Trump says 'great settlement' reached with Iran, deal may be signed in Europe

WASHINGTON, June 11: US President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran could sign a peace agreement as early as this weekend, a move that would pave the way for the reopening of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. If finalised, the deal would mark the most significant diplomatic breakthrough so far in efforts to end the three-month conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives and triggered a sharp rise in global energy prices.

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that Tehran is likely to approve the agreement, although the country has yet to issue an official response.

Trump said that he had canceled planned strikes against Iran, hours after threatening further bombings and expressing a desire to "take" the country's key oil export hub of Kharg Island.

"Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Trump said "discussions and final points" had been approved by the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt and others.

"The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized — Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly," he said.

“The United States will be hitting Iran (Whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti Aircraft, and all other forms of Defence, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT," he said.

Trump also suggested that Washington would target key Iranian energy infrastructure, including major oil export facilities such as Kharg Island, a central hub for the country’s crude exports.

"At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America,” he wrote.

An explosion was heard off the coast of Sirik in Iran's southern Hormozgan province on Thursday, Iranian state television reported. The cause of the blast was not immediately known, and authorities had yet to provide further details. Sirik lies near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM said US forces disabled the tanker MT Jalveer in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly violated the Iran blockade. This was the third commercial vessel carrying Indian crew that was targeted by American forces this week, they said.

A tense, two-month-old ceasefire between the two countries is rapidly deteriorating following a consecutive second night of American airstrikes. On Thursday, the Iranian foreign ministry issued its sharpest rebuke yet, declaring that Washington’s military actions have rendered the hard-fought truce “practically meaningless.”

The recent spike in hostilities follows Washington's allegations that Iran downed a US Army Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the week. US Central Command (CENTCOM) then launched "self-defence strikes" targeting Iranian air defence networks, radar sites, and ground control stations in southern provinces like Hormozgan.

Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority has reportedly instructed vessels that have already received transit permits to remain patient, saying the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until further notice, according to Iranian state media.

The United States carried out a second wave of airstrikes on Iran into Thursday morning, after President Donald Trump warned that Tehran would "pay the price" for delays in negotiations. The fresh attacks marked another escalation in tensions between the two countries and threatened efforts to preserve a fragile ceasefire.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Thursday that it had carried out retaliatory strikes against 18 US military sites located at airbases in Kuwait and Bahrain. Bahrain's interior ministry said warning sirens had been activated.

The strikes mark the latest turn in the growing military confrontation between the two sides, raising fears of a return to full-scale conflict, which had been put on hold in early April after both countries agreed to a fragile ceasefire.

The US military said it carried out strikes on several targets in Iran for a second consecutive day, after Trump accused Tehran of delaying negotiations on a temporary peace agreement.

“CENTCOM forces launched strikes on Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defence sites across Iran,” CENTCOM said in an update posted on X.

The command said US forces “fired precision munitions on Iranian targets that posed a threat to US forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters” in “response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression.”

“US forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready,” it added.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Thursday that it had carried out retaliatory attacks on 18 US military targets at airbases in Kuwait and Bahrain. Bahrain's interior ministry said warning sirens had been activated.

"During two waves of operations, eighteen important targets belonging to the US Army in the bases of Ali and Ahmad Ahmad Air Force (were hit)," the Guards said in a statement carried by state-run IRNA. The statement added that they also "hit and destroyed Sheikh Isa air bases".

Iran's top military command warned that it would target any vessel attempting to move through the Strait of Hormuz, which has remained largely shut for months.

US Admits Attack On 3rd Ship With Indian Crew In Gulf

NEW DELHI, June 11: India has strongly condemned the attacks on tankers manned by Indian seafarers in the Gulf in the last few days. Terming the attacks "deeply worrisome", the External Affairs Ministry on Thursday called for an immediate end to such attacks.

After a fire incident was reported on a vessel with Indian crew members off the coast of Oman, the US Central Command admitted to firing two Hellfire missiles into the ship's engine room.

This is the third ship with an Indian crew that came under attack near Oman this week.

In a post on X, the US Central Command said, "U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) acted against Guinea-Bissau flagged M/T Jalveer as it attempted to transport oil from Iran through the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the ship's engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from U.S. forces."

According to their post, the US Central Command has disabled nine non-compliant vessels, redirected 135 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass since initiating the blockade on April 13.

