The reported agreement comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following recent exchanges of air strikes and renewed concerns over regional stability and shipping security in the Gulf. According to the Axios report, the proposed understanding would temporarily preserve the ceasefire framework while opening a diplomatic channel focused on Iran’s nuclear activities.

Neither the White House nor Iranian authorities immediately issued public confirmation of the reported arrangement. The U.S. State Department also did not publicly comment on the Axios report.
The development follows remarks by Trump earlier this week indicating dissatisfaction with the pace and scope of negotiations involving Iran.

It also comes after reports of intensified military exchanges between the two countries, underscoring the fragile security environment surrounding any prospective diplomatic process.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was photographed alongside Trump during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, as the administration continued deliberations over Middle East policy and Iran strategy.

Any agreement to reopen structured nuclear negotiations would mark the most significant diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran in years. Previous talks aimed at reviving limits on Iran’s nuclear program had stalled amid disputes over sanctions relief, uranium enrichment levels and regional security guarantees.

Financial markets and regional governments have closely monitored developments involving Iran because of their potential implications for global oil supply routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor for energy exports.

The Axios report said Trump’s final decision remained pending as administration officials reviewed the terms of the proposed understanding.

During a telephone conversation, Motegi stressed the importance of preserving the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran and concluding an agreement swiftly, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry. He also reiterated Japan’s support for ongoing U.S.-Iran dialogue and said Tokyo would continue coordinating with Qatar and the broader international community.

The talks came at a sensitive moment in regional diplomacy following reports that the United States and Iran had reached a preliminary understanding on extending a ceasefire and launching negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, pending final approval from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry said Motegi described the discussion with Sheikh Mohammed as timely given the critical stage of U.S.-Iran relations and praised Qatar’s mediation role in regional diplomacy.

Both ministers emphasized the strategic importance of ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital energy shipping lanes. Concerns over maritime security in the Gulf have intensified in recent weeks amid military tensions involving Iran and the United States.

Motegi also underscored the long-standing energy partnership between Japan and Qatar, requesting continued cooperation to maintain stable energy supplies for Japan, which remains heavily dependent on imported liquefied natural gas and crude oil from the Middle East.
The Japanese minister additionally conveyed condolences over the death of former Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, crediting him with playing a major role in developing Qatar’s liquefied natural gas industry and strengthening bilateral ties.

Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to diplomacy and dialogue as the preferred means of resolving regional disputes, according to statements released after the call. He said Doha would continue working with Tokyo to ease tensions and contribute to stability around the Strait of Hormuz.

The Qatari prime minister also expressed support for expanding bilateral cooperation with Japan, particularly in the energy sector, as both countries pledged continued coordination aimed at promoting long-term peace and stability in the Middle East.

Kuwait’s foreign ministry said in a statement it condemned the “criminal Iranian attacks” targeting the country with missiles and drones, calling the incident a “dangerous escalation.” The statement came after Kuwait’s military announced that air defense systems had intercepted and destroyed hostile aerial threats over the country.

The Kuwaiti army did not initially identify the source of the projectiles, but said explosions heard across parts of the country resulted from interception operations carried out by air defense units. Authorities urged residents to comply with official security and safety instructions.

The U.S. military later described the incident as a serious breach of the ceasefire framework that has largely held since April. United States Central Command said in a statement that the missile strike on Kuwait represented an “egregious ceasefire violation.”

CENTCOM added that Iranian forces had earlier launched five one-way attack drones posing threats in and near the Strait of Hormuz. According to the U.S. military, all five drones were intercepted by American forces, which also prevented the launch of a sixth drone.

Iran acknowledged that U.S. forces had struck what Washington described as an Iranian drone operation threatening military assets and commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran said it subsequently targeted a U.S. air base at approximately 4:50 a.m. GMT following what it characterized as an earlier American strike near Bandar Abbas airport, though Iranian authorities did not specify the location of the base.

The latest exchanges mark one of the most serious escalations since a ceasefire took effect following the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran earlier this year. Despite a reduction in large-scale hostilities since April, Gulf states have continued to report intermittent drone incursions and missile threats originating from regional flashpoints, including Iraq.

