President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House — marking his first visit since the U.S. and Israel launched a joint war against Iran.
Netanyahu arrived at the White House just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, entering through a side door to the West Wing for a closed-door talk with Trump. He was seen leaving a little over an hour and a half later, around 12:30 p.m.
The two leaders are expected to discuss the ongoing war with Iran, a framework agreement the U.S. and Israel signed in Lebanon over the Israel-Hezbollah war and the expansion of the Abraham Accords, a White House official told the Associated Press.
Netanyahu arrived minutes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky departed from a closed-door meeting with Trump.
Trump is expected to make a final decision on the ceasefire in Iran after his talks with Netanyahu.
Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Qatar have been discussing a proposal that would clear up disagreements regarding the Strait of Hormuz; however, the meditators are awaiting the president’s meeting with the Israeli prime minister before a decision is made.
Tehran has denied that any direct negotiations with Washington are taking place, and says it is only receiving messages from the U.S. via mediators.
Read MorePentagon change appears to make it harder to tally military deaths and injuries
Netanyahu says Iran is top of agenda in meeting with Trump
Key Points
- Trump ‘to make final decision’ on ceasefire after high-stakes meeting with Netanyahu
- US president says there is 'good chance' of deal with Iran
- Trump warns of renewed military action if diplomacy with Iran fails
- Iran denies direct negotiations with the US
- Houthis looking to replicate Iran's Hormuz strategy in Red Sea, says foreign minister
Kremlin says Ukrainian attack on Iranian vessel should be seen as an assault on Iran itself
17:40 , Maira ButtThe Kremlin said on Tuesday that a Ukrainian attack on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea should be considered as an assault on Iran itself and showed how important it was to eliminate what it said was the threat from Kyiv.
Iran's Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned the Ukrainian attack, saying it resulted in an explosion that killed one sailor and injured another. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv had struck vessels used in military cargo shipments involving Iran.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday accused Ukraine of widening the geographical scope of what he called its "terrorist attacks".
Peskov accused Kyiv of blowing up Germany's Nord Stream pipelines - something it denies - and of hurting Kazakhstan's interests by targeting CPC Pipeline Infrastructure.
"This threat must be neutralised and definitively destroyed," Peskov said.
White House describes Trump-Netanyahu meting as 'positive and productive'
17:37 , Isabel KeanePresident Donald Trump’s meetings Tuesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were “positive and productive,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
Trump first met with Zelensky before Netanyahu joined him in the West Wing.
White House officials have not shared more details about either meeting.
Netanyahu leaves the White House
17:31 , Isabel KeaneIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was seen leaving the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump.
He was spotted leaving around 12:30 p.m., a little over an hour and a half after he arrived earlier Tuesday morning.
Netanyahu attended memorial dinner for Lindsey Graham ahead of meeting with Trump
17:30 , Isabel KeaneIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a memorial dinner for the late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham on Monday, a day before meeting with President Donald Trump in the White House.
The event was held in Washington, D.C., on Monday night and was also attended by his replacement in the Senate, his sister Darlene Graham, as well as other relatives, according to a statement from Netanyahu’s office.
“America has lost a great patriot. Israel has lost one of its greatest friends and supporters. And I have lost a dear friend,” Netanyahu said at the memorial dinner.
Beyond the Strait of Hormuz: How Gulf countries are preparing for life without the waterway
17:10 , Maira ButtAs Dubai looks to build a new port and terminal to bypass the beleaguered Strait of Hormuz, it appears that Gulf countries are already preparing for a life without the crucial waterway.
Port operator DP World is in talks to develop new facilities in the coastal area of Fujairah to take pressure off its flagship Jebel Ali port, according to the Financial Times.
Jebel Ali, built in 1977, has made the UAE a hub of finance and trade, but weeks ago it was set alight by a piece of fallen debris from an Iranian missile. Since then, Dubai International Airport, US military bases and other facilities have come under direct attack.
How Gulf countries are preparing for life without the Strait of Hormuz
Netanyahu said he planned to discuss Israel's security with Trump
16:53 , Isabel KeaneIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he planned to discuss Israel’s “security, strength and future” during his meeting Tuesday with President Donald Trump.
Netanyahu last visited Washington, D.C., in February, just days before the U.S. and Israel launched a joint war on Iran.
He shared a video discussing his goals for the meeting on X.
