The Forward

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has given an exclusive interview addressing the ongoing protests in Iran and the future of the country's military actions. In the conversation, he discusses the domestic unrest gripping Iran and signals how Tehran may approach its defense posture going forward. The remarks are drawing wide attention as observers weigh what they reveal about the government's stance amid heightened regional tensions.

Iran has put forward new demands to the United States following a sharply critical Iranian address at the United Nations. The speech reportedly delivered scathing remarks about American policy, and Tehran has followed it with a fresh set of conditions directed at Washington. Details of the specific demands and the US response remain limited, but the exchange adds to ongoing tensions between the two countries.

Donald Trump has rejected a seven-day plan put forward by Iran, declining the timeline proposed in ongoing negotiations between the two countries. The rejection is drawing attention amid heightened tensions over Tehran's nuclear programme and the future of diplomatic talks. Observers are watching to see whether negotiations will continue or collapse following the dismissal of the proposal.

The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve has dropped to its lowest level since 1982, following an extended period of releases from the emergency oil stockpile. The drawdown, begun to counter rising fuel prices and supply disruptions, has raised questions about how quickly the reserve can be refilled and what it means for U.S. energy security going forward.

The UN Security Council convened on Monday morning to address a Middle East peace process under strain on two fronts. In the West Bank, settler violence and settlement expansion are fuelling fears of wider escalation, while efforts to advance a plan for Gaza have stalled. Ambassadors discussed the deteriorating situation, with diplomats under pressure to find a path forward on both fronts.

The European Union is pushing forward with plans to develop its own payment system, reducing reliance on US-dominated networks like Visa and Mastercard. Discussion centres on Europe's desire for payment sovereignty, particularly after geopolitical shocks showed how quickly foreign financial infrastructure could be weaponised. Supporters see it as strategic autonomy; critics question whether it can compete with entrenched US providers.

Kazakhstan's experience with nuclear diplomacy is being put forward as a rare useful model as negotiations over Iran's uranium stockpile run into growing technical and political hurdles. Having voluntarily gave up its Soviet-era nuclear arsenal, Kazakhstan is cited as an example of how a country can verifiably relinquish enrichment and weapons materials, lessons that some analysts argue could help break the current impasse with Tehran.

Congress has passed a war powers resolution in a rare bipartisan rebuke of President Trump, moving to limit his authority to take military action without congressional approval. The measure signals growing tension between lawmakers and the White House over the president's handling of military policy and raises questions about the balance of war powers going forward.

SpaceX has launched its Starship into orbit for the first time, a milestone in the development of the giant rocket designed for deep space missions. The flight was cut short before completion, but the company and observers are treating the launch itself as a major step forward in getting the vehicle off the ground and into space.

The Trump administration is moving forward with a plan to supply plutonium from dismantled Cold War-era nuclear warheads to companies that would convert the material into fuel for nuclear power plants. The proposal has generated debate and some unease among nonproliferation experts and others who question the safety and wisdom of putting weapons-grade material into commercial use.

Iran has declared it is prepared for the resumption of war while insisting that diplomatic channels remain open. The statement signals a dual posture: warning of military readiness should conflict reignite, while keeping negotiations as a possible path forward. The announcement comes amid ongoing regional tensions and international attention to Iran's stance.

Iran has put forward a seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the key shipping route for global oil supplies, alongside a proposal to resume nuclear talks within the same week. The offer, reported by Al Jazeera, is drawing attention from governments and observers watching tensions in the Gulf. Details of conditions or responses from other parties remain unclear.

China said the extension of the trade truce with the United States creates space to keep pushing negotiations forward between the two countries. The statement, reported widely by international outlets, signals that both sides remain engaged in efforts to stabilise their trade relationship and settle disputes through dialogue rather than escalation.

President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran are expected to pick back up this week, after the United States rejected a proposal put forward by Tehran. He gave no details of the rejected offer or the terms for renewed discussions. The comments come as Washington and Tehran remain at odds over Iran's nuclear programme, and officials on both sides have signalled that diplomacy has not collapsed despite the setback.

SpaceX is preparing to send its Starship rocket into Earth orbit for the first time, a milestone test for the vehicle the company plans to use for missions to the Moon and Mars. The attempt, widely reported by international outlets including France 24, is being closely watched by space observers as Starship is the most powerful rocket ever developed, and a successful orbital flight would mark a major step forward for private spaceflight.

President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran are slated to hold indirect talks, after he rejected Tehran's latest proposal. The announcement points to continuing diplomacy between the two countries even as disagreements persist over the terms being discussed. Observers are watching whether the talks can ease tensions or whether the rejection signals a harder US line going forward.

NASA has announced a new plan for Boeing's troubled Starliner spacecraft and named the commander for a future mission. The spacecraft has faced repeated technical setbacks, and the update signals how the agency intends to move the program forward. Details of the plan and the mission commander's identity were the focus of the announcement.

Iran has put forward a new proposal aimed at reaching an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway at the centre of rising regional tensions. The pitch suggests Tehran may be seeking a negotiated off-ramp, and observers are weighing what concessions Iran wants and how the US and Gulf states might respond to the offer.

Iran says only diplomacy can resolve the ongoing conflict, responding after Donald Trump rejected a proposed peace plan. The statement underscores Tehran's position that negotiation, not military pressure, is the path forward, while Washington's refusal of the plan signals a hardening stance. The exchange highlights widening differences over how to de-escalate the conflict and what terms any settlement might require.

The U.S. Navy is moving forward with its first new nuclear warhead development programme in nearly four decades. The news, reported by maritime outlet Marine Insight, highlights a significant shift in American nuclear weapons policy and modernisation efforts. The story is drawing attention amid broader debates over nuclear deterrence and global arms competition.

The US Senate has passed the Protect College Sports Act, legislation concerning college athletics, though its path forward remains uncertain. The bill now faces an unclear future, likely requiring action in the House and the president's signature to become law. Observers are watching to see whether the measure will advance or stall in the legislative process.

The US Senate has moved forward with legislation to overhaul the college sports system, according to ABC News. The bill's advancement marks an early but significant step in a long-running debate over how college athletics should be governed, particularly around athlete pay, name-image-likeness rights, and the broader structure of the NCAA. Details of the proposed reforms and their chances of passing remain limited so far.

The US-led Board of Peace has announced that UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, will have no role in Gaza going forward. The statement marks a significant decision about the administration of humanitarian aid and services in the territory, and is likely to draw strong reactions from the UN, Palestinian representatives and humanitarian organisations.

Reports say Donald Trump has turned down a peace proposal put forward by Iran, keeping tensions between Washington and Tehran in the spotlight. The rejection raises questions about the terms Iran offered and what it means for negotiations over the ongoing standoff, with observers debating whether diplomacy can still prevent further escalation between the two countries.

The U.S. Navy is moving forward with development of the W93, a new nuclear warhead intended for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The programme, run with the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons complex, is part of efforts to modernise the sea-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad, replacing warheads carried on Trident II D5 missiles aboard ballistic missile submarines.

The US Federal Reserve has put forward proposed rules for stablecoins, according to Payments Dive. The move is part of a broader push by US regulators to set clearer standards for dollar-linked digital tokens, which have become a major pillar of the crypto market. Details of the proposal's requirements and timeline are not yet available.

US Senate lawmakers are moving forward with legislation aimed at regulating name, image and likeness deals in college sports. The bill would create federal rules for the payments college athletes can receive from endorsements and sponsorships, an issue currently governed by a patchwork of state laws and NCAA policies. The move signals growing congressional interest in bringing order to the fast-growing college sports economy.