The prospects of a U.S.-Iran deal to end the conflict remained uncertain on Friday (day 92 of the war), as President Donald Trump said he would make a 'final decision' on an agreement, while Iranian officials stressed that no common understanding has been reached.
Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Tehran will judge any deal based on actions rather than words, emphasizing it will not take any steps unless Washington moves first.
Meanwhile, fighting continued in other areas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces have advanced further north of the Litani River in Lebanon, as Israeli strikes across Lebanon on Friday killed or wounded dozens of civilians.
Iran:
- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said exchanges with the U.S. continue but stressed no final agreement has been reached. He rejected Trump's approach of setting demands and described the U.S. naval blockade as illegal, asserting Tehran will assess any sanctions relief based on concrete actions.
War Diplomacy:
- The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said U.S. forces remain 'present and vigilant' across the region, posting images of an F-16 fighter jet patrolling the Middle East.
- Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump plans to invest 1.5 trillion USD in defense, describing it as a historic expansion of the U.S. military industrial base. Hegseth urged allies to spend at least 3.5% of GDP on defense, warning that countries failing to meet this could face changes in relations with Washington. He also reaffirmed U.S. commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
- The U.S. Defense Department described Israeli-Lebanese military talks in Washington as 'productive,' focusing on regional security and stability, and reiterated support for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
United States:
- Al Jazeera correspondent Alan Fisher from the White House said there is still no clarity after Trump's Situation Room meeting on whether a final deal with Iran has been reached. Fisher noted that any easing of restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz could signal progress, but officials are awaiting specific details from the White House.
Israel:
- The Israeli military said it intercepted several missiles launched from Lebanon, while another missile landed near Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel. The military reported no casualties and did not specify whether they were rockets or drones.
Lebanon:
- Netanyahu announced Israeli forces have advanced north of the Litani River near Nabatieh, signaling an expansion of operations in southern Lebanon. This move comes as Israeli-Lebanese talks continue and could lead to further strikes on Beirut and the western Bekaa Valley.