“I am embarking on this mission with one clear goal – to ensure the security, strength, and future of our dear State of Israel,” Netanyahu said.
The Israeli leader also noted he would be attending the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, calling him “one of the greatest friends the State of Israel has ever known.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before departing on a visit to Washington:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 27, 2026
"I am on my way to Washington for a meeting with our friend, President Donald Trump. This is my eighth meeting with him since he was elected president for his second term, more than any other… pic.twitter.com/R5Cf7lJ4od
Netanyahu shares images of his team prepping for White House meeting
16:41 , Isabel KeanePrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his team preparing for the meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House. pic.twitter.com/BWKvo0ybBK
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 28, 2026
Quiet change to Pentagon website adds 142 wounded US service members to Iran war casualty count
16:40 , Maira ButtThe Pentagon acknowledged an additional 142 service members wounded in President Donald Trump's Iran war by quietly adding a new category to its online database of U.S. military casualties, according to reports Sunday.
The change also resulted in the restoration of four fatalities that had been removed from the Defense Casualty Analysis System, triggering outrage among military families, veterans and lawmakers.
The new category, titled "Overseas Operations," tallies casualties inflicted by Iran since July 7, when fighting resumed following a fragile ceasefire that began April 8.
Quiet change to Pentagon website adds 142 wounded to Iran war casualty count
'I don't need Bibi to tell me,' Trump said regarding reports that the Israeli PM would share intel on Iran's nuclear facility
16:31 , Isabel KeanePresident Donald Trump said he didn’t need to rely on Benjamin Netanyahu for intelligence on Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility ahead of his meeting with the Israeli leader.
Media reports emerged suggesting that the Israeli leader would present Trump with evidence that Iran is building nuclear technology at the site.
However, ahead of the meeting Tuesday, Trump told Fox & Friends that he didn’t “need Bibi to tell me that.”
“Bibi is telling me that because he wants me to stay involved,” Trump said.
“We know exactly what’s going on. But no, I heard Bibi announce that. I said, ‘Why don’t you just tell it to me? Why do you have to announce it to the world?” Trump said.
“I know exactly what’s going on at Pickaxe. It’s not a big problem. We took out their nuclear site, and we’ll have to take out Pickaxe if we don’t make a deal.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen arriving at White House
16:18 , Isabel Keane
Netanyahu arrives at White House for meeting with Trump
16:14 , Isabel KeaneIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the White House just before 11 a.m. Tuesday for his meeting with President Donald Trump.
The meeting — the first between the two leaders since the U.S. and Israel launched a joint war on Iran — will be a closed-door discussion.
The two are expected to discuss the war, the framework agreement the U.S. and Israel signed in Lebanon over the Israel-Hezbollah war and the expansion of the Abraham Accords.
Watch: Trump says Iran requested meeting after US 'hit them very hard'
16:10 , Maira ButtBoy George met with fierce backlash over song that backs Israel’s military attacks
15:40 , Maira ButtBoy George has been met with a fierce backlash after releasing a pro-Israel song that defends the country’s military action in Palestine and refutes that a genocide is being carried out in Gaza.
Posted to the singer’s social media accounts this week with the Hebrew title, עוד נרקוד, along with its English translation, “We Will Dance Again”, the song features the opening lyrics: “You say genocide, I say war/ When you’re attacked, that’s what the army’s for/ Does it get ugly? You bet it does/ When I know you wanna kill every last one of us.”
The phrase “We Will Dance Again”, which Boy George, 65, sings on the chorus, has been used by Israelis to express hope in the wake of the 7 October music festival attack by Hamas.
Boy George met with fierce backlash over song that backs Israel’s military attacks
The four Iranian nuclear plants in Trump’s sights after president’s threat to hit Pickaxe Mountain
15:10 , Maira ButtWith the US-Iran ceasefire in tatters, Donald Trump has issued new threats against Tehran’s nuclear facilities in what would represent a significant escalation in the conflict.
The president’s latest target is Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, or “Pickaxe Mountain,” a suspected underground facility that lies on the south side of Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment site, one of those bombed by the US and Israel in June 2025.
Named Operation Midnight Hammer, the countries launched a series of attacks on several nuclear and military facilities more than one year ago. as part of a long-running ambition to thwart Tehran’s nuclear weapons programme.
