Iran to Trump: 'Ready for dialogue,' but also 'ready to respond like never before' if attacked | LIVE

Iran ready to discuss nuclear issue but with 'finger on the trigger'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that his country's military was ready "with its finger on the trigger" to respond to any U.S. attack, but did not rule out negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.

"Our brave Armed Forces are ready — with their finger on the trigger — to respond immediately and powerfully to ANY aggression against our beloved land, airspace, and waters," Araghchi wrote on X.

"At the same time, Iran has always welcomed a mutually beneficial, fair and equitable NUCLEAR AGREEMENT — on an equal footing, and free from coercion, threats and intimidation — that guarantees Iran's rights to PEACEFUL nuclear technology and ensures the TOTAL absence of NUCLEAR WEAPONS," he added.

Shamkhani says any US military action will lead to Iranian retaliation against the US and Israel

Any military action by the U.S. will lead to Iranian strikes against the U.S., Israel, and those who support them, Ali Shamkhani, advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned on Wednesday.

Rubio claims Iran is 'weaker than ever'

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Iran is "weaker than ever" and expects protests to resume eventually as the U.S. steps up pressure, AFP reports.

"This regime is probably weaker than ever, and the fundamental problem it faces ... is that it has no way to respond to the main demands of the protesters, namely the collapse of their economy," Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

South Lebanon: Israeli fire targets Aitaroun and Blida

The Israeli army fired automatic weapons from its position in Malikiya, south of the Lebanese border, toward the outskirts of Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil) and Blida (Marjayoun), according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

German chancellor says days of Iranian regime are numbered,' during press conference in Berlin

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that the days of the Iranian regime are "numbered," one month after the outbreak of a protest movement that was brutally suppressed by authorities.

"I remain convinced that a regime that can only maintain power by resorting to pure violence and terror against its own people has its days numbered," he said in Berlin, when questioned by the press during a joint conference with his Romanian counterpart Ilie Bolojan. "It could be a matter of weeks," he added.

"This regime has no legitimacy to govern" Iran, he said, echoing Italy's desire to add the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to the European Union's list of terrorist organizations.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani will make this proposal to his EU colleagues on Thursday.

Friedrich Merz said he regretted that "there are still one or two countries in the European Union that are not ready" for this classification.

Gaza: Hamas ready for 'complete transfer of governance' to National Committee established by Trump

Hamas has said it is ready for a "complete transfer of governance" of the Gaza Strip as soon as possible, a spokesman for the Palestinian movement told AFP, insisting on a full reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, "without Israeli obstacles."

"Protocols have been prepared, files have been finalized, and committees are in charge of the operation ... so that we have a complete transfer of governance of the Gaza Strip, in all areas" to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza set up as part of Trump's plan, said Hazem Kassem, Hamas spokesperson inside Gaza.

"But for this to happen, the members of the Committee must be able to travel to the Gaza Strip," Kassem added, calling for the complete reopening, in both directions and "without Israeli obstacles," of the Rafah border crossing between the southern Gaza Strip and Egypt.

Iran ready for dialogue but warns it will defend itself if provoked

Iran’s delegation to the United Nations said the country “stands ready for dialogue,” while warning that it would defend itself if pushed.

“Iran is prepared for dialogue based on mutual respect and shared interests — but if pushed to the extreme, it will defend itself and respond like never before,” the Iranian diplomatic mission said in a statement posted on X.

Netanyahu warns Israel's enemies will 'pay exorbitant price'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday warned Israel's enemies that they would pay a heavy price if they attacked, speaking at the funeral for the last hostage to be recovered from Gaza.

"We are determined to complete our missions: to disarm Hamas and demilitarise Gaza, and we will succeed. Let our enemies know that anyone who raises a hand against Israel will pay an exorbitant price," he told mourners attending the funeral of Ran Gvili, whose remains were returned to Israel this week, AFP reports.

Trump to Iran: Make a deal or next attack will be 'far worse'

On the president's "Truth Social," Trump wrote: "A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela. Like with Venezuela, it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfil its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary."

He added: "Hopefully Iran will quickly 'Come to the Table' and negotiate a fair and equitable deal - NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS - one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!"

