Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency has published the final handwritten note of Lieutenant General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. According to the report, Mousavi wrote the note moments before his death on February 28, following the outbreak of war involving U.S. and Israeli forces. The message, described as deeply emotional, reflected on the fleeting nature of worldly possessions.

Tasnim reported that Mousavi’s note expressed a philosophical view of life, stating that even if one gains everything in this world, nothing is truly achieved, and losing everything also means nothing is truly lost. The report highlighted the personal and reflective tone of his final words.

The publication of the note, sourced from Al Jazeera and reported by Tasnim, adds a poignant dimension to Mousavi’s death during the conflict, offering insight into his final thoughts as a senior Iranian military leader.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Tehran is ready to continue diplomatic communication and discussions with Washington. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Friday, he confirmed that Iran had received new messages from the United States expressing a desire to maintain dialogue. Araghchi also stated that Iran welcomes any mediation or diplomatic assistance from China to help resolve the ongoing crisis between the two countries.

He emphasized Iran’s close and strategic relationship with China, noting that Beijing’s involvement in the diplomatic process would be welcomed by the Islamic Republic. According to Araghchi, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping had offered to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and pledged not to provide military support during wartime. China’s Foreign Ministry said the continuing conflict has no justification and that finding a swift resolution is essential for both regional and global interests.

Araghchi added that Pakistan has been playing a mediating role between the United States and Iran, though the first round of talks did not result in any agreement.

Iran has warned Bahrain of dire consequences if it allows the United States to use its military bases in the event of a new war in the Middle East. The warning came from Manouchehr Mottaki, Iran’s former foreign minister and current lawmaker, who said Bahrain would face a devastating response from Tehran if it again permits US forces to operate from its territory. He also accused Bahrain of aggravating tensions following joint US-Israeli military actions.

Mottaki claimed that after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Bahrain supported a UN Security Council resolution against Tehran instead of showing sympathy. He further alleged that Bahrain attempted to pass an anti-Iran proposal during last month’s Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in Istanbul, but the effort failed due to diplomatic resistance and support from other countries.

The report noted that the US Fifth Fleet’s main base is located in Bahrain. Following US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February, Tehran retaliated with strikes on several Bahraini sites, including hotels where it claimed US troops had relocated from military bases.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reaffirmed that Iran will continue to fulfill its historical responsibility to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz. He made the statement on social media platform X following a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, assuring that friendly nations can rely on Iran for the safety of commercial shipping through the vital waterway.

Araghchi said the meeting between the two ministers included productive discussions on several important bilateral issues, during which he clarified Iran’s stance on the security of the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that Iran remains committed to protecting the strait and maintaining the safety of maritime trade.

The Strait of Hormuz is described as one of the most strategically significant sea routes in the Middle East, crucial for global energy and trade flows, with a large number of oil and cargo vessels passing through daily.

U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed Iran’s latest proposal regarding its nuclear program, calling it unacceptable. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said the first sentence of Iran’s proposal could not be accepted, claiming Tehran had previously agreed to completely halt its nuclear activities but has now backtracked. He added that Iran had once agreed to abandon enriched uranium or nuclear dust but later reversed that decision, though he expressed hope that Tehran would eventually agree again.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the issue of uranium enrichment is not currently on the negotiation agenda, according to semi-official Tasnim News Agency, adding that it will be discussed in the next phase. Iran maintains that it does not seek to build nuclear weapons but continues to refuse relinquishing its stockpile of enriched uranium.

Trump also commented on the ongoing truce, saying it lasted about a month and was made possible by the effectiveness of U.S. blockades. Earlier on Friday, he hinted on social media that military operations against Iran could resume, suggesting renewed tensions despite the fragile ceasefire.

Iran is increasingly relying on new land trade routes through Pakistan to maintain supply lines amid a U.S. naval blockade that has disrupted maritime commerce. Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce recently issued policy SRO 691, designating six transit corridors linking Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar ports to Iran’s Gabd and Taftan border crossings. The initiative revives a long-dormant project and provides both nations with a long-awaited relief as thousands of Iran-bound containers remain stranded at Karachi port.

The corridors are based on a 2008 bilateral road transport agreement between Iran and Pakistan that had remained inactive for years. Experts cited in the report said the routes could reduce Iran’s dependence on risky sea lanes and help sustain limited regional trade despite sanctions and tensions. Test shipments, including frozen meat bound for Uzbekistan, have already used these routes, showing potential for broader regional connectivity.

Analysts noted that while the corridors may not fundamentally transform Iran’s economy, they could ease pressure from sanctions and maritime restrictions by enabling overland cargo movement from Pakistan to Iran and onward to Central Asia.

Iran has begun implementing a new strategic plan concerning the Hormuz Strait, one of the world’s most critical maritime routes. According to Iranian state television, the country announced that the strait will no longer remain open to all, but will be closed to enemies or adversaries. An official from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed that at least 30 ships were permitted to pass through the strait since last night, though Tehran declined to disclose which countries received clearance.