Saudi Arabia condemned the attacks through its foreign ministry, denouncing what it called the continuation of “treacherous Iranian attacks” against Kuwait. The United Arab Emirates also issued a statement condemning what it described as “terrorist drone and missile attacks” targeting Kuwaiti territory, calling them a violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty and a threat to regional stability.

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi said the continued attacks violated international law, the United Nations Charter and principles of good-neighborly relations.

The developments come as diplomatic efforts continue over a possible U.S.-Iran understanding aimed at extending the ceasefire and reopening negotiations surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program, though uncertainty remains over the durability of the truce amid continued military activity across the Gulf.

Israel’s attorney general’s office said an indictment against Netanyahu aide Yonatan Urich would be filed in a Tel Aviv court following a hearing process with his legal team.

According to a letter sent to Urich’s lawyers and reviewed by AFP, prosecutors intend to charge him with transmitting classified information, possession and transfer of classified materials, and destruction of evidence.

The investigation centers on the alleged leak of a classified document linked to Israel’s war in Gaza in 2024, in violation of Israeli military censorship regulations.

The leaked material was reportedly used to reinforce Netanyahu’s public position that Hamas was not genuinely pursuing a ceasefire agreement and that hostages seized during the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks could only be freed through sustained military pressure.

Israeli authorities have already indicted two former Netanyahu advisers, Eli Feldstein and Ari Rosenfeld, in connection with the same case.

The legal pressure surrounding Netanyahu’s inner circle has intensified in recent months amid multiple investigations linked to the government’s conduct during the Gaza conflict and allegations involving foreign lobbying.

Urich is also among the figures implicated in the so-called “Qatargate” affair, in which several close Netanyahu associates are suspected of working to promote the interests of Qatar within Israel while Doha played a central mediation role in hostage and ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

Qatar has hosted senior Hamas officials for years and has frequently acted as an intermediary in indirect negotiations involving Israel, Hamas and international mediators during the Gaza war.

Israeli media reports have alleged that a consulting firm headed by Urich, a former spokesperson for Netanyahu’s Likud party, was hired to improve Qatar’s international image ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Separately, Israeli prosecutors said earlier this week they were considering charges against Netanyahu’s former chief of staff Tzachi Braverman for alleged fraud, breach of trust and obstruction of justice related to the classified document leak investigation.

The case adds to mounting political and legal scrutiny surrounding Netanyahu’s administration as Israel continues military operations in Gaza and faces growing domestic divisions over the handling of the war and hostage negotiations.

Speaking to reporters in Limassol, Kallas said the debate over appointing a European envoy for potential peace talks with Russia risked distracting the bloc from maintaining pressure on Moscow and supporting Kyiv. Her remarks came as discussions within Europe intensified over whether and how to re-engage diplomatically with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“It’s a trap that Russia wants us to walk into, that we discuss who talks to them, and they are already picking who is suitable, who is not,” Kallas said. “Let’s not walk into that trap.”

The meeting of EU foreign ministers took place against a shifting geopolitical backdrop, with U.S. President Donald Trump increasingly focused on tensions involving Iran while European officials assessed signs that Putin’s position may be weakening after more than four years of war in Ukraine.

Speculation over possible European negotiators has grown in recent weeks after Putin suggested former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, a longtime ally of the Kremlin leader, could serve in such a role. The proposal was widely rejected across Europe.Several ministers attending the Cyprus talks argued that the European Union should nonetheless prepare for a future negotiating role.

Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said Kyiv expected the bloc to organize itself politically and diplomatically for eventual talks with Moscow.“We should now get ready,” Meinl-Reisinger said, adding that she would push for the EU “to appoint a chief negotiator” capable of representing European interests and coordinating with Ukraine.

Other ministers cautioned against shifting focus away from sanctions, military assistance and diplomatic pressure on Russia. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said the immediate priority should remain increasing costs for Moscow rather than debating representation.“This is not a time when we are discussing who is going to have the negotiations,” Budrys said.

