Iran war news LIVE: Sign a deal or deal with the war department, says US in stark warning to Tehran

US-Iran news LIVE: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam denounced on Saturday what he called a dangerous Israeli escalation in the south, urging an immediate ceasefire and insisting that a “scorched-earth policy” would not ensure Israel’s security.

In a televised address, Salam also defended his government’s direct negotiations with Israel — which Iran-backed Hezbollah opposes — saying that the talks were the “least costly path” for Lebanon.

“In light of the dangerous and unprecedented Israeli escalation over the past few days, it is necessary to step up political and diplomatic efforts to achieve a swift and real ceasefire,” Salam said.

He accused Israel of “pursuing a scorched-earth policy and collective punishment” by “destroying towns and villages, and forcing their inhabitants into exile”.

This will bring “neither security nor stability” to Israel, he said.

Salam’s broadcast came after Israel’s military issued new evacuation warnings for residents of more south Lebanon villages, and a day after military delegations from both countries held landmark security talks in Washington.

via AFP

US-Iran news LIVE: The U.S. plans to accelerate the withdrawal of troops from bases in Europe and will present its proposals to NATO allies next month, German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported on Saturday, citing an unidentified Pentagon source.

Washington announced plans in May to pull 5,000 troops out of Germany, widely seen as the consequence of a rift over the Iran war between President Donald Trump and European powers. Germany is home to some 35,000 active-duty U.S. military personnel, more than anywhere else in Europe.

At the time, the Pentagon said the withdrawal was expected to be completed over six to 12 months.

Welt am Sonntag did not provide details on how much faster the withdrawal would be, or which locations might be affected. The U.S. is due to present its plans to allies at next month’s North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Force Sourcing Conference, it said.

via Reuters

US-Iran news LIVE: The US military has intercepted another merchant vessel that allegedly attempted to breach Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports, according to an Associated Press report citing a US official familiar with the matter.

The Gambia-flagged bulk carrier Lian Star reportedly ignored repeated warnings from US forces while trying to enter an Iranian port overnight.

The vessel was subsequently disabled by US aircraft in the Gulf of Oman and is currently adrift in the area, the official said. No U.S. personnel have boarded the ship, the report added.

US-Iran news LIVE: US defence secretary Pete Hegesth issued a stark warning to Iran over peace deal, even though he projected optimism over the progress of talks. “Iran is coming in our direction and talks have been productive, but it can either do this through a deal or deal with War Department,” Hegseth said on nuclear negotiations.

US-Iran news LIVE: Shipowners are increasingly optimistic about a pickup in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz after more vessels left the waterway this week with the US providing information to aid those making the journey.

At least two shipowners, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive information, said they were in touch with American military forces, which advised them on how best to navigate the waterway. A spokesperson for the US Central Command said US military assets aren’t escorting ships, but the command continues to provide advice to commercial vessels in the region.

One person with knowledge of a transit said a group of vessels was approached by suspected Iranian fast boats during the journey. The boats were turned away by helicopters that suddenly appeared nearby, allowing the person’s vessel to continue away from Hormuz, they said.

Chevron Corp. Chief Executive Officer Mike Wirth told Bloomberg TV on Friday that some vessels transiting Hormuz have recently come under attack. On the same day, the US affirmed that deals with Iran to safely sail through the Strait of Hormuz — even those which don’t involve paying a toll — are prohibited.

Some of the ships that have crossed belong to companies that hadn’t transited Hormuz since the war began, according to several people involved in shipping markets. Two people said some ships were entering the Persian Gulf as well as leaving.

via Bloomberg

US-Iran news LIVE: The influential Iraqi armed group Kataeb Hezbollah pledged on Saturday to keep up its “jihadist action”, as Baghdad faces mounting US pressure to disarm factions backed by Iran.

Following the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran at the end of February, groups operating under the banner of the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” carried out repeated drone and rocket attacks on US interests in the country.

Washington, in turn, bombed facilities and bases belonging to the groups, including Kataeb Hezbollah, killing dozens of their members.

Since taking office in mid-May, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has pledged to restrict weapons to the hands of the state.

But in a statement on Saturday, Kataeb Hezbollah security chief Abu Mujahid al-Assaf said “jihadist action is today a collective duty, and we will carry it out on behalf of the brothers who have decided to abandon it”.

While some factions have agreed to operate under state institutions, others, like Kataeb Hezbollah, refuse to discuss disarmament under US pressure.

via AFP

US-Iran news LIVE: Israel’s air force and artillery struck areas close to a strategic mountain housing a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon Saturday as fighting raged in villages close to the southern city of Nabatieh.

Israel’s military issued evacuation warnings for more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon, a day after Lebanese and Israeli military officials held their first direct talks in decades at the Pentagon.