The Iranian nuclear plants in Trump’s sights after threat to Pickaxe Mountain
Iran says anyone receiving its frozen funds as compensation won't be allowed through Hormuz
14:41 , Maira ButtIran’s joint military command has said that any company or country receiving Iranian frozen assets as compensation for its damaged vessels will not be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz, according to the country’s state media.
Military command spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari rejected US President Donald Trump's warning that ships damaged by Iran in the Gulf would be compensated using Iranian frozen funds.
Oman presents Iran with Gulf-backed plan for voluntary fees to use Hormuz
14:13 , Maira ButtOman has presented Iran with a plan backed by Gulf states to manage the Strait of Hormuz, including collecting voluntary fees for using it, a Gulf source and a Western diplomat told Reuters on Tuesday.
The plan could serve as a basis to end the disruption to trade through the strait caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the proposal was being considered by Tehran.
Pickaxe Mountain and other sites could be targeted if no Iran deal, says Trump
13:50 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump on Tuesday reiterated his threats to target Pickaxe Mountain as well as bridges and other civilian targets if a deal is not made with Iran, adding in a Fox News interview that there have been good talks.
Trump says US in 'very strong position' with Iran
13:43 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has said that the US is in a “very strong position” in regards to Iran, an interview with Fox News on Tuesday.
“We cannot have Iran break deals anymore,” he said.
The US leader added that he would like to “avoid attacking power plants and bridges” in Iran.
“I’m not looking to do that,” he said.
Netanyahu says Iran is top of agenda in meeting with Trump
13:15 , Maryam Zakir-HussainIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington on Monday, where he said he would meet U.S. President Donald Trump for their first face-to-face talks since the start of their conflict with Iran.
It will be Netanyahu's eighth meeting with Trump since the U.S. president returned to office, and their first since February, right before Israel and the United States launched a joint aerial campaign against Iran.
"In these complex times, you need to act with both great determination and great wisdom. We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, primarily Iran. Of course, our goal is to protect our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us," Netanyahu said in a video statement upon departure.
Netanyahu says Iran is top of agenda in meeting with Trump
Trump warns of more strikes if talks fail
12:45 , Maryam Zakir-HussainDonald Trump expressed optimism for a deal to end the five-month conflict, while warning that U.S. strikes would resume if negotiations failed to deliver.
"I think there's a good chance that something could happen, and if it does, good, if it doesn't, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago,” he said on Monday.
Iran says it has not sought any new negotiations with the United States, which it accuses of violating the agreement reached last month on a framework for talks to end the war.
The US president is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on Tuesday.
Although Israel was involved in the initial bombing campaign, it has not been part of subsequent peace talks, and recent relations between the two leaders have been strained.
Trump has had to rein in the Israeli leader from attacking targets in Lebanon to try to weaken Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, complicating peace talks with Tehran.
Iran releases disturbing ‘kill Melania’ video threatening the First Lady and Barron Trump
12:07 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe Secret Service is investigating a disturbing video posted in Iran that threatens both Melania and Barron Trump.
The clip, titled ‘Where to kill Melania’ shows a mock up of the First Lady’s motorcade moving through the streets of New York City and calls on “freedom fighters” to take action against her. It concludes with an ominous threat against Trump’s 20-year-old son: “Barron Trump, wait for us!”
The clip was shared on Monday by the Tasnim News Agency, which has been associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iran releases disturbing ‘kill Melania’ video threatening First Lady and Barron Trump
Trump ‘to make final decision’ on ceasefire after high-stakes meeting with Netanyahu
11:46 , Maryam Zakir-HussainDonald Trump is set to make a final decision on the ceasefire in Iran after a high-stakes meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu today.
Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Qatar have been discussing a proposal that would clear up disagreements regarding the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening; however, the meditators are awaiting the US president’s meeting with the Israeli prime minister before a decision is made.
The proposal in question is to troubleshoot the gaping holes in the Memorandum of Understanding, two sources told The Times of Israel.
Nearly 7 in 10 Americans say Trump has failed to explain Iran war goals, poll finds
10:50 , Maryam Zakir-HussainPublic support for the war in Iran has fallen to its lowest level since the conflict began five months ago, with only one in three Americans backing the military campaign, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The survey found growing skepticism over President Donald Trump's handling of the conflict, with 69% of respondents — including four in 10 Republicans — saying he has not clearly explained the goals of U.S. military involvement in Iran.
