After Trump's request, Iran and Israel halt strikes against each other

WASHINGTON, June 8: As tensions escalate in West Asia amid a cracking ceasefire, both Israel and Iran targeted petrochemical sites in each other's territories on Monday. However, upon US President Donald Trump's request, both Tel Aviv and Tehran announced a halt in strikes.

After a day of trading strikes, Iran and Israel put a hold to attacks on each other on Monday. After Iran said it was halting hostilities, Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu also asserted that the “fire on that front is contained.”

After Iran's offensive on Sunday night, US President Donald Trump had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to not launch any retaliatory strikes and to let diplomacy take care of the situation, Axios reported citing a senior US official and an Israel source familiar with the development.

According to the senior US official, there was no “green light” by the US for the Israeli strike on Beirut on Sunday.

The US official also told Axios that during the call, Trump asked Netanyahu not to escalate the situation because they are “close to doing something good in terms of a deal”. However, Netanyahu pushed back to the request before “pseudo agreeing” to it, the official said.

"We think the president bought a little bit of time. He is pretty adamant that we are close to a deal with Iran. I don't think anything is imminent in terms of an Israeli strike," the official was quoted as saying.

Israeli defence forces had struck military targets in Iran early Monday in retaliation to Iran's missile attack at Israel late Sunday. This fresh exchange of strikes between Iran and Israel was the first one since temporary ceasefire took place on April 8.

So far since Monday morning, Israeli forces have warned that a third barrage of missiles has been fired from Iran. Earlier in the day, Israel said that it hit a petrochemical plant in Iran's Mahshahr.

Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen also said they fired missiles at Israel and have completely banned Israeli ships from navigating through the Red Sea.

"We declare a complete and total ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea," said a statement by the Houthis.

"We consider all enemy movements to be legitimate military targets for our armed forces from the moment this statement is issued," the statement added.

The Indian embassy in Iran advised people on Monday to avoid travelling to Iran amid renewed strikes in the region. It also asked Indian nationals in Iran to leave the country by any available means of transport.

On Sunday, Iran struck Israel after Tehran warned of action over Netanyahu's repeated attacks on Lebanon. The war between Lebanon and Israel has been a major front in the ongoing conflict with Israel continuing to attack it while Tehran has maintained that ceasefire there is key for a peace deal with the United States.

Earlier in the day, Israel took Lebanon capital Beirut's southern suburbs with surprise with strikes with no prior warning, going against its ally US' request to hold off fighting. According to Israel, before it struck Lebanon, Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters fired at Israel on Sunday itself.

Trump not to unfreeze Iran's assets before deal is done

WASHINGTON, June 7: U.S. President ​Donald Trump said ‌in a recent ​interview with ⁠NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that he would ‌not unfreeze Iranian assets ‌or lift ‌any ⁠sanctions before a ⁠peace deal is reached.

Trump said he ​would ‌consider those steps after an agreement is done. “Comes after,” ‌he said. “Yeah. ​If they behave, if they do ⁠a good job, we start ‌talking. Yeah.”

He also said that he was not demanding that ‌Lebanon be a part ​of a short-term deal with ⁠Tehran

The Trump administration has been trying ​to negotiate a potential peace deal for weeks. “We’re very close to a deal, ⁠or I’m going to blow the hell out of them,” Trump told NBC News.

The president ‌also said he would be willing to speak with Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since being wounded in U.S. strikes at the beginning of the conflict. “I don’t want to ‌say whether or not I know where he ​is, but there’s a good probability that I do.”

Top Trump administration ⁠officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio insist ⁠a temporary ceasefire agreement has been holding up despite recent U.S. strikes on ‌Iran, telling lawmakers last week those are defensive actions.

Trump's refusal to stop Israel's actions in Lebanon remains a hurdle to US-Iran peace deal

WASHINGTON, June 7: Amid stalled negotiations between the United States and Iran, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he will not demand the inclusion of Lebanon in a peace deal. Trump's remarks come as Israel continues its attacks on Beirut, despite a ceasefire agreement between Tel Aviv and the Iran-backed, Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah.