The situation in southern Lebanon was discussed during a meeting Saturday between Lebanon’s president and prime minister who said in a statement later that they will intensify their contacts to make Israel stop demolition and bulldozing of homes and historical sites as well as its evacuation warnings.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling near the Crusader-built Beaufort castle that is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Israeli border and overlooks wide parts of southern Lebanon. The strategic castle was held by Israeli troops for 18 years until they withdrew from Lebanon in May 2000.

via AP

US-Iran news LIVE: Oman’s Maritime Security on Saturday cautioned seafarers to be wary of a suspected floating mine in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on X, the Omani Maritime Security said, “Due to the sighting of a floating object suspected to be a floating mine west of the Inshore Traffic Zone in the Strait of Hormuz within Omani territorial sea, the Maritime Security Centre urges all seafarers, fishermen, and vessels to exercise the utmost caution while navigating in the area. All maritime users are advised to keep a safe distance from any suspicious objects and report them immediately to the relevant authorities.”

US-Iran news LIVE: Iran is working on a legislation to formalise its control and management of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the sticking points between the US and Iran on their potential peace deal, Press TV reported. Parliamentarian Alireza Salimi was quoted as saying that the legislative body will “soon” vote into law a measure governing Iran’s management over the Strait of Hormuz.

US-Iran news LIVE: Iran on Saturday said it intercepted an ‘intruder’ drone over Qeshm Island. Iranian army in a statement said that a ‘compact and lightweight drone belonging to the aggressor US-Zionist enemy’ was detected and shot down by the Army Air Defense Force, Press TV reported.

US-Iran news LIVE: 10 rockets were launched into northern Israel from Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported, adding that the Israeli army confirmed the activation of air raid sirens in the Western Galilee area.

US-Iran news LIVE: Israel launched strikes across south Lebanon Saturday after ordering evacuations from more than a dozen locations a day after its premier said Israeli forces had pushed even deeper into Lebanese territory.

Lebanon’s army said a “targeted” Israeli strike wounded two soldiers in the south, just a day after military delegations from both countries held landmark security talks in Washington.

The military talks in the US capital came ahead of US-brokered negotiations early next week — the fourth round since the latest Israel-Hezbollah conflict erupted.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Israeli several strikes in the south, including artillery fire near the mediaeval-era Beaufort castle.

via AFP

US-Iran news LIVE: The US affirmed that deals with Iran to safely sail through the Strait of Hormuz — even those which don’t involve paying a toll — aren’t allowed, as the conflict between the two nations grinds on.

“Regardless of whether a payment is made, US persons are prohibited from receiving services from the Government of Iran, including services related to a guarantee of safe passage,” the US Treasury said in an updated statement dated May 29.

Shipping through Hormuz — the vital waterway that connects energy infrastructure inside the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world — has slowed to a trickle since the Iran war began on Feb. 28, sending the price of oil soaring. The White House has sent conflicting messages on the prospects for a deal with Iran, a pattern that continued on Friday.

Iran created a new entity called the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to “collect tolls and extort vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” Treasury said in the statement. The US Office of Foreign Assets Control has designated the PGSA “pursuant to our counterterrorism authorities,” and warned that having dealings with it carries sanctions risks.

While shipping has dramatically slowed through Hormuz, some vessels have made the crossing: roughly one-quarter of the non-Iranian large oil tankers trapped inside the Persian Gulf at the outbreak of the Iran war have managed to slip out in a slow, stealthy trickle.

Payments to — and guarantees from — the Iranian government or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would not be authorized, according to the statement.

via Bloomberg

US-Iran news LIVE: Amid simmering tensions with the US, Iran on made some tough remarks and said it rejects Trump’s ‘language of must’, Press TV reported. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said Friday that message exchanges with Washington continue, but no final understanding has been reached, dismissing any notion that Tehran takes orders from abroad.

“We said goodbye to the language of ‘must’ 47 years ago. None of the Western parties can use the language of ‘must’ when they talk about the Islamic Republic of Iran. We make our own decisions based on the interests and rights of the Iranian nation,” Baghaei was quoted as saying.

US-Iran news LIVE: Qatar opposes permanent legal fees for transit through the Strait of Hormuz, but a temporary toll is negotiable and could help restore normal passage through the key waterway, a top official said.

A permanent fee would impact consumers and Qatar objects to any move to impose them, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said at an Asian defense conference in Singapore on Saturday. However, short-term charges used for mine clearing or similar purposes can be considered, he said.

The comments were in response to a question about talks between Iran and Oman to impose a permanent toll system to formalize control of maritime traffic through Hormuz, one of the world’s most important trade routes. Iran has effectively closed the waterway in response to US-Israeli airstrikes that began late February, triggering an energy crisis.

