US-Israel-Iran War News Highlights: US launches 'self defence' strikes on Qeshm Island after 'aggressive Iranian behaviour'

Iran stops talking to mediators, Iranian reports say, but Trump says talks continue

Iran stopped communicating with mediators about extending a ceasefire in the war with the US and Israel, two semiofficial Iranian news agencies reported Tuesday, but President Donald Trump disputed the claim and said talks were continuing.

The reports by the Fars and Tasnim news agencies, both believed to be close to Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, came as tensions flared in Israel's separate but related fight against the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah in Lebanon.

A regional official involved in the mediation, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks, told The Associated Press that Iran had not communicated at all on Tuesday after saying that a ceasefire needed to be enforced in Lebanon for negotiations to continue.

In other developments, the U.S. military said it fired a missile to halt another oil tanker trying to reach an Iranian port in violation of the American blockade. It was the seventh ship stopped by the military while trying to run the blockade, US Central Command said in a social media post.

US Iran war: Iran fires missiles and US strikes Iran facility after reports of faltering peace talks

The US military said on Tuesday that Iran launched missiles towards Kuwait and Bahrain, but none reached their intended targets. According to US officials, two missiles aimed at Kuwait broke apart mid-flight, while missiles targeting Bahrain were intercepted by American and Bahraini air defence systems.

In response, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out strikes on an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), however, claimed it had targeted the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain as well as another country in the region, though it did not name Kuwait. Tehran said the attack was retaliation for a US strike on the engine room of an oil tanker attempting to reach Iran despite the American blockade.

“We had previously warned that in case of aggression, the response would be different and more severe, and we acted accordingly," the IRGC said in a statement.

CENTCOM also said American air defences intercepted and destroyed multiple Iranian drones that were targeting US forces stationed in Kuwait.

The exchange came amid reports that Iran had suspended communication with mediators over extending a ceasefire in its conflict with the US and Israel. However, President Donald Trump disputed those reports and said negotiations were continuing.

The reports, published by Iran's semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies, which are considered close to the IRGC, emerged as tensions also escalated on Israel's northern front with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon.

'They have to reopen Strait of Hormuz': Marco Rubio

"What Iran is doing is 'unlawful and illegal', they have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz," said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Iran war: US says it disabled oil tanker sailing towards Iran's Kharg Island

The United States military has disabled a commercial oil tanker attempting to access Iran as Washington continues to enforce its strict naval blockade on maritime traffic linked to Iranian ports, even as tensions remained high between Israel and Hezbollah despite a fresh round of diplomatic talks underway in the American capital.

According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), a Botswana-flagged oil tanker identified as the M/T Lexie was targeted after it allegedly attempted to sail towards Iran's Kharg Island. The vessel, which was not carrying cargo at the time, reportedly disregarded "repeated warnings" over a 24-hour period to alter its course.

In an official statement, CENTCOM confirmed that an American military aircraft ultimately halted the ship by striking its engine room with a Hellfire missile. This action is part of an ongoing enforcement campaign initiated on 13 April, during which US forces state they have disabled six commercial vessels and redirected 122 others attempting to enter or leave Iranian maritime facilities.

In a related maritime escalation reported by Al Jazeera, the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) confirmed that its vessel, Sariska V, was struck by two projectiles in the port of Umm Qasr yesterday. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had first reported the attack southeast of Umm Qasr, though it did not initially name the ship.

Iran war: US air defences intercept Iranian drones targeting forces in Kuwait

Iran war: CENTCOM rejects Iran's claims of strikes on US bases in Gulf

'Massive plans': Netanyahu announces $20 billion push for northern Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined “massive plans” to “strengthen” northern Israel as cross-border drone attacks from Lebanon continue.

In a post on X and remarks at a government meeting, Netanyahu said new “fortification” measures covering areas up to 7km (about 4 miles) from the Lebanese border would serve as “an addition to security” in the “major struggle we are waging against Hezbollah”.

He added that the Israeli government is investing $20 billion to “restore both security and prosperity” to the region. Netanyahu compared the initiative to communities near the Gaza border, which he said now enjoy “tremendous prosperity”.