According to Iran's Mehr news agency, five of the 20 crew members were rescued by passing vehicles and taken to Oman.

India has strongly condemned the attacks on tankers manned by Indian seafarers in the Gulf in the last few days. Terming the attacks "deeply worrisome", the External Affairs Ministry on Thursday called for an immediate end to such attacks.

"There have been several incidents involving Indian seafarers in West Asia in the last few days. We attach high importance to the welfare and well-being of our seafarers' community. We need not re-emphasise this point," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday.

"Yesterday, we condemned the attack on a ship off the coast of Oman in which, unfortunately, we lost three Indian nationals. We had summoned the US CDA here to register a strong protest. We expect the US to take due note of our protest," Jaiswal added.

MT Jalveer is the third ship with an Indian crew to come under attack near Oman in recent days. Three Indian crew members were reported missing after a Palau-flagged oil tanker, Settebello, was attacked by US forces off Oman. The US military said it had fired on a tanker attempting to breach its blockade of Iran.

Before that, on Monday, fire erupted aboard MT Marivex, carrying 24 Indian seafarers south of the Strait of Hormuz, after it was attacked.

Trump To Hit Iran Hard Again Today

WASHINGTON, June 10: The United States launched airstrikes early Wednesday against Iran, and U.S. President Donald Trump said more were on the way, as Tehran fired back at countries in the region. The escalating attacks threatened to derail efforts to end the war, with Trump warning that Tehran would "pay the price" for stalled peace negotiations.

Trump's warning came hours after Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan - all of which host U.S. troops - came under Iranian fire. It was the second time this week that back-and-forth strikes have tested a two-month ceasefire. On Monday, Iran and Israel targeted each other.

"We're going to hit them again hard today," Trump told reporters at the White House. He wouldn't say if he planned to follow through on threats he made earlier in the war to attack bridges and utility plants in Iran. He urged Iran to sign a deal with the U.S.

"We were really close to a deal but they keep tapping us along," Trump said.

Trump's comments underlined the American leader's whipsaw approach to the war. He suggested on Monday that a deal to end the conflict could be reached in a matter of days.

In the latest strikes, U.S. fighter jets targeted "air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites," the military's Central Command said. Iran acknowledged strikes around Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, but gave no details on damage.

Iran's top diplomat vowed that there would be a response, and Tehran later claimed attacks in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.

Jordan said it shot down five incoming missiles, which Iran said targeted the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. The base has hosted American F-35 fighter jets and other aircraft. Jordan's state-run Petra news agency reported there were no injuries.

Bahrain and Kuwait said they intercepted incoming fire, without elaborating.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the American attacks as a violation of Iranian sovereignty in calls with his counterparts from Turkey and Saudi Arabia "and emphasized the inherent right of self-defense, including reciprocal action," according to a post on his office's Telegram channel.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said in televised comments Wednesday that, following the new attacks, Iran would review its stance on negotiations to end the war.

Efforts to mediate a deal continued. Following consultations with the U.S., a delegation from Qatar arrived in Tehran for talks on Wednesday, according to an official with knowledge of the visit who requested anonymity due to the sensitive of the talks.

The exchanges of fire came a day after a U.S. Army attack helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz after colliding with an Iranian drone, according to a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. It wasn't clear whether the collision was intentional.

JD Vance says US peace deal with Iran must ‘solve nuclear problem for the long term’

WASHINGTON, June 10: Washington is positioned to secure a long-term agreement with Iran that addresses the nuclear issue, even as negotiations between the two sides remain stalled over key disputes, US vice president JD Vance has said.

His remarks came as diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran continue to face hurdles over several contentious issues, including limits on Iran’s nuclear programme, monitoring of movement through the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of US sanctions.

“Right now, I feel that we are in a position to get a deal that is good for the United States economically and that really does deal with the Iranian nuclear problem, not just now, not just while Donald Trump is President, but for the long term," Vance said.

“To where my kids can say, when they are adults, Iran does not have a nuclear weapon. That's the goal,” he added.

Negotiations have also been complicated by demands related to unfreezing Iranian assets and concerns over Tehran’s regional proxy groups.

Trump vows to respond after Iran shot down US helicopter

WASHINGTON, June 9: Iranian forces shot down a military helicopter during a patrol over the Strait of Hormuz, Donald Trump has claimed. A US uncrewed naval drone boat rescued two crew members from the helicopter after it went down, officials said. Both the pilots on board survived, the US President said.

