will never walk alone. Mexico stands with you."

A young boy perched on someone's shoulders clutched the official Panini Fifa World Cup 2026 sticker album, open to the Iran squad page.

At one point, the crowd sang in Spanish, "Iran, brother, you are Mexican now."

Iranian soccer federation President Mehdi Taj stood outside the hotel as the players left with many of the supporters following the bus down the street as it drove away.

The Iranian community in Tijuana is tiny - around 20 people - and much smaller than that of Los Angeles, which is home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran.

Tens of thousands of Iranian Americans live in Los Angeles, where a distinct diaspora often referred to as "Tehrangeles" has taken root.

This is the first World Cup ⁠since its inception in 1930 in which a host nation has received a country it is at war with.

Pakistan will host ‘historic’ Iran-US deal signing ceremony in Geneva on June 19: PM Sharif

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says the formal signing ceremony of the Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be hosted by his country in Geneva on June 19.

Sharif, whose country mediated between Iran and the US, announced early Monday that Tehran and Washington reached an agreement following intensive negotiations, with both sides declaring an immediate and permanent end to military operations across all fronts, including in Lebanon.

During his opening address to Pakistan’s National Assembly, Shehbaz said, "Today, by the grace of Allah, the world has crossed a historic milestone.”

Describing the development as a turning point after a period of global tension, he added, “I congratulate the Pakistani nation and the entire international community from the depths of my heart.”

He called the Iran-US agreement a matter of collective pride, saying Pakistan played a constructive role in supporting diplomatic engagement.

The Islamic Republic of Iran and the US, following the announcement of a ceasefire on April 8 of this year, began negotiations to permanently end the war with Pakistan's mediation.

The text of the MOU, based on Iran's 14-point proposal from the very beginning of the ceasefire, was reviewed multiple times over the past 60 days in the capitals of both countries.

Tehran and Washington each, at various stages, applied and announced their perspectives on the text.

Despite all pressures, ceasefire violations, and repeated changes in Washington's position, the Islamic Republic of Iran insisted on its stance.

Following the signing of the MOU, the two countries will place a series of intensive negotiations on their agenda over the next 60 days to reach a comprehensive agreement on disputed issues.

US, Iran inch closer to deal, timing remains unclear

Pakistani and US leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end fighting between the United States and Iran, but Tehran cast doubt over the timing and hardline protesters in Iran voiced opposition.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the two sides had agreed on a framework for a peace deal and that Islamabad was preparing for an electronic signing on Sunday, to be followed by technical-level talks in the coming week.

US President Donald Trump posted on social media on Saturday that the deal with Iran was scheduled to be signed the next day, his 80th birthday.

But Iran did not confirm a Sunday signing. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, speaking before Trump's post, had cautioned against commenting on the timing of the signing but was quoted by state media saying, "It will not be tomorrow," but could happen "in the coming days."

Trump wrote on Truth Social that after a framework deal is signed, the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies that Iran has blocked, would immediately be "open to all."

Iranian hardliners remain visible

While US bombings have heavily degraded Iran's military-industrial base and damaged its military, experts say the war has left hardline Revolutionary Guard dominance more firmly entrenched than before.

Videos on social media and Iranian news websites showed opponents of an agreement gathering in squares and in front of the Foreign Ministry in Tehran, appearing to blame Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi as they chanted, "Araqchi have some shame, let go of America!"

Reuters could not immediately verify the videos.

When the US and Israel launched the war against Iran on February 28, Trump called on Iranians to rise up and take over state institutions.

Even as the US and Iran appeared to be moving toward an agreement over the past two days, clashes have continued, as the US military imposes a blockade on Iran and seeks to loosen Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which was the conduit for 20% of the world's oil shipments before the war.

Early on Saturday, US forces shot down multiple Iranian one-way attack drones heading toward the strait, the US military said. Israel, which says it is not a party to the US-Iran deal, said on Saturday that it had struck more than 70 sites over a 24-hour period in Lebanon against Iranian ally Hezbollah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clashed with Trump over US demands that Israel curb military action in Lebanon to allow Washington to reach a deal with Tehran.

On Friday, Araqchi said that while changes in the deal were still possible, the tentative agreement showed his country had emerged stronger from the conflict.

Opening Strait a priority, nuclear talks later

At pro-government rallies held across Iran on Saturday night, residents and news agencies reported that hardliners opposed to the framework agreement loudly voiced their dissatisfaction.

