US-Iran war news LIVE: Iran is asking Donald Trump to lift US sanctions and war-related restrictions, including an end to the naval blockade and free movement of trade through the Strait of Hormuz.US-Iran war news LIVE: Inches from a historic peace deal between the United States and Iran, the world watched diplomacy collapse back into gridlock due to renewed uncertainty from Washington. US President Donald Trump said the outlines of an agreement with Iran remain unfinished and a deal was not “fully negotiated yet.” Only hours before, officials hinted an accord was practically signed, sealed, and delivered. Now, the finish line has vanished.US media says that a final pen-to-paper moment could take days. This comes after persistent gaps between the two sides on core issues, particularly Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that Tehran's willingness to provide assurances that its nuclear activities remain strictly peaceful. “We are ready to assure the world that we are not seeking nuclear weapons and are not seeking unrest in the region,” he said. Netanyahu wants Iran's ‘nuclear threat’ ended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that any final agreement must “eliminate the nuclear threat entirely.” This, according to him, includes the dismantling of Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities and the removal of enriched material from its territory. Trump, for his part, has said there is “no rush” to conclude a deal. He said “time was on our side,” even as he confirmed instructing his diplomatic team to proceed deliberately. Marco Rubio on the war US secretary of state Marco Rubio, on a visit to India, said the US has made “significant progress” in outlining a path to resolve the war over the past 48 hours. He said discussions also covered tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and warned that attempts to impose “illegal tolls” or target ships in international waterways would be unacceptable. Rubio held high-level meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar during his multi-day diplomatic visit. Israel-Lebanon updates Israel has bombed Lebanon again. The strikes have killed at least two people and injured ten in the southern town of Arab Salim, according to local reports. Iran shoots down Israeli drone Iran said it shot down an Israeli surveillance drone in Hormozgan province. ...Read MoreUS media says that a final pen-to-paper moment could take days. This comes after persistent gaps between the two sides on core issues, particularly Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that Tehran's willingness to provide assurances that its nuclear activities remain strictly peaceful. “We are ready to assure the world that we are not seeking nuclear weapons and are not seeking unrest in the region,” he said. Netanyahu wants Iran's ‘nuclear threat’ ended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that any final agreement must “eliminate the nuclear threat entirely.” This, according to him, includes the dismantling of Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities and the removal of enriched material from its territory. Trump, for his part, has said there is “no rush” to conclude a deal. He said “time was on our side,” even as he confirmed instructing his diplomatic team to proceed deliberately. Marco Rubio on the war US secretary of state Marco Rubio, on a visit to India, said the US has made “significant progress” in outlining a path to resolve the war over the past 48 hours. He said discussions also covered tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and warned that attempts to impose “illegal tolls” or target ships in international waterways would be unacceptable. Rubio held high-level meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar during his multi-day diplomatic visit. Israel-Lebanon updates Israel has bombed Lebanon again. The strikes have killed at least two people and injured ten in the southern town of Arab Salim, according to local reports. Iran shoots down Israeli drone Iran said it shot down an Israeli surveillance drone in Hormozgan province. Follow all the updates here:May 25, 2026 7:32:56 AM ISTUS-Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump has said there is no urgency to finalise a deal with Iran and added that negotiations should not be rushed and must be “done right.” He said he has instructed his team to take time, even as talks continue over a possible framework to end the ongoing war.Trump also confirmed that the US blockade on Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz will remain in place until a final agreement is reached, signed, and certified. The Strait is a key global oil route, and restrictions there have contributed to market uncertainty globally.May 25, 2026 7:29:05 AM ISTUS-Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump has defended a proposed $1.776 billion “anti-weaponisation” fund, saying it is meant to deliver justice to people he believes were unfairly treated by a “corrupt and weaponised” government system under the Biden administration.Trump said the fund would help compensate individuals he described as victims of government overreach and political targeting. He said that these people deserve financial relief after being “badly abused” by federal authorities. (Reuters)May 25, 2026 7:27:10 AM ISTUS-Iran war news LIVE: Republicans in Congress have opposed President Trump’s $1.776 billion “anti-weaponisation” fund. The fund is meant to pay people Trump says were treated unfairly by the government.Some Republicans and Democrats say the plan is controversial. They fear it could include people linked to the January 6 Capitol riot.The disagreement has delayed a major spending bill in the Senate. It has also caused rare tension inside the Republican Party.Democrats are using the issue to criticise Trump and the Republicans. Lawmakers are now talking about adding strict rules to control the fund.May 25, 2026 7:23:32 AM ISTUS-Iran war news LIVE: State-owned fuel retailers in India have raised diesel and petrol prices by ₹2.5 per litre each. This is the fourth hike in May as companies attempt to recover losses driven by surging global crude oil prices amid the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.May 25, 2026 7:15:23 AM ISTUS-Iran war news LIVE: Rising public anger over the war is triggering the first major backlash from Republicans against President Trump in his second term. Lawmakers face growing pressure from constituents ahead of the midterms. While most Americans reportedly oppose the war, MAGA-aligned Republicans remain the only group broadly supportive of it, polls show. The issue is fuelling frustration in Congress, with increasing phone calls from voters and signs that the president is facing rare pushback from his own party.May 25, 2026 7:06:08 AM ISTUS-Iran war news LIVE: The US is reportedly offering sanctions relief measures, including lifting restrictions on Iranian ports and allowing broader oil sales through waivers. It is also considering negotiating the gradual unfreezing of Iranian funds during a 60-day period. In addition, the US supports reopening the Strait of Hormuz with unrestricted maritime movement to ease global shipping flows, as per Axios.Iran is offering to ensure free and safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz by clearing mines and removing tolls for ships. It is also signaling willingness to commit to not developing nuclear weapons and to enter talks on suspending uranium enrichment. Tehran further proposes reducing its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and giving mediated verbal assurances on nuclear limits.May 25, 2026 6:38:24 AM ISTUS-Iran war news LIVE: US senator Chris Murphy has criticised President Donald Trump’s handling of the war on Iran. He called it “incompetence” while welcoming the prospect of an end to the war. He said thousands of civilians have been killed and the economy has been severely damaged.Writing on X, Murphy said Trump “hasn’t accomplished ANY of his constantly shifting goals,” pointing to Iran’s continued missile and drone capabilities and its ability to threaten the Strait of Hormuz. He added that Iran’s leadership has emerged “emboldened” and “more powerful” despite US actions.