Trump has offered varying reasons for the war, including preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, weakening its missile program and encouraging regime change.
Nearly 7 in 10 Americans say Trump has failed to explain Iran war goals, poll finds
Iran executes two men over charges related to January protests
10:20 , Maryam Zakir-HussainIran has executed two men who were sentenced to death for their part in protests in Isfahan during nationwide unrest that rocked the country in January, the Judiciary's Mizan News Agency reported on Tuesday.
Abolfazl Sepahi Badjani and Amirhossein Safari `Hosseinabadi were among 12 men sentenced to death on charges of taking part in the killing of security force members in Alikhani Square in Isfahan on January 8.
Another two in the same trial had already been executed.
Nationwide anti-government protests rocked the country in January and were repressed in the biggest crackdown in the history of the Islamic Republic, during which security forces killed thousands of protesters.
On Monday UN experts said at least 24 people have been executed in connection with the January protests so far in 2026.
Iran war spreads to Caspian Sea as Ukraine accused of targeting Tehran vessel
09:50 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe Iran conflict has expanded significantly, despite a temporary halt in US military strikes.
Yemen's Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, launched attacks on Saudi oil installations along the Red Sea coast, while Tehran accused Ukraine of targeting one of its vessels in the Caspian Sea.
The US military confirmed its naval blockade against Iran "remains in full effect" on Saturday, though it offered no explanation for the cessation of 13 consecutive nights of escalating strikes.
There were no reports of retaliatory attacks by Iran on its neighbours over the weekend, a departure from its usual daily responses to US actions.
Iran war spreads to Caspian Sea as Ukraine accused of targeting Tehran vessel
Iran releases video on ‘how to kill Melania Trump’
09:34 , Maryam Zakir-HussainIranian media has released a video indicating how to kill Melania Trump.
Tasnim News Agency, which is close to Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, published a video that began with a slide reading, “Where to Kill Melania?!”
The video, which is largely AI-generated, lists multiple ways to kill the US president’s wife.
Stocks jump as US-Iran pause sees oil price fall
08:57 , Maryam Zakir-HussainIn the Middle East, the US held fire at the weekend after 13 days of attacks on sites in Iran, and Donald Trump’s UN envoy said the US president was “giving talks some space”.
Tehran said in turn it would stop its retaliatory attacks on regional neighbours, handing Gulf shipping and the oil industry a respite.
David Morrison at Trade Nation said it is “unclear” if this is a precursor to a resumption of peace talks, or a tactical move militarily.
Read more here:
Stocks jump as US-Iran pause sees oil price fall
Oman presented regional mechanism for Hormuz to Iran, source says
08:40 , Maryam Zakir-HussainOman has presented a proposal to Iran for a joint regional mechanism to manage the Strait of Hormuz with voluntary fees, a Gulf source told Reuters on Tuesday.
Under the Omani proposal, which has regional backing, Iran would not exercise sole control of the vital waterway, the source added.
The proposal is based on the Strait of Malacca, where those who use the strait voluntarily contribute to fund navigation, environmental protection and search and rescue.
The U.S. abruptly suspended a campaign of air strikes against Iran over the weekend, raising hopes of a diplomatic solution that would allow shipping to resume in the Strait of Hormuz - which carried a fifth of global energy supplies before the conflict.
President Donald Trump said on Monday the United States was having "good talks" with Iran and there was a chance of a deal, but he warned that U.S. strikes would resume if the negotiations failed to deliver.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi discussed the Strait of Hormuz with his Omani and Saudi counterparts on Monday.
"He emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation and advance joint diplomatic efforts to establish stability in the region, and lift the insecurity imposed on the Strait of Hormuz due to the aggressive actions of the United States," according to Iran's foreign ministry statement.
Russia and North Korea close to completing first road bridge amid military supply concerns
08:25 , Maroosha MuzaffarRussia and North Korea are close to completing their first-ever road bridge, officially billed as a project to boost trade and tourism.
However, a new investigation by Ukrainian group Truth Hounds argues the crossing is primarily intended to strengthen military cooperation, allowing troops, weapons and supplies to move more quickly and with less satellite detection than by rail, the Guardian reported on Tuesday.
The report comes as Ukraine has warned that Russia is preparing to receive another 30,000 North Korean troops.
The first-ever road bridge linking Russia and North Korea is nearly complete across the Tumen River. North Korea has finished its section, but Russia is reportedly still completing work on its side.