A resident in the northeastern city of Mashhad told Reuters that some protesters chanted: "Death to the compromiser," in an apparent reference to Araghchi. "Compromiser, resign, resign."

The proposed memorandum of understanding calls for reopening the strait and lifting the US naval blockade, sources on all sides of the talks said. Negotiations over Iran's nuclear program — a key rationale Trump has given for the war — would take place afterwards.

"Iran is going to open up the Strait of Hormuz, that's a requirement. It could be open with no tolls. As they do that, we will lift our blockade," a US official told reporters.

"It's going to happen in conjunction, and part of the next step, the phase after that, is going to be the demining of the straits," the official said, indicating countries in the Group of Seven major powers could have a role in this.

Trump discussed the efforts to end the Iran conflict in a call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Downing Street said on Saturday.

Draft terms described to Reuters by multiple sources indicate the US would begin releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets and waive sanctions on its oil exports, in return for Iran opening the strait.

Iran's Fars news agency quoted Baghaei as saying the release of Iran's frozen assets was an integral part of the agreement and also that Iran would have to charge for services in the Strait of Hormuz.

He said foreign military bases in the region must end, the agency reported, without providing details.

Iran's nuclear program would be addressed during a 60-day period of talks. A US official said the agreement would ultimately lead to the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, with its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to be destroyed and removed.

Iran stronger than ever, fingers on the trigger for decisive and regret-inducing response to any enemy aggression:IRGC

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran now stands in a more powerful, more prepared, and more deterrent position than ever before, maintaining complete intelligence dominance over enemy movements and remaining with fingers on the trigger, fully ready to deliver a decisive, immediate, painful, and regret-inducing response to any threat, aggression, or miscalculation by the enemy.

The IRGC made the remarks in a powerful statement on Thursday on the anniversary of Operation True Promise 3 and the Second Imposed War, which the US and Israel launched on February 28.

Marking June 13 (23 Khordad), the IRGC emphasized that Iran, drawing on the valuable lessons of the Sacred Defense of the 1980s and the historic battles of the 12-day and 40-day imposed wars, maintains full intelligence dominance over enemy movements.

“Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran, drawing on the valuable experiences of the Sacred Defense and the historic battles of the 12-day and 40-day imposed wars, stands in a stronger, more prepared, and more deterrent position than ever before… With full awareness of the enemy front’s movements, we remain with fingers on the trigger, ready to deliver a decisive, immediate, painful, and regret-inducing response to any threat, aggression, encroachment, or potential miscalculation by the enemy,” the IRGC statement reads.

The statement comes amid Iran’s recent successful retaliatory operations against US aggression. In the past 24 hours, the IRGC and the Iranian military carried out coordinated strikes on 18 US military targets across the region, including airbases in Kuwait and Bahrain. The Iranian Army also targeted the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain with explosive-laden drones, striking communication antennas and radar systems.

Separately, the IRGC launched 12 ballistic missiles at the US-operated al-Azraq air base in Jordan, hitting facilities housing F-35, F-15, and F-16 fighter jets as well as key command centers, inflicting significant damage in direct response to US missile attacks on Iranian territory that violated the ceasefire.

Iranian forces have also closed the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels due to regional insecurity caused by US aggression, with the IRGC Aerospace Force commander warning that any attempt to threaten the strategic waterway would turn the region into “hell” for the aggressors.

The IRGC statement described the American-Zionist enemy’s calculations during the imposed wars as gravely mistaken. It highlighted the Supreme Leader’s wise and swift measures to ensure command continuity, followed by the crushing success of Operation True Promise 3, which exposed the vulnerability of the Zionist regime and its US backers and shifted the regional balance of power decisively in Iran’s favor.

The statement paid tribute to the martyrs, including senior commanders who gave their lives, noting that their sacrifice has further strengthened the Iranian nation’s resolve and unity.

Among the key achievements of these operations, the IRGC listed the enemy’s complete failure to achieve its objectives, a major shift in the balance of deterrence in favor of Iran, the elevation of the Islamic Republic’s regional and international standing, and the emergence of a strong wave of national pride, dignity, and unity.

In the face of repeated US-Israeli provocations and direct aggression, including recent violations of the ceasefire and attacks on Iranian territory, the IRGC’s message underscores Iran’s unshakable determination and vastly enhanced military capabilities.

