Iran has claimed it forced a U.S. Navy destroyer, the USS Fitzgerald, to retreat after it approached Iranian territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman. According to Tehran, an Iranian military helicopter flew over the warship and issued a direct radio warning. The U.S. military, however, described the encounter as "professional and safe." This marks the first reported military standoff between Iran and the U.S. following the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. U.S. officials stated the incident took place in international waters and accused Iran of spreading misleading information. The backdrop includes heightened tensions after recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Senior officials from Iran, Russia, and China met in Tehran to boost cooperation against Western dominance, sanctions, and threats of the JCPOA snapback mechanism. They emphasized diplomatic coordination and mutual support, criticizing Western unilateralism. Iran warned that any new UN sanctions would be illegitimate and proposed practical steps for regional stability. The trilateral talks aim to create a broader strategic framework, with follow-up discussions planned with the European Troika. All three nations committed to deeper consultation in the coming months.

Iran has ruled out any negotiations with the United States, according to its foreign ministry. Spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said Tehran has no plans to engage with Washington but will resume talks with the UK, France, and Germany on July 25 in Istanbul, focusing on its nuclear program. Deputy Foreign Ministers Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi will represent Iran. Despite severe damage to nuclear sites during the Israel-Iran conflict, Tehran insists it will not abandon its uranium enrichment efforts.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country will not abandon its uranium enrichment program, even after severe damage to nuclear facilities during recent conflict with Israel. In an interview, he emphasized the program’s national importance. Talks with the U.S., mediated by Oman, failed to reach a deal on enrichment limits. A 12-day air conflict in June, involving the U.S., ended with a ceasefire. The UN nuclear watchdog found no proof Iran seeks nuclear weapons, though Israel claims otherwise.

Iran has warned it may withdraw from maintaining regional maritime security, including in the Strait of Hormuz, if European nations reinstate international sanctions through the UN. A senior Iranian lawmaker made the remarks ahead of E3-Iran talks in Istanbul. The EU trio—UK, France, and Germany—has threatened to activate the snapback mechanism if Iran fails to engage in meaningful nuclear negotiations. Tehran argues the E3 no longer has legal standing to trigger the process due to their stance on recent Israeli and U.S. attacks.

Iran has extended the deadline for Afghan migrants to leave the country until the 15th of Sunbula in the Solar Hijri calendar, citing extreme heat and inadequate infrastructure. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the extension but warned that those who fail to comply will face fines and legal action. In response, Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi called for an end to forced deportations, urging that returnees be treated with dignity. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has also engaged in dialogue with Afghan officials regarding the situation.

Iran is grappling with a serious water shortage due to an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 50°C in some areas. The government has appealed to citizens to cut water consumption by at least 20% to manage the crisis. Tehran City Council and provincial authorities have warned of water pressure drops and temporary supply interruptions lasting up to 18 hours in certain parts of the capital. Similar appeals have been made across several provinces to conserve water amid the ongoing heatwave.

Iran has restored its air defense systems damaged during last month’s 12-day conflict with Israel. The June clashes began with Israeli airstrikes, prompting Iranian drone and missile retaliations. Iran’s domestic Bavar-373 and Khordad-15 systems, along with Russia’s S-300, were activated but sustained damage. Over 1,000 casualties were reported in Iran, while Israeli deaths numbered at least 28. The conflict also involved targeted strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, with the U.S. conducting notable air raids on key nuclear facilities in late June.

A 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck northern Iran on Sunday, with a shallow depth of just 3 kilometers, increasing the intensity of surface tremors and potential damage. The same day, Tajikistan experienced a 4.0-magnitude quake, with an epicenter 160 kilometers deep. Two days earlier, on July 18, a 3.8-magnitude quake struck Tajikistan at a depth of 10 kilometers. Experts warn that Tajikistan's mountainous terrain and glacier-fed rivers make it highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, droughts, and floods.

France, the UK, and Germany have warned that they will trigger the UN’s ‘snapback’ mechanism to reinstate prior sanctions on Iran unless significant progress is made on nuclear talks by the end of summer. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) had relaxed sanctions in exchange for nuclear oversight. The UN-authorized agreement is set to expire on October 18. Following a joint Israeli-US strike on an Iranian nuclear facility last month, the E3 bloc and EU diplomats held their first virtual meeting with Iran's foreign minister. The timeline for a sixth round of Iran-US negotiations remains unclear.

A senior Iranian security official has warned that Tehran is prepared to take retaliatory action if the United States fails to compensate for the recent attack on its nuclear facilities and if Israel is not held accountable. The official stated that Iran is not interested in a permanent ceasefire and has rejected recent U.S. proposals for dialogue as “premature.” In response to the June 13 Israeli assault, Iran launched 22 missile strikes on Israeli positions and also targeted the U.S. Al-Udeid base in Qatar. “Our finger is on the trigger; this time we won't wait for the enemy to strike,” he said.

Iran has reopened its airspace to international flights after a temporary closure prompted by recent hostilities with Israel. According to Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, all airports have resumed normal operations following a security assessment, and the airspace will remain open 24 hours a day. Mehrabad Airport will operate daily from 4 AM to 7 PM. However, training and recreational flights remain suspended. Iran had closed its airspace on June 13 after an Israeli airstrike. Conditions began to stabilize following a ceasefire on June 24.

After a deadly 12-day war with Israel, Iran’s military leadership, including IRGC Commander Mohammad Pakpour and Armed Forces Chief Amir Hatami, convened on Thursday, declaring their readiness to resume resistance if war resumes.

General Pakpour described the war as one of the most complex conspiracies in Iran’s history and emphasized the IRGC’s enhanced unity. Hatami labeled Israel the greatest threat to the Muslim world and honored fallen martyrs. Both leaders affirmed that the army and IRGC will jointly protect Iran’s sovereignty and dignity.

Iran has dismissed US CENTCOM’s accusations of sending large shipments of weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen, calling them baseless propaganda.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagheri on Thursday said the allegations are meant to justify the continued US military presence in the region and to distract from US-Israeli aggression. CENTCOM had earlier claimed to have seized over 750 tons of military equipment en route to Yemen.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has called the United States an “enemy” and described Israel as “America’s chained dog.” He warned that Iran is ready to retaliate against any military aggression. In his latest address, Khamenei referenced Iran’s recent missile strike on a U.S. base in Qatar and threatened larger attacks. Iran’s Parliament also declared that nuclear talks with the U.S. should not resume unless preconditions are met.