Speaking to US-based outlet NBC News, the US president stated Iran would "like to see" a ceasefire in Lebanon. "I think they'd like to see it, but I'm not demanding," he said in the interview recorded on Friday.

Trump also stated that he would like to see attacks that are more surgical against Hezbollah. "I'd like to see Lebanon have a better life. I'd like to see a more surgical attack on Hezbollah. I think it should be more surgical," he said.

Ironically, Trump's remarks also come after he told the journalist that the US is "very close" to a deal with Iran.

"We're very close. We have a couple of points; they don't even seem like big points. They've conceded the fact that they will not have nuclear weapons," he told NBC News moments before the Lebanon factor.

Meanwhile, Israel has continued its strikes in Beirut's southern suburbs as part of its conflict with Hezbollah.Despite a ceasefire agreement between the two, brokered by the US, Israel and Hezbollah continue to exchange fire.

An evacuation warning was also issued on Sunday, after which the IDF stated it "struck a militant command centre in Beirut's Dahiyeh district, in response to Hezbollah's fire towards Israeli territory."

However, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA), the strikes targeted two apartments in two buildings.

The first ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah was signed on April 17. But the truce has not been respected.

So much so, the attacks in Lebanon have now threatened the already fragile truce between Tehran and Washington.

During negotiations, the US launched fresh strikes towards Iran. Iran also responded with fresh attacks against US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Since the start of the talks with the US, Iran has called for the inclusion of Lebanon in a ceasefire deal.

As Israel intensified its attacks and expanded military operations, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi took to X, accusing both the US and Israel of violating the truce.

Araghchi added that the responsibility for any consequences of these violations will be on the US and Israel to bear.

Furthermore, in a latest warning, Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei warned of a "painful response" from Tehran if Israel continues to strike Lebanon.

"We will deliver a decisive and painful response to the Zionist regime's attack on Dahiyeh. These rabid dogs must be disciplined and put back in their place. Look at the sky over the occupied lands tonight," he wrote on X.

U.S., Iran exchange fire as Hormuz tensions persist

WASHINGTON, June 6: The U.S. and Iran exchanged fire again overnight, the latest in a series of skirmishes that has kept tensions high in the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. military said it shot down four Iranian attack drones that had been launched toward the strategic waterway, which Iran has effectively shut down since early in the war and which the U.S.

Meanwhile, Iran condemned on Saturday a nighttime U.S. attack on coastal radar installations in the Gulf, calling it a “flagrant” violation of the ceasefire in place since April.

The Foreign Ministry said it was an attack “on the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic”, denouncing Washington’s “hostile and provocative behaviour”.

Trump confident of India trade deal despite new tariff threat

WASHINGTON, June 5: President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that India and the US will soon reach a trade deal, even as fresh tariff proposals from his administration threaten to complicate negotiations.

"We'll get to a deal, because I like your prime minister a lot," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday. "He's a good friend of mine. We get along great, and we're going to make a deal."

His comments came after a US delegation, led by chief negotiator Brendan Lynch, held several days of talks in Delhi aimed at finalising an interim trade agreement between the two countries.

India's commerce ministry said both sides remained committed to reaching a mutually beneficial bilateral trade pact.

But the talks this week also faced certain unexpected hurdles.

Even as the US delegation was still in Delhi, the US trade department proposed new tariffs on dozens of countries over concerns they were not doing enough to tackle forced labour.

India was on the list, facing an additional 12.5% tariff on its exports to the US.

Delhi has said that the proposed tariffs are not yet final and that the US Trade Representative would consider public comments and testimony before taking a final decision. It added that talks on a broader trade agreement were continuing.

Meanwhile, Trump also repeated his criticism of India's trade policies, saying the country had for years "taken advantage" of the US through high tariffs.

"They charged us tremendous tariffs and paid nothing...Now it is the exact reverse and we are making a lot of money with India," he told reporters on Thursday.