Recent successful retaliatory strikes have once again demonstrated that any new miscalculation by the enemies of Iran will meet a swift, powerful, and painful response.

Iran continues to pursue peace through strength and genuine deterrence while exposing the warmongering policies of the US and its allies that bring only instability to the region.

The Islamic Republic remains committed to defending its sovereignty, supporting the Resistance Axis, and charting a path of dignity, independence, and progress for the Iranian nation and oppressed peoples worldwide.

The United States and Israel launched their unprovoked war of aggression against Iran on February 28.

Iran’s Armed Forces responded with 100 waves of retaliatory strikes under Operation True Promise 4, launching hundreds of ballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as drones, against American military bases across West Asia and Israeli positions throughout the occupied territories.

On April 8, forty days into the war, an Islamabad-brokered ceasefire went into effect. However, the first round of Tehran-Washington negotiations failed to reach an agreement, with the latter imposing an inhumane “naval blockade” of Iran.

Since then, both Israel and the US have violated the truce, triggering Iran’s strong retaliatory strikes.

IRGC strikes 18 US military targets in two missile waves; Fifth Fleet in Bahrain hit by Army drones

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army have announced a series of coordinated retaliatory military operations targeting US military installations across the region, including assets in Bahrain.

The statements, issued in early Thursday, described the operations as a response to American aggression targeting various regions in southern Iran.

 

Two-wave operation targets 18 US military assets

The IRGC said its Aerospace Force and Navy conducted a retaliatory operation in two separate waves in reprisal for attacks on the Corps' coastal outposts and service units, law enforcement posts, and the Bandar Abbas airport area.

"Eighteen key targets belonging to the criminal US military" were struck and destroyed at the Ali al-Salem and Ahmad al-Jaber airbases in Kuwait, as well as the Sheikh Isa airbase in Bahrain.

Drone strikes against US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain

Separately, the Army's Public Relations Office reported a drone operation targeting the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

"In response to a ceasefire violation and attacks on parts of southern Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army used various explosive-laden drones to strike the US Fifth Fleet," the office noted.

It added that communication antennas and radar systems associated with the fleet’s Patriot air defense system were targeted in the counterstrikes.

The Army said its forces remained fully prepared for further confrontation and would continue operations until the "punishment of the aggressor" was completed.

Meanwhile, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran's highest operational command unit, also issued a statement, attributing the halt brought about to the latest round of the aggression to "powerful and decisive response" by the armed forces.

Also on Thursday, US President Donald Trump said US bombing in Iran would stop shortly, claiming that senior Iranian officials had called to ask him to halt the latest attack.

The headquarters further stated that the Iranian military response to US atrocities would continue, without specifying timing or scope.

The coordinated retaliation came after fresh explosions were reported across parts of Hormozgan and other southern regions of the Islamic Republic, as the US military confirmed launching a new wave of unprovoked assaults against the country.

In response to the latest aggression, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has also ordered closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

"From this moment, due to insecurity in the region, the Strait of Hormuz is declared closed to the passage of all vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships, and any traffic will be targeted," the command unit said in a statement.

IRGC launches 12 ballistic missiles at US al-Azraq base in Jordan

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it fired 12 ballistic missiles at the US-operated al-Azraq air base in Jordan in response to the missile attacks by Washington against the Islamic Republic.

In a statement on Thursday, the IRGC said that its Aerospace Force hit American F-35, F-15, and F-16 fighter jets and important facilities of the “terrorist US army” located at the airbase and a command-and-control center.

The missile attack destroyed the base’s facilities and a large number of the fighter jets, it added.

The IRGC warned that operations would continue as long as the enemy’s mischief persists.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters announced in a statement on Thursday that the Armed Forces would continue to respond to the acts of aggression and mischief of the United States.

“The cessation of the US attacks on areas in southern Iran, as announced by the president of that country, is due to the powerful and crushing response of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Armed Forces, through which another defeat has been inflicted upon that country's military,” it said.

Iran’s highest operational command unit also reiterated the Armed Forces’ firm determination to respond to the US aggression and mischief.

In statements issued early Thursday, the IRGC and the Iranian Army announced a series of coordinated retaliatory military operations targeting US military installations across the region, including assets in Bahrain.

The IRGC said its Aerospace Force and Navy conducted a retaliatory operation in two separate waves in reprisal for attacks on the Corps' coastal outposts and service units, law enforcement posts, and the Bandar Abbas airport area.

