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Iran war

Diplomacy & politics

Talks, statements, sanctions, nuclear policy, and government decisions.

340 entries, newest first; showing 61–90. Show all updates

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Monday, September 14, 20262 entries

  1. 10:50 AM in Chicago

    Vance says US has held 'direct conversations' with the Houthis

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsKansas City, Missouri, United States

    Vice President JD Vance told reporters in Kansas City that the US has been in direct conversations with the Houthis, voiced concern about their seizure of Mayyun (Perim) Island in the Bab al-Mandeb, and said Washington was in constant contact with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and others affected.

    Why it matters It confirms a US channel to the Houthis while Washington supplies Saudi Arabia with targeting intelligence but stays out of the fighting.

    Sources: Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2)

  2. 11:10 AM in Vienna

    Austria bars Iran's nuclear chief from IAEA conference; Tehran summons envoy

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsVienna, Austria / Tehran, Iran

    Austria refused entry to Atomic Energy Organization chief Mohammad Eslami for the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, saying the UN Security Council committee rejected its request for an exemption from his UN travel ban for lack of consensus. Iran summoned Austria's charge d'affaires and blamed US pressure.

    Why it matters Eslami had attended every year since 2021; his exclusion came days after the IAEA board referred Iran to the Security Council.

    Sources: Washington Times, The Times of Israel, Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2), Al Jazeera live blog (3)

Sunday, September 13, 20265 entries

  1. 11:42 PM in Jerusalem

    Israeli official says Lebanese army takes only 'cosmetic' steps against Hezbollah

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsJerusalem

    A senior Israeli official said the Lebanese army is 'very afraid to move against Hezbollah' and is 'dealing with cosmetics,' leaving the work to the IDF, while Israeli defence officials said Beirut fears a return to civil war.

    Why it matters Israel is building its case that Beirut is not meeting the framework's disarmament terms, a justification for keeping its security zone.

    Sources: The Jerusalem Post, The Jerusalem Post (2)

  2. 11:16 PM in Muscat

    Oman postpones Iran-Gulf meeting on Hormuz shipping route

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsMuscat, Oman

    Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the regional meeting set for Monday in Salalah had been postponed 'in the interests of consensus.' Iran's Foreign Ministry said the delay was requested by some regional countries, and spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei later said Saudi Arabia had asked for it; Bahrain had already said it would not attend.

    Why it matters The collapse of the only scheduled regional forum on the strait removed a near-term path to restoring shipping.

    Sources: NPR, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2), Al Jazeera live blog (3)

  3. 7:40 PM in Dublin

    Trump says US could 'stay and keep the oil' in Iran, as in Venezuela

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsIreland

    At the Irish Open golf championship, Trump said the US would 'ultimately get out' of Iran 'unless we decide to stay and keep the oil like Venezuela,' adding that Venezuelan revenue had 'paid for the war many times.' He repeated that the war could end right after the midterms and that gasoline prices would 'drop like a rock.'

    Why it matters Floating control of Iranian oil would expand US war aims well beyond the nuclear issue, with direct implications for global supply.

    Sources: The Jerusalem Post, CNBC, The Jerusalem Post (Reuters)

  4. 6:37 PM in Kolkata

    Pezeshkian says Iran and UAE want to 'turn the page' after BRICS meeting

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsNew Delhi, India

    Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan agreed to 'put aside the past' in talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, the highest-level Iran-UAE contact since the war began.

    Why it matters A thaw with the UAE, which Iran has attacked during the war, would split Gulf ranks as Bahrain refuses any meeting with Tehran.

    Sources: Times of Israel, Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2), The Times of Israel live blog

  5. 7:53 AM in New York

    NYT: Iranian hardliners launched July Hormuz attacks without leaders' approval

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    The New York Times reported that Iranian hardliners, allegedly led by Basij chief Hossein Taeb, launched attacks on Hormuz shipping in early July without authorization from President Masoud Pezeshkian or IRGC chief Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, derailing a US-Iran peace memorandum that had been under negotiation.

    Why it matters The report indicates a fractured Iranian chain of command in which hardline factions can unilaterally sabotage diplomacy, undermining confidence that any future ceasefire or peace framework with Tehran would hold.

    Sources: Times of Israel Liveblog (citing New York Times), The Times of Israel live blog

Saturday, September 12, 20266 entries

  1. 5:30 AM in Tehran, Sep 13

    Iran-Oman understanding sets basis for Hormuz route but no reopening, Tehran says

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    An Iran-Oman understanding sets the basis for eventually reopening the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian protocols but does not provide for an immediate reopening, which depends on the US meeting Tehran's conditions, Tasnim reported; the southern route the US favoured would be closed. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the deal does not 'in any way' signal a reopening.

