Vance was sceptical about the war against Iran and was the only figure in Trump's circle who refused to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu's bid for re-election as prime minister, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
French authorities have formally accused Iran of orchestrating an "unprecedented" cyberattack campaign targeting supermarket refrigeration networks across the country, causing massive food spoilage and equipment fires, and are now pushing for European Union sanctions against Tehran.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned US and Israeli military aggression against Iran, including strikes on its nuclear facilities, and offered Russia's support to end the ongoing conflict in West Asia, according to Iran's security chief Major General Mohsen Rezaei.
Iraq's Civil Aviation Authority barred a plane carrying Iran's national football team from landing at Basra airport, citing US sanctions on Iranian airlines. The team was forced to return to Iran and travel overland to participate in a four-nation tournament.
Iran's powerful secretary of the supreme national security council Major General Mohsen Rezaei has issued a warning to the US after Donald Trump indicated that the war is unlikely to resume.
US President Donald Trump has met with his national security team to discuss resuming military operations against Iran, with senior officials confirming preparations are being finalised for potential major operations, while Iraq has warned against using its territory for strikes.
Crude oil prices are set for another volatile week with an upward bias, as ongoing US-Iran negotiations and heightened geopolitical risks, particularly concerning energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, continue to influence the market, according to analysts.
Oman and Iran discussed efforts to resume navigation through the Strait of Hormuz without obstacles during a telephone conversation between their foreign ministers on Thursday, with both sides emphasising the need for sustainable understandings to ensure maritime safety, facilitate international trade and energy flows, and prevent further confrontations in the region.
The United States has reportedly conducted a clandestine military operation targeting Iran's Qeshm Island, part of a series of limited attacks against Tehran. This strike occurred on Monday, shortly after US President Donald Trump suggested a deal with Iran was possible, despite ongoing military actions. US officials indicate these strikes are kept minimal and secret to avoid escalating to a wider military campaign. The incident follows previous US actions and Iran's report of capturing a US drone.
US President Donald Trump acknowledged that the war in Iran largely contributed to Republican losses in the midterm elections due to rising gasoline prices. However, Trump remained defiant, stating he would undertake the action again as it was the "only answer" in the long term to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He also dismissed suggestions of replacing Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The United States has evacuated American aircraft from an air base in the UK following a threat from Iran, according to people familiar with the matter, raising fresh concerns over the security of US military assets amid the ongoing conflict.
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei has declared that the results of the US midterm elections and shifts between American political parties will not alter Iran's defensive strategy or soften Washington's long-standing hostility toward the Iranian nation.
The US Treasury Department has sanctioned a Chandigarh-based couple, Suniel Kumar Sharma and Jaspreet Preeti Shahid, and their network of companies. They are accused of providing false flags and certifications to support Iran's shadow fleet, enabling the transport of petroleum and evasion of international restrictions. Their operations involved defrauding maritime regulatory administrations and establishing fraudulent flagging registries across multiple jurisdictions.
US President Donald Trump stated that the US still needs to address "one or two targets" in Iran, specifically mentioning a site like Pickaxe Mountain, claiming it could be done in 10 minutes. This comes as Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned of an "unrestricted" response to any US or Israeli missteps. Despite the tough talk, diplomatic channels remain open, with both sides acknowledging ongoing talks, though Trump expressed skepticism about Iran's reliability in negotiations.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday said there is a possibility that an attack on Iran could happen soon. The remarks were made after Trump cast his ballot in the midterm elections early on Saturday in Florida.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday called for "regional unity" as he met top defence officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan in Tehran to discuss the regional situation, amid escalating tensions in the region.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has interpreted the US midterm election results as a clear rejection of conflict by the American public, stating, "Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message." This comes as Democrats are poised to take control of the US Congress, securing the Senate and gaining seats in the House of Representatives.
US House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has thrown his full support behind a legislative push to impeach Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, accusing him of severe misconduct and responsibility for the ongoing war against Iran, as newly empowered opposition lawmakers prepare to intensify congressional oversight of the administration led by US President Donald Trump.
Axios has reported that a new US intelligence report has found that Iran has "substantially increased" its efforts to target American diplomats and officials in the Middle East. The intel memo which Axios cited also said that plots against American diplomats were reaching "advanced stages."
Following significant midterm election losses, US Vice President J D Vance is reportedly forming a new political alliance targeting disaffected Trump supporters for the 2028 presidential election, while President Donald Trump is considering whether to retain Pete Hegseth as Secretary of War amid scrutiny over the Iran conflict.
