War latest news. US-Iran deal expected, but Tehran holds back: not imminent

The Iranian Tasnim agency denied the news reported by al-Arabiya about an alleged green light from Tehran to transfer its highly enriched uranium to China, calling it 'false' and part of 'hostile intelligence operations'. According to Tasnim, believed to be close to the Pasdaran, this is a reconstruction that is not reflected in the drafts under discussion. The Iranian news agency emphasises that there is no commitment by Tehran to transfer or export nuclear material.

Iran is reportedly willing to transfer its uranium enriched to high levels to China and has made it a condition for any agreement with the United States that it obtains guarantees from Beijing. This was reported by sources quoted by Al Arabiya.

NEW DELHI - While on the American side it is a pyrotechnical succession of announcements, ultimatums and relaunches, the meticulous mediation work of the Pakistanis, more and more openly in sync with the interested Chinese observers, continues methodically, without unnecessary clamour and publicly marked by the bland and circumspect formulas of a diplomacy that has not yet resigned itself to laying down the foil to take up the club.

Confirmation of the growing coordination between the two allies came when, during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the presence of Field Marshal Asim Munir "just arrived from Tehran" where he was engaged "in mediating for peace" between the US and Iran.

Dozens of Israeli air raids hit towns and villages in southern Lebanon in the early hours of the morning, killing three people in two cars and a motorbike, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA).

Accusing Hezbollah of 'violating the ceasefire', Israel issued evacuation orders for residents of more than ten locations, mainly in the Jezzine and Nabatieh regions, and others for the city of Tyre and its surroundings, including the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidieh.

High-level sources told Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath that "Iran is ready to remove highly enriched uranium from its territory and makes it a condition that it be transferred to China". "Tehran is seeking guarantees from China before proceeding with the deal with the US". Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing. Pakistan is one of the mediating countries in the negotiations between the US and Iran.

Negotiations between the US and Iran to reach an agreement on ending the conflict continue to be slow, with the two sides still far apart on key issues such as the nuclear programme and economic sanctions relief. This is according to the Wall Street Journal, despite President Donald Trump's claim in recent hours that the negotiations are 'progressing well'. According to the American newspaper, the slowdown comes after a weekend of mixed signals, in which Trump and other members of the administration had hinted that an agreement was close, only to hit the brakes in the following hours. The tycoon himself has since stated that he does not want to close a deal that is not 'valid and appropriate'. The WSJ claims that the talks have also stalled due to pressure from the harder wing of the Republican Party, which is concerned that a deal could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an easing of economic pressure on Iran without sufficient guarantees on its nuclear programme.

Trump reiterated on social media that 'either it will be a great deal or there will be no deal', accusing critics of not knowing the details of the negotiations. The parties are working on a memorandum of understanding that would provide for a suspension of hostilities and a gradual reopening of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days, while the nuclear dossier would be addressed in a second phase. Any easing of sanctions would, however, be conditional on progress in the negotiations. Washington demands clearer and more immediate commitments on Iran's nuclear programme, while Tehran insists on more definite details on the release of funds and the easing of sanctions. The US also fears that Iran may slow down the implementation of commitments once the first economic benefits are achieved.

Three Hezbollah-launched drones crashed into Israeli territory near the border with Lebanon today, according to the IDF.

A first drone crashed on the locality of Shomera exploding near a school bus stop, according to the Times of Israel. Two others fell in unspecified areas. In all three cases, no injuries were reported.

Saudi Arabia will normalise relations with Israel when there is an 'irreversible path' towards a Palestinian state. This was reiterated by a Saudi source to CNN after Donald Trump's Truth post focusing on the Abrahamic Accords. Riyadh remains on the 'same position as always', the source said, insisting on 'an irreversible path towards a Palestinian state'.

Iran has resumed production of ballistic missiles, launchers, and other armaments much faster than expected after the recent war with Israel and the US. This was reported today by Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 citing US intelligence and a senior Israeli official. According to the broadcaster, Tehran has restarted production using surviving components, improvised underground facilities and partially restored production lines, with assistance from Russia and China. Channel 12 further stated that Israeli defence officials estimate to date that Iran could rebuild its drone production capabilities within a few months and significantly increase its ballistic missile production capability within about a year, or perhaps even sooner.

Agreement in principle between Washington and Tehran, but still awaiting signature. Senior Washington officials indicated last night that a compromise to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz had been reached and would now be in the hands of President Donald Trump and Tehran's leaders, including the Supreme Guide, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, for final approval. However, the review could take days.

The interim agreement, which according to Washington would have Khamenei's initial approval, if it survives the scrutiny would also include an Iranian commitment to renounce stockpiles of enriched uranium. According to US sources, nuclear and missile moratoriums are instead postponed to negotiating rounds following the initial understanding.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the Islamic Republic will not give in to "excessive pressure and demands" in the ongoing negotiations with the US, stressing that Tehran intends to fully defend the rights of the Iranian people. Speaking before representatives of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Pezeshkian argued that after having "failed militarily", Iran's "enemies" have focused on "economic warfare". Therefore, he added, the government and private sector will have to face this phase together 'with empathy, cohesion and joint cooperation'. Pezeshkian, quoted by the Irna news agency, assured that the government is working to support production and industry, guarantee energy for companies and simplify rules to favour the private sector. The president then listed among the executive's priorities the growth of non-oil exports, the strengthening of economic relations with neighbouring countries and the development of cooperation with bodies such as the Brics.