Separately, the Army's Public Relations Office reported a drone operation targeting the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

Iran’s response came after the US President Donald Trump ordered a fresh round of aggression against Iran last night in a clear breach of a ceasefire that took effect on April 8. He later told Fox News that American forces had launched 49 Tomahawk missiles in the latest attacks.

Iran targets US bases in Jordan and Gulf after Trump orders strikes near Hormuz

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had carried out attacks against a US base in Jordan and 21 other targets in the Gulf on Wednesday in retaliation for American strikes around the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media reported.

The clashes mark one of the biggest exchanges in hostilities since the two countries agreed to a ceasefire in April.

The Iranian strikes, which included attacks in Kuwait and Bahrain, came after the US military said on X it had targeted Iranian air defence, ground control stations and surveillance radar sites near the strait in response to what US President Donald Trump said was the downing of a US Apache helicopter on Tuesday.

"I believe the response should be very strong, very powerful, and that's what this one is," Trump told ABC News on Tuesday.

The escalation in violence deepens doubts about the prospects for a deal to end the war that started on February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran. Tehran responded by firing on Gulf neighbours that host US bases and all but choked off the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for oil and gas.

The latest US strikes lasted around four hours before the US Central Command posted just before 9pm ET (0100 GMT Wednesday) that they had ended. A US official said almost 20 Iranian targets had been struck.

Iran's state media reported that Qeshm island and the port city of Sirik in the Strait of Hormuz were attacked.

Sounds of explosions were heard in nearby Bandar Abbas, and later in the vicinity of Jask, near the entrance to the strait, Iranian media reported, citing local sources and residents.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in response they had targeted four sites at the US al-Azraq base in Jordan using long-range missiles, Iranian media reported.

The Guards said the targets included F-35 fighter jet hangars and a command-and-control centre, and warned they were ready to deliver a "crushing and decisive" response to any further US attack.

Jordanian armed forces said on Wednesday they had intercepted and shot down five missiles launched from Iran toward al-Azraq. The military added that debris from the interception operation fell on Jordanian territory but caused no injuries or material damage.

The Kuwaiti army said its air defence systems were engaging hostile aerial targets and urged the public to follow official safety instructions, after Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted the Ali Al Salem base in Kuwait with drones.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said earlier they attacked the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain with drones and threatened "more severe responses" if hostilities continued, according to media.

Bahrain's Interior Ministry said a warning siren had been sounded and urged the public to head to safety. Air defences had repelled Iranian attacks, a media adviser to Bahrain's king said soon after in a post on X.

In a statement, Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned US strikes in the country's south, saying Tehran acted in self-defence, and warned Gulf states they would face consequences if their territory was used by US or Israeli forces, vowing to target the sources of any future attacks.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said initial assessments showed nearly all missiles and drones launched by Iran were intercepted and they were not immediately aware of any reports of harm to US personnel or damage to US locations.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not immediately verify the battlefield reports.

Oil prices climbed about 1% in early Asian trade on Wednesday following the escalation in hostilities.

Not a big deal?

On Tuesday, a US Apache helicopter was brought down by a one-way Iranian attack drone, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Iran's state media cited a military source as saying that no offensive air military operations had been conducted in the Strait of Hormuz in the previous 24 hours.

A US Navy surface drone found and rescued the two crew, the US military said, after the US Army attack helicopter went down in waters near Oman's coast while on patrol at around 3 a.m. on Tuesday (2300 GMT on Monday).

The US military's Central Command gave no reason for the crash. It said the two crew were rescued after two hours and said they were in stable condition - a more cautious assessment than Trump's description.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi did not directly address the helicopter incident, but said in a post on X that foreign forces in the region risked being involved in accidents or crossfire.

"To reduce risk, best solution is for them to leave," he wrote.

Trump told The Wall Street Journal during a phone call on Tuesday that the helicopter incident "wasn’t a big deal" and stressed that “the pilot is fine."

However, the episode could well add further strain to efforts to broker a peace deal to end the wider Middle East war and reopen Hormuz.

Trump has repeatedly said Iran and the United States are close to an agreement, though there have been few signs of progress since a tenuous ceasefire took effect in early April.

Fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon has continued, and Tehran has maintained its restrictions on most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which before the war carried a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas. Washington has imposed its own blockade of Iranian ports.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Tuesday that ship traffic through Hormuz is rising "very meaningfully," but added it would take many months to get back to normal flows of energy once the war is over.

