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Iran says it is ready for diplomacy with the United States but is 'fully prepared' for war if the US launches an attack. The statement underscores tensions between the two countries, with Tehran signalling both openness to negotiations and readiness for military confrontation.

French President Emmanuel Macron publicly responded to Donald Trump's proposal for Gaza, saying that the peace Trump describes does not exist. Speaking about the situation in the enclave, Macron cast doubt on the viability of the plan and pushed back on the American approach to ending the war. The exchange has drawn wide attention, with commentators weighing the rift between the two leaders over one of the most contentious diplomatic questions of the moment.

Iranian officials have declared the country prepared to resume hostilities with the United States while simultaneously keeping the door open to diplomatic negotiations. The dual message signals both defiance and willingness to de-escalate, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region and uncertainty over the direction of US-Iran relations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is prepared for what he called a 'doomsday war' if the United States resumes military attacks, while stressing that Tehran remains open to diplomacy. The remarks signal a mix of defiance and willingness to negotiate, framing Iran's position as defensive but leaving the door open for renewed talks.

US intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia retains the option to pursue nuclear weapons, while US senators are moving to challenge a nuclear cooperation deal pursued under the Trump administration. The report raises concerns in Congress about safeguards and the precedent a deal could set for nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, amid ongoing debate over US-Saudi relations.

Saudi Arabia has indicated it could pursue developing nuclear weapons, according to a New York Times report on US-Saudi political discussions. The statement marks a significant shift in the kingdom's public stance on nuclear capability and raises questions about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, particularly given regional tensions and ongoing negotiations with Washington over security guarantees and civilian nuclear cooperation.

Democratic lawmakers are pledging to directly challenge the Israeli government over violence against Palestinians, with one describing the situation as 'out of control'. The statements signal growing willingness within the party to publicly criticise Israel, a notable shift for a caucus that has traditionally maintained broad support for the US ally.

Saudi Arabia is signalling that it intends to preserve the option of developing nuclear weapons, according to a news report. The stance underscores long-standing concerns in Riyadh that it cannot fully rely on international security guarantees, particularly given tensions with Iran and questions about US commitments in the region.

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.

Donald Trump has rejected an offer from Iran over its nuclear programme, but says he still expects new negotiations to take place. The move keeps open a diplomatic channel between Washington and Tehran even as the US dismisses the current proposal. Observers are watching to see whether fresh talks can ease tensions over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Iran has publicly declared that diplomacy is the only path open to the United States in their ongoing standoff, a message delivered as part of a global news roundup. The same brief reports that a contentious Orange Order march at Drumcree in Northern Ireland was disrupted, reviving attention to one of the region's most sensitive annual parades.

China used a speech at the United Nations to push back against the United States, defending Iran and Cuba and criticising American policies toward both countries, per Reuters. The remarks come as tensions between Washington and Beijing continue over trade, Taiwan and geopolitics, and as US sanctions on Iran and Cuba remain a flashpoint in international diplomacy.

Iran's foreign minister has said indirect talks with the United States remain open, signalling continued engagement despite tensions. At the same time, the Iranian navy claims it has captured an underwater drone, an assertion that adds friction to the diplomatic channel. The combination of ongoing negotiation and maritime incidents is drawing attention to the fragile state of US-Iran relations.

Iran is pressing a diplomatic opening over the Strait of Hormuz, but Donald Trump has rejected a peace proposal tied to the strategic waterway. The standoff leaves tensions unresolved in a region where any disruption to the strait would threaten global oil shipments. Observers are watching whether further diplomatic channels remain open between Tehran and Washington.

Intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons. The finding underscores long-standing concerns that Riyadh could pursue a nuclear deterrent if regional rivals, particularly Iran, advance their own nuclear programmes, and it raises fresh questions about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and the future of any US-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement.

Donald Trump has rejected a proposed ceasefire with Iran but said he expects negotiations between the two sides to continue. The move signals that diplomatic channels remain open even as the US declines to halt hostilities. Observers are watching to see whether talks can produce a broader agreement or whether the conflict escalates further in the coming days.

