The latest
Washington and Tehran are still moving toward a possible deal, but the battlefield is moving in the opposite direction.
Trump said Iran wants an agreement and argued that any deal would be good for the United States and its allies. He also pushed back at Democrats and some Republicans questioning his approach, saying their criticism makes negotiations harder.
But the military track is getting more dangerous. U.S. Central Command said American forces struck Iranian radar and drone command-and-control sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island after Iran allegedly shot down a U.S. MQ-1 drone over international waters.
Details:
• The IRGC said it targeted the base used to launch the U.S. strike on Sirik Island in Hormozgan province.
• Kuwait said its air defenses were responding to missile and drone attacks, without immediately identifying their source.
• Iran’s foreign minister said talk of a deal with Washington remains “speculation” until a final text is completed.
• Tasnim News, which is close to the IRGC, reported that Iran will submit amendments to the draft memorandum of understanding with the United States.
• Axios reported, citing a Lebanese official, that the IRGC has been pushing Hezbollah to escalate against Israel to improve Tehran’s leverage in talks with Washington.
• Netanyahu said he instructed the Israeli military to expand its operation in Lebanon.
• Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli troops will remain at Beaufort Castle after capturing the strategic hilltop site in southern Lebanon.
• Lebanon’s Health Ministry said eight people, including three women, were killed in an Israeli strike on southern Lebanon. Another 19 were wounded.
• Israeli forces carried out new incursions into southern Syria, entering parts of Quneitra and Deraa before withdrawing.
What to watch
The picture is messy: Trump wants a fast deal with Iran, but the region is heating up around the talks. The Gulf is seeing strikes and counterstrikes. Lebanon is back at the center of the war. Syria is again becoming a pressure point for Israeli operations.
The deal is still alive. But it is now surrounded by fire.