“I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said on Truth Social.

He added that two pilots were involved in the incident and confirmed they are “safe and uninjured.”

“Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack,” he said. The incident was the first known loss of an Apache helicopter since the US and Israel's war on Iran began in February 28.

The incident is the latest flare-up of violence endangering the fragile Iran-US truce, which has repeatedly come under strain due to ongoing clashes across the region.

The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) earlier said that the cause of the incident was still under investigation. “The soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition,” CENTCOM sai

“The pilots are fine, nobody injured,” earlier Trump told reporters.

The US 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59 serves as the Navy’s first operational artificial intelligence and unmanned systems task force. Created in 2021, it integrates autonomous vessels and drone technology, representing a first-of-its-kind capability within the US Navy.

Ahead of Trump’s post, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, warned the United States against violating its commitments.

“We prefer the language of diplomacy, but we speak other languages far more fluently. Break your commitments, and we’ll switch to what we speak best,” Ghalibaf said in a post on X on Tuesday.

Ghalibaf, a key figure in ceasefire negotiations, said that Tehran favours diplomacy but is prepared to respond if agreements are breached. “You ride the horse you saddled,” he said.

Trump previously said the US could be on track to declare “total victory” over Iran within the next two weeks. The US president claimed progress on nuclear-related assurances.

“They’re willing to give us everything, they’re willing to give us no nuclear weapon,” he said at a rally on Monday.

Israeli forces were reportedly preparing a major strike in Tehran on Monday when Trump intervened in a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He asked him to stop, CNN reported citing an Israeli source and a US official. Following the conversation, Netanyahu announced Israel had accepted the US request to pause strikes on Iran, while still continuing to bomb Lebanon.

Trump told Axios he warned Netanyahu that continued strikes on Iran could risk diplomatic isolation for Israel.

After Trump's request, Iran and Israel halt strikes against each other

WASHINGTON, June 8: As tensions escalate in West Asia amid a cracking ceasefire, both Israel and Iran targeted petrochemical sites in each other's territories on Monday. However, upon US President Donald Trump's request, both Tel Aviv and Tehran announced a halt in strikes.

After a day of trading strikes, Iran and Israel put a hold to attacks on each other on Monday. After Iran said it was halting hostilities, Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu also asserted that the “fire on that front is contained.”

After Iran's offensive on Sunday night, US President Donald Trump had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to not launch any retaliatory strikes and to let diplomacy take care of the situation, Axios reported citing a senior US official and an Israel source familiar with the development.

According to the senior US official, there was no “green light” by the US for the Israeli strike on Beirut on Sunday.

The US official also told Axios that during the call, Trump asked Netanyahu not to escalate the situation because they are “close to doing something good in terms of a deal”. However, Netanyahu pushed back to the request before “pseudo agreeing” to it, the official said.

"We think the president bought a little bit of time. He is pretty adamant that we are close to a deal with Iran. I don't think anything is imminent in terms of an Israeli strike," the official was quoted as saying.

Israeli defence forces had struck military targets in Iran early Monday in retaliation to Iran's missile attack at Israel late Sunday. This fresh exchange of strikes between Iran and Israel was the first one since temporary ceasefire took place on April 8.

So far since Monday morning, Israeli forces have warned that a third barrage of missiles has been fired from Iran. Earlier in the day, Israel said that it hit a petrochemical plant in Iran's Mahshahr.

Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen also said they fired missiles at Israel and have completely banned Israeli ships from navigating through the Red Sea.

"We declare a complete and total ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea," said a statement by the Houthis.

"We consider all enemy movements to be legitimate military targets for our armed forces from the moment this statement is issued," the statement added.

The Indian embassy in Iran advised people on Monday to avoid travelling to Iran amid renewed strikes in the region. It also asked Indian nationals in Iran to leave the country by any available means of transport.

On Sunday, Iran struck Israel after Tehran warned of action over Netanyahu's repeated attacks on Lebanon. The war between Lebanon and Israel has been a major front in the ongoing conflict with Israel continuing to attack it while Tehran has maintained that ceasefire there is key for a peace deal with the United States.

