Iran’s Foreign Ministry has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat against Oman, calling it “dangerous” and an act of “bullying.” In a statement, ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that threatening a United Nations member state that has long played a constructive and responsible role in regional peace and diplomacy violates the basic principle prohibiting the use of force. He described the threat as a sign of growing lawlessness in international relations.

The criticism followed Trump’s warning that if Oman entered into any agreement with Iran to manage shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, he would “blow up” the country. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Basent also said Washington would impose aggressive sanctions if Oman helped Iran establish a tolling system in the strait. Baghaei denounced these threats as attempts to blackmail an independent state and evidence of moral bankruptcy in U.S. politics.

He further urged the international community to respond to what he called the normalization of illegal actions and violations of international legal norms.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused Israel of fueling instability in the Middle East, according to remarks published by Iran’s state news agency ISNA. He stated that Iran does not seek to develop nuclear weapons and hinted at ongoing diplomatic discussions with the United States, emphasizing that Iran will not engage in diplomacy that diminishes its dignity. Pezeshkian added that standing against the world’s most powerful forces requires accepting adversity and that war cannot be expected to return processes to normal.

Meanwhile, the United States and Iran have reportedly reached a preliminary memorandum of understanding to extend their ceasefire by another 60 days and begin talks aimed at a permanent end to the ongoing conflict. U.S. sources told Al Jazeera that the framework awaits final approval from President Donald Trump. If confirmed, it would mark a significant step forward after weeks of stalled diplomacy, though details of the agreement remain unclear.

US Treasury Secretary Besent stated that sanctions on Iran will remain until the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and Tehran agrees to transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. He emphasized that no discussions will proceed until normal maritime traffic resumes and Iran commits to handing over the enriched material.

Meanwhile, the United States and Iran have reached a preliminary memorandum of understanding to extend their ceasefire by another 60 days and begin talks aimed at a permanent end to ongoing hostilities. According to US sources cited by Al Jazeera, the framework awaits final approval from President Donald Trump.

If approved, the agreement would mark a significant breakthrough after weeks of stalled diplomacy, though details of the deal remain unclear.

The United States and Iran have reached a preliminary memorandum of understanding to extend their ceasefire by 60 days and begin talks aimed at a permanent end to ongoing hostilities. According to US sources cited by Al Jazeera, the framework awaits final approval from President Donald Trump. The agreement follows weeks of stalled diplomacy and recent limited clashes between the two nations in the Gulf region. Details of the deal remain unclear, including whether the 60-day extension will serve as a negotiation period.

Axios first reported the agreement, later confirmed by the White House. The terms reportedly include unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of US naval blockades on Iranian ports. However, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency denied that any deal had been finalized, saying Tehran would announce it through Pakistani mediators if confirmed. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons.

The memorandum could ease tensions in the Strait of Hormuz but leaves unresolved issues such as US sanctions, Iran’s uranium stockpile, and the ongoing conflict in Lebanon involving Hezbollah and Israel.

Iran’s state television reported that its air defense forces shot down a “hostile aircraft” early Friday over Jam in Bushehr province. The report cited local governor Masoud Tangestani, who said the country’s defense system successfully targeted the aircraft. The incident was described as a defensive response to an unidentified aerial threat.

The United States has denied Iran’s claim. According to a Reuters report quoting a U.S. official, no American aircraft was downed near Bushehr province. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) also rejected the Iranian media reports in a post on social media platform X, calling them inaccurate.

The conflicting statements have drawn attention to rising tensions between the two countries, though neither side provided further evidence or details about the alleged incident.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched an attack on a United States airbase early Thursday morning, local time, in response to a reported US strike near Bandar Abbas. According to a statement published by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, the assault took place at 4:50 a.m., though the IRGC did not disclose the airbase’s location. The group described the targeted site as the source of American “aggression.”

The announcement followed reports of a US military operation on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas. The IRGC warned that any further American military action would be met with a “harsher” response. Meanwhile, Kuwait’s national news agency reported the sound of warning sirens across the country, and its military confirmed that air defense systems were engaging incoming missiles and drones.

The developments mark a sharp escalation in regional tensions, with both Iran and US-linked forces signaling readiness for further confrontation, according to the source.

The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran’s Hormuz Strait Authority, the body responsible for overseeing maritime traffic through the strategic waterway. The U.S. Treasury Department announced the decision on Wednesday, warning that anyone cooperating with the authority would also face sanctions. The Hormuz Strait handles nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, making it a critical global trade route.

According to the report, Iran established the authority to manage shipping through the strait. The move follows the closure of the waterway by Iran after the United States and Israel began military action against the country on February 28. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant stated that Iran’s attempt to extract money from global maritime trade reflects the regime’s growing financial desperation.

Last week, the Hormuz Strait Authority published a map reaffirming Tehran’s claim over extensive waters on both sides of the narrow passage, underscoring Iran’s continued assertion of control over the region.

The United States has carried out another strike inside Iran, targeting a military installation in Bandar Abbas. A US military official told Reuters that four Iranian drones were shot down during the operation. The official, who requested anonymity, said the strike hit a ground control station where preparations were underway for drone launches.

