IRNA – The commander of the naval force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has informed about the round-the-clock surveillance by the IRGC intelligence unit over the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil transit route linking the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. Speaking on Monday, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri referred to the ongoing maneuver dubbed "Defensive Strength and Offensive Operations from the Persian Gulf Islands," calling the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz "invincible fortresses" and "national honor" for Iranians. He said the exercises, involving new tactic and equipment, are part of the annual program to prepare for the security of this strategic region, adding that responsibility for defending the islands and securing ...

US President Donald Trump said after receiving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House that "There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue." ISNA - In a social media post, Trump, who called the meeting “very good,” wrote that “There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a Deal can be consummated,” “If it can, I let the Prime Minister know that will be a preference. If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be.” According to CNN, Trump and Netanyahu’s meeting — their seventh since Trump retook office — occurred unusually entirely behind closed doors. It lasted roughly 3 ...

Iran and the United States are planning to hold a new round of talks focused on disputes surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program, according to a report. The Monday report by Reuters said the talks will be held in the Turkish city of Istanbul on Friday between Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The report quoted anonymous officials and diplomats from Iran and the US as saying that representatives from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt will also attend the talks, which they said will include bilateral, trilateral, and other meetings. The reports emerged amid growing concerns about a potential military confrontation between Iran and the US, following Washington’s increased military presence in ...