Day 215 | Trump rejects claims of offering Iran sanctions relief

This live thread has ended. Follow our online coverage of day 216 of the war.

Read more: Day 216 | Iran says it has received US counterproposal to 7-day ceasefire plan

Yemen’s Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba warned that the Iran-backed Houthis have expanded cooperation with aligned groups across the Horn of Africa, describing the emerging network as a “dangerous ‘Red Sea Axis.’”

In a post on X, Yemen’s Foreign Ministry said the evidence points to weapons transfers, training, smuggling and joint operations linking groups previously viewed as separate threats.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said there is no disagreement between the country’s diplomatic establishment and armed forces, stressing that the two sides remain coordinated.

The IRGC also claimed that the Strait of Hormuz sees military confrontations every 24 hours and said Iranian forces target small vessels attempting to cross the waterway. It added that Washington has not responded to such actions.

The IRGC said Iran remains in a state of war, warning that “anything is possible” under the current circumstances.

A spokesman for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the country remains in a state of war, warning that “anything is possible” if hostilities resume.

The spokesman said Iran’s adversary has recognized the country’s capabilities and the Iranian people’s willingness to withstand pressure.

He added that all major decisions are made through Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and require approval from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while denying any rift between Iran’s diplomatic establishment and armed forces.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the spokesman claimed that military confrontations occur every 24 hours and said Iranian forces target small vessels attempting to cross the waterway. He also claimed that the United States has not responded to such actions for some time.

Iran’s Fars News Agency reported Wednesday that an explosion was heard near Jomhouri Street in Zahedan, southeastern Iran.

According to the Zahedan governor’s office, the incident occurred near a police station and was caused by a “sound device.” The report said there were no casualties or damage, while authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said there is no disagreement between the country’s diplomatic apparatus and armed forces, stressing that the two sides remain coordinated.

The IRGC also claimed that confrontations occur every 24 hours in the Strait of Hormuz, saying it targets small vessels attempting to cross while Washington does not respond.

“We remain in a state of war, and under these circumstances, anything is possible,” the IRGC said.

An explosion was heard in the vicinity of Jomhouri Street in Zahedan, southeastern Iran, with the source of the blast remaining unclear, Iranian media reported.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is committed to maintaining security in regional waterways and ensuring the safety of navigation.

Pezeshkian said Iran has a “responsible” approach to the Strait of Hormuz, focused on stability and the interests of regional countries.

He added that Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has reached consensus on negotiations and policies related to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

Pezeshkian said Tehran is working to reach an outcome on the agreement while defending the rights of the Iranian people, stressing that any deal should be based on a “win-win” strategy.

He also said Iran is seeking to restore peace, security and stability in the region while assessing the future and the consequences of the ongoing war.

The US and its coalition partners have formally ended “Operation Inherent Resolve” in Iraq after all forces and military equipment left the airbase in Erbil, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said.

Parnell described the withdrawal as the conclusion of a “12-year campaign” against ISIL, marking a shift from a wartime coalition mission to an Iraqi-led security effort.

Iraqi security forces, including Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, will now take the lead in maintaining security and keeping ISIL “suppressed,” according to Parnell.

The move marks a significant change in the US-led military presence in Iraq as Iraqi forces assume greater responsibility for countering remaining threats from the group.

• The report was time-late according to UKMTO. 
• Authorities are investigating the incident.

A tanker was struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Wednesday.

UKMTO said it received a delayed report that the tanker was struck on its port side by an unknown projectile. The agency did not identify the vessel or provide details on casualties or damage.

Authorities are investigating the incident.

Read more: UKMTO says vessel hit by suspected projectile in Strait of Hormuz

• The executions were carried out early Wednesday, according to the Judiciary’s Media Centre.
• The Supreme Court had upheld the men’s death sentences before the executions, IRNA reported.
• The executions followed completion of the legal process, according to Iranian authorities.

Iran executed two men on Wednesday over their alleged involvement in the deaths of four security personnel during anti-government protests in the northeastern city of Mashhad in January, state news agency IRNA reported.

The Judiciary's Media Centre said the executions were carried out early Wednesday after the Supreme Court upheld the men's death sentences and all legal procedures had been completed, according to IRNA.

The men were convicted over their role in the deaths of four security personnel during the protests, the report said.

IRNA did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the deaths or the executions.

Read more: UAE and Iran clash at UN over Gulf islands

• The proposal seeks to build trust and return to an enhanced version of a memorandum of understanding signed by the United States and Iran.
• The main disagreement is over the sequencing of steps rather than the elements of the seven-day plan, according to the official.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his team met Qatari mediators in Doha on Tuesday night, an official briefed on the talks told Reuters.

Araghchi received US feedback regarding a seven-day proposal, which he will discuss in Tehran on Wednesday, the official said.

The document under negotiation outlines a seven-day plan aimed at building trust and returning to an enhanced version of a memorandum of understanding signed by the United States and Iran, according to the official.

The main disagreement between the two countries is over the sequencing of the steps rather than the elements of the seven-day plan, the official said.

Read more: Araghchi says seven-point plan conveyed to US via Qatar

US officials announced Tuesday that the Pentagon has awarded Boeing a $20 billion contract to build the U.S. Navy's next-generation carrier-based air strike weapon.

The defense contract tasks Boeing with producing the F/A-XX strike fighter, developed under the military's high-priority "Next Generation Air Dominance Program".

F/A-XX strike fighter jet

The official Pentagon announcement confirmed that the development of the new F/A-XX strike fighter jets will form a core component of future carrier strike group operations.

According to officials, the advanced platform will progressively phase out and replace the Navy's existing inventory of legacy F/A-18 "Super Hornets," with initial fleet integration scheduled to begin in the 2030s.

For coverage of the previous day, visit the link below.

Read more: Day 214 | Iran says Trump must choose between war or diplomacy