    Why it matters Iran is using the Oman track to formalise its control of the strait rather than to restore free passage, a gap Gulf states and Washington reject.

    Sources: The Jerusalem Post, Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2)

  2. 1:45 AM in Tehran, Sep 13

    Pezeshkian says Iran 'won't surrender', dares US to face its military

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X: 'If Americans are warriors, let them face our valiant military forces. Why wage war on civilian infrastructure, food supplies, and livelihoods?' He accused Washington of denying Iranians water, food and medicine and said: 'Iran won't surrender.'

    Why it matters Tehran's public line hardened as the US blockade and tanker strikes squeezed supplies, lowering odds of near-term talks.

    Sources: Haaretz, Middle East Eye, Times of Israel, The Jerusalem Post, Al Jazeera live blog

  3. 4:20 PM in Bahrain

    Bahrain refuses to join Iran-Gulf Hormuz meeting, demands toll-free passage

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsManama, Bahrain

    Bahrain said it would not join any group meeting that includes Iran before diplomatic relations are restored, citing Iranian attacks and the strike on Saudi Arabia's pipeline, and said any Hormuz arrangement must guarantee transit 'without discrimination, fees, or permits.' Pezeshkian had said Gulf ministers would meet in Muscat on Monday to sign off on an Iran-Oman shipping route.

    Why it matters Bahrain's refusal exposed the Gulf split over Iran's plan to formalise its control of the strait.

    Sources: Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2)

  4. 4:23 PM in Kolkata

    Xi tells BRICS summit the Mideast war has caused 'serious losses', offers peace role

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsNew Delhi, India

    Chinese President Xi Jinping told the BRICS summit in New Delhi that the war in the Middle East and Gulf 'has caused serious losses to people across the region and does not serve the common interests of the international community,' and said China was willing to work with BRICS partners to play a role in achieving peace.

    Why it matters China, the biggest buyer of Gulf crude, signalled interest in a mediating role as US-Iran talks remained frozen.

    Sources: Times of Israel, Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2), The Times of Israel live blog

  5. 1:47 PM in Baghdad

    Iraq shuts three border crossings with Iran after Saudi pipeline attack

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsIraq-Iran border

    Iraq closed the Shalamcheh, al-Shib and Mandali crossings with Iran, officials said, as part of efforts to track those behind the drone attack launched from Maysan province on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline. Reuters had first reported the Shalamcheh closure overnight.

    Why it matters Baghdad is trying to show Riyadh it will police its territory; Iraq said on Sep 13 it would reopen the crossings.

    Sources: Times of Israel, The Times of Israel live blog, Al Jazeera live blog

  6. 11:01 AM in Dublin

    Trump says Iran 'probably' behind Saudi pipeline attack

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsDublin, Ireland

    Asked in Dublin whether Iran was responsible for the drone attack that shut Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, Trump said 'probably, they are,' and said the Houthis had 'called us' asking the US not to get involved in Yemen. Asked about moving shipping through Hormuz, he said everything would 'work out just fine.'

    Why it matters It is the first US presidential attribution of the Iraq-launched strike to Tehran, though Riyadh itself has only said the drones came from Iraq.

    Sources: Times of Israel, Al Jazeera live blog, The Times of Israel live blog, CNN

Friday, September 11, 20266 entries

  1. 8:08 AM in Beirut, Sep 12

    Lebanon's Aoun makes surprise visit to Nabatieh, vows to secure Israeli withdrawal

    ConfirmedDiplomacy & politicsNabatieh, Lebanon

    President Joseph Aoun, with army commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, made an unannounced visit to Nabatieh and Zawtar al-Gharbiya near the Ali al-Taher ridge, pledging to secure an Israeli withdrawal and rebuild the south and telling residents the state would meet their needs 'so that you stay here.'

    Why it matters The rare presidential visit near Israeli-held ground came a day after Washington pushed the next Israel-Lebanon talks to October.

    Sources: The Times of Israel, Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2), The Times of Israel live blog

  2. 8:59 PM in New York

    US postpones next round of Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome to October

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C., United States

    The next round of US-brokered Israel-Lebanon talks, planned for Rome next week, was pushed to October, a US official said, citing scheduling constraints, particularly the UN General Assembly; Axios reported the Jewish holidays and a Paris conference on the Lebanese army were also factors. The two countries' ambassadors were still expected to meet at the State Department next week.

