US-Iran war LIVE updates: Trump says ‘99%’ chance of Iran not getting nukes; draft peace memo leaves out one major issue

US-Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump said he expects Israel to “use good judgement” in its military operations in Lebanon, while also stressing that Israel must retain the ability to defend itself. Asked whether he believes Israel should halt its campaign in Lebanon, Trump responded, “No, I want Israel to be able to protect itself.” He added, “But I do want [Israel] to use good judgment,” suggesting support for continued military action alongside a call for restraint.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Trump has expressed cautious confidence that the emerging US-Iran memorandum of understanding will be formally signed on Friday, saying Iranian leaders “want to sign” and are seeking a return to normal life. Responding to questions about his confidence in the agreement, Trump said, “You never know with deals. But you’re going to find out pretty soon. I think it’ll be done. They want to sign, they want to get back to a normal life,” adding that the framework is “a very strong one.” He described the document as more substantial than a brief political statement, calling it “a long, pretty detailed, memorandum that goes into a regular contract,” while also warning that if it falls through, “we’ll have to start the process again.”

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Trump on Tuesday doubled down on his administration’s central claim about the emerging US–Iran framework, describing the agreement as a “wall to a nuclear weapon” and insisting it would permanently block Iran from acquiring nuclear capability.

Speaking about the deal, Trump said, “My deal is a wall to a nuclear weapon,” reiterating that preventing Iran from developing nuclear arms was the cornerstone of the memorandum of understanding. He added that “nobody else did this but Trump,” arguing that Iran had “taken advantage of the world” for decades before his intervention. He further claimed, “Forty-seven years, Iran took advantage of the world … Nobody did anything.”

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi told US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit that the US-Iran agreement offers “new hope for peace and stability” in the Middle East. He said he is “confident that this will lead to a longstanding peace in the region,” framing the deal as a positive step toward reducing tensions and improving regional security.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he and US President Donald Trump “agree that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open is vital for the global economy.” He added that India has “consistently emphasised the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation.”

US-Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump, at G7, made a strikingly informal remark about his relationship with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, saying: “he was in a hotel, I met him and we fell in love, deeply in love… We had great chemistry.”

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency has rejected the Bloomberg-leaked version of the US–Iran memorandum of understanding, saying it is inaccurate and incomplete. It claimed key clauses, particularly those related to the Strait of Hormuz, contain missing details and misleading wording.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Lebanon’s negotiations with Israel are being conducted independently and are not tied to the US–Iran deal on ending the wider regional conflict. He stressed that Lebanon is leading its own talks and will not allow external interference, while remaining open to help from any country, including Iran.

Aoun said the Lebanese state is solely responsible for the negotiations and any final settlement, and expressed hope that upcoming talks with Israel will make progress toward a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany supports efforts around the US–Iran framework agreement and is open to contributing to a potential mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz. France and the UK are leading plans for such an operation, while Germany would require parliamentary approval before any deployment.

Merz said several conditions are still not met and stressed there is no urgency, noting that lawmakers still have time to consider the issue before the summer recess.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that Beirut is independently leading ceasefire negotiations with Israel and that any final settlement will be decided by the Lebanese state. He stressed that Lebanon’s negotiating position is sovereign and not directed by outside actors.

Aoun also said Lebanon supports a ceasefire and is open to assistance from any country that can help, including Iran, while insisting that all decisions remain in Lebanese hands.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Oil prices rose slightly after comments from Trump that the US could “go back to shooting” and “dropping bombs” on Iran if the draft memorandum with Tehran does not hold.

Brent crude futures increased by 0.7% to $79.50 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate rose 0.6% to $76.54. Despite the uptick, both benchmarks remain near three-month lows, reflecting broader expectations of stable supply and easing geopolitical risk after the US–Iran framework deal.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Hamas has condemned Israeli settlers after reports that a mosque in Jiljilya near Ramallah was set on fire, along with other attacks on Palestinian property in the West Bank. The group described the incidents as an escalation targeting people, land, and religious sites, and warned of continued resistance in response.

Palestinian media earlier reported that mosques in Jiljilya and Mazraa al-Nubani were also targeted in similar attacks.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: US VP JD Vance told CBS that Pakistan has requested the full text of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) not be made public for the time being. He said the request was for temporary confidentiality and did not provide further details.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: The Israeli military said it killed two Palestinian fighters in Gaza in weekend airstrikes, alleging both were involved in the October 7, 2023 attack on Kibbutz Be’eri. It identified them as Hamas commander Mohammed Saeed Ahmed Nimroti and Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander Muawiya Sulaiman Zakar Aydi.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: The current US-Iran draft memorandum does not address the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program or the suspension of its uranium enrichment activities. The specific terms regarding highly enriched uranium stockpiles were intentionally postponed to a future 60-day negotiation period to first secure an immediate ceasefire. The leaked 14-point framework memorandum, obtained by Bloomberg, primarily establishes a cessation of hostilities. It focuses on de-escalation and leaves many of the core issues unresolved.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: A Reuters report says Hezbollah could emerge politically stronger from the emerging US-Iran understanding, with potential Iranian financial support helping it recover from losses sustained in recent conflicts with Israel. Sources cited in the report say Tehran has indicated more funding could follow once frozen assets are released under the deal framework.

