Kuwait says 24 arrested over alleged Iran-linked terror financing plot

Talks between Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad have been overshadowed by a "major" dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, after the sides reached the stage of exchanging draft texts for a possible framework, according to IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News.

"Following in-person expert-level talks between Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad, the two sides had advanced to the stage of exchanging draft texts to reach a shared framework for negotiations, but the US delegation’s customary 'excessive demands' have hindered progress," the report said.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the issues facing serious disagreement, it said, adding that consultations are ongoing.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he had “no idea” how successful talks with Iran would be and that he would “know soon” whether Tehran is acting in good faith.

Speaking to NewsNation in a phone interview, Trump added that the US knew where mines had been placed in the Strait of Hormuz and that the military was bringing equipment to remove them.

A fragile ceasefire may be in place, but inside Iran the war on the people continues.

With the longest internet shutdown in the country’s history, human rights experts speaking at a panel with the Washington Institute warn the blackout is helping the regime silence dissent, deepen fear, and tighten its grip on a traumatized nation.

Iran International's Negar Mojtahedi reports.

US Central Command said on Saturday its forces have started setting conditions to clear sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, with two Navy destroyers operating in the waterway as part of efforts to restore safe maritime transit.

CENTCOM said USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy transited the strait and operated in the Persian Gulf in a broader mission aimed at removing mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

“Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce,” said CENTCOM commander Gen. Brad Cooper.

The command added that additional US assets, including underwater drones, are expected to join the operation in the coming days.

France’s president said he spoke with his Iranian counterpart, urging Tehran to quickly restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and to use ongoing Islamabad talks to secure lasting de-escalation.

“We must seize the opportunity presented by the Islamabad talks to pave the way for durable de-escalation and a demanding agreement with solid guarantees for regional security," Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X.

“I stressed the need for Iran to swiftly restore freedom and security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of fully respecting the ceasefire, including in Lebanon.”