Earlier in the day, Israel took Lebanon capital Beirut's southern suburbs with surprise with strikes with no prior warning, going against its ally US' request to hold off fighting. According to Israel, before it struck Lebanon, Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters fired at Israel on Sunday itself.

Trump not to unfreeze Iran's assets before deal is done

WASHINGTON, June 7: U.S. President ​Donald Trump said ‌in a recent ​interview with ⁠NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that he would ‌not unfreeze Iranian assets ‌or lift ‌any ⁠sanctions before a ⁠peace deal is reached.

Trump said he ​would ‌consider those steps after an agreement is done. “Comes after,” ‌he said. “Yeah. ​If they behave, if they do ⁠a good job, we start ‌talking. Yeah.”

He also said that he was not demanding that ‌Lebanon be a part ​of a short-term deal with ⁠Tehran

The Trump administration has been trying ​to negotiate a potential peace deal for weeks. “We’re very close to a deal, ⁠or I’m going to blow the hell out of them,” Trump told NBC News.

The president ‌also said he would be willing to speak with Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since being wounded in U.S. strikes at the beginning of the conflict. “I don’t want to ‌say whether or not I know where he ​is, but there’s a good probability that I do.”

Top Trump administration ⁠officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio insist ⁠a temporary ceasefire agreement has been holding up despite recent U.S. strikes on ‌Iran, telling lawmakers last week those are defensive actions.

Trump's refusal to stop Israel's actions in Lebanon remains a hurdle to US-Iran peace deal

WASHINGTON, June 7: Amid stalled negotiations between the United States and Iran, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he will not demand the inclusion of Lebanon in a peace deal. Trump's remarks come as Israel continues its attacks on Beirut, despite a ceasefire agreement between Tel Aviv and the Iran-backed, Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah.

Speaking to US-based outlet NBC News, the US president stated Iran would "like to see" a ceasefire in Lebanon. "I think they'd like to see it, but I'm not demanding," he said in the interview recorded on Friday.

Trump also stated that he would like to see attacks that are more surgical against Hezbollah. "I'd like to see Lebanon have a better life. I'd like to see a more surgical attack on Hezbollah. I think it should be more surgical," he said.

Ironically, Trump's remarks also come after he told the journalist that the US is "very close" to a deal with Iran.

"We're very close. We have a couple of points; they don't even seem like big points. They've conceded the fact that they will not have nuclear weapons," he told NBC News moments before the Lebanon factor.

Meanwhile, Israel has continued its strikes in Beirut's southern suburbs as part of its conflict with Hezbollah.Despite a ceasefire agreement between the two, brokered by the US, Israel and Hezbollah continue to exchange fire.

An evacuation warning was also issued on Sunday, after which the IDF stated it "struck a militant command centre in Beirut's Dahiyeh district, in response to Hezbollah's fire towards Israeli territory."

However, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA), the strikes targeted two apartments in two buildings.

The first ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah was signed on April 17. But the truce has not been respected.

So much so, the attacks in Lebanon have now threatened the already fragile truce between Tehran and Washington.

During negotiations, the US launched fresh strikes towards Iran. Iran also responded with fresh attacks against US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Since the start of the talks with the US, Iran has called for the inclusion of Lebanon in a ceasefire deal.

As Israel intensified its attacks and expanded military operations, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi took to X, accusing both the US and Israel of violating the truce.

Araghchi added that the responsibility for any consequences of these violations will be on the US and Israel to bear.

Furthermore, in a latest warning, Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei warned of a "painful response" from Tehran if Israel continues to strike Lebanon.

"We will deliver a decisive and painful response to the Zionist regime's attack on Dahiyeh. These rabid dogs must be disciplined and put back in their place. Look at the sky over the occupied lands tonight," he wrote on X.

U.S., Iran exchange fire as Hormuz tensions persist

WASHINGTON, June 6: The U.S. and Iran exchanged fire again overnight, the latest in a series of skirmishes that has kept tensions high in the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. military said it shot down four Iranian attack drones that had been launched toward the strategic waterway, which Iran has effectively shut down since early in the war and which the U.S.

Meanwhile, Iran condemned on Saturday a nighttime U.S. attack on coastal radar installations in the Gulf, calling it a “flagrant” violation of the ceasefire in place since April.

The Foreign Ministry said it was an attack “on the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic”, denouncing Washington’s “hostile and provocative behaviour”.