Trump has said any peace deal must ensure Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapon. Iran denies any such ambitions.

Iran's demands include the lifting of international sanctions, the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets and recognition of its control of the strait.

US Blacklists Chinese Tech Giants Alibaba, Baidu and BYD

The United States has expanded its blacklist of Chinese companies supporting Beijing’s military, adding prominent commercial giants Alibaba, Baidu and BYD in a move that risks complicating efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The Pentagon’s updated list, released on Monday, designates the firms under rules aimed at curbing China’s military-civil fusion strategy, according to Al Jazeera.

The designation bars the companies and their subsidiaries from US defence contracts, with new rules set to take effect later this month. The list now includes 188 entities, up significantly from previous years.

Beijing hits out at ‘discriminatory’ move

China’s embassy in Washington strongly condemned the action, describing it as an overreach of national security concerns and discriminatory against Chinese firms operating abroad.

“Chinese companies that do business overseas have been strictly observing laws and regulations of their host countries,” an embassy spokesperson said. “The US should stop its wrong practice and create a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies.”

Alibaba rejected the designation, stating there was “no basis” for its inclusion and insisting it was not involved in any military-civil fusion activities. The e-commerce giant said it would pursue all available legal avenues to challenge the decision. BYD and Baidu did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Concerns over trade detente

The move comes shortly after US President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing for talks aimed at reducing friction in the prolonged trade and technology rivalry between the two powers.

Analysts have questioned the effectiveness of such broad sanctions. Dennis Wilder, a former CIA and White House official with expertise on China, described the blacklist as a “broad-brush” approach that may prove largely performative without full economic decoupling.

“Many US firms already have deep relationships with these entities that they are not going to give up unless there are real penalties attached,” he told Al Jazeera.

Republican lawmaker John Moolenaar welcomed the update, urging the delisting of affected companies from US exchanges and the removal of their products from American supply chains to protect national security.

The blacklisted firms dominate key sectors: Alibaba in e-commerce, Baidu in internet search, and BYD in electric vehicles. Their inclusion mirrors last year’s addition of Tencent, owner of the WeChat messaging app, and highlights growing US scrutiny of China’s leading commercial brands.

Iran warns any mistake will turn region into ‘hell’ for US-Israeli ‘evil coalition’

Iran’s top security official has warned the “evil coalition” of the United States and Israel that the entire region will turn into hell for them should they make another mistake.

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr issued the warning in a statement on Monday against the backdrop of heightened tensions involving Israel, Lebanon and Iran.

On June 7, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) conducted a series of missile strikes targeting Israeli positions in northern occupied territories. It was a direct retaliation for the Israeli violation of a ceasefire and the subsequent airstrike on the Dahiyeh suburb of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

On Monday, and following Israel’s aggression against several Iranian cities, the IRGC struck Israel’s strategic Nevatim and Tel Nof airbases in northern occupied territories.

Zolqadr underscored the fact that Iranians’ resistance over the years since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, and notably during the 100 days since the start of the recent US-Israeli aggression, has led to a fundamental change in international security order.

“If the Zionist-American evil coalition makes another mistake, the region will become hell for them,” the top security official said, signaling Iran’s full readiness.

Zolqadr also honored the martyrs of Dahiyeh.

Iranian officials have repeatedly insisted that the ceasefire between Iran and the United States, which took effect on April 8, was conditional on a truce on all fronts, including Lebanon.

Analysts said the IRGC operation shattered every previous assumption. It was a public, operational declaration that Iran has not only redefined the rules of engagement but has irrevocably linked its own path to ending the war with the security of Lebanon and the people of Lebanon.

The message is that any future aggression against Lebanese territory will be met with an equally decisive, firm, and swift Iranian military response.

In a statement on Monday, Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters announced the cessation of military operations against Israel, stating that a "painful response" has been delivered to the Zionist regime in support of the oppressed people of Lebanon.

Trump says Israel and Iran looking for immediate ceasefire

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Israel and Iran are seeking an immediate ceasefire amid heightened tensions, with final negotiations on a broader peace agreement underway.

Trump made the remarks in a post on Truth Social, stating that both sides were eager to halt hostilities while cautioning that progress could be derailed by external factors.

Negotiations proceed under pressure

“Both sides, Israel and Iran, are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE! Final negotiations on ‘Peace’ are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way,” the US president wrote.

