Day 133 | Trump agrees to more Iran talks but insists truce is over
US President Donald Trump said Friday he had agreed to further negotiations with Iran, even as he repeated his assertion that the ceasefire between the long-time foes was over.
While there have been no direct talks between Iran and the United States since last month, Iranian media reported that a delegation from mediator Qatar was in Tehran after the warring sides exchanged strikes again this week.
Just over three weeks after Washington and Tehran signed an agreement aimed at turning a months-long ceasefire into a durable peace, the exchange of fire for a second day in a row on Thursday threatened a return to full-scale regional war.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Friday.
Earlier this week, at a NATO summit, Trump also declared the ceasefire over, saying of Tehran: "It's just a waste of time dealing with them."
US and Iranian delegations have held one round of direct talks in Switzerland since the signature of their memorandum of understanding, as well as indirect negotiations in Qatar, but there has been no sign of diplomatic progress since.
Thread ended
This live thread has ended. Follow our online coverage of day 134 of the war.
Read more: Day 134 | Trump administration demands Iran to declare that Hormuz is open
Iran denies asking US to resume talks: foreign ministry
Iran's Foreign Ministry said Friday that Tehran has not requested negotiations with the United States, while confirming it received a Qatari delegation in Mashhad as part of regional mediation efforts.
The statement comes after US President Donald Trump said earlier today that Iran asked for peace talks with the US to resume, after the latest flare-up of violence between the two.
The ministry accused Washington of repeatedly violating a memorandum of understanding signed 22 days ago, citing recent US strikes, the reversal of sanctions relief on Iranian oil sales, and new sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities.
Tehran said its policy remains "commitment in exchange for commitment," warning it will continue taking what it described as necessary measures if the United States fails to honor its obligations.
Ghalibaf says war with US won't end in “surrender”
Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said on Friday that the confrontation with the United States would not end with Iran's "surrender," emphasizing that the Islamic Republic would "defend itself" against any US violation of the memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war in the Middle East.
Speaking during a meeting with an Indonesian official, Ghalibaf said, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), "Ending the war is, of course, a priority for the countries of the world, but everyone must know that this confrontation will never end with Iran's surrender."
Referring to this week's exchange of attacks with Washington, he added: "Whenever the Americans violate the understanding, we are fully prepared to defend ourselves."
Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum of understanding in mid-June to end the war in the Middle East through mediation led by Pakistan, with Qatar playing a key role.
The memorandum paved the way for negotiations aimed at reaching a final agreement within 60 days, with the possibility of an extension.
However, fears of renewed conflict resurfaced this week following attacks attributed to Iran on vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Washington responded by striking targets inside the Islamic Republic on Wednesday and Thursday.
Tehran retaliated by launching missiles and drones that it said targeted military bases used by the United States in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.
Since signing the memorandum, the two sides have held one round of direct talks in Switzerland, in addition to indirect technical-level discussions in Doha.
Ghalibaf, who led Iran's delegation during last month's talks in Switzerland, said: "During the negotiations, I made it clear to U.S. Vice President JD Vance that we do not trust them. In my view, the only people capable of negotiating with America are those who are prepared for war."
First footage released of Khamenei’s tomb
Iranian media has released footage of the tomb of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his family, after he was laid to rest in Mashhad following a lengthy funeral procession.
Lego Trump: Iranians during Khamenei’s funeral in Mashhad
Video circulating on social media showing angry Iranians during the funeral of their former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in the city of Mashhad.
During the conflict with ‘Israel’ and the US, Iranian media outlets regularly used AI-generated Lego videos to push their narrative.
Qatar delegation arrives in Iran for talks after Hormuz attacks: Tasnim
A delegation from mediator Qatar arrived in Iran on Friday for talks, local media reported, as hostilities resumed between Washington and Tehran this week following attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
"The main purpose of the visit is reportedly to try to reinforce Qatar's role as a mediator following events on Tuesday," Tasnim news agency reported, after Doha accused Iran of an attack on an LNG carrier, with two other tankers also hit in the strait.
Egypt, Qatar call for restart of US-Iran talks: Cairo
Egyptian and Qatari foreign ministers on Friday called on the United States and Iran to resume negotiations, as US President Donald Trump said Washington had agreed to continue talks with Tehran but repeated that the ceasefire between the two countries was over.
During a phone call, Egypt's Badr Abdelatty and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani "urged all parties to give priority to the language of diplomacy and dialogue and to return to the negotiating table", Egypt's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Trump says “left instructions" to bomb Iran if he’s assassinated
US President Donald Trump said Friday that he has “left instructions” for an unprecedented bombing campaign of Iran if Tehran succeeds in their attempts to assassinate him.
“I’ve been on their list for a long time. That’s what we’re dealing with,” Trump told the New York Post.
“The only thing is, I’ve left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before.”
The statements come after reports that ‘Israel’ informed the US of new Iranian plots to assassinate Trump.
“No, no. Israel came up with nothing. No, no,” Trump said when asked about the reports.
“I’ve been No. 1 [on Iran’s kill list] for a long time, and it’s the way life is, you know.”
“I hope you’ll miss me,” he added.
Trump says US agrees to new Iran talks but ceasefire “over”
US President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran has asked the United States to continue the peace talks, after the latest flare-up of violence between the two.
Trump adds that the US has “agreed to do so”, but that the ceasefire is “over”.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue “talks.” We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!” Trump says on Truth Social.