“Qatar and also the partners in the Gulf stated very clearly that charging fees will always impact the consumer, so we are against this,” Sheikh Saoud said at the Shangri-La Dialogue. “But for certain times that they say they will use it for mine-clearing or some usage of the fees for a temporary time, this is something that is negotiable.”

via Bloomberg

US-Iran news LIVE: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that the Islamic Republic is ready to achieve a “dignified framework” to end the war and tensions in the region, Press TV reported.

In a telephonic conversation with Emir of Qatar, Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Pezeshkian said that Iran has consistently proven its honesty and commitment to the path of dialogue.

“Now is the time for the other side to demonstrate its will and, in both action and word, adhere to its international obligations,” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying.

US-Iran news LIVE: Hezbollah said on Saturday it fired rockets at the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona, as exchanges of fire between the two sides have intensified despite Lebanon-Israel negotiations.

In at least two statements, the Iran-backed group said it launched a “rocket barrage” at the town “in defence of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the Israeli enemy’s violation of the ceasefire”.

US-Iran news LIVE: An Iranian ballistic missile strike on a Kuwaiti air base within the past 24 hours caused minor injuries to several Americans and seriously damaged two MQ-9 Reaper strike drones, even as US President Donald Trump considers a deal to extend a tenuous ceasefire. Kuwaiti air defenses intercepted the Fateh-110 missile, but falling debris struck the Ali Al Salem air base, according to a person with direct knowledge of the attack, who requested anonymity to describe details that aren’t public.

About five people, including both contractors and active duty personnel, suffered minor injuries, the person said. One Reaper was destroyed and at least one other was seriously damaged. The drones cost about $30 million each.

via Bloomberg

US-Iran news LIVE: US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States stands ready to resume strikes on Iran if diplomacy fails, as negotiators from Washington and Tehran work to bridge major differences blocking a deal.

“Our ability to recommence if necessary…we are more than capable,” Hegseth said. He added that Trump remains “patient” and is seeking a “strong deal” to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.

US-Iran news LIVE: Advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mohsen Rezaei has said that US President Donald Trump “is betraying diplomacy for the third time” by continuing the naval blockade, making excessive demands.

Three people have been killed and more than a dozen injured by Israeli air strikes early on Saturday morning, as attacks escalate in southern Lebanon, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.

Two of those killed were identified as a father and son: Zuhair Ahmad Hashim and his son Ali, who were killed in an air strike by Israeli forces in the early hours of Saturday morning at their home in the al-Marj neighbourhood of Ansar, north of Tyre. Seven other family members were also injured, Lebanon’s NNA said.

The agency added that Israeli forces also carried out an air attack this morning on the Sharifa-Habbouch-Nabatieh road, killing one civilian and leaving another in a critical condition.

Qatar opposes permanent legal fees for transit through the Strait of Hormuz, but a temporary toll is negotiable and could help restore normal passage through the key waterway, a top official said.

A permanent fee would impact consumers, and Qatar objects to any move to impose them, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said at an Asian defence conference in Singapore on Saturday. However, short-term charges used for mine clearing or similar purposes can be considered, he said.

The comments were in response to a question about talks between Iran and Oman to impose a permanent toll system to formalise control of maritime traffic through Hormuz, one of the world’s most important trade routes. Iran has effectively closed the waterway in response to US-Israeli airstrikes that began late February, triggering an energy crisis.

“Qatar and also the partners in the Gulf stated very clearly that charging fees will always impact the consumer, so we are against this,” Sheikh Saoud said at the Shangri-La Dialogue.

“But for certain times that they say they will use it for mine-clearing or some usage of the fees for a temporary time, this is something that is negotiable,” he added.

Hezbollah has said that it fired rockets at a northern Israeli town, AFP reported.

Israeli air strikes have targeted the town of Mayfadoun and the surrounding area of Shoukin in the Nabatieh district, Al Jazeera English reported.

Israeli air strikes have also targeted the towns of Ansar, Habboush, al-Jumaymah and Sarifa, also in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military has issued another forced displacement order to residents of Jdeidet Ansar, Zrariyeh, Mazraat Kauthariyet el-Rez and Machgharah, towns located in southern Lebanon between Saida and Tyre, and in the Bekaa Valley.

The warning called on civilians to evacuate immediately and move north of the Zahrani River, just south of Sidon, as Israeli forces are escalating their attacks beyond their so-called security buffer zone.

This is Israel’s second forced displacement order to residents of southern Lebanon today, after previous orders issued to residents of Mayfadoun, Choukine, and Zebdine, all in the district of Nabatieh, southern Lebanon. Residents were told to leave their homes without delay and warned that remaining near Hezbollah members or military sites could endanger their lives.