Kyiv rejects Iran’s threats over Caspian tanker strike
07:55 , Maroosha MuzaffarUkraine has rejected Iran’s threats after Kyiv said it struck an Iranian-linked cargo vessel in the Caspian Sea.
Ukraine says the ship was carrying drone and missile components for Russia, while Iran denies aiding Moscow’s war and has vowed the attack “cannot go unanswered”.
“Iran’s threats are unjustified and groundless,” Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X.
“The regime in Tehran is a direct accomplice to Russian aggression against Ukraine, fuelling Moscow’s criminal war with weapons that have killed Ukrainians since 2022,” he wrote.
Trump says there is a ‘good chance’ of ending Iran war
07:25 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump said he is optimistic the conflict with Iran could end through diplomacy after both sides paused strikes for a third straight day.
“I think there’s a good chance that something could happen,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
However, he warned the US would resume military action if negotiations fail.
He said Washington would “go back to doing what we were doing” before the pause if the latest negotiations do not succeed.
Tehran confirmed it was talking to mediators, but denied any direct negotiations with the US are taking place.
Trump says mediators asked him to pause US strikes
06:55 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump said he decided to pause US strikes on Iran on Friday after countries mediating between Washington and Tehran asked him to give diplomacy another chance.
“All of the people that deal with Iran asked me: ‘Don’t fire,’” he said.
“Nothing gained, nothing lost,” Trump said of the pause.
Iran has also halted its attacks, marking a third straight day without exchanges of fire after nearly two weeks of daily strikes between the two sides.
Tehran, however, has denied that any direct negotiations are taking place with the US despite Trump’s comments that “friendly” talks are under way.
White House insists US has ample weapons stockpiles
06:25 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe White House has rejected reports of ammunition shortages.
Spokesperson Anna Kelly said the US military “has more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump’s strategic goals and beyond, and Operation Epic Fury has exposed what happens when you mess with the United States”.
She added that Trump has instructed defence contractors to continue producing more US-made weapons.
Earlier, Trump also said: “We have a lot of ammunition. We have a lot of the mid-level stuff too, more than we could ever use, no matter what. But we have a lot. I’d like to have more.”
Strait of Hormuz shipping traffic still low, data shows
05:55 , Maroosha MuzaffarTracking data shows that just 29 verified vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz between 24 and 26 July, with 21 ships exiting and eight entering the strategic waterway.
During the same period, 100 vessels transited the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, with 51 entering the Red Sea and 49 leaving it, according to the maritime tracking platform Marine Traffic.
The US and Iran paused military strikes for a second consecutive day on Monday, raising hopes that diplomatic efforts to end the conflict may resume.
Transit patterns diverge#MarineTraffic data highlights diverging patterns across two of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints. Between 24 and 26 July, the Strait of Hormuz recorded 29 verified crossings, including 21 vessels exiting the Middle East Gulf… pic.twitter.com/K6txcZyqi3
— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) July 27, 2026
The pause comes despite both sides previously threatening further escalation and accusing each other of violating a June memorandum of understanding that had laid out a framework for negotiations.
Oman-Iran Hormuz talks make progress as US pauses strikes
05:25 , Maroosha MuzaffarOman and Iran are reportedly moving closer to an agreement on managing the Strait of Hormuz, though they remain divided over Tehran's proposal to charge transit fees.
Progress in the Oman-Iran talks, backed by China, Qatar and Pakistan, is believed to have influenced the US decision to pause its attacks on Iran after nearly two weeks.
Watch: Trump says Iran requested meeting after US ‘hit them very hard’
04:55 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran denies direct negotiations with the US
04:25 , Maroosha MuzaffarTehran has rejected Donald Trump’s characterisation of the talks, with foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei saying there are currently no direct negotiations with Washington and that only mediators are passing messages between the two sides.
“Mediators may convey messages from the American side to us regarding current developments in the region. But at present we are not engaged in any negotiations with the United States,” he said, according to the Guardian.
Trump warns of renewed military action if diplomacy with Iran fails
03:55 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump said the US would resume “very strong military action” against Iran if ongoing diplomatic efforts do not produce a rapid resolution to the crisis in the Middle East.
“We are in very deep talks with Iran. If they don’t work out, we will go back to very strong military action,” the US president told Axios.
