Day 85 | Tehran says US demand to hand over uranium would doom any deal
Iran says peace negotiations with the United States remain stalled by “deep and significant” disagreements, warning it is still unclear whether a deal can be achieved in the coming weeks or even months. Iranian officials say major gaps persist over key issues despite ongoing diplomatic contacts.
Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, has arrived in Tehran alongside a senior security delegation, in a move analysts view as a positive signal amid efforts to bridge major differences between Washington and Tehran during the negotiations.
Meanwhile, an ‘Israeli’ strike on the Lebanese town of Deir Qanoun en-Nahr killed at least six people, including two rescue workers and a Syrian child, as deadly attacks continue despite the ceasefire agreement.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said 35 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian authorization over the past 24 hours, as concerns over global energy markets and economic stability continue to grow.
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Read more: Day 86 | Trump says agreement with Iran “largely negotiated”
Trump says Strait of Hormuz will reopen as part of peace deal
US President Donald Trump said the “final aspects and details” of a potential agreement with Iran are currently being discussed and will be announced shortly, according to his statement.
“In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened,” Trump added, referring to one of the world’s most strategic shipping routes.
Trump claims an agreement with Iran is ‘largely negotiated’
US President Donald Trump said an agreement with Iran has been “largely negotiated,” according to a post on his Truth Social platform.
He said he had just completed what he described as “a very good call” with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain.
Trump added that the possible agreement remains “subject to finalisation” between the United States, Iran, and other involved countries.
US reassures ‘Israel’ over Iran uranium concerns, CNN reports
The United States has continued to reassure ‘Israel’ regarding Iran’s uranium file as negotiations between Washington and Tehran progress, according to CNN citing an ‘Israeli’ source.
The source said concerns in ‘Israel’ focus on the possibility of a limited interim agreement that would not fully address Iran’s nuclear program or its stockpile of enriched uranium.
According to the report, ‘Israeli’ officials fear that a partial agreement could leave key elements of Iran’s nuclear capabilities intact while easing tensions without long-term safeguards.
Iran envoy to Pakistan says ‘positive stride taking shape’ in US talks
Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said discussions were held in Tehran on the “achievements” of ongoing negotiations with the United States following his return to the Iranian capital.
Moghadam expressed what he described as “conservative optimism” over the diplomatic process, saying progress could be made if the other side shows sufficient commitment.
The ambassador said any positive development was the result of Iran’s position “based on dignity,” alongside what he called the steadfastness of Iran’s armed forces and the “resistance” of the Iranian people.
He also praised the efforts of Pakistani mediators involved in facilitating negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
Moghadam thanked Pakistan for its diplomatic role in the talks, as mediation efforts continue amid reports that the US and Iran are nearing a possible agreement aimed at reducing regional tensions.
FIFA approves Iran request to move World Cup camp from US to Mexico
FIFA has approved Iran’s request to move its national team training camp from the United States to Mexico ahead of the 2026 World Cup, according to Iranian football officials.
Iranian Football Federation chief Mehdi Taj said the team’s preparatory camp will now be held in Tijuana, a Mexican border city near the Pacific coast and close to the United States.
“FIFA has approved the request to change the location of the national team’s camp from the United States to Mexico,” Taj said in remarks carried by IRNA.
Iran has faced months of uncertainty surrounding travel arrangements and security measures for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Trump holds calls with Arab, regional leaders over Iran deal: Axios
US President Donald Trump has held phone calls with the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan as discussions intensify over a possible agreement with Iran, according to Axios.
Citing a US official familiar with the matter, the report said Trump has not yet made a final decision on the proposed deal despite mounting diplomatic pressure and ongoing negotiations.
According to Axios, several regional leaders urged Trump during the calls to accept the agreement in an effort to prevent further escalation and stabilize the region.
The contacts reflect growing international involvement as Washington weighs diplomatic and military options related to Iran.
Iran’s Gharibabadi blames failure of non-proliferation talks on US, 'Israel'
Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, has blamed the United States, Western countries and ‘Israel’ after the 11th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty concluded without reaching a consensus agreement.
