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Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian says communication with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is 'very difficult,' sparking speculation about the leader's whereabouts and influence. Reports indicate Khamenei has not appeared in public since March, though Pezeshkian describes a recent seven-to-eight-hour meeting and defends the leader against critics.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains far below pre-war levels, with only a handful of vessels transiting daily, even as President Trump asserts the US has 'total control' over the waterway. Iran conditions any full reopening on the lifting of the blockade and sanctions, while diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain stalled amid conflicting claims about the strait's status.
Pakistan's Foreign Office announced it will implement the Saudi-led multinational maritime defence coalition 'in full earnest', following the deaths of three Pakistani sailors in Houthi strikes on a Saudi cargo ship. The FO also highlighted Oman's lead in negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz and Pakistan's focus on broader political settlement.
Esmail Qaani, head of the Quds Force, made an unannounced visit to Baghdad to discuss Iraq's plan to disarm armed groups, delivering Tehran's opposition to handing over weapons. As the September 30 deadline approaches, some factions have agreed to integrate, while Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba have refused.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly acknowledged the difficulty of communicating with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared in public since taking office in March. The remarks come amid reports of internal political infighting over the country's war strategy and the peace deal with the US.
The Trump administration is escalating economic pressure on Iran with new sanctions and a naval blockade, announcing what President Trump called an 'economic D-Day.' Iran has threatened retaliation, and the UAE has suspended trade with Tehran, severing a key economic lifeline.
Iran's Supreme Leader has appointed six senior military commanders, signaling preparations for a prolonged confrontation with the US and Israel. Meanwhile, IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi declared Iran would continue developing nuclear weapons, drawing a firm response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and warnings from President Donald Trump.
President Donald Trump announced what he called the most crushing economic operation ever against Iran, threatening consequences for any country providing a financial lifeline as talks remain stalled. Iranian officials blamed external pressure for domestic difficulties while reports detailed soaring food inflation and currency collapse. Analysts pointed to both sanctions and long-term regime spending priorities as drivers of the crisis.
More than five months into the US war with Iran, President Trump has signalled a move from military force to economic pressure, according to Al Jazeera. The blockade of Iranian ports and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are central to the strategy, but analysts question whether it can force Tehran to capitulate.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a US-backed 15-point peace plan for Gaza, marking a rare public break with President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Iran has issued tough new demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and the conflict has stranded thousands of seafarers.
Washington plans to lift its blockade on Iranian ports immediately after an agreement is reached to restore unimpeded shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to US and Iranian sources. The talks, announced by President Donald Trump, also address ending regional strikes and renewing Iranian oil exports.
Iran and Oman are close to a temporary agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with ships using separate lanes and joint administration. However, Tehran insists the U.S. must meet conditions including compensation and lifting sanctions, and direct talks remain stalled.
The United States and Iran are approaching a decisive phase in negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran saying a framework for an agreement with Oman has been drafted. US Vice President JD Vance confirmed recent progress, while a regional official put the odds of a final deal at 50%. Military options, including strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, remain under discussion.
Iran's foreign minister says negotiations with Oman on new maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz are nearing completion, but reopening the strait depends on separate conditions, including US compliance with a June memorandum. The US must stop violating the memorandum and correct its behavior, according to Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
Iran announced that an agreement with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is in its final stages, but reiterated that the waterway will only reopen once the US meets other conditions. The proposed deal includes new shipping lanes, potential restrictions on US and Israeli ships, and a fee structure, while US official say an agreement is close.
Iran has issued demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including war damage compensation, while shipping traffic through the waterway fell sharply amid security risks and stalled US-Iran talks. A tanker was attacked off Yanbu, and the US threatened a major financial offensive against Tehran.
Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, which includes a NATO-style collective defence clause. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the pact as technically similar to NATO's Article 5, insisting it is not directed at Iran. The agreement establishes political and military committees and a secretariat in Saudi Arabia.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine has privately argued that airstrikes alone cannot achieve US goals against Iran and that further escalation would backfire, according to CNN sources. Vice President JD Vance has also voiced concern about escalation, and the US operation has reportedly been suspended.
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan have signed a joint defence pact, the Mecca Joint Deterrence Agreement, in response to escalating regional tensions. The agreement stipulates that an armed attack on any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack on all, deepening security cooperation.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will not be subject to fees until a final agreement is reached, according to US officials. Iran and Oman continue negotiations on passage fees for Western vessels, while Washington insists on free transit and views the current arrangement as temporary.