India was among the first countries to open trade talks with the US last year, but a final agreement is yet to be reached.

The two countries agreed to a framework of the interim deal in February and had been expected to finalise it in March. But the talks were overshadowed by uncertainty after the US Supreme Court struck down many of Trump's tariffs, ruling them "illegal".

At one point, the US imposed tariffs of up to 50% on some Indian goods before cutting them to 18% in February. After the top court ruling, they were reduced to 10%.

This slash in duty came after India in February committed to buying more American goods, including energy, aircrafts, technology and agricultural products worth $500bn.

Trump May Resume War With Iran If US Troops Are Killed: Report

WASHINGTON, June 4: US President Donald Trump has privately told aides that he would consider ending the ceasefire with Iran if Tehran kills American troops, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials. For now, however, the ceasefire remains in place despite a series of clashes between the two sides.

The latest fighting has raised concerns about the durability of the ceasefire, which came into effect in early April. This week saw some of the most intense exchanges so far, with Iran launching missiles and drones at US bases in the region as well as Kuwait's international airport, which left one Indian dead.

Despite the violence, Trump appears reluctant to return to a full-scale conflict. Officials said the president may be willing to tolerate limited flare-ups rather than risk a wider war in the Middle East.

Tensions have also remained high around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for global trade and energy supplies. Iran has restricted movement through the waterway, while the US has maintained a blockade on Iranian ports, disrupting shipping and energy markets.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the recent military exchanges as defensive responses rather than a collapse of the ceasefire.

"They are happening in response to an Iranian action," Rubio said during a House hearing on Wednesday. "If they don't shoot at those ships, we don't shoot, but we have to respond."

Even so, repeated attacks have increased pressure on the White House and raised questions about whether the ceasefire can hold over the long term.

Trump has repeatedly said that a broader agreement with Iran is close. The proposed deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, end Iran's nuclear activities and eliminate its stockpile of enriched uranium.

At the same time, the president has indicated that negotiations may take time. In an interview published Wednesday, he suggested the US blockade could continue until Labour Day, though he said that outcome was not certain.

India, US reaffirm commitment to reach trade agreement as talks conclude

NEW DELHI, June 4: India and the United States on Thursday reaffirmed commitment to reach trade agreement following the conclusion of talks in New Delhi. The two countries moved closer to the interim trade deal after four days of talks during US chief negotiator's India visit between June 1 to 4, the government said in a statement.

“A delegation from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), led by the Chief Negotiator, visited India from 1–4 June 2026 to advance discussions on the Trade Agreement,” the statement read.

It further added that during the talks, the two sides held ‘constructive and positive’ discussions on issues such Trade in Goods, Non-Tariff Measures, Customs and Trade Facilitation, Economic Security Alignment and other areas of mutual interest.

“The engagements were marked by a spirit of cooperation and pragmatism, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to concluding a mutually beneficial agreement that strengthens bilateral trade and economic ties,” the government said.

This comes amid the US threat of trade action against 60 countries, including India, after determining that they have failed to impose and effectively enforce prohibitions on the import of goods produced with forced labour.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the USTR said it had concluded under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 that the acts, policies and practices of the 60 economies are "unreasonable and burden or restrict US commerce", making them actionable under American trade law.

India is among 54 economies that, according to the USTR, have failed to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on imports made with forced labour. The list also includes countries such as Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.

"The failure of our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labor is unacceptable. This creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field," US trade representative ambassador Jamieson Greer said in the statement.

Trump says Iran agrees to no nuclear weapons, signals possible meet with Supreme Leader

WASHINGTON, June 3: US President Donald Trump said Iran has agreed not to have a nuclear weapon and that he would probably meet with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khameneiat some point if things "work out".

"They've already agreed they're not going to have a nuclear weapon," Trump told "Pod Force One" in an interview broadcast on Wednesday, while speaking about Iran.