In a post on X, Gharibabadi accused Western governments of attempting to “swap the roles of aggressor and victim” while criticizing recent US-‘Israeli’ attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
“The responsibility for this failure lies with these countries,” Gharibabadi wrote, referring to the breakdown of the conference.
He added that Iran would not allow what he described as the “instrumental abuse” of international forums and documents for political purposes.
Trump says no Iran deal unless it is good for ‘Israel’: Hebrew media
US President Donald Trump said he would not finalize any agreement with Iran unless it is “good for ‘Israel’,” according to remarks to Israel’s Channel 12.
Pakistan-led mediation pushes US-Iran deal closer, Reuters reports
A memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict between the United States and Iran is in its final stages, according to Reuters, citing a Pakistani official.
The report comes as diplomatic efforts intensify across multiple channels involving regional intermediaries seeking to de-escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The Pakistani official said work is underway to finalize the text of a framework agreement intended to halt hostilities and establish a path toward broader negotiations.
Trump says he’ll likely decide by Sunday whether to resume Iran war after reviewing latest proposal
US President Donald Trump said Saturday he would meet later in the day with top advisers to review Iran’s latest proposal and could decide by Sunday whether to resume military action against Tehran.
Trump, speaking to Axios in a phone interview, described the chances of reaching an agreement with Iran as a “solid 50/50.”
The president also said the outcome could either lead to a “good” deal or result in the US choosing to “blow them to kingdom come.”
Trump said the meeting to review Iran’s latest response would include envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, while Vice President JD Vance is also expected to participate in the talks, according to Axios. The US president is also expected to have a call at 1 pm ET with Gulf leaders, Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt to discuss the diplomacy with Iran, a source from the region told CNN.
Trump says Iran deal must meet US demands as strike plans reportedly considered
US President Donald Trump has said he will not sign any agreement with Iran unless it delivers what Washington wants, stressing that any final deal must prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Speaking to CBS, Trump said he had reviewed a draft agreement that reached him and noted that both sides are now “much closer” to an understanding. He added he could not publicly confirm approval of any deal before informing Iran.
“I will only sign an agreement where we get what we want,” Trump said, while expressing confidence that a final deal would block Iran’s path to nuclear arms.
According to CBS, citing sources, the Trump administration had been preparing for potential new military strikes against Iran despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. However, no final decision had been made as of Friday afternoon.
Iran says it ‘will never stop supporting’ Hezbollah in Lebanon
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has confirmed sending a note to Hezbollah in which he pledged that Tehran “will never stop supporting” what he described as the group’s “freedom-seeking” efforts in Lebanon.
The message comes amid ongoing Pakistan-led mediation efforts involving regional actors and broader discussions on de-escalation.
Araghchi said Iran has from the beginning of the mediation process stressed that any agreement must be connected to the establishment of a ceasefire in Lebanon. He added that this position was included in Tehran’s latest proposal and “will continue to be” part of its approach.
According to Araghchi, diplomatic channels have focused on narrowing differences over the past period as intermediaries push for a framework that could reduce regional tensions. Iran’s stance ties political understandings to immediate cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.
Pakistan says army chief conducted ‘high-level’ engagements in Iran
Pakistan’s military said Field Marshal Asim Munir has concluded a short visit to Iran that was described as “highly productive,” during which he held high-level engagements with Iranian leadership.
In a statement, the army said the discussions formed part of ongoing diplomatic contacts aimed at strengthening regional coordination and stability. It did not provide further details on the specific outcomes of the meetings.
Iran’s Baghaei says dialogue with US ‘time-consuming’
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said ongoing mediation efforts with the United States remain “time-consuming” because of decades of hostility between the two countries.
“Some points and wordings on which there were still disagreements were discussed and proposals were made, some of which are still being reviewed and opinions are being expressed,” state news agency IRNA quoted spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei as saying.
Baghaei said the hostility between Iran and the US “goes back several decades,” describing the negotiations as complex and gradual.
He also thanked Pakistan for its mediation efforts as diplomatic contacts continue between the two sides.