Referring to the U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear facilities on the night of June 21–22, 2025, Trump said: "As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t, and there was 'Operation Midnight Hammer,' a major destruction of Iran. The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

FPA criticises Israel court delay on Gaza access

The Foreign Press Association (FPA) has voiced disappointment after Israel’s Supreme Court again postponed a ruling on a petition seeking free and independent press access to Gaza.

FPA said the court appeared to rely on classified security arguments presented behind closed doors, preventing journalists from challenging them.

Israel has barred foreign reporters from independently entering Gaza since the war began in October 2023, allowing only limited military embeds. The court said it would provide an update by March 31.

Rafah crossing expected to open in ‘coming days,’ Israeli media reports

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt is expected to open in the “coming days,” according to Israeli media reports, cited by Al Jazeera.

Israel Army Radio said Palestinians would be allowed to enter and exit Gaza once it reopens, though travellers would face tighter security checks, with Egyptian approval required and intensive Israeli screenings on entry.

Israel’s Walla news site quoted an Israeli army official as saying the crossing could reopen in both directions on Sunday. There has been no official confirmation from Israel’s government.

Trump warns Iraq against return of Maliki

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, once seen as poised for a political comeback, has drawn a sharp warning from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said Washington would halt support for Iraq if Maliki returns to power.

Trump blamed Maliki’s past rule for chaos and the rise of Islamic State, comments Maliki dismissed as blatant U.S. interference.

Despite long-standing accusations that his sectarian policies fuelled instability, Maliki has been nominated by Iraq’s main Shi’ite political bloc, underscoring Baghdad’s delicate balancing act between Washington and Tehran, Reuters reports.

Putin hosts Syrian President Sharaa as Russia seeks to preserve its military bases in Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting Wednesday with his Syrian counterpart, Ahmad al-Sharaa, marking their second encounter since the 2024 overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, a Kremlin ally.

The talks come as Moscow aims to safeguard its military bases in Syria.

This is Sharaa’s second visit to Russia in four months, following a visit in October. “Discussions are planned on the state of bilateral relations and prospects for their development in various fields, as well as the current situation in the Middle East,” the Kremlin said Tuesday.

Earlier this week, Russia withdrew its forces and equipment from Qamishli Airport in Syria’s formerly autonomous Kurdish northeast, where it had maintained a small installation. Moscow had deployed troops there in late 2019 under an agreement with Turkey.

The Russian withdrawal comes as Kurdish forces, which still control Qamishli and several northern cities, recently suffered major setbacks against the Syrian army, losing large parts of northern and northeastern Syria.

US says deported three former IRGC members

The United States has deported three former members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who entered the country illegally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Tuesday, according to AFP.

Activists accuse the IRGC — designated a terrorist organization by the US in 2019 — of leading the repression in Iran.

DHS identified the deported men as Ehsan Khaledi, Mohammad Mehrani, and Morteza Nasirikakolaki, saying they entered the U.S. illegally in 2024. No details were given about their roles.

Israel says Hamas disarmament must happen ‘the hard way’

After receiving all of its captives held in Gaza, Israel has stated that the cease-fire terms will not move forward unless Hamas fully disarms.

Hamas, however, has publicly refused to lay down its weapons. Two Hamas officials told Reuters this week that neither the United States nor mediators have presented the group with any detailed or concrete disarmament proposal.

Avi Dichter, a minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet and former head of Israel’s domestic intelligence service, warned that disputes over disarmament could lead Israel back into war in Gaza.

“We have to get prepared for the war in Gaza,” Dichter said, adding that the disarmament issue “will have to be solved by Israeli troops, the hard way.”

A White House document shared last week indicates that the Trump administration wants heavy weapons decommissioned immediately. The plan would require personal arms to be registered and decommissioned by sector, as police under an interim technocratic administration in Gaza “become capable of guaranteeing personal security.”

Record number of Palestinians displaced in occupied West Bank, UN Reports

More than 37,000 Palestinians were displaced in the occupied West Bank in 2025, marking an unprecedented level of displacement amid record violence by Israeli settlers, the United Nations has warned.

“The territory has seen record levels of displacement and settler violence,” U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said during a press briefing, referring to a new report from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

“Last year, over 37,000 Palestinians were displaced across 2025,” Dujarric noted, emphasizing that most of these displacements resulted from operations carried out in refugee camps.

