Sanctions target Iran ‘dark fleet’ and oil networks, State Department says

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday denied Iranian state media news that an American aircraft was shot down near Bushehr in southern Iran, saying no US aircraft were lost.

“CLAIM: Iran’s state TV claimed Iranian forces downed a US aircraft near Bushehr. FALSE,” CENTCOM said in a post on X. “No US aircraft were shot down. All US air assets are accounted for.”

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday condemned what it described as Iranian attacks against Kuwait involving missiles and drones.

In a statement carried by Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the ministry said it “strongly condemns the heinous attacks” and expressed full solidarity with the State of Kuwait.

It added that Palestine supports all measures taken by Kuwait to protect its sovereignty.

US Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday Iran wants a deal as negotiations continue over a possible agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program, while adding that a final outcome remains uncertain.

Speaking to reporters, Vance said the two sides were still “going back and forth on a couple of language points,” adding that “we’ve made a lot of progress.”

"I think it's hard to say exactly when or if you assign the MOU. We're going back and forth on a couple of language points. We've made a lot of progress here. It's very clear that I think the Iranians, they want a deal, and they want to open the streets of Hormuz. We want them to open the streets of Hormuz. There are a couple of issues on the nuclear stuff, the highly enriched stockpile, and also the question of enrichment," Vance said.

"So we're going back and forth with them. We do think they're negotiating, at least so far, in good faith, and we're making some progress. Hopefully, we'll continue to make progress. The President will be in a position where he can endorse the agreement, but obviously that's still to be discussed," he added.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday condemned what it described as repeated hostile attacks against Kuwait involving missiles and drones.

It renewed its “full solidarity” with Kuwait and said it supports the measures taken by the Persian Gulf state to protect its territory from any threats.

US Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday Iran and the United States are continuing negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, including unresolved language on uranium enrichment.

Speaking to reporters upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Vance said “the Iranians want a deal” and that it was “too early to know when or if” an agreement could be reached. He said both sides were “going back and forth on a couple of language points,” adding that they included “the question of enrichment.”