US Isreal Iran War Latest News: The United States is still waiting for Iran’s official response to a new proposal aimed at ending more than two months of military conflict and opening the door for broader peace negotiations.
According to reports, the proposal focuses on stopping the ongoing fighting before moving toward more difficult discussions, including issues related to Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security concerns.
US President Donald Trump had earlier said he expected Tehran to respond by Friday night to Washington’s latest offer. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also stated that Iran’s reply was expected within hours.
However, by Saturday, no formal response from Iran had been publicly announced.
US Isreal Iran War Latest News: Lebanon Airstrikes Continue Despite Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire
At the same time, tensions continued to rise across the Middle East as Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed at least 20 people in southern Lebanon. According to Lebanese state-run media, one civil defence rescuer was also among those killed in the attacks.
The latest strikes took place despite an existing ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, raising concerns about the possibility of further escalation in the region. The ongoing violence has added pressure to already fragile diplomatic efforts involving Iran, Israel and several regional powers.
Bernie Sanders Criticises Trump Administration Over Iran War Costs
US Senator Bernie Sanders strongly criticised the Trump administration on Saturday over the projected cost of the conflict involving Iran. Sanders accused the administration of misleading the public about the financial impact of the war.
“The Trump Administration said that the war in Iran will cost $25 billion. That’s a lie,” Sanders said. “This war could cost over $1 trillion—thousands of dollars for every household in America. Invest in housing, education, and health care—not illegal and unconstitutional wars.” His remarks added to growing political debate in the United States over military spending and Washington’s role in the Middle East conflict.
US Isreal Iran War Latest News: Iran Confirms Participation in FIFA World Cup 2026
Amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions, Iran’s football federation confirmed that the country will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Iranian football officials, however, stressed that the host nations must address Tehran’s concerns regarding visas, travel permissions, and the treatment of Iranian players and officials.
Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran president Mehdi Taj said, “All players and technical staff, especially those who served their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, should be granted visas without problems.”
He also stated that Iran had already submitted conditions linked to participation in the tournament, including security guarantees and fair treatment for Iranian representatives.
According to Iranian media reports, Taj said the country would participate in the World Cup “without retreating from our beliefs, culture and convictions.”
US Isreal Iran War Latest News: Canada Earlier Denied Entry to Iranian Football Official
The latest comments from Iranian football authorities came after Canadian officials reportedly denied entry to Mehdi Taj last month ahead of a FIFA Congress event.
Reports suggested the decision was linked to Taj’s previous connections with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by both the United States and Canada.
The incident further increased diplomatic tensions surrounding Iran’s participation in international sporting events.
US Isreal Iran War Latest News: Marco Rubio Reaffirms US Support for Qatar
As regional tensions continued, Marco Rubio met Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister on Saturday to discuss security cooperation and regional stability.
The meeting came as Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned the United States and its allies in West Asia against further military escalation. Following the discussions, Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Qatar’s defence and regional partnership.
“Our partnership is important to deterring threats and promoting stability in the Middle East,” he wrote on X. The talks highlighted Qatar’s growing role as a key mediator and strategic ally amid the ongoing crisis in the region.
