Key facts
- President Trump claims Iran is seeking a political settlement and a deal to end the ongoing war.
- US envoys reportedly held talks with an Iranian leader.
- President Trump extended a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- President Trump threatened attacks on power plants.
- US President Donald Trump reportedly confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
- Trump accused Netanyahu of jeopardizing sensitive US diplomatic efforts with Iran.
- Funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have begun in Tehran.
- Hundreds of thousands of mourners chanted 'death to America' and 'revenge' at Khamenei's funeral.
- Delegations from over 100 countries are present at Khamenei's funeral.
- Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that the US pressured 13 nations to skip Khamenei's funeral.
- US officials allegedly conducted a five-day campaign to dissuade foreign delegations from attending Khamenei's funeral.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a confidential instruction labeling participation in Khamenei's funeral as an 'unfriendly act'.
President Trump asserts that Iran is pursuing a political settlement and a deal to conclude the ongoing conflict, claiming that US envoys have engaged in discussions with an Iranian leader. He has also extended a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, issuing a threat of attacks on power plants. This statement follows reports that US President Donald Trump confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Israel's strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump reportedly accused Netanyahu of endangering sensitive US diplomatic initiatives with Iran. This call occurred after Israel escalated its operations in southern Lebanon.
Funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have commenced in Tehran, drawing hundreds of thousands of mourners who chanted 'death to America' and 'revenge.' Delegations from over 100 countries are in attendance amidst the ongoing US-Israel conflict. Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that the US exerted pressure on 13 nations to abstain from attending Khamenei's funeral. US officials allegedly conducted a five-day campaign to discourage foreign delegations from attending, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio issuing a confidential directive that characterized participation as an 'unfriendly act.'
In parallel, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani visited Lebanon and met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a significant ally of Hezbollah. This visit was intended to reassure Lebanon regarding Syria's intentions amidst US pressure on Damascus to confront Hezbollah. France has deployed demining assets to the Strait of Hormuz to guarantee safe navigation. The UK and France have emphasized the waterway's critical importance to the global economy and are prepared to deploy additional multinational military support.
Former US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker commented on President Trump's stance, stating that the President's anger towards allies for not joining the war in Iran is an exaggeration, as these allies were not consulted. Volker anticipates that Trump will moderate his criticism at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara out of deference to host President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.