Iran-US struggle newest: Oil costs plunge on peace deal hopes regardless of Trump’s menace to bomb ‘at much higher level’
US president Donald Trump has announced he will pause his plan to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing “great progress” toward a deal to end the war with Iran.
Trump said the decision to pause “Project Freedom” was “based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran”.
The president wrote on Truth Social Tuesday evening, Washington time, that Project Freedom would be paused by “mutual agreement” and it would be “for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.”
The US naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in effect, according to Trump.
Meanwhile, Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said the US is pursuing “a policy of maximum pressure” while also expecting Iran to submit to “unilateral demands” – a contradiction he said is “impossible” for Tehran.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Ghalibaf, earlier said: “We know well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America, while we are just getting started.”
Watch: Fears over ceasefire as Rubio warns US would respond with ‘lethal efficiency’ if attacked
Pope rejects Trump’s latest allegation that he supports Iran’s nuclear ambitions
Pope Leo XIV rejected Donald Trump’s claim that he supports Iran having nuclear weapons.
He said: “For years, the church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons, so there is no doubt on that point.”
He added: “If someone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let him do so truthfully.”
Trump earlier had said that the pontiff was “endangering a lot of Catholics” because “he thinks it’s fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon”.
The remarks come amid rising tensions between Trump and the Pope over the Iran war.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio is expected to meet Leo at the Vatican on Thursday. The Pope said he hopes for “a good dialogue” based on “trust and openness”.
Iran says no damage after drone interception near southern Iran
A loud noise on Qeshm island in southern Iran was caused by air defences intercepting small and reconnaissance drones, according to local authorities.
Officials said there was no impact, damage, or explosion.
Similar drone interceptions have occurred multiple times in recent weeks, including over Tehran.
These incidents are continuing despite the ceasefire with the US.
US lawmaker accuses Trump of ‘falsely’ telling Congress war with Iran was over
US lawmaker Raja Krishnamoorthi has accused US president Donald Trump of “falsely” telling Congress that the war with Iran is over, despite ongoing clashes and a naval blockade.
“The American people do not want a war with Iran, and Trump’s characterisation of the war is simply not true,” he said in a letter to director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that he posted on X.
Krishnamoorthi warned that the “underlying ceasefire arrangement remains contested and unstable”.
He requested classified briefings and a “comprehensive intelligence assessment” on the situation.
“The American people and Congress require clarity on whether current policy is producing a stable end state or whether President Trump’s erratic decision making in the region will lead to more instability and uncertainty for the American people at home,” he wrote in the letter.
The criticism comes as the 60-day limit under the War Powers Act passed last week. Under the 1973 War Powers Act, the US president must either end military operations or secure congressional approval once the 60-day deadline passes.
Trump claims ‘great progress’ in talks with Iran
Donald Trump claimed the US had made “great progress” in talks with Iran and mediating countries as he paused an operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, the US president wrote: “Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.”
Fire at shopping centre near Tehran kills 8
A fire at a shopping centre near Tehran has killed eight people and injured 36, according to local media reports.
The blaze began at the Arghavan shopping centre in Andisheh town on Tuesday.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Reports suggested that there was no indication that the fire was linked to the ongoing war in the region.
Video footage showed firefighters tackling heavy flames and thick black smoke from the multistory building.
Israel condemns suspected Iranian attacks on UAE
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly called UAE president Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed to condemn Tuesday’s alleged Iranian attacks.
Netanyahu “affirmed their countries’ solidarity with the UAE and support for measures it takes to safeguard its security and stability and ensure the safety of its citizens,” state agency WAM reported.
Iran has denied responsibility, with the IRGC saying its forces “have not carried out any missile or drone operations against the UAE in recent days”.
The attacks follow earlier strikes that injured at least three people and caused a fire at a key oil facility in Fujairah.
Iranian foreign minister meets his Chinese counterpart in Beijing
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday, the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported.
They were expected to “discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments”, according to an earlier statement from the Iranian foreign ministry.
China, a key partner and major buyer of Iranian oil, has been pushing for an end to the conflict.
Donald Trump has suggested in recent weeks that Beijing played a role in bringing Iran to the negotiating table.
Marco Rubio earlier urged China to tell Iran its actions were making it “globally isolated”.
The visit comes shortly before Trump’s planned trip to China, where he is expected to meet Chinese president Xi Jinping.
Iran touts ‘US failure’ to achieve objectives of Project Freedom
Iran touted the “US failure to achieve its objectives in the so-called ‘Freedom Project’” in a statement on INSA, a state-run media outlet, after Donald Trump announced he was pausing the effort.
The INSA statement said Trump halted the operation “following firm positions and warnings from Iran”.
State-run Tasnim also welcomed the move in a post on its Farsi-language X account, calling it: “Trump Backs Down”.
In his announcement suspending “Project Freedom”, Trump said the pause was due to progress in diplomatic talks.
Iranian president says ‘no one can make us surrender’
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian pushed back against US pressure, saying: “No one can make us surrender” and that they “cannot be coerced by force”.
He posted on X that he had a call with Iraq’s prime minister and he urged the US to remove military threats from the Middle East.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says its new security plan in the Strait of Hormuz is aimed at blocking weapons and supplies from reaching US bases.
Source: independent.co.uk
