The United States carried out fresh strikes on Iranian missile sites and boats near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, targeting vessels allegedly attempting to place naval mines, US Central Command said. Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said the action was taken in “self-defence” to protect American forces during the ongoing ceasefire. Iranian officials confirmed explosions near Bandar Abbas but did not immediately respond to the strikes. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations with Iran were continuing despite tensions. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqai said progress had been made in talks, but denied that a peace agreement was close. (PC: BBC)

The U.S. military has launched fresh strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile sites and boats allegedly attempting to deploy mines near Bandar Abbas on the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command described the operation as a self-defence measure aimed at protecting American forces while maintaining restraint during the ongoing ceasefire. Despite the strikes, diplomatic efforts continue, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing optimism about ongoing talks involving Iran and Qatar. Iranian officials acknowledged progress in negotiations but said an agreement remains distant. Key issues include extending the ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Strait of Hormuz “has to be open, one way or the other” after fresh U.S. strikes on Iranian boats near Bandar Abbas. Speaking aboard his plane in Jaipur, Rubio maintained that diplomacy with Iran remains possible despite the latest military action. He said discussions were underway in Qatar and that negotiators were working through specific language for a potential agreement, a process that could take several days. The U.S. strikes targeted boats allegedly laying mines and missile-related threats, while Washington continues efforts to secure maritime access through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. (PC: AP)

Iran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted global shipping under a proposed agreement being discussed with the United States to end hostilities in West Asia, according to a Nikkei report citing regional diplomatic sources. The proposal reportedly includes Iran clearing mines from the strategic waterway within 30 days of a deal and suspending transit charges for vessels. The plan also suggests extending the current ceasefire by 60 days and temporarily pausing Iran’s nuclear programme for two months. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would continue pursuing diplomacy with Tehran before considering other options. (PC: HT)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the restoration of international internet access after nearly 87 days of severe restrictions across the country, according to Iranian state media. Officials from Iran’s Communications Ministry confirmed the decision after a high-level cybersecurity meeting. Internet access had been heavily restricted since January following anti-government protests and was tightened further after US-Israel strikes on Iran in February. Monitoring group NetBlocks said connectivity had dropped to as low as 1-2 per cent of normal levels. The blackout disrupted businesses, freelancers and communication services, while many users relied on VPNs and illegal Starlink connections. (PC: India Today)

Indian-origin American tennis player Nishesh Basavareddy produced one of the biggest upsets of the French Open by defeating seventh seed Taylor Fritz in the first round at Roland Garros. The 21-year-old wildcard won 7-6(5), 7-6(5), 6-7(9), 6-1 on Court Suzanne-Lenglen to register his first career victory over a top-10 player. Basavareddy, ranked 148 in the world, remained composed throughout the four-set contest against world number nine Fritz, who recently returned from a knee injury layoff. The win marked Basavareddy’s first main-draw victory at the French Open and a major breakthrough in his young professional career.

The Iranian Consulate in Hyderabad mocked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after his visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra during his India tour. In a post on X, the consulate said the monument was built for Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s Iranian wife Mumtaz Mahal and praised the “genius of Iranian architects”. The remark also criticised the US administration over its stance on Iran during ongoing regional tensions. Rubio had described the Taj Mahal as “one of the love treasures of the world”. His visit comes ahead of the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi involving India, the US, Australia and Japan.

Global oil prices dropped sharply on Monday after signs of progress in talks between the United States and Iran. Brent crude fell 5.5% to around $97 a barrel after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a possible agreement could be reached soon. President Donald Trump said negotiations were “proceeding nicely” but warned there could still be “no deal.” Iran also said progress had been made, though a final agreement was not close yet. Markets hope the deal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global oil supplies. Experts, however, warned that supply chains may take months to recover fully. (PC: Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

The United States and Iran are holding talks to formally end the war in West Asia. U.S. President Donald Trump said the agreement would either be “great and meaningful” or there would be “no deal.” He also told negotiators not to rush the process. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a breakthrough could happen soon and added that Israel has the right to defend itself. Iran confirmed that progress had been made in discussions but warned that a final agreement was not immediate. The proposed deal reportedly includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Turkiye and Pakistan also joined discussions on the crisis. Meanwhile, two Israeli ministers demanded stronger military action in Lebanon after Hezbollah drone attacks.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said any agreement with Iran would either be a “great and meaningful” deal or there would be no deal at all. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said negotiations to formally end the conflict with Iran were still ongoing and no final agreement had been reached. He criticised Democrats and Republican critics, accusing them of spreading misinformation about the talks. Trump also repeated his opposition to the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under former US President Barack Obama, calling it a “disaster” that gave Iran a path to nuclear weapons. (PC: X)