Kuwait neutralises 'hostile missile and drone attacks' as Iran claims strikes on US bases

Kuwaiti air defence networks actively engaged and neutralised a wave of incoming aerial threats on Wednesday, following reports of loud blasts across multiple sectors of the country amid escalating volatility across the Gulf region.

In an official communique addressing the situation, the Kuwaiti Army's General Staff confirmed that the detonations reported by residents were directly linked to defensive operations executed by tactical units neutralising incoming vectors. The military command announced that "Kuwaiti air defenses are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks. The General Staff of the Army notes that if explosion sounds are heard, they are the result of air defense systems intercepting the hostile attacks".

US army says it intercepted Iranian missiles, drones; launches self-defence strike on Qeshm Island

US central command on Wednesday said that the forces intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones and carried out self-defence strikes on Qeshm Island after what it described as attempted Iranian attacks across the Middle East on June 2.

In a statement, CENTCOM said Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward neighbouring countries, but claimed that "all failed to hit their intended targets."

According to the US military, two Iranian missiles fired toward Kuwait either fell short of their targets or broke apart during flight. CENTCOM also said that three missiles launched toward Bahrain were "immediately intercepted by U.S. and Bahrain air defense forces."

The statement further said that US forces responded to additional threats in the region by intercepting drones launched by Iran.

"Moments earlier, US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces shot down three one-way attack drones launched by Iran toward civilian mariners that were rightfully transiting regional waters," it said.

CENTCOM also confirmed that American forces carried out military action against an Iranian target on Qeshm Island.

"American forces also conducted self-defense strikes on an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island," the statement said.

The US military said no American personnel were injured during the incidents.

"No U.S. personnel were harmed," CENTCOM said, while adding that its forces continue to remain on alert amid heightened tensions in the region.

Iran War News: Explosions heard near Qeshm Island, says Iran's Mehr News Agency citing local sources and residents

Iran War News: US says it disabled Botswana-flagged tanker near Iran's Kharg Island

The ​US military ‌said ⁠on ⁠Tuesday ​it disabled a ​Botswana-flagged ​oil ⁠tanker, ‌M/T ​Lexie, ​after ⁠it attempted to ​sail toward ​Iran's ‌Kharg ​Island.

Hostilities flare again in Iran war, talks at a stalemate

Hostilities in the Gulf erupted anew on Wednesday with a report of missile attacks on Kuwait, while little ​progress was evident in diplomatic talks between Iran and ​the United States.

Kuwait's army said its air defenses were intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks, while Bahrain said ​a warning siren had been sounded and urged residents to go to the nearest safe space. The United States said it shot at a tanker headed toward Iran. Iran's news agency reported that explosions were heard near Qeshm Island, which sits near the contested Strait of Hormuz.

This was the latest of several such flare-ups. More than three months ‌after the U.S. and ⁠Israel launched ⁠strikes against Iran, the conflict is stuck in a stalemate, with a shaky ceasefire in place while the Strait of Hormuz remains largely shut to maritime traffic.

Iran War News: Sirens, blasts heard across Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait; IRGC issues stark warning

The IRGC said in a statement that "the era of 'hit and run' is over" and warned that "any new foolishness will be met with a seismic, crushing, and decisive response that goes beyond established rules and boundaries." It further vowed that it would "not hesitate to turn all aggressors' headquarters and interests in the region to ashes."

Iran announces three-day state funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with processions in several cities

Iranian authorities have announced plans to conduct a three-day public funeral for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the opening day of the US-Israeli war against Iran, according to reports carried by state media.

The administrative arrangements for the multi-city commemorations were outlined by Tehran Deputy Mayor Mohammad Amin Tavakoli-Zadeh. He stated that the scheduled memorial processions will take place across several prominent urban centres, including the capital, Tehran, alongside the religious hubs of Qom and Mashhad.

Speaking through Iran's state broadcaster IRIB, Tavakoli-Zadeh detailed that the officially sanctioned itinerary would feature large-scale public processions in all three designated locations.

According to the official, the main ceremonial events in Tehran alone are anticipated to continue for at least 24 hours. Municipal authorities are currently making logistical preparations to accommodate a massive public turnout of as many as 20 million people during the events in the capital, reflecting the immense scale of the gathering anticipated by organisers.

