Trump speaks to the press before he boards Air Force One for his first flight aboard the Boeing 747-8 that Qatar gifted the United States.
Day 125 | Trump optimistic of US-Iran talks in Qatar
US President Donald Trump said progress had been made Wednesday in indirect talks with Iran in Qatar, as the sides aimed to push forward their negotiations on ending the Middle East war and quell tensions following exchanges of fire.
The head of the Iranian delegation, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, later announced the talks' conclusion.
He reported that the participants had agreed "a communication channel would be established by tomorrow" to report and record violations of the parties' initial memorandum of understanding.
Iran had insisted there would be no direct negotiations in Doha on the deal to end the war, which broke out with US-‘Israeli’ strikes on Iran in late February.
"As far as things are going, the denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well," Trump told reporters as he prepared to board his new Air Force One, which was donated by Qatar last year.
"We hit them very hard... but we're getting along very well."
The memorandum of understanding, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, culminated in a summit last month in Lucerne, Switzerland.
It includes a 60-day ceasefire pausing the war, the reopening of the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, and a timeframe for a final deal to permanently end the conflict and reach an agreement on Iran's nuclear programme.
The Qatar discussions, being held at a lower level and focused on the details of the MoU, were to "build on the progress made at the Lake Lucerne Summit", a diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Tehran denied an earlier claim by Trump that there would be direct talks in Doha, with foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei saying the country's delegation had "no plans for negotiations with the American side at any level over the coming days".
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Read more: Day 126 | Next indirect US-Iran talks to take place after Khamenei’s funeral
Iran’s Araghchi slams US-led military talks in Bahrain
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi criticized the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday, arguing that lasting security in the Middle East cannot be achieved through external military involvement.
In a post on X, Araghchi questioned CENTCOM's role in the region, writing: "Has CENTCOM brought security or insecurity to our region? The answer is clear."
He also praised Iran's armed forces, saying they had demonstrated that "outsiders cannot even protect themselves," before adding that peace in the region "can only be sustained when comprehensive and inclusive, with no outside interference."
Araghchi's remarks came in response to a statement from CENTCOM following a regional security dialogue hosted by the Bahrain Defence Force on July 1.
Has CENTCOM brought security or insecurity to our region? The answer is clear.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) July 2, 2026
Equally, our Powerful Armed Forces have proven that outsiders cannot even protect themselves.
Peace in our region can only be sustained when comprehensive and inclusive, with no outside interference. https://t.co/lvRYJGzUe8
According to CENTCOM, military leaders from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen joined the meeting to discuss the regional security environment and ways to strengthen defense cooperation.
CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said participants reaffirmed their commitment to regional security, stability and the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting also marked the first time military officials from Syria and Lebanon participated in a US-led regional defense conference.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss regional situation, Doha mediation efforts
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation on Thursday with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office.
The two leaders discussed the regional situation, with a particular focus on the recent round of mediation talks held in Doha.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the negotiations and voiced hope that discussions would continue in the near future.
Prince Faisal also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts and its commitment to the implementation of the Islamabad MoU, as well as its role in promoting dialogue and supporting peace in the region.
Lebanon president says war cost too high, calls negotiations the alternative
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun said the cost of war is too high for Lebanon, stressing that negotiations were the alternative and that their results should be awaited before passing judgment.
He added that the efforts made by the Lebanese military and civilian delegation in the talks achieved the best possible outcome in Lebanon’s interest.
Will Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei attend his father’s funeral?
Uncertainty is mounting over whether Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, will publicly appear to lead prayers at the funeral of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US–'Israel' strike.
Mojtaba Khamenei is believed to have been seriously wounded in the same attack, which also reportedly killed his mother and wife. Since the conflict began in late February, he has not appeared in public, communicating only through written statements.
Iranian officials have maintained that the new supreme leader has recovered and is overseeing Tehran's negotiations with Washington. A public appearance at the funeral would mark his first since assuming the position and could help reinforce his legitimacy.
However, if he does not attend, it is expected to intensify speculation about his health and raise further questions over who is directing the country's affairs. He also did not attend a private ceremony for his late wife on Wednesday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Tehran would respond immediately and forcefully to any threat against the country's leadership after 'Israeli' Defense Minister Israel Katz said Khamenei was "marked for death."
When asked about Mojtaba Khamenei's attendance, funeral organizer Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian declined to comment, saying the decision rests entirely with the office of the Supreme Leader.
'Israel' upgrades Iron Dome after Iran war
'Israel' says it has upgraded its Iron Dome air defense system following a series of tests that incorporated lessons learned during the recent conflict with Iran.
