Israeli officials have voiced scepticism over the Trump administration’s latest diplomatic efforts with Iran, expressing concern that Washington is pushing for an agreement “at any cost,” according to a report by Israeli broadcaster Channel 12.

Citing a senior Israeli official, the broadcaster said there is growing unease in Tel Aviv over US President Donald Trump’s approach to negotiations with Tehran.

“The distance between peace and war with Trump is the distance between the letters T, R and U on the keyboard,” the official was quoted as saying, suggesting that the US president’s policy could change abruptly.

According to the report, the United States has not been directly updating Israel on its negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, forcing Israeli officials to rely largely on indirect channels for information.

Earlier on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations with Iran over safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz were still ongoing but expressed optimism that the two sides would reach an agreement “very shortly.”

US President Donald Trump claimed that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen “very soon” as negotiations with Iran continue, while warning Tehran that it would face strong military action if the talks collapse.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump expressed confidence that the strategic waterway would soon resume normal operations.

“The Strait is going to be open very soon — or they’re gonna hit very hard, and then the Strait is going to be open,” he said.

Trump revealed that the United States had been prepared to launch what he described as its largest military operation since World War II before Iran requested negotiations.

“We were going to a tremendous attack, the biggest since World War II, and they called me and said, very politely, ‘Please, can we talk?’” Trump said, adding that he agreed to give diplomacy another chance.

Trump warned that Iran would face a strong military response if it walked away from the negotiations, stressing that the US would not allow Tehran to develop a nuclear weapon.

“If they back out again, they’re going to get hit really hard,” he said.

“They know that; they understand that. I have no choice. They can’t have a nuclear weapon. It’s very simple,” he said.

Despite the warning, Trump described the ongoing negotiations as constructive, saying US and Iranian officials were engaged in “very good discussions,” although he acknowledged that Iran had not publicly confirmed the reported progress.

“The only thing that matters is action, and they want to make a deal. We’ll see what happens. If they don’t make a deal, it’s going to be too bad,” he said.

All-day negotiation

Trump also disclosed that US and Iranian officials held an “all-day negotiation” on Tuesday, expressing optimism that a breakthrough could soon be reached.

He said reopening the Strait of Hormuz would help stabilise global energy markets and predicted lower fuel prices if tensions ease.

Later, while speaking to reporters in California, Trump said the negotiations were “moving along very nicely” and suggested there could be greater clarity within the next 48 hours.

Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said discussions on ensuring safe passage through the strategic waterway had not yet been finalised but voiced hope that an agreement would be reached “very shortly.”

The United States, Iran and Oman are close to reaching an interim agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reinforce a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, with an announcement potentially coming as early as Wednesday, according to an Axios report.

Quoting two regional sources and a US official, the report said the proposed agreement is designed to reduce tensions after months of military confrontation and create space for fresh negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Under the draft arrangement, Oman and Iran would implement a 60-day temporary navigation framework in the Strait of Hormuz, with the possibility of extending the agreement.

The proposal envisions inbound vessels entering the Gulf through a northern shipping lane in Iranian waters, while outbound traffic would travel via a southern route in Omani waters in coordination with Iran.

The temporary arrangement would not impose any transit charges or tolls on commercial shipping.

The plan also includes a joint effort to remove naval mines from the central shipping lane within 30 days.

Once the operation is completed, the central channel could be reopened for two-way maritime traffic under a broader long-term agreement to be negotiated between Oman and Iran.

The diplomatic initiative follows US President Donald Trump’s decision to delay a large-scale military campaign against Iran in favour of giving diplomacy another opportunity.

While pausing further escalation, Trump has warned that Washington remains prepared to launch major military action if negotiations collapse.

The report said the talks have involved officials from Oman, Qatar, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, with the White House playing a central role in the negotiations.

Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has reportedly held several recent conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi.

According to regional sources, Araghchi endorsed the proposed arrangement in principle over the weekend, subject to approval by Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council.

A US official and a regional source told Axios that Iran’s leadership completed the approval process on Tuesday.

Speaking earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said discussions over safe passage through key international waterways had not yet been finalised but expressed hope that an agreement would be reached “very shortly.”

The renewed diplomatic push follows months of hostilities between Washington and Tehran, which began in February after joint US-Israeli strikes targeted the Iranian capital.

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Gulf states hosting American military assets.

Although both sides agreed to a ceasefire in April and later signed a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding in June aimed at ending hostilities, the agreement collapsed last month.

The renewed fighting lasted nearly two weeks before Trump ordered a halt to US bombardments amid renewed diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that there has been progress made in discussions with Iran and Oman on getting more ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but no final agreement has been reached.

“There’s been progress made in those talks, but not finality yet. We’re hoping that will happen very shortly,” Rubio told reporters at the State Department.

Iran wants control over inbound shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and visibility over outbound traffic, with the ability to ​intervene if necessary, under a temporary plan being discussed with Oman to reopen ‌the strategic waterway, a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Tuesday.

The source, who is involved in the talks, said this is “the general idea currently being discussed”, and specified that the outbound lane would follow a route ​between Iran and Oman, with exit clearance granted through Oman after notifying Iran.

“Tehran ​is unlikely to change its position,” the source added, saying that Tehran has ⁠already shown flexibility by moving from its initial position of seeking full control over ​traffic in both directions in the strait.

Last month, Iran rejected an Omani proposal for an equal division ​of transit routes between the two countries, which Tehran said failed to address the country’s security concerns until long-term regional stability is achieved.