Trump confident of India trade deal despite new tariff threat

WASHINGTON, June 5: President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that India and the US will soon reach a trade deal, even as fresh tariff proposals from his administration threaten to complicate negotiations.

"We'll get to a deal, because I like your prime minister a lot," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday. "He's a good friend of mine. We get along great, and we're going to make a deal."

His comments came after a US delegation, led by chief negotiator Brendan Lynch, held several days of talks in Delhi aimed at finalising an interim trade agreement between the two countries.

India's commerce ministry said both sides remained committed to reaching a mutually beneficial bilateral trade pact.

But the talks this week also faced certain unexpected hurdles.

Even as the US delegation was still in Delhi, the US trade department proposed new tariffs on dozens of countries over concerns they were not doing enough to tackle forced labour.

India was on the list, facing an additional 12.5% tariff on its exports to the US.

Delhi has said that the proposed tariffs are not yet final and that the US Trade Representative would consider public comments and testimony before taking a final decision. It added that talks on a broader trade agreement were continuing.

Meanwhile, Trump also repeated his criticism of India's trade policies, saying the country had for years "taken advantage" of the US through high tariffs.

"They charged us tremendous tariffs and paid nothing...Now it is the exact reverse and we are making a lot of money with India," he told reporters on Thursday.

India was among the first countries to open trade talks with the US last year, but a final agreement is yet to be reached.

The two countries agreed to a framework of the interim deal in February and had been expected to finalise it in March. But the talks were overshadowed by uncertainty after the US Supreme Court struck down many of Trump's tariffs, ruling them "illegal".

At one point, the US imposed tariffs of up to 50% on some Indian goods before cutting them to 18% in February. After the top court ruling, they were reduced to 10%.

This slash in duty came after India in February committed to buying more American goods, including energy, aircrafts, technology and agricultural products worth $500bn.

Trump May Resume War With Iran If US Troops Are Killed: Report

WASHINGTON, June 4: US President Donald Trump has privately told aides that he would consider ending the ceasefire with Iran if Tehran kills American troops, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials. For now, however, the ceasefire remains in place despite a series of clashes between the two sides.

The latest fighting has raised concerns about the durability of the ceasefire, which came into effect in early April. This week saw some of the most intense exchanges so far, with Iran launching missiles and drones at US bases in the region as well as Kuwait's international airport, which left one Indian dead.

Despite the violence, Trump appears reluctant to return to a full-scale conflict. Officials said the president may be willing to tolerate limited flare-ups rather than risk a wider war in the Middle East.

Tensions have also remained high around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for global trade and energy supplies. Iran has restricted movement through the waterway, while the US has maintained a blockade on Iranian ports, disrupting shipping and energy markets.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the recent military exchanges as defensive responses rather than a collapse of the ceasefire.

"They are happening in response to an Iranian action," Rubio said during a House hearing on Wednesday. "If they don't shoot at those ships, we don't shoot, but we have to respond."

Even so, repeated attacks have increased pressure on the White House and raised questions about whether the ceasefire can hold over the long term.

Trump has repeatedly said that a broader agreement with Iran is close. The proposed deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, end Iran's nuclear activities and eliminate its stockpile of enriched uranium.

At the same time, the president has indicated that negotiations may take time. In an interview published Wednesday, he suggested the US blockade could continue until Labour Day, though he said that outcome was not certain.

India, US reaffirm commitment to reach trade agreement as talks conclude

NEW DELHI, June 4: India and the United States on Thursday reaffirmed commitment to reach trade agreement following the conclusion of talks in New Delhi. The two countries moved closer to the interim trade deal after four days of talks during US chief negotiator's India visit between June 1 to 4, the government said in a statement.

“A delegation from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), led by the Chief Negotiator, visited India from 1–4 June 2026 to advance discussions on the Trade Agreement,” the statement read.

It further added that during the talks, the two sides held ‘constructive and positive’ discussions on issues such Trade in Goods, Non-Tariff Measures, Customs and Trade Facilitation, Economic Security Alignment and other areas of mutual interest.

“The engagements were marked by a spirit of cooperation and pragmatism, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to concluding a mutually beneficial agreement that strengthens bilateral trade and economic ties,” the government said.

This comes amid the US threat of trade action against 60 countries, including India, after determining that they have failed to impose and effectively enforce prohibitions on the import of goods produced with forced labour.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the USTR said it had concluded under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 that the acts, policies and practices of the 60 economies are "unreasonable and burden or restrict US commerce", making them actionable under American trade law.

