War returns to Iran with Israel, US strikes

The spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baghaei, has highlighted the continuous surveillance of enemy movements by the nation’s armed forces, Al Jazeera reports.

In a post on X, he said: “The valiant defenders of the noble homeland in the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the coasts, islands, borders and other sensitive points of the country, with vigilant and watchful eyes, keep the enemy’s movements under surveillance.”

He added that these forces “safeguard the security and tranquillity of dear Iran” through their actions.

Iran thanks Pakistan for abstaining from a vote that allowed a UN Security Council meeting on its nuclear programme to go ahead, as Tehran rejected the session as “legally unfounded”.

Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative Amir Saeid Iravani, in a statement after the meeting, specifically acknowledged Pakistan and Somalia for “not supporting the convening of this meeting”, while praising Russia and China for opposing the session.

The meeting was requested by Bahrain and five European members of the Security Council — Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia and the United Kingdom — to discuss implementation of Resolution 2231, which endorsed the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, and the secretary-general’s latest report on the matter.

UN President Donald Trump said the country would “completely decimate” Iran if it attempted or succeeded in assassinating him, AFP reports.

“1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

“Orders have already been given, and the US Military is ready, willing, and able, for a one year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran,” he said.

Iran denied that it had requested negotiations with the United States after President Donald Trump said that Washington and Tehran had agreed to continue talks despite a recent escalation of hostilities, Reuters reports.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran had not sought negotiations with the US, but had accepted a visit by the Qatari mediator to Iran, according to Iranian state TV.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Oman for talks on the Strait of Hormuz, state media said, according to AFP.

The visit “will be focused on the Strait of Hormuz and shipping safety” and is “a continuation of the consultations that we started with Oman over the past one or two months,” Iran’s official IRNA news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei as saying.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran had “kept its word” on a ceasefire with the United States, after Donald Trump insisted the truce was over but that he had agreed to further negotiations, AFP reports.

“Iran has so far kept its word, unlike the so-called US Treasury Secretary who is violating Para 9 of the MoU,” Araghchi posted on X, referring to part of the memorandum of understanding about the United States not deploying additional forces in the region.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi accuses the United States and the United Arab Emirates of collusion following the release of a new US trade document.

In a post on social media platform X, Gharibabadi states that the US Department of Commerce published a document easing export control regulations and elevating the UAE’s trade status.

He claimed this policy change was granted “in return for its support of military aggression against Iran”.

The Iranian diplomat describes the move as an “official admission from Washington” and a “scandal document” for Abu Dhabi, warning that the actions carry direct international responsibility and legal consequences.

“The UAE must be held accountable,” he said.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump discuss bilateral relations and regional stability during a phone call, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reports.

According to the SPA, the discussion covered ongoing developments in the region, specifically referencing talks between the US and Iran.

Both leaders emphasised the vital importance of ensuring the security of maritime navigation and sea lanes, while reaffirming their support for initiatives that foster security and stability across the Middle East, the agency adds.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority is reporting that the Israeli government ordered the military to refrain from carrying out “sensitive operations” in southern Lebanon following American pressure, Al Jazeera reports.

The Israeli army is expected to begin withdrawing from so-called pilot areas in southern Lebanon next week, when additional talks between Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to be held in Rome, Israel’s public broadcaster adds.

The United States has issued new Iran-related sanctions, Reuters reports a posting on the Treasury Department website.

According to the post, eight individuals and six entities have been sanctioned.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has had a telephone conversation today with Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

“During their discussion, the prime minister expressed his deep concern over the recent escalation in tensions in the region,” a statement reads.

“While conveying Pakistan’s solidarity and support with the people of Qatar on the recent attacks, the prime minister stressed upon all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any actions that could undermine peace in the region,” it adds.

According to the PMO, PM Shehbaz has conveyed Pakistan’s sincere gratitude to the Qatari Amir for his “consistent and steadfast support in the peace efforts that culminated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and the first round of high-level technical talks at Buergenstock”.

The statement adds that both leaders have agreed upon the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement and dialogue, and adherence to the commitments outlined in the Islamabad MoU.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep concern over the recent escalation between the United States and Iran in a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Prime Minister’s Office has said in a statement.

“During their warm and cordial conversation, the Prime Minister expressed deep concern over the recent escalation in tensions in the region and underscored the urgent need to restore regional peace and stability,” the statement reads.

“He called on Iran and all other parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any action that could jeopardise the hard-earned peace gains achieved over the past few months.”

The premier has also stressed the importance of upholding commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), calling it “an enduring framework for promoting mutual understanding, respect and shared prosperity in the region and beyond”.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, PM Shehbaz has assured Pezeshkian of Islamabad’s readiness to continue playing an “honest and sincere role” in facilitating dialogue in facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran.

Iran’s lead negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says the conflict with the US will never end with Tehran’s surrender, adding that Iran is ready to defend itself if Americans walk back from the memorandum of understanding, Al Jazeera reports.