The formal announcement comes several months after the death of the long-standing leader. While orthodox Islamic traditions generally mandate that burial rites and final proceedings be conducted within a few days of death, Iranian officials had previously chosen to postpone the funeral indefinitely.

Iran War News: Iran stops talking to mediators, Iranian reports say, but Trump says talks continue

Iran stopped communicating with mediators about extending a ceasefire in the war with the U.S. and Israel, two semiofficial Iranian news agencies reported Tuesday, but President Donald Trump disputed the claim and said talks were continuing.

The reports by the Fars and Tasnim news agencies, both believed to be close to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, came as tensions flared in Israel’s separate but related fight against the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah in Lebanon.

A regional official involved in the mediation, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks, told The Associated Press that Iran had not communicated at all on Tuesday after saying that a ceasefire needed to be enforced in Lebanon for negotiations to continue.

Trump says talks ‘going on continuously’

US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Tuesday defended Washington's military posture toward Iran, arguing that Tehran had been attempting to build up conventional weapons capabilities as a "shield" to protect its nuclear programme.

Speaking before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio said Iran’s military capabilities had been significantly weakened following recent US military actions and suggested that its conventional forces were no longer a credible deterrent.

"What they tried to do is they were going to try to build a conventional shield and hide behind that conventional shield," Rubio told lawmakers.

He further claimed that Iran’s naval strength had been severely degraded. "What’s left of Iran’s navy is a ‘bunch of Boston Whalers with machine guns on them,’" he said.

'False and erroneous': Trump says Iran talks ongoing, calls reports of halt fake news

US President Donald Trump has rejected reports claiming that talks between the United States and Iran had stopped, calling them “false and erroneous.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “Fake news reports that the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the USA, stopped speaking a few days ago are false and erroneous.”

He added that conversations between the two sides have continued regularly, saying they have taken place “including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today.”

“Where they lead, one never knows, but as I told Iran, ‘It’s time, one way or another, for you to make a Deal. You’ve been doing this for 47 years, and it cannot be allowed to go on any longer!’” he said.

Iran's annual inflation rate surged to its highest level since World War II in May, highlighting the deepening economic crisis facing ordinary citizens as the country grapples with the fallout of conflict, sanctions and long-standing structural problems.

According to data released by Iran's Central Bank, the consumer price index rose 77.2 per cent year-on-year in May, while monthly inflation increased by 8.5 per cent compared with April.

Prices for everyday necessities, including medicine, taxi fares, tobacco and communication services, jumped 113.8 per cent from a year earlier.

The figures mark the first official acknowledgment of the severe inflationary pressures already being felt by Iranians, many of whom have seen the cost of basic goods and services soar amid a sharp decline in the value of the national currency.

A private Iranian think tank, the Bamdad Institute of Economic Studies, described the inflation rate as "an unprecedented rate since World War II."

Iran War News: Rubio says US won’t ease Iran sanctions in exchange for reopening Hormuz

US secretary of state Marco Rubio said Washington will not lift sanctions on Iran in return for a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to US lawmakers, Rubio said such an arrangement “has not been discussed” and “has not been offered”.

He added that any future sanctions relief would be “condition-based” and tied to Iran giving up its enriched uranium stockpile and addressing other aspects of its nuclear programme.

Iran War News: Iran plans three-day funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iranian authorities are planning a three-day public funeral for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed earlier this year in US-Israeli attacks, according to state-run IRIB.

Tehran Deputy Mayor Mohammad Amin Tavakolizadeh said funeral ceremonies will be held in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad. A 24-hour memorial event is also planned in the capital, with authorities preparing for attendance of up to 20 million people, IRIB reported.

Iran War News: Rubio sees indications that Iran’s new supreme leader is ‘increasingly engaged’ with US talks

Detailing the fractured Iranian leadership, Rubio says US negotiators have seen signs that Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father to become the country’s new supreme leader, has been engaged with negotiations despite not being seen publicly.

“I would imagine, given what’s happened to multiple leaders in that system, being very public is probably not something that’s recommended for them internally,” he said. “But that said, I think there are indications out there that he is increasingly engaging at some level, although all of his communications have been in writing and through intermediaries," he added.