India is among 54 economies that, according to the USTR, have failed to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on imports made with forced labour. The list also includes countries such as Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.

"The failure of our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labor is unacceptable. This creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field," US trade representative ambassador Jamieson Greer said in the statement.

Trump says Iran agrees to no nuclear weapons, signals possible meet with Supreme Leader

WASHINGTON, June 3: US President Donald Trump said Iran has agreed not to have a nuclear weapon and that he would probably meet with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khameneiat some point if things "work out".

"They've already agreed they're not going to have a nuclear weapon," Trump told "Pod Force One" in an interview broadcast on Wednesday, while speaking about Iran.

Asked about Khamenei's involvement in talks with the US on ending hostilities, Trump said, "He's involved, absolutely. ... I think they have a lot of respect for him."

Trump said he was hearing Iran's leader was not doing too well but was giving his approval during the negotiations. Trump added that he had not had "the privilege of meeting" Khamenei.

"I'd like to meet him. We probably will meet at some point, depending on how it all works out," Trump said.

The US president said he viewed the Iran war as a success because the country's military had been defeated. The conflict, which began with US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has upended the global energy market and has proven unpopular with Americans months before November congressional elections.

"Iran's a big success," Trump said in the interview. "We'll see what happens. We're going to, we're working on a deal, and that happens fine. If it doesn't happen, that's OK too. We'll do it the other way."

He did not specify what that might mean, but has said in the past that the US would resume strikes.

Trump Plans New Tariffs On India Over 'Forced Labour'

WASHINGTON, June 3: The United States is planning to impose new tariffs on at least 60 trading partners for alleged failures to act against forced labour, as the Donald Trump administration seeks to rebuild its tariff agenda following legal setbacks. The tariffs, proposed by the US Trade Representative (USTR), range from 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent, according to a government filing.

According to the USTR report released early Wednesday, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and the United Kingdom would face 10 per cent tariffs for allegedly failing to enforce a forced labour import ban. A 12.5 per cent additional tariff would be imposed on China, Japan, India, South Korea, Brazil and Switzerland, among other nations.

The new tariffs would not take effect immediately. They are subject to public comment and review. But if implemented, the move would enable US President Donald Trump to skirt limits on his tariffs imposed by the Supreme Court.

The move comes months after Washington launched investigations into trading partners under Section 301 (b)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, seeking to see whether they took action against the import of goods made with forced labour and if this impacted US commerce.

On Tuesday, the USTR said that 54 of the economies "failed to impose and effectively enforce a forced labour import prohibition".

This group includes China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Taiwan, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United Kingdom (UK), among others. Six other economies -- Canada, Ecuador, the EU, Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan -- were deemed not to have effectively enforced such prohibitions.

"The failure of our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labour is unacceptable," USTR Jamieson Greer said in a statement.

"This creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field," he added.

But the proposed tariffs come with various exemptions such as beef, coffee and certain fruits and nuts. Goods from Canada and Mexico that comply with a North American free trade pact will also be exempt -- as will certain textiles and apparel.

The public is invited to provide written comments by July 6, and the USTR will subsequently hold hearings.

After the Supreme Court struck down a swath of President Donald Trump's tariffs in February, US officials launched the new trade probes as steps toward imposing more lasting duties.

Apart from the investigations on forced labour, the US trade envoy also started probes on excess industrial capacity.

 

Trump says reports of US-Iran stopping talks ‘false and erroneous’

WASHINGTON, June 2: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the reports of US and Iran halting exchange of messages a few days ago are “false and erroneous.”

“The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today. Where they lead, one never knows, but as I told Iran, “It’s time, one way or another, for you to make a Deal. You’ve been doing this for 47 years, and it cannot be allowed to go on any longer!”” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said there was a possibility that Iran had agreed to negotiate some aspects of its nuclear programme, it was reported.

Rubio said Iran had earlier refused to mention these in talks.

US Secretary of State also said there were indications that Iran's Supreme Leader has been “increasingly engaging” in the negotiations “at some level”.

Rubio said no country was in favour of “what Iran is doing in the strait.” "What they are doing is unlawful and illegal. There isn't a country on earth other than Iran... who is in favor of what Iran is doing in the straits... The whole world is against it," Rubio said, adding that Iran would have to reopen the strait.