According to the 'Israeli' Defense Ministry, the upgrades enhance Iron Dome's ability to intercept rockets, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Officials said the improvements will also prepare the system to operate alongside the country's developing Iron Beam laser air defense system, strengthening 'Israel's' multi-layered defense against current and emerging threats.
Khamenei’s funeral marks “beginning of a new chapter” for Iran, says Pezeshkian
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on Iranians to attend the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in “large numbers,” describing the moment as the “beginning of a new chapter” for the country.
His message, published on Thursday via the semi-official Tasnim news agency, comes as Iran prepares for a multi-day funeral ceremony more than four months after Khamenei was killed in an 'Israeli' strike on the first day of the war.
“This martyrdom is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a new chapter of national unity, resilience, and progress,” Pezeshkian said.
He argued that Khamenei’s death demonstrated that “this system rests on the firm foundations of faith, ideals, and the will of a great nation.”
Pezeshkian urged Iranians “regardless of ethnicity, religion, political views, or background” to attend the ceremonies, saying the turnout should present a unified national image to the world.
‘Hormuz is not the playground of aggressor America’: Iranian army
Iran’s military headquarters has warned all commercial vessels to follow designated maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz for safe passage, saying non-compliance could lead to consequences.
The warning was issued by the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which also threatened a firm response to any US involvement in the key shipping lane.
“Any US interference in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with a decisive and swift response from the armed forces,” the statement said.
It added that the waterway is not “the playground of the aggressor America,” but falls under what it described as Iran’s sovereign control.
The headquarters said maintaining security and stability in the strait is a “red line” for Iran’s armed forces, according to remarks carried by the Fars news agency.
Ghalibaf calls for mass turnout at Khamenei funeral ceremonies
Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has called for widespread participation in the funeral ceremonies of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, set to begin Saturday in Tehran.
Ghalibaf urged the public to take part in what he described as a historic moment, following Khamenei’s killing on February 28 during a US–'Israel' strike on Iran.
In a statement, he said: “I call on all the Iranian people… to write a glorious page in the history of the Islamic Republic through your presence.”
He added that “the nation’s call for revenge must echo in the ears of the entire world,” without providing further details.
Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya warns US, 'Israel' against 'miscalculation'
The commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned the United States and 'Israel' against what he described as any "miscalculation," saying Tehran is prepared to respond to any threat against its territory.
"We warn our enemies, especially the United States and the Zionist entity, against making any miscalculation," the commander said in remarks carried by Iranian media.
He added that Iran's adversaries "must think carefully" about the response of the country's armed forces to any threat or act of aggression targeting Iranian territory.
US service member missing after helicopter emergency landing in Arabian Sea
One US service member is missing and three others were injured after a US military helicopter made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea, the US military said on Wednesday.
The military said the aircraft, an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, was forced to make an emergency landing. The three injured personnel are in stable condition, and there are no indications the incident was caused by hostile action.
In a statement, the US Navy's Fifth Fleet said search operations are ongoing to locate the missing crew member, while an investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The helicopter was deployed aboard the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier at the time of the emergency landing.
'Israel' raids West Bank village after losing contact with 'Israelis'
'Israel's' military said its forces raided the village of Mukhmas in the occupied West Bank after contact was lost with several Israelis who reportedly entered the area.
According to the military, security forces conducted extensive searches in and around the village following the raid. It said search operations will continue to "rule out suspicion of a security incident."
“Positive progress” in US-Iran indirect talks in Doha: Qatar spokesman
US and Iran negotiators made "positive progress" during indirect talks in Doha, with the next round expected after the late Iranian supreme leader's funeral, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman said.
"Qatar & Pakistan mediators concluded separate meetings with the US & Iranian negotiators in Doha today, with positive progress made on issues related to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, building on the outcomes of the Lake Lucerne Summit," foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said Wednesday on X.
"The parties agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be scheduled at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader."
Iran threatens to “school Israel” after threats against Khamenei
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a threat against ‘Israel’ via a post on X , stating that Iran would “school” ‘Israel’ if the United States fails to restrain it under the terms of a recent bilateral memorandum of understanding.
Araghchi’s remarks directly responded to statements by ‘Israeli’ Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Katz said that Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had been “marked for death” and indicated that ‘Israel’ would not permit Iran to develop nuclear weapons, even amid ongoing talks between Tehran and Washington.
In his message, Araghchi referenced the “Islamabad MoU” between Iran and the United States, asserting that its terms are “crystal clear and public.”
He stated that US President Donald Trump had committed America to “muzzling its pets in Tel Aviv.”
Araghchi warned that if ‘Israel’ disregards this, Iran would deliver an “immediate powerful response” to any threat against its people or leadership.
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