Control of the strait, the narrow waterway between the Gulf and the Indian Ocean ​that is the main route for about a fifth of world oil supplies and other ​vital goods, has been a main sticking point in efforts to end the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The waterway has ‌been largely ⁠blocked since the start of the war in late February. The dispute over Hormuz remains a central point of contention.

Washington says June’s memorandum of understanding with Tehran to halt the war required Iran to reopen the strategic waterway, while Tehran says the text explicitly preserved its authority ​over shipping traffic.

Before the ​war, shipping passed freely ⁠through the strait, which is in the territorial waters of both Iran and Oman but which is generally regarded as an international waterway.

A ​so-called two-way traffic separation scheme, which was adopted by the UN ​shipping agency in ⁠1968 with agreement of countries in the region, created the current ship routing system that split sailing corridors through Iranian and Omani waters.

The strait, a strip of water 34 km (21 miles) wide, ⁠provides ​passage from the Gulf to the Indian Ocean and is ​a main route for energy supplies from the Middle East and other vital goods, including fertilisers.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the United States could reach a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Wednesday, adding that this would stabilise energy prices.

“We are in talks with the Iranians, and I think there is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalised position in this conflict,” Bessent said Tuesday in an interview with CNBC.

Asked if a deal would allow Iran to charge a toll on shipping using the strait, Bessent said: “I think it would be freedom of movement.”

Bessent’s comments echoed those of US President Donald Trump on Monday, who insisted the waterway could reopen within hours after he pulled back from threats of a massive military strike on Iran.

Iran’s foreign ministry has denied that negotiations with Washington were taking place, and on Tuesday, an unknown projectile hit a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, a key point of tension in the US-Iran conflict.

Bessent was upbeat on the impact a deal with Iran over the strait would have on energy prices, where he said hundreds of ships are waiting to go out.

“Even though things are still a little dicey there over the past few days, we’ve (seen) quite a few ships coming out even now,” Bessent said.

“So you know, I’d expect the energy prices to settle back down, which, as I said, will be good for the entire world.”

Mediating nation Qatar said on Tuesday that efforts for a diplomatic solution between the United States and Iran were ongoing but that there were no direct talks between the sides planned.

“We can confirm that the efforts are still ongoing with all parties,” foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari told reporters at a regular briefing.

He said that negotiations were focused on “a short-term resolution that would help us reignite the talks and go back to the mediation efforts in its totality”.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he had agreed to continue to pursue talks with Iran at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other countries but that Tehran had a “last chance” in negotiations.

The talks are focused on the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said, and the vital waterway could open “literally by tomorrow”.

“Our focus right now is on lowering escalation, reopening the strait, and reopening the door for diplomacy between the parties” Al Ansari said.

“We are hopeful that if we can get a resumption of the talks anytime soon, we’ll be able to push forward towards a major deal,” he added.

Iran’s foreign ministry denied on Monday that negotiations with Washington were taking place.

Qatar, a key intermediary in talks between Iran and the United States, had previously refused to enter negotiations under Iranian fire.

Tehran launched an unprecedented aerial bombardment against Gulf states in retaliation for the US-Israeli strikes beginning at the end of February.

However, the Gulf emirate has played a more active role in negotiations recently, alongside mediator Pakistan and traditional mediator Oman.

“Qatar, Pakistan and now Oman are all working together,” Al Ansari said

“We are coordinating very closely with the Omanis to facilitate the talks between both sides and exchanging ideas and exchanging drafts between both sides,” he added.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Majed Al-Ansari speaks during weekly press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Doha, Qatar, on April 23, 2024. Reuters file

The US Army has used up much of its stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles during its five-month war with Iran, according to three people familiar with the data, raising concerns about the military’s ​readiness for future conflicts.

The missiles are principally the army’s surface-to-surface weapons, known as Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM).

The US has used “virtually all” of these weapons, according to two of the sources.

The ‌degree to which the military is running out of ATACMS and Precision Strike Missiles has not been previously reported.

The long-range munitions are an important part of the military’s arsenal, allowing accurate strikes from a safe distance.

US-supplied ATACMS have played a key role in the war in Ukraine, allowing Ukrainian forces to attack targets inside Russia.

The PrSM is a newer, more advanced generation that will replace the ATACMS, which have a shorter range.

Analysts say such weapons – which cost over $1 million each – would also be important in any conflict with China.

The sources declined to say how many of each munition the US ​had left.

President Donald Trump launched the Iran war jointly with Israel in February, predicting that the conflict would last a short time.

But as the war drags on, the three people familiar with the matter expressed worry that the ​falling missile supplies could limit the US ability to deter adversaries, including Russia and China.

A fourth person familiar with the matter said that while Central Command — which oversees US forces in ⁠the Middle East — has nearly used up the land-based missiles it had before the war began, it has been able to reload from US military supplies elsewhere in the world.

The sources interviewed for this story spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Asked for ​comment on the stockpile data, the White House issued a statement from Trump, saying the US had “far more munitions than anyone in the world“ and “far more than we need.”

“Our defence companies are, at this moment, making more munitions than they have ever made before, ​in addition to expanding their plants and equipment at record levels,” Trump said.

Analysts agree that certain munitions, including artillery shells and several types of missiles, are being produced at record levels but caution that supplies might fall far short of what is needed for a prolonged war.

Lockheed Martin, which makes the ATACMs and PrSMs, along with the anti-ballistic missile THAAD system, did not immediately respond to questions about Trump’s statements or about supply levels.

Raytheon, which makes Tomahawk missiles and Patriot interceptors, two important US weapons, also did not immediately respond.

