Kuwait says air defenses intercepting missiles and drones

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed diplomatic efforts between Israel and Lebanon with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and proposed a plan aimed at achieving a gradual de-escalation, a US official said on Sunday.

Under the proposal, the Iran-backed Hezbollah group would halt all attacks on Israel as a first step, while Israel would refrain from further escalation in Beirut.

“This would create space for gradual de-escalation and an effective cessation of hostilities,” the official said.

According to the official, Aoun sought to advance the proposal and secure agreement from the parties involved.

However, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who said he could guarantee Hezbollah's commitment to a ceasefire, argued that Israel should first stop initiating military action.

The absence of fresh diplomatic progress between Tehran and Washington helped push oil prices higher on Monday.

Brent crude rose 1.9% to $92.89 a barrel, while US crude gained 2.4% to $89.46.

Asian share markets firmed as continued demand for AI-related stocks helped offset concerns over Israel's continued military operations in Lebanon and stalled US-Iran negotiations.

While talks are reportedly still working toward a deal, US President Donald Trump has remained publicly silent on the state of the talks.

Despite continued uncertainty over the outcome of the Iran-US talks, signs that some Iranians are positioning for a possible diplomatic breakthrough are emerging in markets, public debate and government-linked circles.

One of the clearest indicators has come from Iran’s real-estate market, traditionally viewed as one of the safest destinations for capital during periods of uncertainty. According to Tehran-based media, a growing number of property listings have been withdrawn in recent days.

Estate agents told local newspapers that many owners have instructed them to pause sales, believing that easing tensions and the possibility of a diplomatic opening could push prices higher. Similar behavior has been reported in parts of the rental market.

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Iranian lawyer Mehdi Ansari, who was arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, has been sentenced to five years in prison by a Revolutionary Court in Shiraz, according to the rights group Hengaw.

According to the verdict communicated to Ansari, he was convicted of “assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security” and sentenced to five years of discretionary imprisonment.

The court also imposed a two-year travel ban as an additional punishment.

Hengaw said Ansari was arrested at his home in Shiraz on January 28, 2026, during the nationwide protests.

US President Donald Trump criticized CNN's reporting on his proposed agreement with Iran, saying the network had falsely claimed the deal did not address nuclear issues.

“Fake News CNN said today, routinely, that my Iran Nuclear Deal doesn’t talk about Nuclear, when actually it states, very clearly, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon,” Trump wrote on TruthSocial.

He added that much of the agreement is focused on nuclear issues and accused CNN and other media outlets of misrepresenting its contents.