US, Iran trade strikes again; Trump says Iran really wants to make a deal

WASHINGTON, June 1: The United States and Iran said they traded strikes straining an already fragile ceasefire as negotiations between the two sides have stalled. The US Central Command said it conducted weekend strikes at Iranian air defences, ground station and drone sites in retaliation to Tehran shooting down a US MQ-1 drone.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they targeted an "air base from which the attack originated" used by the US military, without specifying the location of the base.

The talks to end the conflict between the US and Iran continue even as US President Donald Trump has called for tougher conditions on Iran nuclear enrichment and the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has revealed that "dialogue and an exchange of messages are ongoing" between Tehran and Washington despite the current deadlock in talks.

Trump has said Iran really wanted to make a deal with the US and that it would be a good one for Washington and its allies. His remark comes hours after the US military said it struck Iranian military sites during the weekend.

"Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the U.S.A. and those that are with us," Trump posted on Truth Social. Trump, however, added that it was tougher for him to negotiate with Iran with all the political commentary surrounding the conflict.

Kuwaiti air defence on Monday intercepted missile and drone attacks on as sirens sounded across the country, the state news agency reported.

“The Kuwaiti air defenses are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks. The General Staff of the Army notes that if explosion sounds are heard, they result from the air defense systems intercepting the hostile attacks,” the Kuwaiti military said.

'All major points settled': First tranche of India-US trade deal soon, says Piyush Goyal

NEW DELHI, June 1: Union minister for commerce and industry, Piyush Goyal, on Monday, stated that the first tranche of the bilateral trade deal between India and the United States will be signed soon. Speaking at a press conference, he added that all major points have been settled between the delegations.

"The leaders of both nations had already announced the framework agreement back on February 3rd. All the major points have been settled. US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, recently stated that 99% of the details have been finalised... I am fully confident that we will conclude the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement with the US as soon as possible," said Goyal.

Goyal's remarks come amid fresh talks between Indian and American delegations. A team from the US will arrive in India to finalise the framework of the trade deal. As per the union minister, the meetings between both delegations will be held from June 2 to 4.

As per a spokesperson from the US embassy in India, the US delegation will be led by Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch.

“As Secretary Rubio stated during his recent visit to India, the US government is seeking a trade agreement between the United States and India that will be enduring, beneficial, and sustainable for both countries,” the spokesperson added further.

Last week, US envoy to India Sergio Gor stated that only one percent of the deal is left to be finalised, stating that 99 percent of the deal is ready.

“Our current interim trade agreement is on the table for us to finalise and that will unlock prosperity for both of our countries… India had sent a team to Washington DC to finalise the last 1 % of that trade deal,” Gor said, while speaking on the theme “US-India TRUST Initiative: Advancing partnership in research and innovation”.

Earlier last month, Gor also compared the period of negotiations for the trade deal and compared it with India's free trade agreement with the European Union.

Gor stated that the negotiations between India and the US have lasted for only one and a half years, unlike "19 years with the European Union."

Piyush Goyal further added that the tariff structure between India and the US will be finalised in the deal.

India was facing a 50 percent tariff by the US. As per Trump, 25 per cent of this tariff was implemented due to New Delhi's high levies for Washington. The remaining 25 per cent was added as part of a penalty due to India's purchase of Russian oil during the ongoing Ukraine war.

However, with the announcement of the trade deal in February 2026, the US stated that the tariff against India will be reduced to a final number of 18 per cent.

"The trade deal India is negotiating with the US will take into account legal changes in Washington's tariff structure," Goyal was quoted as saying.

Trump announces Israel, Hezbollah ceasefire

WASHINGTON, June 1: Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to dial back fighting, said Donald Trump, after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and communication with the Lebanese militant group through mediators. Hezbollah agreed to stop attacks and Israel would not strike the group, the US President said.

The announcement came hours after Israel ordered strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs in response to Hezbollah rocket fire and alleged ceasefire violations.

Iran has relayed that a ceasefire in Lebanon is a must for a deal with the United States. In the latest development, Iranian state media has stated that Tehran will move to suspend talks with the US as Israel expands its attacks and military operations in southern Lebanon.

The latest setback comes after the United States and Iran said they traded strikes, which strained the already fragile ceasefire between them, stalling negotiations.