Iran says Israel ‘will not be spared’ if infrastructure is hit
Iran warned that any attack on its infrastructure would trigger a response and that ‘Israel’ “will not be spared,” state media reported.
Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, issued the warning on Friday as tensions with the US and ‘Israel’ remained high following recent attacks.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are continuing, with Qatar mediating between Washington and Tehran in an attempt to prevent further escalation and maintain communication channels, The New York Times reported.
Iran official threatens retaliation after infrastructure attacks
Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council vowed a response to any attacks targeting the country’s infrastructure.
“We have previously made clear that any attack on our infrastructure will be met with a similar response,” the official said.
He added that the “criminal Zionist entity” behind what he described as hostile actions “will not be safe from the response of our fighters.”
'Israeli' army says it killed Hamas commander in Gaza strike
The ‘Israeli’ military claimed it killed a Hamas commander it alleged was involved in the October 7, 2023 attacks.
The army identified the Palestinian as Yahya Saeed Muhammad Hamdan, saying he was the head of the Qassam Brigades’ Nukhba forces unit that carried out an attack on the Reim area.
According to the military, Hamdan was killed in southern Gaza on Thursday in what it described as a “precision air strike.”
WATCH: 'Israeli’ settlers attack women in Masafer Yatta near Hebron
Seafarers attacked in Hormuz sue shipping firm in Thailand
Three former crew members of a Thai cargo ship hit in the Strait of Hormuz in March have filed a lawsuit against the vessel’s operator, alleging labor rights violations and unfair dismissal.
The Mayuree Naree was struck by a projectile north of Oman on March 11, killing three people. The remaining 20 crew members were rescued and returned to Thailand about a week later.
According to their lawyer, Kunpat Singhathong, the lawsuit claims the operator endangered the crew by allowing the ship to sail through the strait despite security risks.
The safety of stranded seafarers in the Gulf has raised concerns among Asian countries, including India, the Philippines, and Thailand, which provide a large share of global shipping crews.
“Behind the figures are seafarers, and in some cases their families, who continue to bear the human cost of this conflict,” said Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the UN’s International Maritime Organization.
IRGC chief pledges revenge for killing of supreme leader
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) top commander has vowed revenge against the US and ‘Israel’ over the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying the incident would not “be erased from the historical memory.”
Brigadier-General Ahmad Vahidi called for what he described as “justice” and a response against those responsible, accusing the US military of committing crimes.
“The criminal leaders of America and all enemies of the Islamic Revolution and the Resistance Front must know that by the cowardly assassination of this divine leader they will never bring the flag of resistance to the ground,” Vahidi said in a statement carried by Sepah news agency.
He added that “avenging the martyrs and punishing the perpetrators” would remain a “definitive and unforgettable demand.”
Vahidi’s remarks came after Khamenei was buried in Mashhad on Thursday, four months after he and four members of his family were killed in US-‘Israeli’ airstrikes, according to Iranian reports.
US keeps target list as strikes could resume against Iran: CNN
A US official told CNN that the situation remains “dynamic” and that American strikes against Iran could resume if necessary.
The official said diplomatic efforts are ongoing behind the scenes to ease tensions in the US-Iran war, adding that Washington has intentionally carried out limited strikes followed by pauses to avoid escalation and allow space for diplomacy.
The US is maintaining a list of potential targets as a pressure tool and remains prepared to launch further strikes if required, while currently allowing diplomacy to take the lead.
The official also rejected recent Iranian claims of additional US strikes on Thursday, calling them inaccurate.
The commander of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea has told crew members to remain ready, according to the official.
‘Israeli’ army claims finding Hezbollah weapons facilities in south Lebanon
The ‘Israeli’ army claimed it recently discovered additional weapons facilities belonging to Hezbollah during operations in what it calls the “security zone” in southern Lebanon.
The area is occupied by ‘Israel’, which has refused to withdraw from it despite calls for a full pullout.
“We will continue our operations to remove any threat and will not allow Hezbollah to harm us,” the ‘Israeli’ army said in a statement.
WATCH: CENTCOM releases footage of 20+ warships, fighter jets in Arabian Sea
US Central Command (CENTCOM) released footage showing more than 20 warships and military aircraft operating in the Arabian Sea, highlighting the US naval presence in the region.
Trump and Netanyahu discuss Washington’s ties with Turkiye
US President Donald Trump said he may be ready to approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkiye after this week’s NATO summit in Ankara, while noting that he has not made a final decision.
Relations between Turkiye and ‘Israel’ have deteriorated in recent years, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office saying he urged Trump not to provide Ankara with the advanced aircraft, warning it could pose a security risk to ‘Israel’.
Netanyahu’s office added that Trump briefed him on US moves in the Gulf amid ongoing tensions with Iran.
Iran media say 43 million people attended leader’s funeral ceremonies
Iranian media reported that between 41 million and 43 million people took part in six days of funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
State-run Press TV described the events as “the largest procession the world has ever witnessed,” with ceremonies held across five cities: Tehran, Qom, Najaf, Karbala, and Mashhad.
The official public funeral began last Saturday at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex, where tens of thousands gathered as Khamenei’s coffin was put on display.
Representatives from Iran’s regional allies, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad from Gaza, Hezbollah from Lebanon, and the Houthis from Yemen, attended the ceremonies.
Khamenei was later buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Iran’s holiest Shia site, more than four months after he was killed in a US-‘Israeli’ strike on his compound in central Tehran.