    Why it matters The delay leaves the June framework, covering Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah disarmament, stalled while Israel tightens its hold around Nabatieh.

    Sources: Haaretz, The Times of Israel, Ynetnews, The Jakarta Post (AFP)

  3. 11:54 PM in Baghdad

    Iraq traces pipeline drone to Maysan province, fires local commander

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsBaghdad, Iraq

    Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an urgent investigation into the attack on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline; his office later said a drone had been launched from Maysan province, dismissed the province's operations commander and set up an inquiry into the command.

    Why it matters Baghdad's admission that the strike came from its soil raises pressure on it to curb Iran-aligned militias before Riyadh decides whether to retaliate.

    Sources: Times of Israel, FDD's Long War Journal, The Tribune, The Jerusalem Post, Khaleej Times, Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2)

  4. 11:10 PM in Riyadh

    Saudi Arabia says pipeline drones came from Iraq, holds off retaliation

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsRiyadh, Saudi Arabia

    The Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned the attack on the East-West pipeline 'by several drones coming from Iraq' and said it would not respond for now, 'to allow the Iraqi authorities the opportunity to take measures to prevent attacks launched from its territory.'

    Why it matters Riyadh put the onus on Baghdad to rein in Iran-aligned militias, leaving retaliation as a later option.

    Sources: The Jerusalem Post, Al Jazeera live blog, Arab News

  5. 10:35 AM in New York

    Trump and Hegseth invoke 9/11 anniversary to defend Iran war

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C., United States

    At a Pentagon ceremony marking 25 years since the 9/11 attacks, Trump saluted troops working 'to ensure the world's number one sponsor of terror, the Islamic Republic of Iran, will never, ever have a nuclear weapon.' Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said: 'We control the strait. We will finish this fight.'

    Why it matters The administration is tying the war to its counterterrorism narrative, signalling no near-term wind-down.

    Sources: The Times of Israel, Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2), The Times of Israel live blog

  6. 5:21 PM in Tehran

    Iran says Gulf states and Iraq will meet in Oman Monday on Hormuz shipping lanes

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said a meeting in Oman on Monday would brief Iraq and Gulf states on an Iran-Oman understanding on temporary shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, adding that 'Iran remains committed to ensuring the security of navigation in the strait.'

    Why it matters The meeting aimed to win Gulf buy-in for a negotiated route through the strait, though Iran also planned to press for the expulsion of US forces from the region.

    Sources: Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2)

Thursday, September 10, 20264 entries

  1. 6:45 PM in New York

    US targets Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah and Hezbollah finance networks

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C., United States

    The State Department said the US was taking action under Operation Economic Outcast against Kataib Hezbollah, Hezbollah and the financial networks that sustain Iran's regional campaign, calling them instruments of 'violence and subversion' that threaten Iraq, Lebanon, US personnel and global energy flows.

    Why it matters The move targets Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq as US-led coalition forces prepare to leave the country by Sep 30.

    Sources: Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2)

  2. 10:17 PM in Jerusalem

    Next round of US-brokered Israel-Lebanon talks set for Rome next week

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsRome, Italy

    The next round of US-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon will be held in Rome next week over two days, an Israeli official told The Times of Israel; L'Orient Today, citing Israeli media, put the dates at Sept. 15 and 16. The State Department urged Beirut to draw up a plan to disarm Hezbollah across Lebanon.

    Why it matters The round, the first since talks stalled in August, was announced the same night Israel blew up the Ali al-Taher tunnels.

    Sources: Times of Israel, The Times of Israel live blog, L'Orient Today

  3. 4:14 PM in Vienna

    IAEA chief says there are 'indications' of movement at Iran's Pickaxe Mountain

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsVienna, Austria (site: Pickaxe Mountain, near Natanz, Iran)

    IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said remote imagery showed 'some indications that there is movement around this construction site' at Pickaxe Mountain near Natanz, but that the agency had no concrete information on activities there and has never sent inspectors inside.

    Why it matters Trump has repeatedly threatened to bomb the site, which the US and Israel suspect may hide centrifuges; the remarks came a day after the IAEA board referred Iran to the UN Security Council.

    Sources: Arab News, Times of Israel, The Times of Israel live blog, Al Jazeera live blog

  4. 1:54 PM in Jerusalem

    Herzog meets Cypriot president, floats future Israel-Cyprus-Lebanon talks

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsCyprus

    Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and said he hopes for a future trilateral meeting including a president of Lebanon, stating: 'My dream is for the president of Israel and the president of Cyprus to meet together with the president of Lebanon here.'

