Donald Trump has shared a post from Iran’s foreign minister stating a peace deal with the US “has never been closer”.
The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the US and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war.
Mr Araqchi said Iran would share all details with the public in due course, in what he called Tehran's ”responsible and transparent approach”.
Swiftly after the Iranian foreign minister’s post, Pakistan’s prime minister confirmed in a post online that the “final text” of a peace deal has been reached.
Shehbaz Sharif added in his post on X: “Pakistan is now working closely with both sides to finalize the next steps. Peace has never been this close as it is now.”
Iranian state media earlier claimed that a draft agreement between the US and Iran includes a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war in Lebanon.
Read MoreFor Iranians abroad, the World Cup poses a tough choice: cheer the team or protest the regime?
Trump says his birthday wish is ‘peace for the world’ as he strikes Iran
A ceasefire in name only: How war in the Middle East is only getting worse
Key Points
- Trump reposted Iran's foreign minister's post about Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding
- Pakistan's PM confirms 'final text' of peace deal has been reached
- Trump dismisses Iran's leaked draft agreement as 'fake news'
- US-Iran memorandum to end war could be signed on Sunday, says Western official
- Draft agreement includes lifted sanctions and US withdrawal - Iranian state media
- Oil prices will not return to normal 'at flick of a switch' after peace deal, warns analyst
- Hezbollah confident Iran will insist on Lebanon being included in peace deal
What's in the deal?
18:08 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA Western source, an Iranian source and a Gulf source said a key issue yet to be resolved was language on ceasing hostilities in Lebanon. Iran has demanded Israel end a campaign against Iran's allies, the Hezbollah militia.
Under the terms of the text described by other sources to Reuters, the U.S. would immediately begin providing Iran with billions of dollars in unfrozen assets, and waive sanctions on its oil exports, in return for Iran opening the strait.
Discussion of Iran's nuclear programme would be set aside for a 60-day period of talks on a final settlement, there would be a discussion of war reparations to Tehran, and the dropping of longstanding demands for curbs on Iran's missile programme, the sources said.
Washington has previously demanded Iran give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. But none of the versions of the text reviewed by Reuters includes mention of it, and the sources said the demand had been explicitly excluded for now.
But a senior U.S. official, describing the agreement, said that the uranium stockpile "will be destroyed and removed" and Iran's nuclear programme would be dismantled.
Pakistan's PM confirms 'final text' of peace deal has been reached
17:29 , Maryam Zakir-HussainPakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the “final text” of a peace deal has been reached.
He posted on social media: “Amid ongoing intense mediation efforts by Pakistan, we are fully aware of incessant misinformation campaign being waged by those who want to sabotage the peace deal.
“Setting aside the noise, we can confirm that a final, agreed upon text of the peace deal has been reached and Pakistan is now working closely with both sides to finalise the next steps.
“Peace has never been this close as it is now.”
Amid ongoing intense mediation efforts by Pakistan, we are fully aware of incessant misinformation campaign being waged by those who want to sabotage the peace deal. Setting aside the noise, we can confirm that a final, agreed upon text of the peace deal has been reached and…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 12, 2026
US and Iran are close to a deal to end their war, officials say
17:24 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe United States and Iran are close to signing an agreement aimed at ending their war, three regional officials told The Associated Press on Friday.
A senior US official said the tentative deal includes terms for removing and destroying nuclear material from Iran.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted Friday on X that an agreement “has never been closer.”
He gave no details, saying a final deal was still pending.
The apparent breakthrough in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the US and Israel over three days this week, threatening to return the Middle East to full-scale war.
US president Donald Trump has said multiple times in recent weeks that the countries were on the cusp of a deal.
The war launched by the US and Israel on Feb. 28 has rattled the Middle East and virtually shut down oil and natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf.
A senior US official said key terms in the emerging agreement include the removal and destruction of Iran’s nuclear material and the dismantling of Tehran's nuclear program.
The terms also include Iran agreeing not to fund terrorist groups, the official said.
The US official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to provide details about the sensitive talks.
Underscoring the fragility of the talks, Trump on Friday lashed out at Iranian officials on social media and said: “They better get their act together, and FAST!”
For Iranians abroad, the World Cup poses a tough choice: cheer the team or protest the regime?
