WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said he had secured guarantees from Iran that it would not develop nuclear weapons, as reports emerged he had sent a tougher peace proposal back to Tehran. Any tweaks to the proposal could prolong even further an agreement to formally end the Middle East war and open the Strait […]
International
Pentagon chief says US ready to restart strikes on Iran if no deal
SINGAPORE — The US is ready to restart attacks on Iran if a deal cannot be reached, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Saturday, as negotiators from Washington and Tehran worked to bridge major differences blocking an agreement. “Our ability to recommence if necessary…we are more than capable,” Hegseth said in Singapore. “Our stockpiles are […]
Vance says progress made as US-Iran deal awaits Trump green light
WASHINGTON — US Vice President JD Vance said Washington and Tehran are close to agreeing a deal to extend their ceasefire in the Middle East war, but the potential breakthrough still hangs on President Donald Trump’s approval. Trump remained notably silent into Friday morning, despite US sources telling AFP a deal just needed his sign-off, […]
Global temperatures likely to remain at record levels in 2026-30: UN
GENEVA — Global average temperatures are likely to continue at or near record levels this year and for the next four years afterwards, the United Nations warned on Thursday. The 11 hottest individual years ever recorded all happened from 2015 onwards and the UN’s weather and climate agency said the trend was set to continue, […]
US carries out new strikes on southern Iran
WASHINGTON — The United States carried out new strikes on southern Iran on Thursday, after President Donald Trump threatened to “finish the job” if Tehran did not agree to a peace deal. Iranian media reported three loud explosions rang out in the port city of Bandar Abbas in the early hours of Thursday morning, following […]
Trump demands widespread sign-up to Abraham Accords as part of Iran peace deal
TEHRAN — US President Donald Trump on Monday said Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations must normalize ties with Israel as part of efforts to reach a deal with Iran, adding fresh uncertainty into protracted peace negotiations. Progress on a deal to end the conflict that broke out in late February has slowed as both […]
Trump says agreement with Iran ‘largely negotiated,’ includes opening Hormuz
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said Saturday a deal with Iran had been “largely negotiated,” with the proposal including opening the crucial Strait of Hormuz, though the agreement was “subject to finalization.” “An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the […]
Trump says negotiators are getting closer to Iran deal, media interviews show
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said on Saturday that negotiators for the United States and Iran were “getting a lot closer” to finalizing an agreement to end the war, according to an interview with CBS News. He said a final agreement would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and would ensure that Iran’s enriched […]
US and Iran report progress on talks ending war, looking to next few days
NEW DELHI/DUBAI — Iran, the United States and mediator Pakistan all said on Saturday that progress had been made in talks on ending almost three months of war. Tehran is focused on finalising a memorandum of understanding, Iran’s foreign ministry said after Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met Asim […]
US, Japan, Australia, India to have ‘Quad’ top diplomats’ meeting in Delhi, Japan says
TOKYO — The U.S., Japan, Australia and India will hold a meeting of foreign ministers of the ‘Quad’ grouping in New Delhi on May 26, Japan’s foreign ministry said on Friday. Japan’s top diplomat Toshimitsu Motegi will visit India for three days from Monday to attend the meeting, the ministry added. U.S. Secretary of State […]