In the northern West Bank, OCHA also reported more than 1,800 attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in 2025. Since Oct. 7, 2023, over 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by soldiers or settlers.

Dujarric highlighted that this is the highest annual figure ever recorded by the United Nations, marking the ninth consecutive year of rising displacement.

Iran says no recent contact with US envoy amid rising tensions

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi told state media on Wednesday that he had not been in contact with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in recent days, nor requested negotiations.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that another “armada” is heading toward Iran, hoping for a deal.

Aragchi added that while intermediaries are in contact with Tehran, “negotiations don’t go along with threats,” and talks can only happen without menaces or excessive demands.

President Masoud Pezeshkian told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Iran welcomes any process under international law that prevents war, Reuters reports.

Two Palestinians shot by Israeli soldiers in occupied West Bank

Two Palestinians, a brother and sister, were shot by Israeli soldiers after leaving their home in Tulkarem, in the northern occupied West Bank.

Local sources cited by Wafa news agency identified them as Khader Chahada and his 19-year-old sister Sadile Shahada, both children of a Fatah official, and said they were wounded in the legs.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said its teams were initially prevented from providing aid by the Israeli forces on site. The young woman was later evacuated to a hospital for treatment, while her brother was arrested and taken to an unknown location.

Iran executes man accused of spying for Israel

Iran executed a man accused of spying for Israel on Wednesday morning, according to Mizan, the Iranian judiciary’s news outlet, cited by Reuters. The man was identified as Hamidreza Sabet Esmaeilipour.
Mizan said he was arrested on April 29, 2025, and hanged after being convicted of espionage and intelligence cooperation with a hostile service, including the transfer of classified documents, following Supreme Court approval and the completion of legal procedures.
Executions for alleged espionage on behalf of Israel have surged since last year, following the direct war between Tehran and Tel Aviv in June.

Bombs hit Yaroun, homes blown up in Houla and Yarin

The night was tense in southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent.

At dawn, Israeli quadcopter drones dropped four bombs on a building in Yaroun (Bint Jbeil district), after the village had already been hit by two bombs shortly after midnight.

An Israeli army patrol also infiltrated the Sobeih neighborhood of Houla (Marjayoun district) overnight and blew up a house. Another home was demolished in Yarin (Sour district), after Israeli soldiers crossed several hundred meters into Lebanese territory around 11 p.m.

Netanyahu warns Iran of unprecedented response

“If Iran makes the grave mistake of attacking Israel, we will respond with a force Iran has never seen before,” Netanyahu said.
Israel and Iran fought a 12-day war in 2025 after Israel launched unprecedented strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, joined by U.S. attacks on three nuclear facilities.

Israel to focus on ‘disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza,’ says Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will now focus on two goals: disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza, following the return of the last remains of hostages taken on Oct. 7.
He ruled out reconstruction in Gaza until both objectives are achieved, saying the missions would be completed “either the easy way or the hard way.”

Iranian Revolutionary Guard official threatens Hormuz closure

Mohammad Akbarzadeh, a senior naval commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz. He warned neighboring countries would be considered “hostile” if their territory is used to attack Iran.

MBS–Pezeshkian call: Saudi Arabia won’t allow attacks on Iran from its territory

According to The New York Times, U.S. intelligence believes Iran’s leadership is at its weakest point since 1979.

Senator Lindsey Graham said the objective is “to end the regime.”
Iran, however, signaled that communication channels with Washington remain open. In a call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian warned that U.S. threats would only bring instability.

Riyadh reiterated it would not allow its airspace or territory to be used for military action against Iran.

Trump says Iran wants to negotiate as US ‘armada’ arrives

Donald Trump said Iran is seeking talks, even as the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group arrived in the Gulf.
“We have a large armada near Iran,” Trump told Axios, adding that Tehran had reached out repeatedly and “wants to talk."

Welcome to our live coverage of developments in the Middle East, tracking rising U.S.–Iran tensions, as well as the situation in southern Lebanon and Gaza, which continue to face Israeli strikes despite cease-fires.

Catch up on what you missed yesterday, and what to keep an eye out for today by reading our 👉 Morning Brief.