17:00 , Alex CroftWhen Iran’s national soccer team walks onto American soil this summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it will do so against the backdrop of an Iranian government crackdown against protesters in January, an ongoing war launched by the U.S. and Israel in February, and a four-month digital blackout affecting some 92 million people. It has left many Iranian fans feeling conflicted about who exactly they’ll be cheering for.
Even before a ball has been kicked, the tension has been clear among not only supporters but team members, too. Iranian players were issued visas to the United States at the 11th hour, and the team only arrived at their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, days before the tournament kicks off.
Read more here:
For Iran’s diaspora, a tough World Cup call: cheer the team or protest the regime?
Trump reposted Iran's foreign minister's post about Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding
16:53 , Maryam Zakir-HussainPresident Donald Trump on Friday reposted a social media post by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, in which he said a memorandum of understanding to end the Iran war had never been closer.
Netanyahu's office says Israel not party to Iran deal
16:30 , Alex CroftPrime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement after the Israeli leader and Donald Trump spoke that Israel was not a party to the memorandum of understanding with Iran.
Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for Trump's commitment to securing a deal that includes removing enriched nuclear material, dismantling enrichment infrastructure, limiting missile output and ending support for regional proxies, the summary showed.
Tehran has been demanding an end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, where fighting has continued in a parallel war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.
Trump says Iran's leaked deal terms are untrue
16:26 , Maryam Zakir-HussainVice president JD Vance said on Friday that funds would not be released to Iran for signing a deal with the US or attending a meeting, adding that the potential deal is structured to ensure that economic benefits would flow to Tehran if it meets its obligations.
Iran foreign minister Araghchi says Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has 'never been closer'
16:14 , Maryam Zakir-HussainIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday that an "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding" for addressing the US-Israeli war on Iran had "never been closer", but urged media outlets to refrain from speculating about its contents until it was finalised.
Mr Araqchi said Iran would share all details with the public in due course, in what he called Tehran's responsible and transparent approach.
Watch: UK economy shrank by 0.1% in April following impact of Iran war
16:01 , Alex CroftTrump says his birthday wish is ‘peace for the world’ as he strikes Iran
15:40 , Alex CroftPresident Donald Trump has unveiled his 80th birthday wish, revealing that he hopes for “peace for the world” - despite the US launching more strikes on Iran.
Trump, who officially becomes an octogenarian on June 14, made the remark in the Oval Office on June 10. He was responding to a reporter who asked what his birthday wish would be, other than peace in the Middle East.
After pausing, Trump responded, “Well, I’ll go a step bigger…peace for the world, OK?”
“Peace for the world,” he repeated. “Middle East? Yes. Peace for the whole world.”
More here.
Trump reveals his 80th birthday wish amid the US’s war with Iran
Lebanon nurse-turned-teacher says she is ‘between body bags’ at night while teaching students in the day
15:17 , Alex CroftA nurse-turned-teacher has detailed the realities of life in Lebanon since the escalation of war, describing being “between body bags holding lost innocent lives at night and teaching students the very next day”.
Israa Hassan, 31, who lives in Aramoun near Beirut, said her school has moved lessons online, but she has “lost contact” with some of her students and her “mind immediately goes to the worst possibilities”.
In the aftermath, Israa said her school building was converted into a shelter for people who have fled their homes, and the United Nations estimates more than one million people have been registered as displaced.
With her school in Mount Lebanon repurposed, Israa said that the “warmth of a classroom changed into a cold colourless screen”, but she has tried to “keep education going in the middle of uncertainty”.
Israa told PA Real Life: “Suddenly, within one night, I became a responder – a health worker trying to alleviate pain – and an educator trying to hold a space for children who were afraid, displaced or emotionally overwhelmed.
“The hard part is keeping a smile and motivation, after spending sleepless nights due to sounds of drones and night strikes.
“Or telling students during the day that the future holds beautiful things, right after witnessing an injured mum losing her kid the night before.”
Trump dismisses Iran's leaked draft agreement as 'fake news'
14:51 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has said that Iranian claims regarding a peace deal bear “no relation to the truth”, as peace talks descend once again into chaos.
It is the latest in a long cycle of claims and denials by both Trump and Tehran regarding the status of the peace talks, and the potential terms included in a draft agreement being negotiated.
“The terms that Iran leaked out to the Fake News have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing,” in a post on Truth Social.