    Why it matters The remark signals Israel is publicly floating regional normalization talks that would include Lebanon even while active strikes continue on Hezbollah targets, a marker for any future diplomatic track.

    Sources: The Times of Israel, The Times of Israel live blog

Wednesday, September 9, 20263 entries

  1. 7:27 PM in New York

    WSJ: Vance and Rubio privately warned Trump Iran war could last until 2029

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C., United States

    Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior advisers have privately warned Trump that Iran could hold out against the blockade and military pressure, and that the war could last through the end of his term in January 2029, The Wall Street Journal reported. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

    Why it matters It contradicts Trump's public forecast the same day of an end right after the midterms and suggests planning for a long blockade.

    Sources: Haaretz, The Times of Israel, Reuters via Yahoo News, Ynetnews

  2. 2:42 PM in New York

    Trump says Iran war will end 'immediately' after US midterms

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C., United States

    Trump told reporters: 'I think war is going to end immediately after the election because they can't hold out any longer. They're desperate to try and affect the election.' He said the US was not looking for a deal with Iran but that negotiations 'could happen.'

    Why it matters Hours later The Wall Street Journal reported Vance and Rubio had privately warned him the war could last to January 2029.

    Sources: CBS News, CBS News live updates, Al Jazeera live blog, Reuters via Yahoo News

  3. 7:20 PM in Vienna

    IAEA board votes to report Iran to UN Security Council over blocked inspections

    ConfirmedDiplomacy & politicsVienna, Austria

    The IAEA Board of Governors passed a US, British, French and German resolution reporting Iran to the UN Security Council over its refusal to allow inspections, by 23 votes to 3 with 8 abstentions; Russia, China and Niger voted against. It was the first such referral in 20 years; Iran's UN mission called it a 'biased, political resolution' and Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said it could not 'achieve anything in the Security Council.'

    Why it matters Russia and China hold vetoes, so council action is uncertain, but the referral deepens Iran's isolation over its nuclear program as the war continues.

    Sources: Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2)

Tuesday, September 8, 20262 entries

  1. 8:00 PM in Bogota

    Rubio says Iran will 'lose tankers' every time it tries to hit US warships

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsColombia

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Colombia: 'Iran continues to try to hit U.S. naval ships, and for every time they do that or try to do that, they're going to lose tankers.' He repeated on Sep 9 that Iran 'pays a price in tankers' and said Washington aimed to squeeze Tehran economically.

    Why it matters Rubio set out an explicit tanker-for-missile formula, signalling Washington would keep escalating economic pressure rather than de-escalate.

    Sources: Fox News, CBS News, Reuters via Yahoo News, Foreign Policy, Al Jazeera live blog

  2. 11:00 AM in New York

    US sanctions 27 Iranian airlines in aviation crackdown

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsWashington, D.C., United States

    The Treasury sanctioned 36 entities, including 27 Iranian airlines, saying Tehran uses the aviation sector to 'move weapons, personnel and illicit cargo.' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned anyone doing business with Iran's remaining airlines, 'all of which we sanctioned today,' risked being cut off from the global financial system.

    Why it matters The designations extend the US economic campaign to Iran's civil air links, raising exposure for foreign airports and service providers that handle Iranian flights.

    Sources: Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2)

Monday, September 7, 20262 entries

  1. 10:00 PM in Qatar

    Qatar warns of 'industrial catastrophe' if Hormuz stays closed

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsDoha, Qatar

    Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told CNN that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is Doha's top priority, warning the world faces 'an industrial catastrophe if this continues' and that closing waterways must not become 'the new normal in war.'

    Why it matters Qatar is a mediator between Washington and Tehran; a day later it said it was working with China and other partners to restart US-Iran talks.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2)

  2. 10:42 AM in Tehran

    Iran warns South Korea against joining Strait of Hormuz naval operations

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsTehran, Iran

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei warned of 'consequences' if South Korea takes part in maritime operations in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, saying any country that does so would be regarded as directly supporting the US attacks on Iran. Seoul had said it was weighing 'contributions' to freedom of navigation.

    Why it matters The warning targets a major Asian buyer of Gulf energy as Washington seeks allied help at Hormuz; Seoul said on Sep 8 it planned no troop deployment.

    Sources: Tasnim News Agency, Al Jazeera live blog, Al Jazeera live blog (2)

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