'The agreement under discussion between the US and Iran does not achieve any of Israel's goals for the war'. This was stated by Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to influence a better deal. Lapid, who is part of an alliance seeking to oust Netanyahu in this year's elections, said the details of the deal being worked out were "disturbing". "The agreement is bad for Israel, bad for the region, bad for Iranian citizens," Lapid told reporters in Jerusalem. "The Israeli government has an ability to influence decisions in Washington at an all-time low," the centrist Yesh Atid party leader said, recalling that Trump had declared last week, "Netanyahu will do whatever I want him to do."

Pakistani army chief Asim Munir informed Chinese President Xi Jinping that 'the agreement between Iran and the United States has reached the final stages and is now close to completion'. Tasnim writes this, explaining that Munir, who visited Beijing immediately after his trip to Tehran, briefed the Chinese president on the latest developments and progress towards the agreement.

Islamic Republic forces have shot down a 'hostile drone' flying over the waters of the Persian Gulf. This is according to Tehran officials quoted in a report carried by the Iranian news agency Fars. "This operation, conducted using a system with covert capabilities, is a clear and decisive message from Iran," reads the document, which was released after media reports linked to air defence activities over Qeshm Island.

"Leader Mojtaba Khamenei suffered only superficial injuries to his face, head and legs, with no amputations or other special problems, after being wounded during the 28 February Israeli-American attack in which his father, then leader Ali Khamenei, was killed," This was stated to the Iranian news agency Ilna by Health Ministry spokesman Hossein Kermanpour. Detailing the incident, Kermanpour added that Mojtaba Khamenei was transported to the hospital, along with other wounded, at around 1pm and underwent surgery. He was not seriously injured and insisted on continuing his fast, it being the month of Ramadan, until Iftar (the time when fasting stops in the evening). "This indicates that he was in good health. The leader left the hospital on 1 March at 2am," he concluded.

Donald Trump ties negotiations with Iran to the entry of Arab countries into the Abraham Agreements. "In discussions I have had with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, I have said that after all the work the United States has done in trying to piece together this extremely complex puzzle, it should be mandatory that all of these countries, at the very least, simultaneously join the Abrahamic Accords," the president says on his social Truth. The leaders of the Arab countries 'would feel honoured to welcome Iran as a signatory of the Abrahamic Accords. Wow: that would be a very special thing,' Trump added, demanding 'firmly that all countries sign the Abrahamic Accords immediately and that, should Iran sign the agreement with me, it would be an honour to welcome it too into this unparalleled global coalition'.

"Negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran are going well! It will either be a Great Deal for all or no deal at all - it will be back to the battlefield and confrontations, but on an even larger and stronger scale than before and nobody wants that," US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth today.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are in Doha to meet with the Qatari Prime Minister to discuss a possible agreement between the US and Iran to end the war. The talks will mainly focus on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, enriched uranium and frozen Iranian assets, as witnessed by the presence of Abd al-Nasser Hemmati, governor of the Iranian Central Bank

"The Iran deal will either be a big and meaningful deal or there will be no deal at all." US President Donald Trump wrote this on Truth about the US-Iran negotiation to end the war in the Middle East while also returning to criticise the Iran nuclear deals reached by the Obama administration in 2015. "I make no such agreements," he wrote. Trump's statements echo what Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed from New Delhi that there is a "solid" deal on the table but if no deal is reached the US will seek "another solution".

The agreement being finalised between the US and Iran would, if finalised, mark an 'American capitulation' and reflect the gradual weakening of Israeli influence on President Donald Trump's decisions. This is according to an analysis published by the Israeli daily Haaretz, which reconstructs diplomatic and military developments between Washington, Tehran, and Israel.

According to the analysis, the understanding has not yet been signed and details remain partial, but the most likely scenario would involve a containment of Iran's nuclear programme without substantially addressing other issues considered crucial by Israel and the US, including the ballistic missile programme, Iranian support for regional armed groups, and the possibility of regime change in Tehran. An outcome that, according to Haaretz, would be far from the promises of 'victory' made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

During his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chinese President Xi Jinping praised Pakistan's role in mediating between Iran and the US. Iran International reports.