Fars News Agency reported that several of the vessels allowed to cross were owned by Chinese companies, describing this as part of Iran’s broader plan. Iranian authorities stated that the Hormuz Strait will be “neither fully open nor fully closed,” signaling a shift toward selective control of maritime access. Discussions are reportedly underway to introduce a new system under which foreign ships may be required to pay transit fees or special charges for passage.

The move marks a significant change in Iran’s management of the strait, potentially affecting international shipping and regional maritime dynamics.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on all nations to stand against Western dominance during a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers held in New Delhi, India, on Thursday. The session was chaired by Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. Araghchi urged BRICS member states to condemn the United States and Israel for violating international law and for what he described as illegal aggression against Iran.

He stated that Iran views BRICS as a symbol of a new world order in which the Global South plays a vital role. Araghchi also called on the bloc to take concrete steps to prevent the politicization of international institutions and to halt militaristic policies.

The remarks reflect Iran’s broader diplomatic stance of seeking stronger alliances within BRICS to counter Western influence and promote a multipolar global system.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United Arab Emirates of being directly involved in a military operation against Iran. He made the allegation on Thursday during a BRICS meeting held in New Delhi, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency. The report stated that Araghchi made the remark in response to a statement from the UAE representative at the meeting.

Araghchi explained that, in the interest of unity, he had initially refrained from naming the UAE in his remarks. However, he claimed that the UAE neither condemned the attacks against Iran nor distanced itself from the aggression, asserting that the country was directly complicit in the operation. The report noted that there was no immediate reaction from the UAE regarding the accusation.

The exchange highlights ongoing regional tensions and diplomatic friction between Iran and the UAE, though the source did not provide further details on the alleged operation or its consequences.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned what he described as the warlike and expansionist policies of the United States and Israel. Speaking at a BRICS meeting in New Delhi, he highlighted recent attacks on Iran by the two countries and warned that regional instability harms all parties, including aggressors themselves.

Araghchi stated that Iran had suffered two brutal and unlawful aggressions by the United States and Israel within less than a year. He argued that these attacks were justified through false claims contradicting assessments by the International Atomic Energy Agency and even US intelligence agencies. The minister emphasized that Iran, like other independent nations in the Middle East, was a victim of illegal expansionism and militarism, which he said had no place in today’s world.

The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and came amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, where Iran continues to face pressure from Western and regional powers over its policies and security posture.

At a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on member countries to issue a clear and unequivocal condemnation of the United States and Israel over Iran’s ongoing conflict. The appeal was made during the session held on May 14, 2026, according to Reuters.

Araghchi stated that the Global South must break free from what he described as the Western world’s ‘false sense of superiority.’ He further emphasized that BRICS nations should take a stronger stance to balance Western influence in international affairs.

The remarks reflect Iran’s effort to rally support among BRICS members and align developing nations against Western dominance in global politics.

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.

Iran’s military spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia stated on Wednesday in Mashhad that Iran will not allow any country to transport U.S. weapons through the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized the strategic importance of the waterway, noting that it is currently under the control of Iran’s armed forces.

According to Akraminia, the western part of the strait is controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, while the eastern part is under the Iranian Navy. He described this coordinated control as a key factor in strengthening Iran’s surveillance and dominance over the region. The spokesman also claimed that such control could generate revenue nearly double Iran’s oil income.

Akraminia warned foreign powers that Iran would prevent any attempt to move American weapons through the strait and added that most of the weapons previously stored in regional bases had already been destroyed.

Iran has issued a strong warning to the United Arab Emirates after reports claimed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the country during the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. Tel Aviv asserted that Netanyahu met UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, though Abu Dhabi denied the visit took place. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the alleged meeting, calling cooperation with Israel an unforgivable act.

In a post on social media platform X, Araghchi said hostility toward the Iranian people was a foolish gamble and warned that those conspiring with Israel to create division would be held accountable. Netanyahu’s office stated that the meeting occurred in Al Ain near the Omani border on March 26, lasting several hours, according to a source cited by Reuters.

The reports surfaced amid claims by The Wall Street Journal that the UAE secretly carried out multiple attacks against Iran during U.S. and Israeli offensives, further heightening regional tensions.

Iran officially bid farewell to its national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A large public ceremony took place at Enghelab Square in Tehran, where thousands of supporters gathered to wish the team success. The event featured enthusiastic fans waving national flags, chanting slogans, and applauding as players appeared on stage wearing red and black tracksuits.

During the ceremony, Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said that the national team players would represent the people, the nation’s warriors, and leaders on the world stage. Some attendees carried placards commemorating former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed during wartime. The gathering was seen as a symbol of national unity and patriotism ahead of the global tournament.

The farewell event underscored the strong public support for Iran’s football team as it prepares to compete in the 2026 World Cup, reflecting both sporting enthusiasm and national pride.