Responding to a request for comment, chief Pentagon spokesperson ​Sean Parnell said: “America’s military is the most powerful in the world and has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the President’s choosing. We have executed multiple successful operations across combatant commands while ensuring the US military possesses ​a deep arsenal of capabilities to protect our people and our interests.”

The supply figures have circulated inside the federal government over the last week during tense conversations inside the Trump administration about how much longer the US can continue striking Iran without drawing down the stockpile to ‌levels that would ⁠limit the military’s ability to respond to crises elsewhere.

Warning over weapons supplies

One of the sources said the drawdown of the ATACMS and PrSM stockpiles reflected a decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier ways of attacking Iranian targets, such as by using piloted aircraft to drop bombs.

Because these weapons allow the military to attack targets from a distance, analysts say they would be valuable in a war against an adversary with strong air defences, such as China.

They have been used to strike targets inside Iran, according to a March report by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

According to the report, PrSM stockpiles were low to start with, since it is a relatively new munition, but the US military has ordered a large number of them for 2027.

The ​Army has said that ATACMS are being phased out and ​that production is shifting to the newer PrSM missiles.

Military ⁠leaders have for weeks warned the president that stockpiles of defensive weapons — including Patriot interceptors, which are effective against ballistic missiles — were dwindling, said two of the sources.

Last week, several media outlets reported Trump had decided not to launch another massive offensive inside Iran in part because his military advisers had warned about the US stockpile.

A US official disputed those accounts, saying Trump chose ​not to move forward with another attack because of pressure from Gulf states.

The Middle East conflict has sparked intense debate about Trump’s authority to prosecute hostilities against Iran without congressional ​authorisation.

No request for a declaration ⁠of war or an authorisation to use military force has been submitted to Congress.

Defensive weapons also diminished

Last week, CSIS published a report estimating that between February and July about 65% of Patriot interceptors had been expended and that the number of THAAD ballistic missile interceptors in US stockpiles was at least 38% lower than at the start of the war.

Patriots and THAADs are systems that detect and destroy incoming missiles and are among the most effective in the country’s arsenal.

While Reuters has not seen the supply figures, those ⁠numbers match internal US ​data, two of the sources said.

The US also burned through a little less than half of its global supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles, which are ​generally launched from ships, since the start of the war, one of the sources said.

Reuters could not independently verify that number.

The Tomahawk is a Navy weapon, launched from destroyers, cruisers and submarines, and has long served as the sea service’s principal means of striking heavily defended targets without risking pilots.

Raytheon, a unit of ​RTX, has reached a tentative multi-year agreement with the Pentagon aimed at boosting Tomahawk production, alongside increases in other munitions, as Washington races to rebuild stockpiles.

Conflicting signals from the United States and Iran over the status of talks to end their five-month-old war boosted uncertainty on Tuesday, with the latest attack on ​shipping in the Strait of Hormuz highlighting risks to global energy flows.

US President Donald Trump said the talks were underway on Monday, warning of a “last chance” ‌for Tehran to sign a good deal, but Iran denied that negotiations were being held or planned.

“They are going on right now,” Trump told reporters at an Oval Office event when asked about the state of negotiations, saying the sides were talking at the request of Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, among others.

“This is a last chance for them (Iran) to sign a good document.”

The comments followed Trump’s ​weekend decision to call off “massive attacks” he said he had authorised on Iran, as talks were to be held, repeating a pattern in which he has vowed major ​strikes only to cancel them.

Earlier on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said no negotiations with the United States were taking place ⁠, and no meetings were scheduled.

Iran had no plans to host foreign delegations or send negotiators abroad in the coming days, he said.

Baghaei added that all Iranian negotiators were in the ​country, except for Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who was on a religious pilgrimage in Iraq.

The only talks underway, he said, were discussions with Oman over management of the Strait of Hormuz.

Shipping ​activity in the Gulf only reinforced the ongoing stand-off since Iran all but shut off transits through the vital route for a fifth of global shipments of crude oil and natural gas before it was blockaded in the war.

One cargo vessel broadcast it had been hit by an unknown projectile near the strait off Oman’s coast, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said.

Traffic through Hormuz remained largely slow, with three ​tankers and three bulk carriers among the six vessels transiting the strait on Monday, down from seven the previous day, Kpler data showed.

In a post on Truth Social later ​on Monday, Trump called Iran’s leadership “unbelievably duplicitous,” saying ​they had asked for a meeting and ⁠more talks were set for the “immediate future.”

He also repeated his assertion that the US Navy had total control over the Strait of Hormuz.

“‘The United States Wall of Steel!’ Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, ​or Total Surrender, is accomplished,” he wrote.

Repeated pattern

Monday’s events appeared to fit a pattern since Trump launched “Operation Epic Fury” alongside Israel more ​than five months ago.

Trump ⁠has threatened military action several times, only to later cite diplomatic contacts as a reason to step back.

Iran, however, has publicly rejected negotiations with Washington since the collapse in early July of a memorandum of understanding both signed the previous month, aimed at ending the conflict.

Trump has yet to achieve the objectives he set out at the outset of the war: dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme, ⁠curbing its ability ​to attack regional rivals and creating conditions for Iranians to overthrow their clerical rulers.

Repeated US actions have been ​met by escalating Iranian responses against US forces in the region, Washington’s Gulf Arab allies and shipping, each time ending with Trump stepping back.

The Hormuz dispute remains a central point of contention, with Washington saying the June memorandum required Iran ​to open the strategic waterway, while Tehran says the text explicitly preserved its authority over shipping traffic.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that negotiations with Iran were “going on right now,” describing them as Tehran’s final opportunity to reach an agreement and avoid a major escalation in the conflict.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the talks were taking place at the request of Iran as well as regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

“Talks are going on right now,” Trump said. “This is a last chance for them to sign a good document.”