Rubio says Iran has agreed to discuss aspects of its nuclear program that it previously would not

​US secretary ​of state Marco Rubio told lawmakers ⁠that ​Iran had agreed to negotiate ​aspects of its ​nuclear ⁠program that ‌it ​previously refused ​to ⁠discuss, but he said ​that was not ​a guarantee that talks will ‌lead to a deal ​to ​end ⁠the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Iran War News: 'Iran was building conventional shield' - Rubio defends US war against Tehran at Senate hearing

Iran War News: Marco Rubio says Iran's Khamenei alive and 'increasingly engaging'

Rubio testifies before Congress for the first time since the start of the Iran war

Secretary of state Marco Rubio is facing a litany of questions about the Trump administration’s fragile or stalling diplomatic efforts around the world when he appears for back-to-back hearings on Capitol Hill for the first time since the Iran war began.

Senate Republicans are meeting Tuesday to discuss next steps after the Justice Department said it would comply with a court order pausing the implementation of a $1.776 billion settlement fund designed to compensate President Donald Trump’s political allies.

Iran War News: 'Unlawful, illegal & unacceptable' - Rubio says no country backs Iran's actions in Hormuz

'If they shut down the Strait, we’ll shut it down for them': Rubio warns Iran over Hormuz blockade

'There is no Iranian navy': Rubio defends US-Israel campaign against Iran, calls operation 'highly successful'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the US-Israel military campaign against Iran, describing it as “highly successful” in achieving its objectives.

Referring to Operation Epic Fury, Rubio said, “Operation Epic Fury – some of you didn’t like it, some of you did – was highly successful in achieving its military objectives, which was dramatically reducing the defence-industrial base of Iran.”

He further claimed that Iran’s naval capabilities had been effectively destroyed, saying, “Today, there is no Iranian navy. There is no such thing. It lies at the bottom of the ocean.”

Israel Iran War: Death toll from Israeli attacks in Lebanon rises to 3,468, over 10,500 wounded

At least 3,468 people have been killed and 10,577 others wounded in Israeli attacks across Lebanon since March 2, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. The ministry said the casualties have continued to rise amid ongoing hostilities and military operations.

Israel Iran War: India calls for dialogue, diplomacy amid Israeli offensive in Lebanon, Iran-US talks suspension

India reiterated its call for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability in West Asia amid escalating tensions in Lebanon due to increased Israeli military operations and Iran's call for suspension of peace talks with the US due to such actions.

Responding to a question during the weekly media briefing on the ongoing Israeli military offensive in Lebanon and its wider regional implications, MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has been closely monitoring developments in the region.

"We have been closely following the developments in the West Asia region and our point right from the very beginning has been that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward for achieving an early return of peace and stability," Jaiswal said.

He added that India continues to convey this position consistently in its engagements with all concerned parties.

This comes in the wake of the worsening security situation in Lebanon, where Israeli military operations have resulted in significant casualties and damage, as well as making territorial gains on the southern side of Lebanon.

Israel Iran War: Germany’s Merz urges Israel to show restraint in Lebanon as escalation grows

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Israel to exercise restraint in its military campaign in southern Lebanon, as cross-border attacks and incursions into Lebanese territory intensify and civilian casualties rise.

Merz said Germany is viewing the latest escalation in southern Lebanon with “great concern,” while also urging Hezbollah to lay down its arms, according to Reuters.

Israel Iran War: Iran stopped talking with mediators after Israel threatened to bomb Beirut

Iran stopped communicating with mediators after Israel threatened to bomb Beirut as it continues fighting the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, two semiofficial Iranian news agencies reported.

The reports by the Fars and Tasnim news agencies, both believed to be close to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, come as Iran insists the fighting in Lebanon is part of the wider ceasefire talks with the United States over the war. Israel and the U.S. maintain the fighting in Lebanon is separate from the Iran war talks.

A regional official involved in the mediation, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks, said Iran has not communicated at all on Tuesday after saying that a ceasefire needed to be enforced in Lebanon for negotiations to continue.

