IAEA chief calls for detailed verification in potential US-Iran nuclear deal

US President Donald Trump on Thursday criticized Italy after reports that Rome denied the use of a Sicilian airbase for US military aircraft linked to the war in Iran.

“Italy wasn’t there for us, we won’t be there for them,” Trump posted on Truth Social, reacting to the report by Guardian.

The comments came after Italian authorities reportedly blocked the use of the Sigonella airbase by US aircraft after Washington failed to seek timely authorisation for parliamentary approval, as required under procedure.

Italian officials said the request came too late to allow the necessary approval process to be completed before the aircraft were already en route.

US Central Command said on Thursday that the US Navy diverted a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman as part of ongoing enforcement of restrictions targeting ships entering or leaving Iranian ports.

CENTCOM shared on X audio from the USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) alongside video filmed from the destroyer’s embarked helicopter operating over the Gulf of Oman.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization said on Thursday the 18-month “resistance” in Lebanon, supported by Iran, has forced the US and Israel to reassess their strategic calculations.

"Lebanon's 18-month resistance, alongside the field support of the Islamic Republic of Iran, forced the American-Zionist front to recalculate. The assessment of the US intelligence community and the Zionist regime states: Victory in war against the united resistance front is impossible," IRGC Intelligence posted on X.

A member of Iran’s parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee rejected US maritime blockade on Iran, saying Iranian vessels continue to operate freely at sea.

Ebrahim Khazarian told IRGC affiliated Fars News that despite what he described as US assertions of a naval blockade, Iranian ships were operating normally and had not been restricted.

A senior Iranian official said on Thursday Israel was forced to accept a ceasefire following what he described as “brave resistance” by Hezbollah and the Lebanese people.

Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the Supreme Leader’s representative to Iran’s Supreme Defense Council, said the “Zionist enemy” had been compelled to retreat and agree to a ceasefire.

"The courageous resistance of the people of Lebanon and the brothers of Hezbollah has finally forced the Zionist enemy to retreat and accept a ceasefire. Iran has always regarded support for the resistance as an important strategic and defensive principle. Today, thanks to the blood of the martyrs and the martyred leader, the victorious front of the unified resistance is more powerful and steadfast than ever," he posted on X.