Trump warned that Iran faced “decapitation” if it failed to reach an agreement, reiterating his threat to launch a major attack on the country.

“I think we’re going to maybe get something, but I want to give them every last chance before decapitation,” he said.

Earlier in the day, after Iran said no negotiations were under way, Trump criticised what he called the country’s “unbelievably duplicitous” leadership.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Monday spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and invited him to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

In a statement shared on X, the ministry said the two foreign ministers exchanged views on regional and international developments during the conversation.

The discussions also covered the deteriorating situation in Occupied East Jerusalem, Dar said.

“DPM/FM invited Foreign Minister Araghchi to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience,” he added.

The conversation comes after Iran said there were no direct talks with Washington, as Trump had insisted there would be when he called off a threatened round of heavy bombing against Iran over the weekend, citing what he said were appeals from regional powers and Tehran.

The Iranian foreign ministry said Monday that the only talks it was holding were with Oman to discuss plans for sharing control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for the global energy trade.

Trump insisted Iran had asked for talks — “some would say ‘beg’” — but was now giving “their usual blather” about controlling Hormuz.

The strait, Trump insisted, “is already completely controlled by the United States Navy and our ‘Blockade’ or, as some say, ‘The United States Wall of Steel!’ Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished.”

Six Saudi-flagged supertankers have changed course in the Gulf of Aden ​in recent days and are heading to southern ‌Africa following threats by Yemen’s Houthi movement to target Saudi shipping, tracking data showed on Monday.

The tankers, which were empty of cargo after returning ​from destinations in Asia, were sailing in formation ​towards southern Africa, rather than opting to transit the ⁠southern Red Sea via the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint, according ​to AIS ship-tracking on LSEG and MarineTraffic.

One of the tankers, ​Dilam, had Gibraltar as its destination, ship tracking showed.

The vessels’ Saudi-based operator Bahri and other Saudi officials did not immediately respond to requests ​for comment.

The tankers, each of which can carry a maximum ​of two million barrels of crude oil, had opted to re-route via ‌the Cape, taking into account the security situation, two trade sources said, based on their assessments.

Their journeys will add at least 25 additional days of sailing time if they opt ​to cross Suez ​back to ⁠Saudi ports in the Red Sea, according to Reuters calculations.

The Iran-aligned Houthis on July 20 declared ​a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, opening a ​new front against the US and its allies in the Iran war.

Houthi attacks in recent days on Saudi-linked ships prompted London’s marine ⁠insurance ​market last week to widen its “high ​risk” zone in the Red Sea, adding waters close to more Saudi Arabian ​ports.

President Donald Trump lashed out Monday after Iran denied it was in negotiations with the United States, declaring in an angry social media post that a US military blockade will continue until there is a “Deal, or Total surrender.”

Calling Iran “duplicitous” for “openly and proudly” saying it was not negotiating, Trump wrote: “Whether Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking of a solution to a problem that they have caused, for decades.”

Trump’s statement on Truth Social came after Iran said there were no direct talks with Washington, as Trump had insisted there would be when he called off a threatened round of heavy bombing against Iran over the weekend, citing what he said were appeals from regional powers and Tehran.

The Iranian foreign ministry said Monday that the only talks it was holding were with Oman to discuss plans for sharing control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for the global energy trade.

Trump insisted Iran had asked for talks — “some would say ‘beg’” — but was now giving “their usual blather” about controlling Hormuz.

The strait, Trump insisted, “is already completely controlled by the United States Navy and our ‘Blockade’ or, as some say, ‘The United States Wall of Steel!’ Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished.”

Trump launched a war, together with Israel, against Iran on February 28.

Original goals included destruction of the country’s nuclear industry, missiles and backing for a popular uprising against the government.

More than five months later, Iran remains able to fire missiles and drones at US and allied targets in the region, and retains its enriched uranium stockpiles.

Despite the US pressure, Iranian attacks on ships in Hormuz have severely impacted global energy trading, giving Tehran a strong new card in the standoff.

Iran denied any negotiations were taking place with the United States after President Donald Trump said new talks would begin on Monday in an effort to end their war, now in its sixth month.

The rebuttal by the Iranian foreign ministry follows Trump saying he had held off launching new strikes on the Islamic Republic to allow for further diplomatic efforts, a familiar pattern in the conflict.

Washington and Tehran have been at war since February 28, when the US and Israel launched surprise strikes against Iran, though months of on-off diplomacy have led to periods of relative calm.

Trump last week threatened to hit Iran “very hard”, with the US leader reportedly considering renewed attacks, including against energy infrastructure.

But the president pulled back from that threat Saturday, saying the “perimeters” of a deal were there.

Iran’s foreign ministry, however, denied there were currently negotiations taking place.

“We are not currently negotiating with the United States. Our negotiations are with Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei during a weekly press briefing.

The Hormuz shipping route is a major sticking point in efforts to end the war.

Iran has obstructed vessels attempting to pass the critical trade corridor, firing on commercial ships.

Before the war, there was free passage through the strait, but Iran now insists on retaining control and charging fees, something the US rejects.

Tehran has refused to let ships travel any route other than one which hugs the Iranian coast.

On Sunday, Baghaei told state television that a deal was close on managing Hormuz together with Oman, which sits on the other side of the narrow waterway.