Trump posts map of Iran wrapped in US flag
US President Donald Trump has triggered a massive online frenzy after posting a striking, uncaptioned graphic that reimagines the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
The image, shared across his social media channels, displays a map of West Asia where the territory of Iran is completely filled in with the stars and stripes of the United States flag. Superimposed over the graphic is the provocative question: "United States of the Middle East?"
Pezeshkian says past negotiations with US demand "precision and caution"
During his high-level meeting with the Pakistani Army Chief, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that while Iran seeks only to secure the legal rights of its people, past negotiating experiences with Washington demand that Tehran proceed with utmost precision and caution.
Five police force members killed in 'Israeli' attack on northern Gaza
Five policemen were killed and several others wounded in an ‘Israeli’ strike targeting a police position near the Sheikh Radwan area in northern Gaza on Saturday, according to Gaza’s General Directorate of Police.
Iran shuts down all airspace, IRGC on full alert
The Middle East has been pushed to the brink of a major military escalation after the Civil Aviation Authority of Iran issued an emergency Notice to Airmen shutting down the airspace over the western part of the country until Monday morning.
The sudden clearing of the skies coincides with an announcement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) placing its entire operational force on maximum readiness.
According to military commands, the IRGC has instituted a new strategic operational plan designed to directly target the United States and its regional allies should the fragile April ceasefire collapse.
The emergency measures follow reports from Washington that President Donald Trump is actively reviewing a multi-phase air campaign -provisionally codenamed "Operation Sledgehammer"- and may authorize a wave of major strikes within 24 hours if Pakistani-led mediation tracks fail to yield a diplomatic breakthrough.
Indicating the gravity of the situation, President Trump cancelled his weekend travel plans to remain at the White House, explicitly citing "matters of state" and the situation in Iran as his reasons for staying in Washington.
B-2 Spirit Mobilization
The sudden airspace closure and the scramble by Pentagon officials to cancel their weekend leaves are directly linked to high-profile military positioning showcased by the White House earlier this week.
As previously reported, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino sparked widespread international alarm after publishing official footage of a US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber navigating the clouds.
The public release of the B-2 imagery sent immediate shockwaves through foreign defense ministries due to an ominous historical precedent:
Scavino shared the exact same footage this past February, notably just 24 hours before the United States and Israel launched their initial massive joint air campaign against Iran.
Military analysts note that the current positioning of B-2 stealth assets -which are custom-built to penetrate heavily defended airspace- directly matches the sweeping flight bans enacted across Iran's western flight information sectors, where only eight domestic airports remain operational under strict daylight restrictions.
A 24-Hour window
The current crisis materialized rapidly after President Trump revealed that a previous order to resume the air war had only been delayed at the request of Gulf allies to give Pakistan-led mediators a final window to secure an agreement regarding uranium enrichment caps and maritime transit rights.
However, US officials state that those talks are now on the "borderline of collapse," prompting the administration to establish a rigid 24-hour timeline before unleashing the Pentagon's pre-approved offensive plans.
Sources familiar with the situation inside the Pentagon confirmed that members of the military and intelligence communities have been recalled to their posts, and overseas deployment rosters have been updated.
While Trump remarked on Friday that "Iran is dying to make a deal," he paired the observation with an unyielding warning that the US will either secure an acceptable agreement immediately or resort to "something very drastic."
In Tehran, the IRGC has warned that its forces are "loaded to the brim" and fully prepared to execute counter-strike plans against US asset installations and any regional partner nations assisting American operations.
Pakistani Army Chief meets Iranian President in Tehran
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Chief of the Pakistani Army has held an official meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in the capital city of Tehran.
Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met again with the Chief of the Pakistani Army this afternoon for a second round of talks.
During the high-level meeting with visiting Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran is not seeking regional instability but remains firmly committed to securing and expanding the legal rights of its people within the framework of international law.
Pezeshkian added, reflecting on historical agreements, that past experiences in negotiating with Washington dictate that Iran must proceed with maximum precision and deep caution in any current diplomatic tracks.
This is a developing story.