Woman, 2 children among 6 killed in Israeli strike on Lebanon’s Marwaniyeh

The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health has said that six people were killed in an Israeli strike on the town of Marwaniyeh in the Sidon district on Monday, including a woman and two children.

Israel Iran War: Israel defence exports hit record USD 19.2 bn in 2025

Israel has broken its defence export record for the fifth consecutive year, registering USD 19.2 billion in sales in 2025, nearly 30 per cent increase compared to the previous year, the defence ministry said.

The country's defence exports have doubled in five years and quadrupled in a decade, propelled mainly by exceptional demand for rockets, missiles and air defence systems, the ministry said in a statement.

In 2025, an all-time record for government-to-government agreements was also set, totalling approximately USD 10 billion. It accounted for over half of total deal volume for the year, the statement said.

Israel’s Ministry of Defence (IMOD) Director General, Maj Gen (Res) Amir Baram, and the Director of the Ministry's International Defence Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), Brig Gen (Res) Yair Kulas presented Defence Minister Israel Katz with the 2025 defence exports report.

The report is said to reveal that the Israeli defence industries signed hundreds of new contracts worldwide during the year.

Over half of these deals (53 per cent) were mega-deals valued at USD 100 million or more each, the statement said.

“Missile, rocket, and air defence systems continued to lead in 2025, accounting for over a quarter (29 per cent) of total deal volume”, it said. “Another notable surge was recorded in observation and optronics systems, rising to 22 per cent from 6 per cent the previous year,” the ministry said.

The unprecedented growth comes at a time when Israel has been fighting on multiple fronts since October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked from Gaza.

Two Israeli soldiers wounded in Hezbollah drone strike in southern Lebanon: military

Two Israeli soldiers have been wounded in a Hezbollah drone attack in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military said, adding that their injuries are minor, AL Jazeera reported.

The incident comes days after two other Israeli soldiers were killed in similar drone attacks over the weekend, taking the total number of soldiers killed since the escalation began three months ago to 26. Four civilians have also been killed in the same period, according to the military.

Iran War News: IRGC says it allows 24 ships to pass through Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that 24 commercial vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the past day.

According to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, the ships were allowed passage after obtaining permission and coordinating with the IRGC Navy. In a statement, the IRGC said, “Intelligent control of the Strait of Hormuz will be carried out with authority, and evil foreigners will have no place in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.”

Israel Iran War: 'If fire continues, we will strike Shiite Dahiyeh' - Israel says US backs striking Beirut suburbs if Hezbollah attacks north

Israel's defence minister said Tuesday Washington had given its backing to potential Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern Dahiyeh suburb, a Hezbollah bastion, if the Iran-backed group attacked northern Israeli communities.

"The Prime Minister and I led a coordinated move together with the IDF to establish a new equation... If Israeli towns continue to be attacked, we will evacuate and strike the Shiite Dahiyeh quarter in Beirut, Hezbollah's stronghold," Israel Katz said at a conference, a defence ministry statement said.

"The United States endorsed this principle and conveyed it to the Lebanese government and all relevant actors... either the fire on Israeli communities stops, or -- if fire continues -- we will strike in Dahiyeh. This equation will be upheld."

Iran War News: Crude oil futures slip amid uncertainty over US-Iran ceasefire talks

Crude oil prices fell marginally to Rs 8,697 per barrel in futures trade, tracking losses in global benchmarks even as investors remained cautious over the fluid geopolitical situation involving the US and Iran.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), the most-traded June contract slipped by Rs 39, or 0.45 per cent, to Rs 8,697 per barrel in a business turnover of 9,045 lots. The July contract also weakened, falling Rs 70, or 0.82 per cent, to Rs 8,466 per barrel in 2,512 lots.

Analysts said market sentiment was weighed down by uncertainty after diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis faced repeated hurdles, raising concerns over the outlook for global oil demand and supply.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Monday indicated that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to halt hostilities, raising hopes that a broader regional conflict could be avoided.

Trump in a social media post said that he spoke to Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and representatives of Hezbollah and both agreed that "all shooting will stop".

However, market participants remained wary as attacks from both sides were reported after the announcement, while Israeli and Hezbollah officials cast doubt on the durability of the arrangement.