Donald Trump has ruled out using nuclear weapons or ground troops against Iran, despite the US military developing strike options including the "mother of all bombs" (MOAB) for Iranian energy and nuclear facilities. Trump clarified the MOAB is not nuclear and expressed confidence in non-nuclear options. He also discussed nuclear disarmament talks with Russia and China and his determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, even as questions arise about MOAB's effectiveness against deeply buried targets.
The US rejected Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, citing Tehran's demands for sanctions relief and access to frozen assets before nuclear program negotiations. US Ambassador Mike Waltz called the offer a "cynical attempt," while Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi disputed Waltz's account and reiterated Iran's readiness for both diplomacy and renewed hostilities. President Trump expressed confidence in winning the conflict soon and keeping all options, including military strikes, on the table, with denying Iran a nuclear weapon as the primary objective.
US President Donald Trump has stated his personal belief that Iran was responsible for the attempted mid-air hijacking and crash of Flydubai Flight FZ1073, where an Omani co-pilot attacked the Indian captain.
Donald Trump expressed confidence in a swift victory over Iran, suggesting military strikes before midterm elections are possible, with the primary goal of denying Tehran nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi declared readiness for a "doomsday war" if hostilities resume, while also expressing openness to diplomacy if assets are unfrozen and oil sales allowed.
India's women's kabaddi team secured their record-extending fourth Asian Games gold medal by defeating Iran 37-34 in a thrilling final.
India's men's and women's kabaddi teams successfully defended their Asian Games titles, securing a golden double with thrilling victories over Iran.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a strong address at the UN General Assembly, rejecting US allegations against Iran and accusing Washington and Israel of aggression and terrorism. He criticised US sanctions, defended Iran's peaceful nuclear programme, and highlighted the Palestinian issue.
The United States military has developed fresh strike options against Iran that include the potential use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), widely known as the "mother of all bombs", to target energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, CNN reported, citing multiple US officials familiar with military planning discussions.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that the UK believes Iran played a part in an incident near an RAF base in south-west England, currently under counter-terrorism investigation. Five British nationals were arrested and bailed. The incident occurred near RAF Fairford, which hosts US Air Force operations and has been used for airstrikes against Iran. Iran has denied involvement, calling it "Iranophobia."
Iran has conveyed seven conditions to the United States through Qatari mediators for starting negotiations to end the ongoing war, while warning that Tehran is prepared for a "decisive war" if Washington rejects its demands.
US President Donald Trump asserted that Iran is attempting to remove him from office, believing a Democratic administration would permit them to develop nuclear weapons. Trump vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities and stated he has no regrets about his confrontational approach, claiming he would act the same way again. He also linked the ongoing conflict to rising stock markets and oil prices, and controversially suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's women's kabaddi team faced immense challenges during their Asian Games preparations, including frequent camp changes due to regional conflict, psychological stress on young players, and difficulties arranging international friendly matches due to sanctions.
The Indian women's squash team secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Iran in their final group-stage match at the Asian Games, topping Pool C and advancing to the quarter-finals where they will face Singapore.
Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has threatened "continuous, effective and painful" attacks on US bases and interests across the region if Washington resumes military action against Tehran, amid escalating tensions and a US naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Iran's star striker Sardar Azmoun has been recalled to the national football team, four months after his controversial omission from the World Cup roster. His return follows a social media post that reportedly angered Iranian authorities. Azmoun expressed his joy and readiness to fight for his country as Iran prepares for the Asian Cup.
The US military has refuted Iran's Revolutionary Guards' assertion that an oil tanker struck a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command stated the Panama-registered vessel, El Gaia, was previously hit by an Iranian missile and then a drone, highlighting ongoing Iranian attempts to impede commercial vessels in the crucial maritime trade route.
Two members of Iran's delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in New York were "kicked out" of the United States on Saturday after allegedly failing to comply with a US State Department order to leave the country, Axios reported, citing a US official, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise amid the West Asia crisis, particularly the Strait of Hormuz.
United States Central Command (CENTCOM) forces have disabled a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman using precision airstrikes after the ship's crew repeatedly ignored warnings and attempted to breach an active naval blockade against Iran, the US military confirmed in an official statement.
US President Donald Trump has shared a map on Truth Social showing the Strait of Hormuz labelled as "Trump Strait".
Trump seems to have made up his mind that a pliant Pakistan will be more useful than India. We cannot expect a change in Trump's policy towards India in his post midterm poll tenure as America's president, observes Ambassador T N Sreenivasan.