“What they said, including their weak and pathetic statement on having a deal, bears no relation to the truth. Very dishonorable people to deal with.”
He added: “With them, there is no such thing as dealing in good faith. AMAZING! Also, their totally rebuffed Drone attack last night against Indian Ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. They better get their act together, and FAST!”
Hezbollah confident Iran will insist on Lebanon being included in peace deal
14:47 , Alex CroftHezbollah is confident that Iran will insist on Lebanon being included in a deal with the United States, a leading Hezbollah politician said on Friday, as hopes grew for an agreement between Tehran and Washington.
Hezbollah, founded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982, entered the regional conflict in support of Tehran on March 2, opening fire at Israel and prompting an Israeli offensive that has killed thousands of people in Lebanon.
Iranian officials have repeatedly insisted on an end to fighting in Lebanon as part of any wider agreement.
"If the agreement happens, we have complete confidence in the Islamic Republic ... we have confidence that it will insist on any agreement including the file of Lebanon," Hassan Fadlallah, a Hezbollah politician, said in an excerpt of a speech broadcast by the group's al-Manar TV.
Watch: Trump claims US made 'great settlement' with Iran
14:01 , Alex CroftUK economy shrank by 0.1% in April following impact of Iran war
13:29 , Alex CroftBritain’s economy has contracted for the first time in eight months amid signs that the Iran war is beginning to take its toll on some sectors.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 0.1 per cent in April in a sharp pullback from growth of 0.3 per cent in March and 0.4 per cent in February.
The decline was driven by a 0.2 per cent fall in services, which was partially offset by a 0.1 per cent rise in construction and 0.4 per cent growth in manufacturing.
In the three months to April, GDP grew by 0.7 per cent, according to the ONS.
Liz McKeown, ONS director of economic statistics, said: “The economy grew in the latest three months as a whole, reflecting strong growth in February and March.
“This was despite April showing a small fall.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves acknowledged the war in the Middle East was hitting the economy.
She said: “Before the conflict in the Middle East, growth was higher than expected and inflation was falling. This is not a war we wanted or joined, but one that will have an impact at home.
Evangelical Christians disapprove of Trump's war in Iran - poll
13:00 , Alex CroftAbout half of evangelical Christians - a core component of President Donald Trump's political base - believe his administration's approach to the Iran war and immigration enforcement is not in line with their understanding of Christianity, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found.
Evangelicals helped power the Republican's 2024 election victory, and Trump and his top officials including defense secretary Pete Hegseth have regularly used religious language in describing their goals and policies. Republicans will be counting on them in the November midterm elections, when they will be defending thin majorities in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
Some 54% of evangelicals in the June 3-8 poll said Trump's use of the military in Iran was not in line with their understanding of Christianity, while 41% said it was in line with it. Some 51% of evangelicals said the administration's approach to immigration policy was not in line with Christian values, with 44% saying it was.
Overall, Trump's approval rating among evangelicals stood at 52% in the latest poll, down from 61% in August but well above his 35% approval rating among all U.S. adults.
His approval rating has broadly fallen in recent months as the unpopular Iran war pushed gasoline prices sharply higher.
Palantir's UK boss can't say if company was involved in Iran school strike
12:29 , Alex CroftIndia summons US diplomat over strikes on vessels near Oman
12:00 , Alex CroftIndia summoned the US deputy chief of mission in Delhi on Friday to protest against US military strikes on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman, an Indian source said.
It was the second time in three days New Delhi has expressed its displeasure.
Three Indian seafarers were killed in a US strike on the Settebello tanker off Oman on Wednesday while 20 crew members were rescued after a strike on another vessel, Jalveer, on Thursday.
US-Iran memorandum to end war could be signed on Sunday - Reuters
11:41 , Alex CroftA memorandum between the US and Iran to halt the war in the Gulf could be signed as soon as Sunday, a Western source told Reuters news agency on Friday.
Geneva has emerged as the likeliest venue for the signing of a peace deal.
The source said language in the memorandum was still being finalised and Iran was sticking to its position that the deal must also end fighting in Lebanon, where Israel has been battling against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.
The aim was to finalise the wording by Saturday so the agreement could be signed by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf. No venue had been established but Geneva was emerging as the likeliest.
