LIVEDeal envisions Israeli pullout from Gaza while Washington targets IRGC-linked airlineLast updated: July 31, 2026 | 07:42Donald Trumpiran nuclear programmeIran Israel conflictUS-Israel-Iran warus-iranUS President Donald Trump says Washington is having “very friendly talks” with Tehran.APThe Middle East remains on edge as multiple flashpoints escalate at once. President Trump announced late Thursday that a phased deal has been reached for Hamas to disarm and Israeli forces to withdraw from Gaza, though neither side has confirmed it yet. In the Gulf, the US-Iran standoff continues, with CentCom disputing Iranian claims that a tanker broke through the naval blockade, and fresh Treasury sanctions hitting a network accused of supporting the IRGC and Mahan Air. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has launched a 14-nation maritime alliance to protect Red Sea shipping after Houthi threats, and concerns are growing in Washington over depleted US missile defense stocks amid near-daily Iranian strikes. Follow this live coverage for all the latest developments as the situation unfolds.HighlightsSHOW MORE07:42 AM, 31 July 2026Hamas agrees to deal for disarmament, Israel's withdrawal from GazaHamas said Friday it agreed to a deal to end the war with Israel that included provisions addressing its weapons and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.The group's disarmament has been one of the key sticking points in the advancement of a ceasefire deal that has been in place in Gaza since October.05:04 AM, 31 July 2026Trump announces a deal for Hamas to disarm in GazaPresident Donald Trump said late on Thursday that a deal has been reached for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza, though many hurdles, conditions and long timelines remained to wind down the war in the Palestinian territory. Neither Hamas nor Israel gave immediate indication that they had agreed.The White House announcement comes nine months after a US-brokered ceasefire was signed. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas had largely deadlocked over the implementation of its second phase, including the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza.“The agreement will be carried out in carefully structured phases,” Trump said on social media. “As disarmament is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw, and the International Stabilisation Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to take responsibility for Gaza being safe for its residents and its neighbours.”03:39 AM, 31 July 2026Iran says tanker 'broke' the US blockade, Washington says 'not true' Iranian state media reported that the commercial oil tanker M/T Nora had successfully broken through the US naval blockade. On Friday, however, US Central Command (CentCom) rejected the claim, saying the tanker had not breached the blockade. CentCom said US warships, hundreds of aircraft and thousands of American personnel remain deployed to enforce what it calls America's “steel wall” blockade around Iranian ports and coastal waters.A successful tanker breakout would be more than a shipping story. It would be a powerful propaganda victory for Tehran — and a direct challenge to Washington's attempt to demonstrate that it controls maritime access to and from Iran. CentCom's position is blunt: the blockade remains intact. The command has previously reported intercepting or redirecting commercial vessels suspected of attempting to reach Iranian ports. Since the renewed US naval blockade against Iran came into effect on July 14, 2026, CentCom has said its troops redirected 20 commercial vessels, disabled two ships, and boarded two others.Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.03:04 AM, 31 July 2026US Treasury sanctions networks in China, India, Russia and Iran supporting IRGC, Mahan Air