Iran war: Iran official calls for unity among factions

Ahmad Naderi, a member of Iran’s praesidium of the parliament, has urged political leaders and factions not to bring “differences into the public arena” deeming it “threatening and dangerous”.

As per Al Jazeera report, in an interview with Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA), Naderi said that because the country is in “war conditions”, it’s important for all groups to present a united front.

Israel Iran War: ‘Nothing can justify Israel’s ‘prolonged occupation’ of Lebanon', says France

No justification can be made for Israeli troops remaining deep inside Lebanon after Israel’s biggest incursion into its northern neighbour in two decades, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot says.

Iran War News: Senior Iranian officer says renewed war with US 'inevitable'

“The United States demands our total surrender, and the Iranian nation will never surrender,” says Mohammad Jafar Assadi, deputy head of Iran’s central military command, Khatam al-Anbiya. “Without surrender, war is inevitable.”

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon kill eight, including two Syrians; hospital attack death toll rises to four

At least eight people have been killed in the latest Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, including two Syrians, as the death toll from a strike on a hospital in Tyre rose to four, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported.

In the town of Jebchit, two Syrians were killed after an Israeli strike targeted the plant nursery where they were working, NNA said.

An Israeli drone also hit a motorcycle on Martyr Sabra Street in Toul and a car in the Dhi'at al-Arab neighbourhood of Ansar, killing two people.

NNA said the death toll from Monday's strike on Jabal Amel Hospital in Tyre has risen to four, with 50 people injured. There was significant damage to hospital wards, the parking garage and neighbouring buildings. NNA described the toll as "preliminary."

Israeli warplanes also hit the Lebanese Civil Defense center on the Masil road in the town of Kfarsir, while the Kassar al-Zaatar neighbourhood in the city of Nabatieh was subjected to an airstrike.

Iran disposes of explosives left over from US-Israeli attacks

As per Al Jazeera report, crisis management authorities in Iran’s Isfahan governorate have carried out “controlled explosions” on unexploded ordnance left over from US-Israeli attacks.

Iran News: Stock markets decline in early trade as US–Iran negotiations face setbacks

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early trade on Tuesday as investors remained concerned over the US–Iran situation, with diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis encountering repeated setbacks. Persistent foreign fund outflows also hit markets' sentiment.

The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 296.19 points to 73,971.30 in early deals. The 50-share NSE Nifty dropped 103.30 points to 23,272.25.

Iran war: Oil prices rise amid uncertainty over US-Iran talks

Oil prices increased slightly on Tuesday amid ongoing uncertainty over talks between the United States and Iran and speculation around the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical energy transit routes.Brent crude futures rose by 0.06% to $95.04 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate declined slightly by 0.18% to $91.99 a barrel in early trade.

Read full article

'Iran has grown enormously in its technology and capacity': International Atomic Energy Agency head

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, says Iran has grown “enormously in its technology and capacity” since the previous nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was reached.

“What’s very important is this is a post-war agreement,” he said of the deal that is expected to come out of the negotiations between the US and Iran.

Israel War: Israeli drone attack reported to kill Lebanese dentist, two children

According to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) report, an Israeli drone targeted and killed a Lebanese dentist and his two children in their car as they were travelling in southern Lebanon on the Nabatieh-Khardali road.

Israel Lebanon war: Israeli continues attacks across southern Lebanon

As per Al Jazeera ground report, Israeli forces have continued their attacks across southern Lebanon, with artillery shelling near Nabatieh, and also strikes on the villages of Shukin and Kafr Tibnit.

Israel Lebanon war: Trump reportedly blasted Netanyahu on call

Axios has reported that Trump lashed out at Israel’s Netanyahu during “an expletive-laden” phone call on Monday after Israel had announced that its military operations in Lebanon would escalate to the bombing of Beirut’s southern suburbs.

According to Axios, citing two US officials and a third source briefed on the call between the two leaders, Trump called Netanyahu “crazy” and accused him of ingratitude, and it was the president who was responsible for putting the “brakes on Israel’s plan to strike Beirut”.

Israeli officials condemn Netanyahu's decision on cancelling strikes in Lebanon

Israeli officials have condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to call of the strikes in Lebanon after being urged by US President Donald Trump to stop, ANI reported.