A senior Iranian source told Reuters on Friday that the draft would waive sanctions on Iran's oil, unfreeze billions of dollars of its funds, and require a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
Nuclear issues would be set aside for later talks. Washington wants a deal to ensure that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon; Iran says it is not seeking one.
Netanyahu's office says Israel not party to Iran deal
11:07 , Alex CroftPrime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement after the Israeli leader and Donald Trump spoke that Israel was not a party to the memorandum of understanding with Iran.
Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for Trump's commitment to securing a deal that includes removing enriched nuclear material, dismantling enrichment infrastructure, limiting missile output and ending support for regional proxies, the summary showed.
Tehran has been demanding an end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, where fighting has continued in a parallel war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.
Pictured: Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon
10:39 , Alex Croft
Oil prices will not return to normal 'at flick of a switch' after peace deal, warns analyst
10:13 , Alex CroftEven if an Iran deal is reached, returning oil prices to normal will “not be as simple as flicking a switch”, an expert has warned.
Oil prices have currently eased to around the mid-$80s per barrel, which is their lowest level in two months.
“But even if a deal is reached, getting supply back to normal will not be as simple as flicking a switch, with mines in the Strait of Hormuz to clear, idled production fields to restart, and damaged energy infrastructure to repair,” Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said.
“That means oil markets may be breathing a little easier, but the path back to smoother flows could take us into the latter part of the year.”
Draft agreement includes lifted sanctions and US withdrawal - Iranian state media
09:57 , Alex CroftWe’re hearing some details about a potential agreement between Iran and the US from Tehran’s semi-official Mehr news agency.
The proposed memorandum of understanding - which is yet to be finalised by Iranian authorities - includes Washington’s commitment to lifting sanctions, withdrawing from around Iran, and lifting the naval blockade on Iranian ports, it said.
The Strait of Hormuz will be reopened as part of the deal, it said.
The report also claimed it includes the cancelling of oil sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen funds.
A final round of negotiations after the memorandum would focus on nuclear and economic issues, but would exclude talks about Iran’s missile programme, it said.
US shoots down two Iranian attack drones
09:33 , Alex CroftUS forces shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones as Tehran appeared to attempt to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a US official told Reuters.
"Traffic flow through the strait continues," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
For Iranians abroad, the World Cup poses a tough choice: cheer the team or protest the regime?
09:11 , Alex CroftWhen Iran’s national soccer team walks onto American soil this summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it will do so against the backdrop of an Iranian government crackdown against protesters in January, an ongoing war launched by the U.S. and Israel in February, and a four-month digital blackout affecting some 92 million people. It has left many Iranian fans feeling conflicted about who exactly they’ll be cheering for.
Even before a ball has been kicked, the tension has been clear among not only supporters but team members, too. Iranian players were issued visas to the United States at the 11th hour, and the team only arrived at their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, days before the tournament kicks off.
Read more here:
For Iran’s diaspora, a tough World Cup call: cheer the team or protest the regime?
Lebanon nurse-turned-teacher says she is ‘between body bags’ at night while teaching students in the day
08:45 , Alex CroftA nurse-turned-teacher has detailed the realities of life in Lebanon since the escalation of war, describing being “between body bags holding lost innocent lives at night and teaching students the very next day”.
Israa Hassan, 31, who lives in Aramoun near Beirut, said her school has moved lessons online, but she has “lost contact” with some of her students and her “mind immediately goes to the worst possibilities”.
In the aftermath, Israa said her school building was converted into a shelter for people who have fled their homes, and the United Nations estimates more than one million people have been registered as displaced.
With her school in Mount Lebanon repurposed, Israa said that the “warmth of a classroom changed into a cold colourless screen”, but she has tried to “keep education going in the middle of uncertainty”.
Israa told PA Real Life: “Suddenly, within one night, I became a responder – a health worker trying to alleviate pain – and an educator trying to hold a space for children who were afraid, displaced or emotionally overwhelmed.
“The hard part is keeping a smile and motivation, after spending sleepless nights due to sounds of drones and night strikes.
“Or telling students during the day that the future holds beautiful things, right after witnessing an injured mum losing her kid the night before.”
Watch: Trump claims US made 'great settlement' with Iran
08:19 , Alex CroftIran denies US peace deal finalised
07:56 , Alex CroftIranian foreign ministry spokesperson has denied that the US and Tehran have finalised peace negotiations, as claimed once again by Donald Trump.