“We are now going to reach an understanding on a route acceptable to both sides — neither the northern route nor the southern route — but one that respects the sovereign rights of both sides and safeguards our national interests and security,” he said.

But he insisted that such an agreement did not mean the reopening of the strait.

‘It begins tomorrow’

On Sunday, a tanker off the coast of Oman reported hearing an explosion nearby, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre reported, but the ship and crew were all reported safe.

Trump told reporters on Sunday that the new talks with Iran would cover Hormuz and ultimately the denuclearisation of Iran.

The US president said at the start of the conflict that the war was necessary to deal with Iran’s nuclear programme.

Western nations accuse Iran of seeking a bomb, though Tehran insists the programme is entirely civilian in nature.

“Now what we’re doing is we’re talking to them in the form of a negotiation. It begins tomorrow afternoon,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, without providing details of the venue or participants.

The president said he had been asked by Iran as well as US partners Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to hold off on further strikes, which he claimed would have been “the biggest attack since World War II”.

Iranian media denied that Tehran had asked Trump not to strike.

Trump has repeatedly claimed a settlement to end the war is near, only for fighting to resume.

He has previously issued apocalyptic warnings to Tehran, only to later backtrack by saying diplomacy was underway.

A previous ceasefire deal between the foes fell through last month.

It was supposed to open the Strait of Hormuz to ships carrying vital energy exports from the Gulf to feed the global economy.

Iranian lawmaker Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesman for the parliament’s national security commission, said on Sunday that mediators were trying to revive the US-Iran memorandum of understanding that was agreed in June.

That agreement was not intended as a final peace deal, but as a stepping stone to negotiations on a comprehensive agreement, though it did include provisions on Hormuz.

“They know that the main issue and, in fact, the key to the matter right now is the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, so yes, there is an exchange of views,” Ghashghavi said.

Posting on X, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said: “We must strive to compel the enemy to remain committed to what it has signed.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has described the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the United States in June as the future cornerstone of Iran’s foreign policy, saying Tehran must ensure Washington honours its commitments under the agreement.

In a post on social media platform X on Sunday, Pezeshkian said the memorandum reflected the collective consensus of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

“The memorandum that was signed is the result of the collective wisdom of the Supreme National Security Council’s members, and all members are in sympathy with it,” he wrote.

The Iranian president said he believed the agreement would become the “centre of gravity” of the country’s future foreign relations.

“We must strive to compel the enemy to remain committed to what it has signed,” he added.

Pezeshkian added agreement’s successful implementation would strengthen security for Iran, the wider region and its allies.

The 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was signed remotely on June 18, 2026, by Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump with Pakistan acting as mediator.

The accord was designed to help end the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, while creating a framework for broader diplomatic engagement and a long-term political settlement.

The memorandum took immediate effect, extending the ceasefire and committing both sides to negotiations on a comprehensive settlement.

It also included provisions related to lifting the US naval blockade, granting waivers for Iranian oil exports and restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian officials have consistently portrayed the agreement as evidence that Tehran’s resistance had forced Washington to negotiate.

Pezeshkian has previously described the accord as a “historic document”, while Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called it a “declaration of America’s defeat.”

Tehran has repeatedly maintained that implementation of the agreement will remain reciprocal, insisting it will fully honour its commitments only after the United States fulfils its own obligations.

Iranian officials have also rejected what they describe as any unilateral demands or attempts by Washington to back away from the deal.

Iranian authorities have further stressed that the memorandum was negotiated and concluded with the full backing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council.

US President Donald Trump said talks ​with Iran will happen on Monday but declined to set a deadline for an agreement after earlier saying he had called off an ‌imminent attack in hopes of quickly reaching a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resolve the impasse over Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.

Trump had said late on Saturday on his Truth Social platform that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked for time to complete a deal that would lead to “the Immediate, Complete and Total” reopening of the strait and “an end to ​Iran’s nuclear threat” but that Tehran must “rapidly make a DEAL.”

As he returned to Washington from a weekend in New Jersey, Trump told reporters on Sunday ​that a negotiation would begin on Monday afternoon but did not provide details of where it would take place or ⁠who would be involved.

Asked if there was a deadline for Iran to come to an agreement, Trump declined to answer.

“Would I rather make a deal? I’m not ​looking to kill people because people die, a lot of people die, and we don’t want that,” Trump said in response.

Trump has repeatedly issued threats that he would ​escalate the war on Iran he launched along with Israel in late February, only to allow more time for talks, which have so far not led to a comprehensive deal.

Trump’s apparent de-escalation after days of threats of new attacks from each side was the latest twist in the war.

Attacks have spread across the Gulf to the Red Sea and even a Mediterranean facility ​in Egypt.

Iran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, before the start of the war, ​causing energy prices to rise and stoking broader inflation.

The US president has argued that his stated goal of keeping Iran from gaining nuclear weapons justifies higher fuel costs in the near ‌term, but ⁠the economic pain has put political pressure on him to find a way to end the conflict.

Oil prices were down more than 4% in early trading on Monday.

Israeli threat

Eli ⁠Cohen, Israel’s energy minister and a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet, said there was close security and intelligence coordination between Israel and the US on everything happening in the region.

But he added: “With or without an agreement, and regardless of any external commitments, if Iran attempts to renew its nuclear programme or advance its ballistic missile ⁠industries, we ​will be there. We will take action, and we will strike.”

Trump and Netanyahu met on Tuesday ​in Washington, with an Israeli official saying they had explored all possible paths to curb Iran’s nuclear programme, including diplomacy, economic pressure and force. Tehran denies it is seeking a nuclear weapon.