Asked about Khamenei's involvement in talks with the US on ending hostilities, Trump said, "He's involved, absolutely. ... I think they have a lot of respect for him."

Trump said he was hearing Iran's leader was not doing too well but was giving his approval during the negotiations. Trump added that he had not had "the privilege of meeting" Khamenei.

"I'd like to meet him. We probably will meet at some point, depending on how it all works out," Trump said.

The US president said he viewed the Iran war as a success because the country's military had been defeated. The conflict, which began with US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has upended the global energy market and has proven unpopular with Americans months before November congressional elections.

"Iran's a big success," Trump said in the interview. "We'll see what happens. We're going to, we're working on a deal, and that happens fine. If it doesn't happen, that's OK too. We'll do it the other way."

He did not specify what that might mean, but has said in the past that the US would resume strikes.

Trump Plans New Tariffs On India Over 'Forced Labour'

WASHINGTON, June 3: The United States is planning to impose new tariffs on at least 60 trading partners for alleged failures to act against forced labour, as the Donald Trump administration seeks to rebuild its tariff agenda following legal setbacks. The tariffs, proposed by the US Trade Representative (USTR), range from 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent, according to a government filing.

According to the USTR report released early Wednesday, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and the United Kingdom would face 10 per cent tariffs for allegedly failing to enforce a forced labour import ban. A 12.5 per cent additional tariff would be imposed on China, Japan, India, South Korea, Brazil and Switzerland, among other nations.

The new tariffs would not take effect immediately. They are subject to public comment and review. But if implemented, the move would enable US President Donald Trump to skirt limits on his tariffs imposed by the Supreme Court.

The move comes months after Washington launched investigations into trading partners under Section 301 (b)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, seeking to see whether they took action against the import of goods made with forced labour and if this impacted US commerce.

On Tuesday, the USTR said that 54 of the economies "failed to impose and effectively enforce a forced labour import prohibition".

This group includes China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Taiwan, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United Kingdom (UK), among others. Six other economies -- Canada, Ecuador, the EU, Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan -- were deemed not to have effectively enforced such prohibitions.

"The failure of our most important trading partners to address the importation of goods made with forced labour is unacceptable," USTR Jamieson Greer said in a statement.

"This creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally on an unlevel playing field," he added.

But the proposed tariffs come with various exemptions such as beef, coffee and certain fruits and nuts. Goods from Canada and Mexico that comply with a North American free trade pact will also be exempt -- as will certain textiles and apparel.

The public is invited to provide written comments by July 6, and the USTR will subsequently hold hearings.

After the Supreme Court struck down a swath of President Donald Trump's tariffs in February, US officials launched the new trade probes as steps toward imposing more lasting duties.

Apart from the investigations on forced labour, the US trade envoy also started probes on excess industrial capacity.

 

Trump says reports of US-Iran stopping talks ‘false and erroneous’

WASHINGTON, June 2: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the reports of US and Iran halting exchange of messages a few days ago are “false and erroneous.”

“The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today. Where they lead, one never knows, but as I told Iran, “It’s time, one way or another, for you to make a Deal. You’ve been doing this for 47 years, and it cannot be allowed to go on any longer!”” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said there was a possibility that Iran had agreed to negotiate some aspects of its nuclear programme, it was reported.

Rubio said Iran had earlier refused to mention these in talks.

US Secretary of State also said there were indications that Iran's Supreme Leader has been “increasingly engaging” in the negotiations “at some level”.

Rubio said no country was in favour of “what Iran is doing in the strait.” "What they are doing is unlawful and illegal. There isn't a country on earth other than Iran... who is in favor of what Iran is doing in the straits... The whole world is against it," Rubio said, adding that Iran would have to reopen the strait.

US, Iran trade strikes again; Trump says Iran really wants to make a deal

WASHINGTON, June 1: The United States and Iran said they traded strikes straining an already fragile ceasefire as negotiations between the two sides have stalled. The US Central Command said it conducted weekend strikes at Iranian air defences, ground station and drone sites in retaliation to Tehran shooting down a US MQ-1 drone.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they targeted an "air base from which the attack originated" used by the US military, without specifying the location of the base.