He added that a blockade would remain in full force until a “Final Deal” is reached, noting that “things should move quickly.”

The statement comes as the two Middle Eastern rivals have engaged in recent exchanges of strikes, raising fears of wider regional instability. Trump has positioned himself as a key mediator, urging restraint from both parties.

Blockade to stay until final agreement

The US leader emphasised that the blockade affecting Iran would not be lifted prematurely. Analysts suggest this approach aims to maintain leverage in the ongoing diplomatic efforts.

No immediate confirmation from Israeli or Iranian officials was available at the time of writing, but the development has drawn attention from international observers monitoring the volatile situation.

Araghchi receives Pakistani PM’s special message to Ayatollah Khamenei

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has delivered a special message from the country’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei.

The message was handed over during a meeting between the visiting Pakistani interior minister and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on Sunday.

The two sides reviewed Tehran-Islamabad bilateral relations and discussed issues of mutual interest during the meeting.

They also exchanged viewpoints on the latest developments concerning the ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran.

On Saturday, Naqvi met with his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Mo’meni.

Following the meeting, Mo’meni said part of Naqvi’s visit focused on bilateral issues, including border security, combating drug trafficking, and countering terrorism.

He added that the two sides also reached important understandings in the economic field.

The Pakistani interior minister arrived in Tehran on Saturday to hold talks with senior Iranian officials amid Islamabad’s ongoing mediation efforts between Iran and the United States.

Iran does not seek war, but will defend itself against any aggression: Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has delivered a firm and clear message to the enemies, saying Tehran does not seek war, but will decisively defend itself if aggression is imposed upon it.

In an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen on Thursday, Araghchi conveyed to regional countries during his Persian Gulf tours that any involvement of US bases in aggression against Iran would compel Tehran to target those bases in retaliation.

He criticized the American “security umbrella,” stating it has brought only insecurity to the region rather than protection.

“Had these US bases not been present in Iran’s neighboring countries, they would not have come under Iran’s retaliation,” he explained.

Regional states opposed the use of their territory for attacks on Iran, yet Washington proceeded regardless.

The foreign minister emphasized that Iran’s strong response to the aggression surprised the world, including US President Donald Trump, and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and their allies. No one anticipated Iran’s immediate and powerful retaliation despite the scale of the assault.

In his interview, Araghchi delivered a powerful message of resolve, strategic clarity, and national unity, underscoring the Islamic Republic’s firm stance amid regional challenges and affirming the continuity of leadership under the new Supreme Leader.

Araghchi stated that Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei leads the Islamic Republic with full authority and a highly influential role in all national affairs.

“Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei has a highly influential and strong presence in the country’s ongoing affairs and holds full control over the reins of authority,” he stated.

Correspondence with the Leader remains ongoing and continuous, with his directives reaching officials promptly and being implemented with precision.

The foreign minister stressed broad national consensus around the new leadership, describing it as one of Iran’s key strengths at this critical juncture.

He affirmed that the same level of obedience and loyalty shown to the martyred Leader persists fully toward the new Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Recounting the harrowing moments of the US-Israeli aggression, Araghchi revealed he was inside Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei’s office when it came under attack in the early hours of the war on February 28.

He said his immediate concern was not for his own safety but for the condition of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whom he believed was likely in his office despite the heightened military tensions and warnings of war.

“My first thought and my first concern was the condition of the Leader,” he said.

He said he spent two days uncertain about the Leader’s fate while focusing on evacuation amid the rubble.

Despite advice to move to a secure location, the martyred Leader refused, declaring: “I will not go to a shelter or to a secure location unless every member of the Iranian people also has access to a safe place... Whatever happens to my people will happen to me as well.”

Araghchi praised this as the mark of a true leader who rules hearts, not merely governs.

He noted that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei personally issued directives on the war, demonstrating unwavering commitment even under direct threat.

Araghchi reiterated Iran’s principled positions on supporting the Axis of Resistance, insisting that any ceasefire must encompass all fronts, including Lebanon.

He stressed that Iran has never interfered in Lebanon’s internal affairs and views it as a brotherly nation.

The foreign minister made it clear that the martyrdom of Resistance leaders has only strengthened the movement, not weakened it.

Those who miscalculated Iran’s resilience have been proven wrong, and accountability for war crimes will continue to be pursued.