Iranian diplomacy

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held phone calls with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir to discuss diplomatic efforts, Iran’s state media reported on Sunday.

The official Iranian news agency IRNA reported earlier that negotiations between Tehran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz were in their final stages, ​citing Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

Iranian Foreign ​Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said negotiations ⁠were focused on agreeing a new route through the strait, adding that it had “no link to the Strait of Hormuz being opened or closed. That is a separate discussion.”

Last month Iran publicly rejected an Omani proposal, backed by Gulf states, to manage ​the strait they share.

People familiar with the matter had told Reuters the plan included the collection of voluntary fees ​for using the strait.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has urged US President Donald Trump to prioritise diplomacy and prevent the Middle East from sliding into a broader regional conflict, as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the two leaders spoke by telephone on Saturday, with the crown prince stressing the need to reduce tensions through dialogue and to make “all possible efforts” to achieve de-escalation and create the conditions for a diplomatic solution.

He warned that preventing a wider conflict was essential to preserving regional security and stability and avoiding consequences that could affect both the Middle East and the wider international community.

The leaders also reviewed Saudi-US cooperation and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral ties, SPA said.

Separately, Axios, citing US officials and sources familiar with the conversation, reported that the Saudi crown prince expressed concern over Trump’s reported plans for large-scale military strikes against Iran and urged him to avoid further escalation.

According to the report, Saudi officials sought clarification on Washington’s military plans, while Mohammed bin Salman encouraged Trump to pursue de-escalation rather than launch fresh attacks.

The White House and the Saudi embassy in Washington declined to comment on the Axios report.

The developments come as Trump weighs possible strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure in response to Iran’s missile attack on a US base in Jordan and continued disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has warned that any new US military action would trigger retaliatory attacks on energy and infrastructure facilities in Israel and Gulf Arab states.

Trump said late on Saturday that he had cancelled planned military strikes after Iran and several other Middle Eastern countries requested additional time to finalise the framework of a peace agreement.

He also claimed that Israel had joined the commitment to pursue diplomacy.

Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of several regional powers, alongside Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Pakistan, that are pressing both Washington and Tehran to de-escalate the crisis and avoid a wider regional war.

The United States is sending 10 additional aerial refuelling aircraft to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, increasing the number of US military tanker planes stationed there to 40, Israeli media reported on Saturday, as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.

According to Israeli business daily Calcalist, the incoming aircraft will join 30 US refuelling planes already parked at the airport.

Citing the Israel Airports Authority, the report said the unusually large military presence has placed significant operational pressure on Ben Gurion Airport, contributing to civil flight delays of around two hours in recent days.

Officials warned that disruptions could worsen once the additional aircraft arrive.

The report noted that the airport is currently in its peak summer travel season, when passenger traffic is typically at its highest.

Earlier this month, Israel’s Transportation Ministry said it had reached an agreement with US authorities to reduce the number of American refuelling aircraft at Ben Gurion to 20 by July 21, with the remaining planes to be relocated to Israeli Air Force bases.

US aerial refuelling aircraft have been deployed at Ben Gurion Airport and other locations across Israel since the outbreak of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran on February 28.

The latest deployment comes amid growing reports of military preparations as tensions between Washington and Tehran intensify.

Israeli media reported on Saturday that Israel’s defence establishment was preparing for the possibility of a major US military strike on Iran, after US President Donald Trump warned a day earlier that Washington was prepared to hit Iran “very hard” if necessary.

Iranian media have identified major energy facilities across the Gulf and Israel as potential targets if the US launches fresh military strikes on Iran, amid growing fears of a wider regional escalation.

In a report published amid heightened tensions, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency said Washington was aware that key energy infrastructure in Gulf Arab states and Israel was within range of Iran’s precision missile arsenal should hostilities escalate.

The report listed several strategic energy sites that could be targeted, including Saudi Arabia’s Ghawar oil field and the Abqaiq and Khurais processing plants, the United Arab Emirates’ Ruwais refinery and Zakum offshore oil field, Qatar’s North Field gas reserve and Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal, Kuwait’s Burgan oil field, Bahrain’s Sitra refinery and Ma’ameer industrial facilities, and Israel’s Leviathan and Tamar gas fields.

Fars said strikes on these facilities would have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets, describing many of them as vital to international crude oil and LNG supplies.

The agency also referred to the recent 40-day conflict, saying Iran had struck the world’s largest gas processing facility in Qatar after its South Pars gas field came under attack.

The report comes as concerns grow over possible Iranian retaliation against regional energy infrastructure if Washington carries out fresh military action against Tehran.

Tensions have intensified following US President Donald Trump’s warning that further strikes remain an option, while Israeli media reported that Israel’s defence establishment was preparing for the possibility of a major US attack on Iran.

The publication coincided with a series of diplomatic contacts by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who held separate telephone conversations on Saturday with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir.

According to Iranian officials, Araghchi warned that any new attack by the United States or Israel, or the involvement of regional countries in such action, would be met with a “decisive and proportionate” response from Iran’s armed forces.

US President Donald Trump has announced that Washington will suspend planned military strikes on Iran after saying Tehran and several Middle Eastern countries had sought time to finalise a deal aimed at securing a new ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending Iran’s nuclear programme.

In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform late on Saturday and early Sunday, Trump said Iran and several Middle Eastern countries had requested time to finalise a deal, prompting him to halt planned military action despite warning that US forces remained ready to launch overwhelming strikes if diplomacy failed.

“The US is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II,” Trump wrote.

“Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to. This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat,” he wrote.

“Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL. The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE.“

According to Trump, the proposed agreement would include the “immediate, complete and total” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and “an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.”

