Overview
- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran sees no reason to negotiate with the United States or pursue a cease-fire, adding that any prior nuclear concessions are off the table.
- Araghchi asserted that Mojtaba Khamenei is healthy and leading the country, rebutting U.S. claims about his condition after President Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth speculated he may be injured or dead.
- Trump told NBC he is not ready for a deal despite saying Tehran wants one, raised the prospect of renewed strikes on Kharg Island, and pushed for an international naval effort to secure tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
- U.S. officials reported striking more than 15,000 targets in Iran and claimed major degradation of missile and drone capabilities, while Israel continued large-scale raids and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard vowed to pursue and kill Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Regional risks mounted with a drone attack reported at Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem base, oil prices rising as Iran maintains pressure on Hormuz, and humanitarian tolls growing with Iranian authorities citing over 1,200 dead and UN agencies reporting up to 3.2 million displaced.