Iran will not compromise on its “red lines”, Esmail Baghaei said.
Speaking to Iranian state TV, he added: "We have not reached a final conclusion on this matter. This is a very important issue that is currently being reviewed by the relevant decision-making bodies."
But he said that large parts of an agreement have, indeed, been finalised.
UK economy shrank by 0.1% in April following impact of Iran war
07:37 , Alex CroftBritain’s economy has contracted for the first time in eight months amid signs that the Iran war is beginning to take its toll on some sectors.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 0.1 per cent in April in a sharp pullback from growth of 0.3 per cent in March and 0.4 per cent in February.
The decline was driven by a 0.2 per cent fall in services, which was partially offset by a 0.1 per cent rise in construction and 0.4 per cent growth in manufacturing.
In the three months to April, GDP grew by 0.7 per cent, according to the ONS.
Liz McKeown, ONS director of economic statistics, said: “The economy grew in the latest three months as a whole, reflecting strong growth in February and March.
“This was despite April showing a small fall.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves acknowledged the war in the Middle East was hitting the economy.
She said: “Before the conflict in the Middle East, growth was higher than expected and inflation was falling. This is not a war we wanted or joined, but one that will have an impact at home.
A ceasefire in name only: How war in the Middle East is only getting worse
07:03 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarCeasefires have been announced, often to great fanfare, in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. So why is there still so much fighting?
In just the last few weeks, Israeli forces have captured more territory in Gaza and killed two top Hamas militants there, as well as more than a dozen other people.
And the fighting in Lebanon showed no sign of letting up. Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 13 people on Wednesday, Lebanese security sources said, while Hezbollah claimed fresh attacks against Israeli forces.
More here.
A ceasefire in name only: How war in the Middle East is only getting worse
Trump says his birthday wish is ‘peace for the world’ as he strikes Iran
06:33 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Donald Trump has unveiled his 80th birthday wish, revealing that he hopes for “peace for the world” - despite the US launching more strikes on Iran.
Trump, who officially becomes an octogenarian on June 14, made the remark in the Oval Office on June 10. He was responding to a reporter who asked what his birthday wish would be, other than peace in the Middle East.
After pausing, Trump responded, “Well, I’ll go a step bigger…peace for the world, OK?”
“Peace for the world,” he repeated. “Middle East? Yes. Peace for the whole world.”
More here.
Trump reveals his 80th birthday wish amid the US’s war with Iran
Netanyahu's office says Israel not party to Iran deal
06:24 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPrime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement after the Israeli leader and Donald Trump spoke that Israel was not a party to the memorandum of understanding with Iran.
Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for Trump's commitment to securing a deal that includes removing enriched nuclear material, dismantling enrichment infrastructure, limiting missile output and ending support for regional proxies, the summary showed.
Tehran has been demanding an end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, where fighting has continued in a parallel war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.
Iran condemns deaths of 3 Indian sailors in US strikes
06:01 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe Iranian foreign ministry has condemned the US strike on a commercial vessel that killed at least three Indian sailors.
Iran's Esmail Baghaei said: "The brutal US attacks... stand as clear evidence of America's ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy.
"We extend our sympathies to the families and friends of the slain Indian sailors and offer our sincere condolences to the Indian people and government."
India's foreign ministry earlier criticised the attack, saying: "We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region."
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is yet to issue a statement.
Israeli and Palestinian civil society meet in France as two-state solution dims
05:37 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIsraeli and Palestinian civil society groups will meet in France today to urge the international community not to abandon a two-state solution, as Paris seeks to keep the issue alive amid the Middle East war.
The meeting, attended by foreign ministers and senior officials from dozens of countries, marks one year since the UN-backed New York Declaration, which set out a roadmap toward Palestinian statehood and prompted around a dozen countries, including France, Britain and Canada, to recognise a Palestinian state.
"Given the current situation in the region, marked by seemingly endless conflicts, too many civilian casualties and a cycle of violence, and in light of the stalled implementation of the Gaza ceasefire ... we believe this conference is now more essential and urgent than ever,” a French foreign ministry spokesperson said.
Qatar, UAE and Pakistan convinced Trump to stop striking Iran
05:37 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarLeaders from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan called Donald Trump after the US president threatened to hit Iran “very hard tonight” and urged him to hold off strikes, Politico reported.