The report adds that Hezbollah, which has been weakened by war and financial strain, may regain influence in Lebanon if Iranian support increases. However, US officials insist that funds will not be released to any designated militant groups, while Israel continues to push for Hezbollah’s disarmament. The situation remains closely tied to broader negotiations between Iran and the United States and the evolving ceasefire dynamics in Lebanon.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Iran official says supreme leader funeral route will pass through Iraq. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated by the US and Israel on February 28. (AFP)

US-Iran war LIVE updates: UN human rights experts have raised alarm over the health and detention conditions of British couple Lindsay Foreman and Craig Foreman, who are on a prolonged hunger strike in an Iranian prison. The experts said both face “grave risk” after more than 20–30 days without food and warned their detention may amount to “hostage-taking.”

The couple was arrested in early 2025 while travelling in Iran and later sentenced to 10 years in prison on espionage charges they deny. The UN experts said the trial lacked fair process and called for their convictions to be reviewed, medical care to be provided, and consular access to be granted. They also said their case reflects a broader pattern of politically motivated detention of foreign nationals in Iran.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Lebanon supports a ceasefire and is open to assistance from any country working to achieve it, including Iran. His remarks come amid ongoing regional diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and secure a halt in hostilities affecting Lebanon.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Here are the 14-points of draft US-Iran peace deal:

1 — Iran and the United States, along with their allies in the current conflict, agree that the war ends immediately and permanently on all fronts, including Lebanon. Both sides commit not to carry out hostile actions or use force against each other. The final agreement will confirm this and the other articles.

2 — Both countries agree to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and not interfere in internal affairs.

3 — Iran and the United States agree to work toward a final agreement within 60 days, with the option to extend if both sides agree.

4 — The United States will lift the naval blockade immediately after signing and avoid any obstruction against Iran. Maritime traffic is to be restored within 30 days to pre-war levels. The US will also withdraw forces from surrounding areas within 30 days after the final agreement.

5 — Iran will take steps to restore merchant shipping through the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman within 30 days, back to pre-war levels, including addressing technical issues and mine clearance.

6 — The United States, with regional partners, will develop a rehabilitation and economic development plan for Iran, with at least $300 billion in financing. The detailed mechanism will be agreed within 60 days as part of the final deal.

7 — The United States will phase out sanctions on Iran as part of the final agreement, including UN Security Council measures, IAEA-related restrictions, and all US unilateral sanctions, both primary and secondary.

8 — Iran restates that it will not develop nuclear weapons. Both sides agree that the handling of enriched material and other nuclear-related issues, including Iran’s needs, will be settled in the final agreement.

9 — Until a final deal is reached, both sides agree to maintain the status quo: Iran will not change its nuclear program, and the US will not impose new sanctions or increase military presence in the region.

10 — The United States will issue waivers allowing Iranian exports of crude oil, petrochemical products, and related services, including banking, insurance, and transport, until sanctions are lifted.

11 — The United States will work to release frozen or restricted Iranian funds and make them available for use, following agreed procedures under Iran’s central bank.

12 — Both sides will set up a mechanism to monitor implementation and ensure compliance with the final agreement.

13 — After initial implementation steps under selected articles, Iran and the US will begin negotiations on the remaining parts of the final agreement.

14 — The final agreement will be submitted for approval through a binding UN Security Council resolution. (CNN, Bloomberg)

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that during her tenure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government repeatedly pushed the United States to bomb Iran. She described the pressure as “relentless” and a “constant push,” recalling Israeli officials warning, “Our planes are on the tarmac,” to signal urgency. Clinton said her response was, “Well, good luck,” and added that she often felt she was being pressured by an ally that receives significant US assistance.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Trump criticised the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and again attacked former President Barack Obama’s handling of the agreement. Trump claimed that Iranians mocked Obama during the negotiations, saying: “He is a stupid son of a b*tch.”

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Pope Leo XIV welcomed the emerging agreement between the United States and Iran, calling it a positive outcome of “patient work in dialogue and negotiation.” He thanked the countries that helped facilitate the talks and expressed hope that the deal will strengthen trust, security, and stability in the Middle East, while encouraging continued dialogue and cooperation among nations.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon has criticised the emerging US-Iran agreement, calling it “very bad” for Israel, the United States, and Gulf countries. Speaking to Channel 14, he said the framework could strengthen Iran’s position because Washington is moving quickly to conclude negotiations. However, he stressed that no final deal has been reached yet, describing it only as a framework for continued talks.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: A CNN investigation reports that Trump significantly reduced the role and size of the National Security Council (NSC) before and during the conflict with Iran, limiting input from traditional interagency experts. According to current and former officials, staffing cuts and tighter control over decision-making shifted authority toward a small circle of advisers, including senior officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff.

The report says this restructuring reduced coordination across agencies such as the Pentagon, State Department, Treasury, and intelligence services, which in past administrations played a central role in war planning and crisis assessment. Critics cited in the report argue that this led to gaps in planning, including underestimating Iran’s responses and the strategic risks around the Strait of Hormuz.

The White House rejected the claims, saying multiple agencies were involved and that the president remains the final decision-maker.