The talks to end the conflict between the US and Iran continue even as US President Donald Trump has called for tougher conditions on Iran nuclear enrichment and the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has revealed that "dialogue and an exchange of messages are ongoing" between Tehran and Washington despite the current deadlock in talks.

Trump has said Iran really wanted to make a deal with the US and that it would be a good one for Washington and its allies. His remark comes hours after the US military said it struck Iranian military sites during the weekend.

"Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the U.S.A. and those that are with us," Trump posted on Truth Social. Trump, however, added that it was tougher for him to negotiate with Iran with all the political commentary surrounding the conflict.

Kuwaiti air defence on Monday intercepted missile and drone attacks on as sirens sounded across the country, the state news agency reported.

“The Kuwaiti air defenses are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks. The General Staff of the Army notes that if explosion sounds are heard, they result from the air defense systems intercepting the hostile attacks,” the Kuwaiti military said.

'All major points settled': First tranche of India-US trade deal soon, says Piyush Goyal

NEW DELHI, June 1: Union minister for commerce and industry, Piyush Goyal, on Monday, stated that the first tranche of the bilateral trade deal between India and the United States will be signed soon. Speaking at a press conference, he added that all major points have been settled between the delegations.

"The leaders of both nations had already announced the framework agreement back on February 3rd. All the major points have been settled. US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, recently stated that 99% of the details have been finalised... I am fully confident that we will conclude the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement with the US as soon as possible," said Goyal.

Goyal's remarks come amid fresh talks between Indian and American delegations. A team from the US will arrive in India to finalise the framework of the trade deal. As per the union minister, the meetings between both delegations will be held from June 2 to 4.

As per a spokesperson from the US embassy in India, the US delegation will be led by Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch.

“As Secretary Rubio stated during his recent visit to India, the US government is seeking a trade agreement between the United States and India that will be enduring, beneficial, and sustainable for both countries,” the spokesperson added further.

Last week, US envoy to India Sergio Gor stated that only one percent of the deal is left to be finalised, stating that 99 percent of the deal is ready.

“Our current interim trade agreement is on the table for us to finalise and that will unlock prosperity for both of our countries… India had sent a team to Washington DC to finalise the last 1 % of that trade deal,” Gor said, while speaking on the theme “US-India TRUST Initiative: Advancing partnership in research and innovation”.

Earlier last month, Gor also compared the period of negotiations for the trade deal and compared it with India's free trade agreement with the European Union.

Gor stated that the negotiations between India and the US have lasted for only one and a half years, unlike "19 years with the European Union."

Piyush Goyal further added that the tariff structure between India and the US will be finalised in the deal.

India was facing a 50 percent tariff by the US. As per Trump, 25 per cent of this tariff was implemented due to New Delhi's high levies for Washington. The remaining 25 per cent was added as part of a penalty due to India's purchase of Russian oil during the ongoing Ukraine war.

However, with the announcement of the trade deal in February 2026, the US stated that the tariff against India will be reduced to a final number of 18 per cent.

"The trade deal India is negotiating with the US will take into account legal changes in Washington's tariff structure," Goyal was quoted as saying.

Trump announces Israel, Hezbollah ceasefire

WASHINGTON, June 1: Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to dial back fighting, said Donald Trump, after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and communication with the Lebanese militant group through mediators. Hezbollah agreed to stop attacks and Israel would not strike the group, the US President said.

The announcement came hours after Israel ordered strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs in response to Hezbollah rocket fire and alleged ceasefire violations.

Iran has relayed that a ceasefire in Lebanon is a must for a deal with the United States. In the latest development, Iranian state media has stated that Tehran will move to suspend talks with the US as Israel expands its attacks and military operations in southern Lebanon.

The latest setback comes after the United States and Iran said they traded strikes, which strained the already fragile ceasefire between them, stalling negotiations.