He also said Israel supported the diplomatic effort, although the Israeli government did not immediately comment publicly on the claim.

The announcement comes after the collapse of a peace agreement reached in June and weeks of intense hostilities between Iran and its adversaries.

The conflict saw near-daily Iranian strikes targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, while Yemen’s Houthis stepped up attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Trump suggested his decision to pause military action followed consultations with regional allies.

A US official told Axios that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump on Saturday, expressing concern and seeking clarity over Washington’s military plans for Iran.

A White House official confirmed the conversation to Reuters but declined to provide further details.

According to CBS News, the Saudi crown prince cautioned Trump against conducting a fresh round of strikes on Iran.

The State Department has issued a fresh travel warning to US citizens in the Middle East, saying they should consider departing now.

US embassies in several Middle Eastern capitals, including Amman, Jordan; Jerusalem; and Baghdad, warned American citizens to beware an “unforeseen escalation” in the regional conflict and urged them to be ready to leave.

Tehran also issued new threats to countries that host US bases.

Iran-linked media continued to issue stark warnings. Nournews, which is affiliated with Iran’s top security body, said any US attack on Iranian energy infrastructure would trigger retaliatory strikes on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as gas fields in Qatar and Israel.

Trump’s latest remarks follow comments made during a cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday, where he said he still believed US negotiators — including special envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his son-in-law Jared Kushner — could secure an agreement with Tehran.

At the same time, Trump voiced frustration over the negotiations, accusing Iran of repeatedly failing to honour its commitments and warning that military action remained an option if diplomacy broke down.

The head of the US military’s European Command (EUCOM) has warned the Pentagon that current naval resources are insufficient to defend Israel against Iranian ballistic missile attacks, according to a report by The Washington Post.

The newspaper reported that Gen Alexis Grynkewich informed senior Pentagon officials in writing this week that EUCOM lacked the naval assets required to provide adequate missile defence for Israel amid the escalating conflict with Iran.

According to the report, the commander warned that unless the US Navy deployed an additional aircraft carrier, he would have to prioritise the defence of the United States over protecting Israel.

A US defence official told the newspaper that such written warnings from military commanders are not unusual when operational demands exceed available resources.

The official said commanders routinely notify the Pentagon of capability gaps so policymakers can make informed decisions on force allocation.

Growing strain on US military resources

The warning comes as the five-month conflict between Washington and Tehran has entered a critical phase, with hostilities resuming after the collapse of a proposed peace agreement.

The renewed fighting has placed increasing pressure on US missile defence systems and military stockpiles.

US aircraft carriers operating in the eastern Mediterranean have long supported Israel’s missile defence network, using advanced radar systems and interceptor missiles to help counter threats from Iran and the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen.

The report said the Trump administration’s decision to blockade Iranian ports in response to Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz has further stretched US naval resources.

Multiple theatres, limited assets

EUCOM oversees US military operations in the Mediterranean and is also responsible for monitoring potential threats from Russia against NATO allies, adding to the command’s operational burden.

According to the US Department of Defence, five US Navy destroyers are based in Rota, Spain, with a sixth expected to arrive later this year. However, ongoing operations related to the Iran conflict have delayed maintenance schedules, affecting the availability of naval assets.

As of Friday, the report said the USS Paul Ignatius and USS Roosevelt were deployed in the eastern Mediterranean, while the USS Arleigh Burke, USS Bulkeley and USS Oscar Austin remained stationed at Rota.

In the Arabian Sea, the United States has deployed the USS George W. Bush, USS Abraham Lincoln and at least 15 other warships, including 11 aircraft carriers, to protect commercial shipping and enforce the blockade of Iranian ports around the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, the USS Gonzalez is operating in the Red Sea, where Yemen’s Houthi movement has declared a blockade of Saudi shipping routes. Saudi Arabia has also stepped up efforts to secure maritime traffic in the area.

Reports of possible new strikes

The Washington Post report comes as domestic criticism of the Iran conflict grows in the United States, with public support declining and lawmakers from both major parties urging the Trump administration to present a clearer strategy for ending the war.

Separately, The Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump has authorised the US military to prepare fresh strikes against Iran.

According to the report, the United States and Israel are considering attacks on Iranian energy facilities that could be carried out as early as the end of the weekend.

Iran has responded by warning the United States and Israel that any attack on its energy infrastructure or other critical facilities would have “serious consequences.”

Britain is not part of the war against Iran and remains committed to resolving tensions through diplomacy, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi during a telephone conversation, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

The call came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and followed Iran’s warning to Britain to reconsider policies that could facilitate US military operations against Tehran, including allowing the use of British military bases.

According to a statement issued by Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday, Araghchi said any cooperation with the United States or other countries involved in military action against Iran was “unacceptable.”

He argued that under international law and the UN definition of aggression, a country that allows its territory or facilities to be used for an unlawful attack on another state could also be considered an aggressor, adding that the targeted country would have the legitimate right to self-defence.

Iran criticises UK policies

During the conversation, Araghchi criticised Britain’s decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a national security threat and condemned what he described as British support for US and Israeli military actions against Iran.

The Iranian foreign minister said London’s recent stance toward Tehran was “unfair” and required reconsideration, maintaining that US and Israeli actions against Iran were the primary cause of the current regional crisis.

Araghchi also said Iran had participated in negotiations in good faith and had agreed to a memorandum on a ceasefire on June 18, but claimed the United States failed to honour its commitments and prevented the agreement from being implemented.