The Financial Times reports that large US companies are increasingly adopting cheaper 'open' AI models instead of costly proprietary systems. The shift reflects growing pressure to cut technology spending while still deploying generative AI across business operations. Open-weight models from providers like Meta and Mistral are gaining ground as firms weigh cost savings against performance and security concerns.

US intelligence assesses that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, keeping open the possibility of a weapons program despite longstanding American nonproliferation efforts in the region. The assessment fuels renewed debate over Riyadh's nuclear ambitions and the wider risks of proliferation in the Middle East.

Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran insists that diplomacy is the only path forward in the standoff. The dispute centers on the strategic waterway, a critical artery for global oil shipments. The exchange underscores continued tensions between Washington and Tehran, with both sides signaling hardened positions even as Iran publicly keeps the door open to negotiations.

Iran has reportedly laid out seven conditions for agreeing to a ceasefire, while attacks were reported on ten Saudi cities, according to coverage circulating widely online. The developments are being discussed alongside wider Middle East tensions involving the US, Yemen, Israel and Gaza, with observers weighing whether Tehran's demands could open the door to de-escalation or prolong the conflict across the region.

Donald Trump's increasingly profane public language is drawing attention for breaking norms that US presidents have long observed, taking presidential swearing out of private and into open public discourse. The Guardian's analysis notes the shift as a marked change in the tone of American political speech, prompting debate about standards of presidential conduct.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called on the Federal Reserve to keep an open mind when setting interest rates, arguing that artificial intelligence is boosting productivity in ways that could change the economic outlook. The comments add to ongoing pressure from the Trump administration on the central bank to consider cutting rates as AI-driven gains reshape growth expectations.

The Pentagon has opened an investigation into how F-35 fighter jet components destined for the United States were diverted to Hong Kong. The case is raising concerns about weaknesses in the defence supply chain and potential violations of US export controls on sensitive military technology destined for China's territory. Details about the volume of parts and those responsible remain unknown.

Venezuela's president has returned from a visit to the United States without securing any agreements and without announcing a firm date for the country's elections, according to Reuters. The outcome leaves open questions about Venezuela's political timeline and its relations with Washington, and is drawing attention as observers watch for movement on both diplomatic and electoral fronts.

The Pentagon has opened an investigation into a data breach that exposed the personal information of US military service members. The scope of the breach and how many people are affected have not yet been detailed. The probe comes amid growing concern over cybersecurity failures and the vulnerability of sensitive personnel data at the Department of Defense.

Reports say US export controls on advanced semiconductors were largely absent from the agenda when Donald Trump met Xi Jinping at their summit, despite chips being a central point of friction between Washington and Beijing. Analysts suggest both leaders prioritised broader trade truce issues, leaving technology restrictions unresolved and questions about future curbs open.

Reports indicate United Nations diplomacy surrounding the possibility of a US-Iran war is producing contradictory signals, with no clear picture emerging of whether talks are easing or deepening the standoff. The story is drawing attention as observers try to gauge whether diplomatic channels can prevent an open military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

Beijing has announced that the United States and China will pursue a military crisis-communication pact, according to the South China Morning Post. The reported agreement would aim to keep open channels between the two militaries and reduce the risk of escalation during incidents at sea or in the air. The announcement comes amid continued tensions between Washington and Beijing over trade, Taiwan and regional security.

US authorities have opened an investigation after components for the F-35 stealth fighter were reportedly diverted to Hong Kong, raising concerns that sensitive military technology could reach China. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are pressing for answers on how the parts ended up there and what it reveals about gaps in export controls on advanced US defense hardware.

The Chinese government has signaled it may allow companies such as Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase Nvidia's new RTX Pro 5500 chips, according to a report by The Information citing people familiar with the matter. The potential approval would mark a notable opening for US chip access to Chinese tech firms amid ongoing export restrictions.

Iran has signalled openness to talks with the United States over the Strait of Hormuz as both Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian prepare to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. It would be the first time the two leaders appear at the same event since Trump launched what he called 'Operation Epic Fury', raising speculation about a possible diplomatic opening between the two governments.