Iran war live: Trump says US nearing end of war, claims Tehran direct talks

14 Updates 30s ago (02:15 GMT) oil prices fall as Saudi Arabia offers extra crude via Oman oil prices have fallen in early trade on Thursday, extending the previous day’s losses as reports of Saudi Arabia offering extra crude cargoes through Oman reduced fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East. Brent crude futures dropped $1.24, or 1.2 percent, to $104.59 a barrel as of 00:49 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were down $1.14, or 1.1 percent, at $101.29. Share oil prices fall as Saudi Arabia offers extra crude via Oman on social media 15m ago (02:00 GMT) US military says Strait of Hormuz remains open despite blockade on Iran By Al Jazeera Staff Despite an ongoing blockade on Iranian maritime trade and attacks by Iran’s military on commercial ships, the United States military has said US forces have kept the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping, including the facilitation of hundreds of millions of barrels of oil through the strategic waterway. On Wednesday, US Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM), said traffic through the strait “continues to flow” while rejecting the suggestion that Iran controls the waterway. The US and Iran have continued to make competing claims about who has greater control of the critical Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf. “Since early May, we have assisted commercial vessels moving more than 900 million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz to the global energy market,” Hawkins told Al Jazeera English’s Tom McRae. Vessels transit the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas [File: Atta Kenare/AFP] Share US military says Strait of Hormuz remains open despite blockade on Iran on social media 30m ago (01:45 GMT) US relaxes truck driver hours to lower fuel costs and ease shortages US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said that the Trump administration is temporarily relaxing hours of service rules for truck drivers handling petrol and diesel shipments to lower fuel costs. “Short-term supply chain disruptions can delay gasoline and diesel shipments, which in turn can impact freight delivery shipments,” Duffy said in a statement. By allowing truckers to drive additional hours “if they are not fatigued”, the Department of Transportation is protecting against fuel shortages and increased prices, Duffy added. Global oil supply chains are experiencing considerable disruptions due to the Strait of Hormuz closure, the ongoing conflict in Yemen and Saudi Arabia’s closure of the East-West pipeline. Diesel and petrol prices are displayed at a Chevron petrol station in Brea, California, on Thursday, September 10, 2026 [Jae C Hong/AP] Share US relaxes truck driver hours to lower fuel costs and ease shortages on social media 45m ago (01:30 GMT) US House approves bill imposing sanctions on Iran and Russia The US House of Representatives has passed a bill, named after late Senator Lindsey Graham, by a vote of 262-159 to impose sweeping sanctions and tariffs to increase economic pressure on Iran and Russia, Reuters reports. The Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, introduced by Graham himself, was approved in the Senate last month by 86-11. Although the legislation primarily targets Russia, it extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 signed by former President Bill Clinton. The 1996 act was set to expire in 2026 but has been extended for an additional five years. Dozens of Democratic representatives broke away from their party to join most Republicans in favour, sending the bill to President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed into law. Share US House approves bill imposing sanctions on Iran and Russia on social media 1h ago (01:15 GMT) Iran’s Araghchi hails China talks, backs Xi peace plan Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has described consultations with Chinese officials as “successful”, saying Tehran values the strategic partnership it has built with Beijing. “Today’s decisions will decide the future strategic balance in the region, with immeasurable knock-on effects,” Araghchi said in a post on X. He also backed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s four principles for regional peace, describing them as “key”. Xi’s proposal calls for peaceful coexistence among neighbouring countries, respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, adherence to international law, and a balance between security and economic development. This content is unavailable due to your cookie settings. To continue, please allow functional cookies from third-party platforms. Share Iran’s Araghchi hails China talks, backs Xi peace plan on social media 1h ago (01:05 GMT) US denies Abbas visa for UN General Assembly again The United States has refused Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend next week’s UN General Assembly in New York, AFP reports, citing a source familiar with the matter. The decision marks the second consecutive year Abbas has been prevented from travelling to the annual gathering. Last year, he addressed the assembly remotely after member states approved his participation by video. The refusal comes as the State Department announced it was extending visa restrictions on Palestinian Authority officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization, accusing them of failing to implement reforms and undermining prospects for peace. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during a virtual address during the General Debate of the UN General Assembly on September 25, 2025 [Timothy A Clary/AFP] Share US denies Abbas visa for UN General Assembly again on social media 1h ago (01:00 GMT) US extends visa sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials, PLO members The United States has extended visa restrictions on Palestinian Authority (PA) officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), accusing both bodies of failing to meet commitments made to Washington. In a statement, the State Department said the PA and PLO had pursued actions against Israel at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, sought recognition of a Palestinian state outside negotiations, continued payments to Palestinian prisoners and their families, and “glorified acts of terrorism”. The department said the measures would deny visas under the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002. It did not identify the officials affected. A standing waiver will remain in place for personnel assigned to the PLO Observer Mission to the United Nations, it said. Share US extends visa sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials, PLO members on social media 1h ago (00:45 GMT) What’s been happening in the occupied West Bank? Israeli forces and settlers carried out arrests, demolitions, raids and attacks across the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, according to the Wafa news agency. Israeli authorities informed the family of 21-year-old administrative detainee Moataz Nizam al-Atrash that he had died in Ofer Prison. He had been held without charge or trial for more than 11 months. Israeli forces detained 26 Palestinians, including women and children, during raids across several governorates. Israeli forces demolished homes and a pastoral community, bulldozed about 250 dunams (62 acres) of agricultural land near Jenin, and issued further demolition orders. Israeli settlers set fire to a home and an agricultural structure near Yatta, damaged electricity and water networks, and continued bulldozing Palestinian land. Israeli forces closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, while dozens of settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under police protection. Share What’s been happening in the occupied West Bank? on social media Get instant alerts and updates based on your interests. Be the first to know when big stories happen. Yes, keep me updated 1h ago (00:41 GMT) Israeli attacks reported across south Lebanon Israeli forces have carried out a series of attacks across southern Lebanon, according to the country’s National News Agency. Israeli aircraft struck the towns of al-Qantara and al-Mansouri, south of Tyre, while large explosions were reported near Bani Haiyyan and in Kfar Tebnit. The NNA also reported heavy machinegun fire on the outskirts of Haddatha and artillery shelling of the town. Powerful explosions in al-Mansouri sent shockwaves through neighbouring villages. Further explosions were reported in Wadi Mazlam, near Beit Lif in the Bint Jbeil district, and in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, where three blasts were heard across the Nabatieh area. Smoke rises in southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike, as seen from Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon, September 13, 2026. [File: Stringer/Reuters] Share Israeli attacks reported across south Lebanon on social media 1h ago (00:30 GMT) France’s Macron stresses need for alternative oil routes French President Emmanuel Macron addresses rising fuel pump prices in France, warning that global oil market disruptions directly impact the daily lives of citizens. In a statement posted on X, Macron wrote that he took action to reduce tensions, secure supplies and ease the pressure on prices following recent talks with the Iraqi prime minister, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia and the emir of Qatar. “The priority: restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for oil transit,” Macron said, adding that France was working with coalition partners to protect energy infrastructure, secure production and open alternative routes to reduce strategic dependence. This content is unavailable due to your cookie settings. To continue, please allow functional cookies from third-party platforms. Share France’s Macron stresses need for alternative oil routes on social media