Trump said he “cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening”, adding that “discussions and final points” have been “approved by all parties involved” regarding the peace deal.
He later told reporters that a deal could be signed as soon as this weekend.
Iran prevents tanker from entering Strait of Hormuz
05:12 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIranian forces prevented a tanker from transiting the Strait of Hormuz without coordination with the Iranian authorities, state media reported this morning.
Iranian media earlier reported sounds of explosions near Bandar Abbas, but state news agency IRNA later said no explosions had been reported in the port city and that any sounds could have been related to military activity in maritime areas.
Iran's top joint military command announced yesterday the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, including oil tankers and commercial ships, saying any vessel that will attempt passage will be shot at.
Iranian media also reported explosion sounds off the coast of Sirik.
A military source told state media that the sounds heard near Sirik were linked to Iranian forces confronting an oil tanker attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The tanker later complied with the ban on transit after receiving warnings from the IRGC Navy, the source said.
Israel continues to bomb Lebanon
05:11 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Fifa dragged to court for banning Iran's pre-revolutionary flag
04:48 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA lawsuit has been filed against Fifa over its ban on supporters bringing the Lion and the Sun pre-revolutionary Iranian flag into the World Cup games.
The Institute for Voices of Liberty submitted a lawsuit to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which claimed that those who wished to fly the flag possess “protected symbolic and political speech” which requires “immediate judicial intervention", according to The New York Times.
The California-based non-profit is calling for a declaration that a ban is unlawful in California and that supporters should be allowed to carry the old flag, and demanded Fifa pay compensatory damages for any individual banned for possession of the flag.
The pre-revolutionary Iran flag is associated with the country’s previous Shah-led regime.
Oil prices fall below $90 a barrel
04:39 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarOil prices slumped to two-month lows on the news of an agreement before trimming some of the losses.Brent dropped 1.1 per cent at $89.40 per barrel, having fallen nearly 3 per cent overnight.
US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were last down 1.2 per cent to $86.69 a barrel, on top of a 2.6 per cent drop overnight.
Trump claims Iran agreed to not buy nuclear weapons
04:24 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump has claimed an initial agreement aimed at ending the war with Iran is close and claimed that Iran has agreed not to buy nuclear weapons.
Speaking during a call with supporters, the US president said: "The big thing is there will be no nuclear weapons in Iran. That means not developed and not purchased."
“They had a clause they won’t develop. I said, ‘What about purchasing?’ They said, ‘Well, we didn’t cover that.’ So, two days later, they agreed to that. We got everything we wanted,” he said.
US shoots down two Iranian attack drones
04:15 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUS forces shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones as Tehran appeared to attempt to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a US official told Reuters.
"Traffic flow through the strait continues," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Trump says peace deal could be signed this weekend — but traders aren't convinced
04:00 , Rachel DobkinUS President Donald Trump said Thursday that a finalised peace deal with Iran could be signed as soon as this weekend in Europe, but traders aren’t convinced an agreement, at least a permanent one, will be reached so soon.
As of early Friday morning, traders on the prediction market Polymarket believe there’s just a 16 percent chance that the US and Iran will reach a permanent peace deal by Monday.
Are the latest strikes between Trump and Iran the prelude to all-out war - or just the new normal?
03:45 , Alex CroftThe latest strikes between the US and Iran represent a new limbo period where both sides are neither obeying a ceasefire nor fully fighting, experts have warned, as each side carries out symbolic strikes aimed at pressuring their opponent into making concessions.
Tehran and Washington’s latest escalation is “carefully choreographed” and part of a “diplomatic dance” between Tehran and Washington, analysts say. But the longer it goes on, the higher the risk it could develop into a new round of conflict.
Read on...
Are latest strikes between Trump and Iran the prelude to all-out war or a new normal?
Full story: Trump reverses course to say no new strikes on Iran after boisterous threats to hit country ‘very hard’
03:30 , Andrew FeinbergUS President Donald Trump has once again reversed course and called off planned airstrikes on Iran just hours after he threatened to escalate the current wave of American attacks on Iran and potentially dispatch ground troops to seize the country’s main oil export facility.
Writing on Truth Social Thursday afternoon, Trump said: “Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, canceled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening”.