He told reporters later on Air Force One: “They want to meet, and we’re meeting. Without what we did, they wouldn’t even be talking to us … They would not have requested the meeting if we were doing poorly. The only reason they want to meet is because we’ve been hitting them very hard.”
European gas reserves at ‘historically low level’ - but fears of 2022 price shock played down
03:00 , Harriette BoucherThe Independent’s Karl Matchett writes:
Europe faces a gas shortage this winter due to lower global production and reserves being run down due to the Iran war, an analyst has warned.
Liquified natural has (LNG) is a key part of the overall energy mix for the UK and Europe. On the continent, natural gas as a whole accounts for around a fifth (21 per cent) of total energy consumption, according to Eurostat’s research, with LNG representing around 40 per cent of that gas usage in 2024.
An estimated 89 per cent of Europe’s overall gas supply in 2025 came from outside the EU - including the UK - and analysts at Wood Mackenzie have cautioned that the continent “is approaching energy crisis territory.”
Research from the firm shows European inventory is “only just above 50 per cent, an historically low level” for this period of the year.
“Low European inventories, strong Asian demand and limited new LNG supply growth almost guarantee elevated prices through this winter and into 2027,” said Massimo Di Odoardo, Wood Mackenzie’s vice president of gas research.
European gas reserves at ‘historically low level’ - but fears of price shock rejected
Watch: Trump keeping 'all options on the table' on Iran, US ambassador says
02:00 , Harriette BoucherHouthis looking to replicate Iran's Hormuz strategy in Red Sea, says foreign minister
01:00 , Harriette BoucherYemeni Houthis are looking to copy Iran's Hormuz strategy in the Red Sea by disrupting shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb.
Yemen's top diplomat said that the movement has been emboldened by an insufficient international response.
Foreign Minister-designate Afrah Al-Zouba told journalists on Monday: “The Houthis want to copy the Iranian model and this will shut down two main straits, the gateways into the Gulf and Red Sea.”
The Red Sea has become a new front in the Iran war, with the Houthis taking an escalatory approach against Saudi Arabia by firing missiles and drones at the kingdom and declaring a blockade on Saudi shipping.
Pentagon change appears to make it harder to tally military deaths and injuries
Tuesday 28 July 2026 00:00 , Harriette BoucherThe Independent’s Isabel Keane reports:
The Pentagon has made changes to the way it reports military casualties, potentially making it more difficult to track the number of deaths and injuries overseas.
Casualties reported overseas since July 7 — when the U.S. cease-fire with Iran collapsed and the conflict intensified — are no longer listed on the Pentagon website under “Operation Epic Fury,” where earlier casualties were listed.
As of Sunday, the Defense Department appears to be tracking casualties in the “Defense Casualty Analysis System,” under a new category labeled “overseas operations casualties.”
This means that to track all U.S. casualties since the Iran war began February 28, the numbers from the two separate webpages must be added up.
With the change, four fatalities that had been scrubbed from the website last week were added back but on a new webpage. Those deaths include First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, Sergeant Angel S. Rampersad, Private Isabella Gonzales and Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton.
Pentagon change appears to make it harder to tally military deaths and injuries
Trump says there is 'good chance' of deal with Iran
Monday 27 July 2026 23:00 , Harriette BoucherThere is a chance with a deal between the US and Iran following “good talks”, Donald Trump said on Monday, warning that strikes would resume if the negotiations failed to deliver.
It comes as Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq reported drone attacks today, despite the US abruptly suspending a two-week campaign of air strikes on Iran on Saturday
“We're having good talks,” he said. “I think there's a good chance that something could happen, and if it does, good, if it doesn't, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago.”
At a campaign rally in Michigan later on Monday, Trump said of Iran: “You can't bribe them. You've got to beat them, and we'll beat the hell out of them. But we'll see how it turns out. Right now, there are very friendly negotiations going on.”
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that messages were still being passed between the sides through mediators and Iran had not forsaken diplomacy, but reports that it requested negotiations were “fabricated.”
“This is not in our DNA,” he said.
Most Americans think Trump has failed to explain his goals in Iran
Monday 27 July 2026 22:10 , Harriette BoucherJust one in three Americans support the war on Iran, the lowest reading in a Reuters/Ipsos poll since the five-month-old conflict's early days, with most respondents saying that Donald Trump has failed to explain his goals.