“At any moment the Americans betray the understanding, we are ready for full-scale defence and will stand firm against them and defend the rights of the Iranian people,” he says. “Ending the war is a priority for the countries of the world, but everyone should know that this conflict will never end with Iran’s surrender.”

Ghalibaf adds that Muslim nations must “stand up” and unite against the US and Israel.

US President Donald Trump has told The New York Post that he has “left instructions” should Iran assassinate him, in an apparent reference to banners calling for Trump’s killing displayed during a funeral ceremony for slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Al Jazeera reports.

“I’ve been on their list for a long time. That’s what we’re dealing with,” he tells the American tabloid. “The only thing is, I’ve left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before.”

Trump said Tehran has wanted him dead for years. “I hope you’ll miss me,” he adds.

Oil prices have fallen after the latest round of US-Iran fighting, as traders grow hopeful that shipping will eventually resume in the Strait of Hormuz, but for the week, Reuters reports that prices are still up sharply.

Brent futures are down 38 cents, or 0.5 per cent, at $75.92 a barrel by 1530 GMT (8:30pm PKT). US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude has dropped 69 cents, or 0.96pc, to $71.39.

According to Al Jazeera, the recent escalation in hostilities between the US and Iran could upend the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) forecast.

The organisation has been predicting a significant oil market ⁠surplus in 2027, but now says it might have to revise its expectations.

China has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities between the US and Iran at the UN Security Council, Al Jazeera reports.

China’s Deputy UN Envoy Sun Lei tells an emergency session of the Security Council, “It is vital to maintain the cessation of hostilities. The US and Iran have committed to respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty as part of the MoU — this must be respected.

“Sanctions on Iran must be lifted. It is imperative to uphold a correct sense of right and wrong. Iran should continue to honour its commitment to not develop nuclear weapons, but Iran reserves the right to develop nuclear energy for civilian use”.

The deputy envoy also offers China’s “impartial and consistent stance on resolving issues”.

“China is committed to playing a constructive role in a peaceful resolution.”

Russia’s ⁠state nuclear corporation Rosatom is sending the first six ⁠employees of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant back to Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, Al Jazeera reports citing comments from Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev carried by the RIA Novosti news agency.

Rosatom is building two new units at Bushehr. It evacuated ⁠hundreds of ⁠staff after ⁠the US and Israel launched their joint war ‌on Iran, on February ‌28.

Deputy US Envoy at the UN Tammy Bruce has said that the door to diplomacy remains open with Iran, but with conditions, Al Jazeera reports.

“While dialogue remains possible, the US can’t negotiate while Iran reneges on simple obligations, like don’t shoot on civilian objects. If you shoot at civilian objects or ships, we will respond” the envoy tells an emergency session of the UN Security Council, adding “President Trump prefers peace.

“Iran has contravened international law and this council’s resolutions. Such contraventions can not be met with council equivocation and obstruction”, she says.

The Egyptian and Qatari foreign ministers have called on the United States and Iran to resume negotiations, as US President Donald Trump says Washington had agreed to continue talks with Tehran but repeated that the ceasefire between the two countries was over, AFP reports.

During a phone call, Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani “urged all parties to give priority to the language of diplomacy and dialogue and to return to the negotiating table”, Egypt’s foreign ministry says in a statement.

UK, France and Germany “cheer-led” US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s civilian infrastructure, Russia’s deputy UN Envoy has said at an emergency session of the UN Security Council, Al Jazeera reports.

Anna Evstigneeva, Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, has condemned the “hypocrisy of Western states” in targeting Iran while turning a blind eye to the actions of the US and Israel.

“We are compelled to express our disappointment that once again a majority of UNSC members are continuing to indulge the attempts of some states to cast doubt on objective, procedural realities”, she says.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined for the second consecutive day, Al Jazeera reports citing data released by maritime monitoring firm Kpler.

The company reports 22 transits on July 9, compared with 30 the previous day.

Activity remains largely low risk, as no new attacks have been reported on any vessels in the strait since July 7.

Operators continue to heavily favour the Iranian route, while the Omani route saw just one crossing.

France has condemned Iran over attacks on neighbouring countries and on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz in the past few days, Al Jazeera reports.

French envoy Jerome Bonnafont says that “despite Pakistan and Qatar’s mediation, Iran has violated the MoU (memorandum of understanding).

“It has carried out unacceptable attacks on Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan. France condemns these attacks. Iran is responsible for this situation. It needs to end this violence as part of the 60-day ceasefire period as part of the MoU,” he adds

Calling for the urgent implementation of the US-Iran MoU, Bonnafont says, “Iran must guarantee the full, unhindered re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz under the international laws of the sea.”

US President Donald Trump says that he has agreed to continue talks with Iran after receiving a request from Tehran.

“The United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the ceasefire is over!” he writes on Truth Social.