"Let's see, we will go to parliament when there is a real possibility of doing so. With Minister Crosetto we have already informed the joint committees of the House and Senate on Foreign Affairs and Defence, we are waiting to see when a possible ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran will be operational", "because we intend to participate in non-war missions, absolutely, under the flag of the United Nations, the flag of the European Union or the flag of an international agreement that brings together many countries, a bit like the 'Willing' model". This was said by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani responding, at a press point on the sidelines of the 'Italia-Africa: cultures at stake' initiative on the occasion of Africa Day 2026, to a question on the vote in Parliament to authorise a possible Italian mission to ensure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

"Let's see how the situation evolves, we have to see what the terms of the agreement will be and when Hormuz will be reopened once the truce is reached, once it is stabilised we are ready to participate," Tajani explained.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will not attend the UN Security Council meeting in New York due to visa problems with the US. This was stated by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, according to the Tasnim news agency.

"Taking these conditions into account, the visit will not take place, as we are facing a problem related to the US visa. The meeting, I believe, will be held tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, so the visit will not take place,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei told reporters.

Iran and the United States have reached ''an agreement in principle'', but its signing ''is not imminent''. This was stated by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, saying that ''we have reached an agreement on most of the topics discussed, this is correct, but this does not mean that the signing of an agreement is imminent''.

At the end of a tiring period of threats and hyperbole, the world will breathe a sigh of relief when, having clarified the point of contention, the Americans and Iranians will begin the real negotiations to arrive at a global settlement. All countries except one: Israel, which would like to resume the war against the Islamic Republic and also continue the war in Lebanon against Hezbollah.

Perhaps only Mohammed bin Zayed, ruler of Abu Dhabi, president and supreme commander of the Emirates, would want to do as Bibi Netanyahu does. In the Middle East MbZ, as the emir is called, is Israel's only true ally. It is no coincidence that in the more than 50 days of conflict Tehran has launched 2,800 missiles and drones at its neighbour on the other side of the Gulf: more than the number directed at the Jewish State.

"Iran harbours no optimism towards the United States and the exchange of messages through the Pakistani intermediary continues in a climate of constant distrust towards the US government". This was stated by a well-informed source quoted by the Iranian news agency Tasnim, which is linked to the Pasdaran. Tasnim points out that 'no final agreement has been reached at the moment and challenges remain over certain clauses'.

The US believes that Iran has accepted the main points of the agreement in principle, but the back-and-forth over the wording of the text continues and it may be a few more days before the memorandum of understanding is finalised. This was reported by a senior US official quoted by CNN. CBS also reports similar information: citing a senior Trump administration official, it reports that the Iranians have agreed in principle to an agreement, which would include the disposal of highly enriched uranium. The US source quoted by CNN attributes the timing to what it calls the slow pace of the process needed to get Iran's approval on the wording of the agreement, saying that the time needed will depend on how quickly Tehran responds to certain US requests for changes to the wording. The official said the US is still finalising the wording on "a couple of points".

- Oman's Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi had a telephone conversation with Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. During the phone call, as Muscat explained in a note, the parties discussed the outlook on the regional situation and its developments and expressed their support for the efforts to resume maritime navigation and end the state of congestion and tension in the region. The conversation also addressed cooperation and partnership relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the European Union.

Iranian Supreme Guide Mojtaba Khamenei is in an undisclosed location and is being contacted via a network of couriers. This was reported by Cbs News citing well-informed American officials. According to the sources, few Iranians know Khamenei's whereabouts, which explains the long delays in Iranian responses to US proposals for an agreement to end the war.

The US and Iran have reportedly reached an 'agreement in principle' that could end the war in the Middle East, but final approval by the leaders of both sides could take days. This is what the US media, including the New York Times, CBS, and CNN, reiterate. The newspapers quote "a senior US official", anonymous, as saying that the Iranians have agreed in principle to a deal that would include the disposal of highly enriched uranium, the official said, and there is a broad commitment to the principles. How Tehran will do this is, however, still subject to negotiation, the US official said. In any case, the sources confirmed, the US and Iran are working to reach a final agreement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel will "always" have the right to defend itself, regardless of any agreement between Washington and Tehran, echoing statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu. "Israel always has the right to defend itself. Every country in the world has this right. So if Hezbollah prepares to launch missiles or launches missiles at them, Israel has the right to react," Rubio told reporters from New Delhi, where he is visiting.

The Iranian news agency Tasnim reports that local authorities executed Abbas Akbari, an armed leader convicted of participating in an alleged coup in January.

According to reports also by Al Jazeera, Akbari was executed by hanging following a ruling by the country's Supreme Court. He had been convicted of 'moharebeh' (enmity against God), damaging public property and firing a gun at security forces in Nain, Isfahan province, during widespread riots in January.

Iran and the United States may reach an agreement ''as early as today''. This was announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio from New Delhi after the announcement scheduled for yesterday fell through. ''We have what I think is a pretty solid agreement on the table,'' an agreement that ''relates to the ability to reopen the Strait of Hormuz,'' but also ''enter into negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue.'' ''They thought they had good news last night, it may be that it will come today, but I wouldn't go overboard,'' he added. But if the agreement is not there, ''we will resolve the issue in another way'', Rubio said. The US will give diplomacy every chance to succeed before exploring 'alternatives', Rubio explained to reporters in New Delhi.