United States Vice President JD Vance said he believes progress is being made in negotiations with Iran, even as President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest proposal as unacceptable. The remarks came amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to preserve a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, now under strain after weeks of conflict.

Iranian Brigadier-General Mohammad Akrami Nia stated that the country’s military remains at the highest level of readiness, warning there is no room for retreat as tensions with the US persist. Iranian officials have continued to signal their preparedness to respond to any escalation. Meanwhile, Israel claimed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates during the war on Iran, but the UAE denied the claim, calling the reports baseless.

In Tehran, large crowds gathered in Enghelab Square to send off Iran’s national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The football federation president said the team would represent the people and the nation’s fighters, while some fans carried placards honoring former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the war.