According to the same official, the actions were measured, purely defensive, and aimed at maintaining a ceasefire. The operation was reportedly conducted in response to potential security risks in the Strait of Hormuz area. The incident comes amid ongoing ceasefire discussions and regional instability, raising renewed concerns about escalating tensions.

Earlier on Monday, the US had conducted what it described as a defensive strike against Iran, which Tehran denounced as a clear violation of the fragile truce between the two nations.

Iran has reaffirmed that it will not engage in any discussions with the United States regarding the future of its highly enriched uranium stockpile. Ali Bagheri, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, restated this position during an interview with Fars News Agency on the sidelines of an international security conference in Moscow, Russia. He emphasized that the matter is not on the negotiation agenda.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had stated that Washington would not allow Iran to retain its 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, which remains one of the key unresolved issues between the two countries. Analysts note that uranium enriched up to 60 percent, though below the 90 percent required for weapons-grade material, can be upgraded relatively quickly to that level.

Observers suggest that Iran’s firm stance could further complicate ongoing ceasefire-related discussions between Tehran and Washington, as the enriched uranium issue remains a central point of contention.

Mohammad Akbarzadeh, the deputy political chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, has warned that Iran’s southern coastline could become a graveyard for any aggressors. Speaking on May 27, 2026, he said that while the likelihood of a new war with the United States is low, Iran remains fully prepared to repel any attack.

Akbarzadeh stated that the weakness of Iran’s enemies makes renewed conflict unlikely, but emphasized that the country’s armed forces are on alert. His remarks came in response to a recent U.S. strike on Iran. Referring to the country’s long southern coast, he mentioned that the area stretching from Chabahar to Mahshahr would be turned into a burial ground for invaders.

The comments, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore Iran’s continued readiness to defend its territory amid ongoing tensions with the United States.

Iran has released ten Indian sailors who had been detained since July 2025. According to India’s Directorate General of Shipping, the sailors were aboard the oil tanker MV Harbor Phoenix when it was seized near Iran’s Jask port. Their release followed continuous diplomatic efforts between the two countries.

The Directorate confirmed that the sailors are safe and that arrangements are being made to bring them back to India as soon as possible. The vessel, identified by ship-tracking sites as a Palau-flagged oil tanker, had been detained by Iranian authorities, though no details were provided about the reason for its seizure or the arrests.

The release marks a resolution to a months-long detention case that had involved diplomatic engagement between India and Iran, though the underlying cause of the tanker’s detention remains undisclosed.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that unity among Muslim nations is the key to addressing threats. He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X, coinciding with Eid al-Adha. Pezeshkian said he had spoken with leaders of Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Turkey, Tajikistan, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan on the occasion.

In his message, Pezeshkian expressed hope that God would bring the hearts of Muslims closer together and that cooperation and mutual support would expand in all areas when facing challenges. He emphasized the importance of solidarity among Muslim countries in confronting common threats.

Earlier, Pezeshkian said regional countries were realizing that the United States’ military presence had failed to ensure long-term security. He added that relying entirely on the United States for security was an unrealistic and ineffective concept.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that 25 ships, including oil tankers, container vessels, and other commercial ships, crossed the Strait of Hormuz under the coordination of its naval forces and with Tehran’s authorization. The IRGC issued a statement warning that any act of aggression would be met with a strong response.

A senior spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces, Abolfazl Shekarchi, cautioned that if war resumes in the region, Iran’s retaliation would be far harsher and extend beyond regional boundaries. His comments were conveyed through the semi-official Fars news agency.

The statement and remarks underscore Iran’s continued emphasis on defending its maritime routes and asserting control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping passage, amid heightened regional tensions.

A senior spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces has warned that the country will deliver a much harsher and more powerful retaliation if airstrikes by the United States and Israel resume. Speaking through the semi-official Fars news agency, Abolfazl Shekarchi stated that any new phase of war in the region would trigger an Iranian response extending beyond regional boundaries.

According to Fars, a recent US and Israeli airstrike targeted an Iranian vessel south of Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz, reportedly killing several Iranian citizens. The renewed attacks come as Pakistan has been leading mediation efforts to end the conflict that began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

The latest escalation has reignited regional tensions, raising concerns that the fragile mediation process could collapse if hostilities continue.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly used a procurement network based in the United Arab Emirates to obtain advanced Chinese satellite communication equipment linked to its drone program. According to a Financial Times report published on Sunday, documents show that the IRGC’s Aerospace Force acquired military-grade Chinese satellite antennas and communication technology through a UAE-based company called Telisan by the end of 2025.

The report states that about 1.8 tons of satellite antenna equipment were shipped from Shanghai through Jebel Ali Port to Iran’s Bandar Abbas, later handed to the Iranian firm Ertebatat Faragostar Kish. Satellite imagery and GPS data indicated that the Iranian vessel involved transmitted misleading signals to conceal its location. Analysts cited in the report said the IRGC continues to use Middle Eastern commercial networks and free trade zones to obtain strategic military technology despite Western sanctions.

The Financial Times documents also claim that the equipment was used in Iran’s drone and missile operations, which caused significant damage to U.S. bases in the region. Neither UAE nor Iranian authorities commented on the report.