Netanyahu says Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons under his watch

Hossein Hosseini, the head of Kurdistan province's judiciary, said judicial cases had been opened against 19 people in connection with war-related investigations and that authorities had ordered the monitoring, identification and seizure of their assets.

The measures, he said, were taken under legislation imposing tougher penalties for "espionage and cooperation with Israel and hostile countries" against national security and interests.

Hosseini also said special handling of the cases would continue, adding that those accused would be dealt with "in accordance with the law and without leniency."

Iran's state broadcaster reported that transit through the Strait of Hormuz has been suspended until further notice, citing the Revolutionary Guards' navy as saying it would not authorize vessels to pass through the strategic waterway.

Around 50 ships are waiting near the Strait of Hormuz for clearance to transit, according to the report. The decision was attributed to what the broadcaster described as "the terrorist acts of US forces" and security considerations involving the vessels.

State television also said the number of ships halted at the second and third anchorage areas is about 20 times greater than those gathered at the entrance to the strait and that they too are awaiting further developments.

Mahmoud Nabavian, a member of Iran's parliament, criticized the reported draft agreement between Washington and Tehran, describing it as similar to the 2015 nuclear deal and a "pure loss."

"Talking about victory with this vague and damaging text is completely wrong," Nabavian said.

Criticizing provisions he said were included in the draft, Nabavian said the Islamic Republic would not have the right to produce nuclear weapons under the agreement. The fate of Iran's enriched material, he said, would depend on US approval and that all issues related to the nuclear program would be subject to negotiations.

"This agreement, like the JCPOA, is a pure loss and stems from a change in the calculations of officials," he said.

Mohammad Nabi Mousavifard, the Friday prayer leader in Ahvaz, said any retreat in the face of what he called the "US and Israeli front" is "forbidden and unacceptable."

Speaking during Friday prayers, Mousavifard said the country's security is not limited to military capabilities but stems from a combination of military strength, soft power, media savvy and economic resilience.

The "enemy", he added, is seeking to weaken society's resilience through rumor-mongering and efforts to deepen divisions.

Mohammad Mehdi Hosseini Hamedani, the Friday prayer leader in Karaj, said any country that places its territory or facilities at the disposal of what he called the Islamic Republic's "enemies" should understand that its infrastructure and interests would become legitimate targets for Iran's armed forces.

"Iranian nation" would never extend friendship or allegiance to the "killers of its commanders and martyrs," he added.

"Negotiations conducted under threat amount to accepting fear and retreating before the enemy and would bring no benefit to the country," said the cleric.