The poll, conducted Friday through Sunday, also showed the Republican president's approval rating ticking higher to 37 per cent, up three points from last month when his rating tied the lowest of his presidency.
Trump has offered shifting objectives for the conflict such as aiding Iranians to topple their leaders, taking out Iran's ballistic-missile capabilities and preventing it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The poll found that 69 per cent of Americans — including four in 10 Republicans - think Trump has not “clearly explained the goals of U.S. military involvement in Iran.”
White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said Trump will not make decisions based on “fluid opinion polls” and reiterated the president's resolve to prevent Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon.
“What matters most to the American people is having a commander in chief who takes bold action to keep them safe,” Wales said.
Stocks jump as US-Iran pause sees oil price fall
Monday 27 July 2026 21:43 , Harriette BoucherThe FTSE 100 closed higher in London on Monday as investors welcomed a temporary pause in hostilities between the US and Iran, which helped drive the oil price sharply lower.
The FTSE 100 index closed up 45.52 points, 0.4%, at 10,781.75. The FTSE 250 ended up 96.61 points, 0.4%, at 23,898.10, while the AIM All-Share closed down 1.29 points, 0.2%, at 771.69.
In the Middle East, the US held fire at the weekend after 13 days of attacks on sites in Iran, and Donald Trump’s UN envoy said the US president was “giving talks some space”.
Tehran said in turn it would stop its retaliatory attacks on regional neighbours, handing Gulf shipping and the oil industry a respite.
David Morrison at Trade Nation said it is “unclear” if this is a precursor to a resumption of peace talks, or a tactical move militarily.
Stocks jump as US-Iran pause sees oil price fall
Saudi Arabia says it destroyed drones launched by Iran-backed groups in Iraq
Monday 27 July 2026 20:41 , Harriette BoucherSaudi Arabia's air defences intercepted and destroyed drones launched from Iraq that attempted to target oil facilities in the kingdom's Eastern Province and Riyadh, the Saudi Defence Ministry said on Monday.
The ministry called on the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to prevent Iraqi territory from being used as a launchpad for attacks against Saudi Arabia.
Iraq's prime minister ordered an investigation into the incident, his media office said Monday evening, adding Iraq will not allow its territory to be used to launch attacks against neighbouring countries.
The ministry said the drones were launched by Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack against the kingdom, reaffirming its right to respond to the sources of "the aggression" and deter those responsible.
Oil prices fall back sharply on renewed Iran war ceasefire hopes
Monday 27 July 2026 18:30 , Daniel KeaneOil prices have retreated below 90 US dollars a barrel as a pause in fighting between the US and Iran boosted hopes of rekindling a peace deal and reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz.
The cost of benchmark Brent crude dropped 8% to 87.55 US dollars a barrel at one stage in ongoing heightened volatility in oil and gas markets caused by the Middle East conflict.
Oil had touched 100 dollars last week on renewed hostilities between the US and Iran.
But prices have eased back on renewed hopes of a resolution, with a pause in attacks for three days in a row and mediators in neighbouring countries looking to get the US and Iran back to the negotiating table.
Read our full story below.
Oil prices fall back sharply on renewed Iran war ceasefire hopes
Houthis claim attack on Saudi east-west oil transport
Monday 27 July 2026 18:00 , Daniel KeaneYemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday they targeted a number of sensitive crude oil supply and transport sites linking eastern Saudi Arabia to the critical Red Sea oil export hub of Yanbu.
Saudi state oil giant Aramco did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the operation was in response to what he described as Saudi drone incursions into Yemeni airspace.
GOP loses faith in Hegseth over Iran war and military firings
Monday 27 July 2026 17:30 , Daniel KeaneRepublican senators have expressed a loss of confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Iran war and a series of high-profile firings, according to a report.
A number of GOP lawmakers told The Hill they found the recent removal of senior figures in the U.S. military “troubling”, and raised concerns about the way the stalling Middle East conflict had become a “quagmire”.
Foremost among Hegseth’s critics was North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who said: “I don’t have any confidence in him anymore. I think he’s all over the place – he’s accelerating the retirement or forcing out some of the most distinguished leaders in the Department of Defense that we have.
“I think he’s got a massive insecurity complex, he has a lack of experience in large organizations, he micromanages too much. He’s lost my confidence.”
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GOP loses faith in ‘all over the place’ Hegseth over Iran war and military firings
