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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Reports suggest China may permit Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase Nvidia chips, easing earlier restrictions on US semiconductor imports for major Chinese tech firms. If confirmed, the move would open a significant market for Nvidia and mark a possible softening in the US-China tech standoff, with attention now on official confirmation and the scope of any approvals.

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.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration will examine open source AI models, including Chinese ones like Moonshot AI's Kimi, for intellectual property theft, warning that the US has the ability to sanction those responsible. The remarks come as China's free, openly available models draw global attention and concern in Washington about competing with American AI firms.

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.

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.

A Tokyo-based startup plans to begin brokering trades of unlisted Japanese stocks for investors in the United States and the United Kingdom, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. The move would give overseas investors access to Japan's private-company shares, a market that has traditionally been difficult for foreign buyers to reach.

Heretic Coffee, a Portland coffee roaster, has withdrawn from a planned project to open a coffee shop in Gaza. The company's decision ends its involvement in the initiative, which had aimed to establish a cafe in the Palestinian territory. Details on the reasons for the withdrawal or the project's partners have not been widely reported, and reaction to the move remains limited so far.