The U.S. says it has launched strikes on Iran after alleged attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington described the action as a response to threats against civilian shipping and a breach of the ceasefire.
At least two commercial vessels were damaged by missile strikes near the Strait of Hormuz late on Monday (6 July).
Massive crowds are gathering in the streets of Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of Iran's slain former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, as part of a week-long farewell. His son and designated successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, has yet to make a public appearance.
President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Tehran will open a direct communication channel with Washington to report alleged breaches of the ceasefire memorandum of understanding, while insisting the Strait of Hormuz remains under Iranian control.
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
Iranian and Qatari delegations are expected to meet on Wednesday in Doha to discuss the release of Tehran's assets, estimated at $12 billion, that were frozen by Washington under the Iran-U.S. ceasefire memorandum of understanding, Iran's Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday (30 June).
Iran and the U.S. are at odds over planned talks in Doha, with Tehran denying any meeting is scheduled despite Washington preparing to send senior envoys. The disagreement comes amid renewed missile attacks and rising tensions that are testing a fragile ceasefire.
Iran and the United States have agreed to halt recent hostilities in the Gulf and resume talks over the Strait of Hormuz dispute, a U.S. official said. The move raises hopes of preserving an interim peace deal after days of tit-for-tat strikes.
A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said, after the United States and Iran each launched strikes in the worst escalation since they signed their interim peace deal.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
Iran is preparing for a week-long farewell to former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, who was killed in February during Israeli-U.S. air raids. His state funeral and burial will begin on 4 July amid continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Israel and Lebanon are discussing a U.S.-backed proposal that would see Israeli forces withdraw from parts of southern Lebanon and transfer control of those areas to the Lebanese army, according to officials from both sides.
Iran has strengthened ties with regional partners and agreed a roadmap for technical talks with the U.S. aimed at securing a final peace agreement within two months.
Lebanon heads into a new round of talks with Israel in Washington, seeking progress on key security issues and an Israeli withdrawal timeline. The negotiations, however, are being overshadowed by Iran's decision to fold Lebanon-related issues into its broader talks with the U.S.
Deputy Foreign Minister for International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi is leading the Iranian delegation in technical-level talks with the United States after the senior team, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, left Switzerland for Tehran on Monday.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran with renewed military action on Sunday if Tehran-backed Hezbollah continues attacks from Lebanon, even as Vice President JD Vance held the first talks with Iranian officials under a week-old peace agreement in Switzerland.
Iran's top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, has said that the Strait of Hormuz is closed to ships again, citing alleged violations of a ceasefire agreement by the U.S. and Israel. Lebanon has said Israeli strikes killed 16 people on Saturday.
Oil tankers began moving through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday as an interim agreement between the United States and Iran came into effect, marking a tentative de-escalation in a conflict that has disrupted global energy markets and heightened regional tensions.