The president’s announcement walking back his early morning declaration that the US “will be hitting Iran ... VERY HARD TONIGHT” came after what he said were “discussions” between the US and Iran as well as Israel, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt “and others”.
Read on...
Trump reverses course on new Iran strikes after threats to hit country ‘very hard’
Watch: Trump explains why this round of negotiations with Iran is supposedly different
03:00 , Rachel DobkinReporter: You have said before that Iran and the United States were close to a deal. It has not happened yet. Why are you so convinced that this time is different?
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 11, 2026
Trump: Because they have taken a pounding. They want to make a deal a lot more than I do. pic.twitter.com/4FFjcvHv3l
US military downs Iranian drones: report
02:35 , Rachel DobkinThe US military has downed two Iranian drones, a US official told NBC News Thursday night, Washington time.
“It appears Iran has attempted to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz tonight”, the official said. “U.S. forces shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones.
“Traffic flow through the Strait continues”, the official added.
Iranian official condemns 'brutal' US attack on Indian ship
02:00 , Rachel DobkinEsmaeil Baqaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s foreign affairs ministry, has condemned a reported US attack on an Indian oil tanker that killed three seafarers.
“The brutal US attacks on Indian commercial vessels which have killed at least three Indian nationals, stand as clear evidence of America’s ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy”, Baqaei wrote on X Thursday.
The brutal U.S. attacks on Indian commercial vessels which have killed at least three Indian nationals, stand as clear evidence of America’s ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy.
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) June 11, 2026
We extend our sympathies to the families and friends of the slain Indian sailors and…
“The international community must hold the United States accountable for its lawless conduct, which continues to threaten global peace and security while endangering the freedom of navigation”, the spokesperson added.
Read more on the reported Indian oil tanker attack from Maroosha Muszaffar:
India reports third ship ‘incident’ off Oman after US strike on tanker
US military was mere hours away from striking Iran before Trump cancelled operation : report
01:30 , Rachel DobkinThe US military was mere hours away from striking Iran again before President Donald Trump cancelled the operation, according to a new report.
American forces already received orders from Trump to hit Iran Thursday evening, local time, before the president announced that the strikes were cancelled, two US officials told NBC News.
Trump made the announcement about three hours before missiles would have been launched, according to the sources.
Trump says US made 'great deal' with Iran
01:00 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump has said that the US made a “great deal” with Iran.
“Today we settled up with Iran”, Trump said at a telephone rally Thursday, local time, per the Associated Press.
“People will start coming home very soon. It’s pretty much completed. We got everything we wanted,” he added.
Trump claims Iran agreed never to obtain nuclear weapon
Friday 12 June 2026 00:25 , Rachel DobkinUS President Donald Trump has claimed Iran agreed never to obtain nuclear weapons as part of a deal to end the war.
"I don't know if you heard, but we ended the war with Iran today, and they have agreed never to have a nuclear weapon”, Trump said at a telephone rally Thursday, local time, per NewsNation correspondent Libbery Dean.
Read: Trump's statement on the cancellation of additional strikes against Iran
Friday 12 June 2026 00:00 , Rachel Dobkin🚨 President Donald J. Trump on cancelled scheduled strikes against Iran. pic.twitter.com/iIijh6j5m2
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 11, 2026
Ex-US counterterrorism chief urges Trump to 'just walk away' from Iran war
Thursday 11 June 2026 23:30 , Rachel DobkinFormer US counterterrorism chief Joe Kent has urged Donald Trump to “just walk away” from the Iran war.
“There is no clear-cut military solution, and there is little hope for a diplomatic solution—if there were a viable option for either, I firmly believe that President Trump would just order the military action or sign the deal”, Kent wrote on X Thursday.
Kent was the director of the National Counterterrorism Center before he resigned in March over his disagreement with the war.
“The ‘Trump card’ is simple: just walk away, declare victory, and leave”, Kent continued. “This is not a coward’s retreat; it’s a strategic move to protect our troops and stop this destructive war dead in its tracks”.
Why won't Trump be at potential peace deal signing this weekend?
Thursday 11 June 2026 23:00 , Rachel DobkinDonald Trump has said a finalised peace deal with Iran could be signed as soon as this weekend in Europe, but he said he wouldn’t be there.
That’s because the US president will be celebrating his birthday on Sunday with an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House lawn. The event will be part of the many celebrations of America’s 250th year of independence.
