Iran said it is negotiating only with Oman to reach an understanding on a temporary route through the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping, rejecting US President Donald Trump's claim that direct talks with Washington would resume on Monday. Trump said he had halted planned large-scale strikes after regional allies urged diplomacy and insisted a deal covering Hormuz and Iran's nuclear programme was within reach. Tehran denied any negotiations with the US, prompting Trump to accuse Iran's leadership of being "unbelievably duplicitous". Brent crude and US oil prices fell after Trump's remarks. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed significantly amid continued tensions and security concerns. (PC: Middle East Monitor)

The US military has sought "creative and unconventional" ways to pressure Iran, with a US Central Command intelligence officer asking military analysts for ideas to "punish Iran" and push Tehran toward negotiations. The email came before President Donald Trump threatened fresh strikes, later calling them off after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged de-escalation. According to CNN, Washington has prepared strike options targeting deeply buried Iranian nuclear facilities, though officials believe conventional weapons may be insufficient without ground troops. Trump has also considered a limited symbolic strike while pursuing diplomacy. US intelligence agencies reportedly assess that air strikes alone are unlikely to force Iran into changing its negotiating position. (PC: The Indian Express)

Iran said it is holding talks with Oman to restore safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz but denied any direct negotiations with the United States. The statement came after US President Donald Trump said fresh talks on ending the war would begin on Monday. Trump also claimed he had cancelled planned US strikes because a deal was close. Iran rejected that claim. It said Oman was helping discuss safe passage for commercial ships. Oil prices fell after Trump's remarks. The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for global oil trade. Fighting has disrupted shipping in recent months.

Ukraine has reportedly struck a warehouse belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, in the Vladimir region, around 180 km east of Moscow. Ukrainian officials claim the company's warehouses are used to support the Russian military, an allegation the Kremlin has denied. The strike is part of Ukraine's growing campaign against Russian infrastructure, which has also targeted fuel depots, logistics hubs and military facilities in recent weeks. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine aims to increase pressure on Russia through long-range strikes, while Moscow continues to reject claims that Wildberries supplies military equipment. (PC: BBC)

Olympians Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have said the women wrestlers will appeal a Delhi court's decision acquitting former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case. The court also cleared former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar of all charges. In a joint statement, the wrestlers expressed disappointment, alleging the accused used influence to intimidate some complainants. They said the legal fight would continue and confirmed their lawyers have been instructed to challenge the verdict in a higher court. Brij Bhushan has welcomed the acquittal, calling it an honourable verdict. (PC: NDTV)

Nepal is mourning legendary mountaineer Nirmal Purja after an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak killed all 10 members of his expedition, including 6 Nepali climbers. Prime Minister Balendra Shah and members of the global climbing community paid tribute to Purja, who became famous for climbing the world's 14 highest peaks in just over 6 months. His brother Kamal wrote, "Your legacy will live forever," while students at Purja's former school held a candlelight vigil in his memory. Purja is remembered for inspiring Nepali climbers and bringing global recognition to the country's mountaineering community. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump said fresh negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday after he decided to halt what he described as a "massive" planned military strike. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said Iran and key US allies, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, urged him to delay the attack as they believed a diplomatic deal was within reach. He said discussions would focus on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear programme. Iran has not confirmed the talks and denied requesting any pause in military action. Oil prices fell after Trump's announcement, reflecting hopes of easing regional tensions. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump said the United States cancelled what he called the “biggest attack since World War II” against Iran and would instead begin negotiations with Tehran on Monday over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar urged Washington to halt military action, believing diplomacy could succeed. He stressed there was no deadline for talks and said he preferred a deal over conflict. Iran rejected Trump's claim that it sought a pause in military action, calling it “a new lie”, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Oman-mediated Hormuz negotiations were progressing toward finalisation. (PC: AFP)

A suicide blast struck a peace rally in Kabal town of Pakistan’s Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than two dozen others. According to officials, demonstrators had gathered near a police station, chanting anti-militant slogans and demanding peace when the attacker detonated explosives. Police chief Omar Khan said at least five police officers were among those killed. Rescue 1122 Swat said doctors at Kabal Hospital confirmed five deaths, while nine more bodies were shifted to Central Hospital Saidu Sharif. Authorities have launched an investigation as security forces assess the aftermath of the deadly attack targeting the peaceful public gathering.

At least five people were killed and 41 remained missing after the Mutiara Sentosa 2 ferry caught fire off Indonesia's Madura Island on Sunday. The vessel was carrying 271 passengers and crew members, with 225 rescued as search and rescue operations continued. The ferry was travelling from Surabaya in East Java to Makassar in South Sulawesi when the blaze erupted between 6 am and 7 am near Sumenep regency. According to Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the ferry operator reported the incident about an hour later after receiving information from the captain. Authorities later lost contact with the burning vessel as rescue efforts intensified.