Israeli security officials are reportedly preparing for the possibility of a surprise Iranian missile and drone strike amid continuing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Iran has dismissed speculation around Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition, saying he survived the February strike and continues to oversee key decisions, including negotiations and field operations.
Iran’s leadership has pushed back sharply against US President Donald Trump’s claim of internal infighting, with multiple senior figures issuing coordinated statements asserting unity behind the Supreme Leader.
US President Donald Trump has said Washington will keep the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut as leverage against Iran, signalling that the vital oil route will reopen only when a deal is reached.
JD Vance’s Pakistan trip has been paused as Washington struggles to revive talks with Iran, even as Trump keeps the ceasefire in place amid rising uncertainty.
Multiple power centres engage in parallel diplomacy as conflict-hit West Asia sees fragile ceasefire, renewed talks, sanctions pressure and strong public mobilisation across the region.
Shipping resumes through a key oil route, but military pressure, political messaging and ongoing negotiations signal that the crisis is paused, not resolved.
With US troop reinforcements underway and Iranian officials vowing resistance, Trump told Republican donors Iran's leadership privately wants a deal, but is too frightened to seek one openly.
The Japanese government has confirmed the incident and demanded the immediate release of its national.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran is not interested in direct negotiations with Washington, but an agreement can be reached through indirect talks.