Hormuz and diplomacy discussed

The Iranian foreign minister reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to establishing a practical mechanism with Oman to manage maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

He warned that interference by any third party could further complicate the situation in the strategically important waterway.

For his part, Miliband stressed that Britain was not participating in the conflict against Iran and believed diplomacy remained the only viable path to resolving disputes.

He also emphasised the importance of maintaining diplomatic engagement with Tehran, saying continued dialogue could help improve bilateral relations and reduce tensions across the region.

The latest exchange comes as relations between Tehran and London remain strained following Britain’s tougher stance on Iran.

The UK government has declared the IRGC a national security threat and announced stricter penalties for individuals found assisting the organisation.

Iran has repeatedly accused the United States and its allies of escalating regional instability.

At the same time, Western governments continue to express concerns over Tehran’s regional activities, missile programme and support for armed groups in the Middle East.

Iran is continuing efforts to determine the fate of three Air Force pilots who went missing after participating in an operation targeting the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar during the recent conflict with the United States and Israel, the Iranian Army said.

Army spokesperson Brig Gen Mohammad Akraminia said Iranian F-5 fighter jets targeted the Al Adiri base in Kuwait, while Su-24 bombers struck the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

He described the Su-24 mission as one of the Iranian Air Force’s most complex operations, saying the aircraft flew at extremely low altitude over the Persian Gulf to evade enemy radar before successfully striking the target.

Akraminia said one of the four pilots involved, Brig Gen Majid Kazemi, was recently identified and buried in his hometown of Shiraz after his body was returned to Iran.

He claimed the returning aircraft was attacked by enemy fighter jets and added the strike inflicted heavy damage on the US base, destroying several helicopters and disabling others.

The spokesperson said the whereabouts of the three remaining pilots remain unknown despite ongoing efforts.

“Qatari authorities have so far said they have no information about our three missing pilots,” Akraminia said, urging Doha to cooperate in clarifying their fate in line with international humanitarian law.

He added that investigations are continuing while Iran has used the ceasefire period to restore damaged military systems, expand its drone capabilities and deploy a new generation of drones, with further details expected to be announced in the coming days.

President Donald Trump has ordered the US military to launch a fresh strike on Iran as early as this weekend, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

Citing unnamed US officials, the newspaper reported that the planned strikes are intended to force Iran into surrendering.

In a related development, an Axios report said that President Trump is seriously considering launching attacks against energy targets in Iran in the next few days, but hasn’t given final orders to do it.

The reports came hours after Trump questioned the future of negotiations with Tehran and renewed threats of military retaliation following an attack on a US military base in Jordan.

“We’ll be hitting them very hard,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting on Friday.

“At some point they’ll say, ‘We just can’t take it anymore.’”

In a separate report, CBS News said the United States is also considering targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, including oil refineries and power plants, in what would mark a significant escalation of the conflict.

Human rights advocates have warned that deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure could amount to war crimes.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not confirm the reports of imminent military action but reiterated the administration’s hardline stance.

“Iran will continue to pay until they come to the table in what President Trump deems a meaningful way,” she said in a statement.

Financial markets reacted swiftly to the reports, with US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbing above $86 per barrel in after-hours trading.

Also on Friday, Trump voiced scepticism over the prospects for diplomacy with Iran.

“I’m losing faith in them because they do lie and they do misrepresent,” he told reporters at Camp David, while repeating that sustained military pressure would eventually force Tehran to change course.

Speaking during a televised Cabinet meeting at Camp David, Trump said Iranian leaders could not be trusted despite ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

“They do lie, and they do misrepresent,” Trump said. “They always want to talk, but they break their word so often.”

Despite his criticism, Trump said senior US officials remained in contact with Iranian counterparts.

He named Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as leading the negotiations.

“We have great people talking,” Trump said.

The US president also referred to a recent missile attack on an American military base in Jordan, saying it occurred while diplomatic talks were underway.

“Instead, I got a call from Pete that they just shot five missiles at one of our bases in Jordan,” Trump said, referring to US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Asked whether more attacks could follow, Trump declined to rule out the possibility.

“I think I’m going to be foolish to say no. You always have to keep your guard up,” he said, adding that while Iran might temporarily regain strength, it would eventually weaken.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi urged Bulgaria to reconsider its decision to allow the temporary deployment of US military ​aircraft at the Bezmer air base, Iranian state media ‌reported on Thursday.

During a phone call with his Bulgarian counterpart, Velislava Petrova-Chamova, Araqchi said Sofia’s approval of a US request to station military aircraft at ​the base to support military operations amounted to facilitating aggression ​against Iran, adding the move was unacceptable and contrary ⁠to the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries.

Iran has repeatedly ​warned countries allowing their territory to be used for US military ​operations against it that they could “face consequences”.

Araqchi held a separate phone call with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, during which he stressed the importance of ​preventing foreign military bases in Cyprus from being used against Iran.

Bulgaria’s parliament ​last week approved the temporary deployment of up to eight US KC-135 tanker ‌aircraft ⁠and up to 250 personnel at Bezmer air base despite Iranian objections. Sofia has said no offensive weapons would be deployed and that the move did not make Bulgaria a party to military ​operations.

Cyprus hosts two ​British sovereign ⁠military bases, including RAF Akrotiri, which was struck by an Iranian drone in early March, a few days ​after Israel and the US initiated strikes on ​Iran.

Britain agreed ⁠early on in the war to a US request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles in storage depots or launchers.

This ⁠arrangement ​was maintained by the new British ​Prime Minister Andy Burnham in July, prompting Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to warn Britain against facilitating US ​military operations against Iran.