Throughout the interview, Araghchi projected confidence in Iran’s internal unity and strategic posture.

He dismissed attempts to sow doubt about leadership transition, confirming Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s full control and the uninterrupted flow of guidance from the highest levels.

Security considerations have guided public appearances, but the Leader’s engagement with the people and affairs of state remains robust and direct.

‘Humiliated’ enemy shifting to hybrid war after military defeat: Ayatollah Khamenei

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei says Iran’s adversaries have turned to “hybrid warfare” tactics after suffering a humiliated defeat in the face of the country’s Armed Forces, urging national unity and vigilance to neutralize enemies’ plots.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a message on Thursday on the occasion of the 37th passing anniversary of the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomein.

Millions of Iranians from various social strata and as many devotees in other countries took part in the ceremonies held at Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum in southern Tehran as the mourners paid homage to the architect of the Islamic Revolution and renewed allegiance to the ideals of the 1979 Revolution.

The Leader said the “evil” enemy has experienced defeat and a profound humiliation in its confrontation with the country's Armed Forces and now seeks to compensate through a hybrid war strategy.

"The malicious enemy, having been defeated in its confrontation with your brave sons in the Armed Forces and having experienced a profound and meaningful humiliation both on the battlefield and in the public arena, has concentrated its efforts on two objectives in the framework of hybrid warfare: weakening the people's resilience and creating miscalculations among the country's officials," Ayatollah Khamenei added.

"The system of domination that created a military outpost, called Israel, nearly 80 years ago cannot accept the existence of a strong and independent Iran, endowed with numerous advantages and capabilities, on the eastern border of the false and fictitious geography of Greater Israel, that is the east of the Euphrates, so it spares no effort to prevent its (Iran’s) progress," Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized.

The Leader warned that the enemy seeks to create doubt, frustration, fear, mistrust, and discord, stressing that all Iranians must foil such sinister plots through steadfastness and insight by preserving unity, cohesion, and mutual trust, and refusal to echo their voice.

He stressed the “very important” role of Iranian authorities in supporting these matters, saying, “Any act that causes pessimism and disappointment among the people is considered a kind of aid to the enemy of this country and its people.”

Imam Khomeini awakened the Iranian nation

The Leader noted that the passing away anniversary of Imam Khomeini provides a valuable opportunity for contemplation and deliberation about “this renowned yet insufficiently understood figure.”

He described the late Imam Khomeini as a charismatic personality, whose deep understanding and recognition of his luminous path and goal would illuminate the future of the Islamic Iran.

However, he said, many younger members of the nation have not had the opportunity to know the late Imam Khomeini directly and even many of those who lived during his lifetime have not fully understood the depth of his personality and the principles of his path.

Ayatollah Khamenei added that rising up for God is the foundation of the Imam Khomeini's school of thought, noting that guidance, education, and profound influence on the Iranian society are among the most important effects and blessings of his life.

“What tremendous force could awaken a dormant nation enchanted by arrogance and colonialism on 15th of Khordad in 1342 (June 5, 1963), while suppression, oppression, and total dependence on the West prevailed? What power of inspiration could have brought millions into the streets on 12th of Bahman in 1357 (February 1, 1979) to welcome the Imam of the nation, and on 14th of Khordad in 1368 (June 4, 1989) to bid him farewell?” he asked.

“And in the last astonishing example, what firm force and iron will could from the early hours of 10th of Esfand in 1404 (March 1, 2026) mobilize the Iranian nation and bring it into the scene so that through high motivation and after more than three months, it remains fervently present, seeking justice for its martyred Leader (Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei) and other martyrs who have fallen in blood, and safeguarding the Islamic establishment and its beloved homeland?"

The Leader emphasized that the great Imam Khomeini and martyred Ayatollah Khamenei found and revived such talent and readiness in the Iranian nation.

He said the school of thought pursued by the late Ayatollah Khamenei and that of Imam Khomeini were of the same par and stated that the followers of this school of thought stand ready and join the ranks to uphold truth, eliminate falsehood, and fight along this enlightened path.

The late Imam Khomeini was the architect of a great and historic development in Iran, the Muslim world and throughout the world while the martyred Leader improved and expanded it, he said.

The Leader stressed the necessity of supporting the oppressed as an Islamic, humanitarian, and Iranian duty, saying, “The arrogant system, led by the United States, has a problem with this nation and its unique identity, as well as its unwillingness to surrender.”