Florida [US], June 13 (ANI): The US' top general made a secret visit to US Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters in Florida late last month to receive in-person briefings on plans for the country's forces to enter Iran and seize its highly enriched uranium, a key material for nuclear weapons, CNN reported while citing two sources familiar with the matter.
Iranian foreign minister says Strait of Hormuz will not return to pre-war status Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the Strait of Hormuz has become one of Tehran’s “most important deterrent tools”, warning that the strategic waterway will not return to its pre-war status. Araghchi said the administration of the Strait of Hormuz would no longer operate as it did before the war, adding that the waterway falls “under the sovereignty of Iran and Oman”. He said vessels had passed through the strait freely for years, but that arrangement would now change, with Tehran set to charge for services.
Iran says MoU will end war on all fronts, including Lebanon Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says a memorandum of understanding with the US has not yet been signed, but that the proposed agreement would announce an end to the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Speaking to Iran’s Press TV, Araghchi said the MoU also covers the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the US naval blockade against Iran. He said Washington would pledge not to start a war or use threats, while the US and Iran would commit to respecting each other’s sovereignty and avoiding interference in each other’s internal affairs.
Qatar reportedly offered Iran gas shutdown during US-Israeli war Qatar held secret talks with Iran during the Israeli-US war, offering to help disrupt global energy markets if Tehran spared the Ras Laffan gas field, The Washington Post reports, citing US officials. The report said Iran did not give Qatar a firm pledge that it would avoid striking the facility, which supplies a fifth of the world’s natural gas. But Doha believed it could reach an informal understanding with Tehran.
Iran and US confirm they are on cusp of new ceasefire, as they fight to frame terms Submitted by Sean Mathews on Fri, 06/12/2026 - 19:31 Pakistan says 'peace never this close' as Switzerland offers to host signing agreement Women walk past Iran's national flag in Vanak Square in Tehran, Iran, on 10 June 2026 (Atta Kenare/AFP) Off Iran offered its most definitive assessment on Friday that it was close to signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the US , as both countries jostled to frame the deal as a victory. The signing of the MOU would trigger a 60-day period for "technical" negotiations, according to the Trump administration. “The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer.
US officials say Hormuz oil flows reaching half of pre-war levels Submitted by Sean Mathews on Fri, 06/12/2026 - 18:32 The US secretary of interior attributes the drop in oil prices to millions more barrels leaving the Strait of Hormuz In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency, residents take a dip as cargo and commercial vessels lie at anchor in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in Iran, on 8 June 2026 (Amirhossein Khorgooei/AFP) Off The US Navy is escorting dozens of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz each night, carrying millions of barrels of oil, senior US officials said on Friday. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said vessels under US protection were carrying about seven million barrels of oil per day through the Strait of Hormuz - a substantial amount, roughly half of what was transiting the waterway before the US-Israeli war on Iran began on 28 February. “Flows today are approaching half of the gap, and they’re rising,” Wright told the Bloomberg Energy Security Executive Briefing in Houston, Texas.
New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): Former diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar on Friday condemned the killing of three Indian seafarers in an attack on the Palau-flagged vessel MT Settebello, calling the United States' actions 'deplorable' and 'unacceptable'. Speaking to ANI, Sajjanhar criticised the lack of remorse shown by the US government. The incident occurred off the coast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli attack on south Lebanon medical site wounds paramedics Israel has wounded two paramedics in an air attack on a medical facility in the southern Lebanese town of Selaa, Lebanon’s National News Agency reports. The attack came as Israeli forces pressed on with strikes across southern Lebanon, despite the ceasefire agreement. The agency said Israeli artillery also shelled the town of Sajd and Jabal al-Rafie, in the latest escalation by Israel along the border.
Israel vows to keep occupying Gaza, Lebanon and Syria despite possible US-Iran deal Israel’s defence minister has struck a belligerent tone, insisting that Israel must preserve its freedom to attack Iran even as the US moves towards a possible agreement with Tehran. Israel Katz said Israel must ensure it can act alone in future to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. In a post on X, he claimed the US and Israel had dealt “severe blows on Iran that have set back its capabilities by many years”, but made clear Israel’s military posture would not end there.
Iran army chief says Tehran now ‘dominant’ power in Strait of Hormuz Iran has ruled out pursuing nuclear weapons while reiterating that its military controls access to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes. Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, the Iranian army’s chief of staff, told state news agency IRNA that Tehran’s forces dominate the strategic waterway. “Today, our power is dominant in the Strait of Hormuz region, meaning no vessel can enter without our permission,” Sayyari said.
Tehran [Iran], June 12 (ANI): Iran on Friday strongly condemned the United States attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers, resulting in the death of three in the Gulf of Oman, describing the actions as 'brutal' and accusing Washington of engaging in 'lawless conduct' that threatens global peace and maritime security.
Israeli strikes on Friday left Lebanon out of sync with a cautious optimism taking hold elsewhere in the Middle East.
Hezbollah conducts operations against Israeli military in Southern Lebanon Hezbollah conducted operations against Israeli military vehicles and forces in Southern Lebanon, according to statements and footage on Telegram. The operations came as the Israeli military continued strikes on Tyre in Southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported.
US has redirected 136 commercial vessels in Strait of Hormuz to date The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Friday morning that "U. S. Navy warships and air assets continue to patrol regional waters enforcing the blockade against Iran.
Belligerent backdrop to World Cup tests Fifa’s ‘football unites the world’ slogan Iran will present a major challenge to Fifa’s “football unites the world” slogan on Monday by becoming the first country in World Cup history to compete on the soil of a host nation with which it is at war . The national team’s opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles will kick off amid continuing hostilities between Iran and the US that have intensified in recent days, as a fragile ceasefire has failed to hold and attempts at reaching a negotiated settlement have sputtered . Continue reading...
Indian government summons top US diplomat following US attacks on Indian mariners The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on X that it has summoned American Chargé d'Affaires Jason Meeks following "continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman," which resulted in the killing of three Indian sailors. The Ministry expressed "deep concern over the use of lethal and deadly force against civilian shipping," and called on US forces in the region to "take all necessary measures to prevent the loss of civilian life. " U.
New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): India on Friday summoned the United States Charge d'Affaires, Jason Meeks, and lodged a 'strong protest' over the continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, which have resulted in the deaths of three Indian nationals.
Israeli spyware firm targeted Whatsapp users despite US court order Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 06/12/2026 - 12:16 Meta says users in Jordan and Lebanon were targeted by NSO Group even after court injunction forbidding it A photographic illustration shows a mobile phone near the NSO Group company logo on 9 February 2022 in the Israeli city of Netanya (AFP/Jack Guez) Off A spyware firm founded in Israel has been targeting Whatsapp users in Jordan and Lebanon with malicious links, despite a US court order forbidding it from doing so, according to Meta. Meta said earlier this week that it had caught and disrupted "spear phishing attempts" by NSO Group on Whatsapp, which had targeted a handful of users in Jordan and Lebanon. The tech giant said it also caught the spyware firm creating "test accounts and groups" on Whatsapp.
The humanitarian situation in Lebanon is being pushed further into crisis as hostilities continue between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants – and essential services and healthcare are targeted.
The United Nations continues to monitor developments amid conflicting reports on Friday of a possible ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran, the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General said in New York.