“We have to discuss what we are doing to put additional pressure on Russia.”Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna warned that Europe risked undermining its own position if it moved too quickly toward the role of neutral intermediary. He said the bloc should continue pursuing what he described as “strategic patience” while supporting Ukraine’s objectives.

“Of course we can find, if the time is right, who’s going to represent Europe,” Tsahkna said. “But this is a trap now that Putin wants to bring Europe in.”He added that no immediate breakthrough in negotiations appeared likely.

“Whoever would like to go right now this guy is not going to have a Nobel Prize, because there won’t be any serious talks,” he said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla during talks in New York that Beijing would support Cuba’s sovereignty and economic development, according to Chinese state media. Wang said China opposed “all forms of power politics and bullying,” in remarks widely seen as directed at Washington.

The comments come as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Cuba through sanctions, legal action and restrictions on Venezuelan oil shipments to the island. Washington last week indicted former Cuban president Raul Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian U.S. aircraft, a move condemned by Beijing.

China has expanded economic support for Cuba in recent months, including rice shipments and agricultural cooperation agreements, as Havana struggles with fuel shortages and economic strain linked to U.S. sanctions.

Abela called the early election last month, arguing that Malta needed a renewed mandate to navigate growing geopolitical uncertainty and shield its import-dependent economy from external shocks. Opinion surveys place Labour comfortably ahead of the opposition Nationalist Party led by Alex Borg.

The Mediterranean island nation, heavily reliant on tourism, financial services and online gaming, faces mounting pressure from rising energy costs due to the Iran conflict. The government has pledged an additional 250 million euros in subsidies to contain energy prices.

Domestic concerns have also dominated the campaign, including rapid population growth, overdevelopment, pressure on healthcare services and allegations of corruption. A 2025 Council of Europe report said Malta remained behind European standards in tackling graft.

Abela, who became prime minister in 2020 after the resignation of his predecessor during the fallout from journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination, is also facing renewed scrutiny ahead of the upcoming trial of businessman Yorgen Fenech, accused of orchestrating the 2017 killing.

The Bamy Hotel on Bioko Island, owned by the family of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has housed at least 32 deportees since late 2025, many of whom had previously received protection orders from U.S. immigration judges, the report said. Most have since been deported to African countries they fled, despite fears of persecution.

Migrants from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Angola and Mauritania described psychological pressure, restricted movement and uncertainty over their fate while being held inside the largely empty hotel. Several detainees told AP they feared imprisonment or death if returned home.

The Trump administration has expanded third-country deportation agreements with developing nations as part of its immigration crackdown. Rights advocates argue the policy circumvents asylum protections by transferring migrants to countries with poor human rights records.

Washington declined to comment on details of the arrangement with Equatorial Guinea, while the State Department said it remained committed to ending “illegal and mass immigration.” Equatorial Guinea’s government did not respond to requests for comment

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The oil-rich Central African nation, ruled by Obiang for more than four decades, has long faced criticism from rights groups and U.S. officials over allegations of corruption, repression and abuses against dissidents.

The blaze erupted around 1 a.m., prompting emergency rescue operations as firefighters and police evacuated students and searched the damaged dormitory for survivors, according to Capital FM radio.

Regional police commander Samuel Ndanyi said rescue teams were continuing operations at the school, while county police official Masoud Mwinyi described the incident as “distressing and saddening” as anxious parents gathered outside the campus.

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire.The tragedy has renewed concerns over school safety standards in Kenya following a series of deadly boarding school fires. In 2024, 21 students died in a dormitory blaze at a primary school in neighboring Nyeri county.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Pashinyan as “a great friend and leader” and endorsed his re-election bid, citing shared goals of “peace and prosperity” in the South Caucasus.

The endorsement comes as Armenia seeks to reduce its historic dependence on Russia following Azerbaijan’s 2023 takeover of the Karabakh region, which triggered the exodus of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians.

Trump also highlighted the planned “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), a transit corridor agreed under a U.S.-brokered peace framework that would link Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory.

Trump said the corridor would expand regional connectivity and create opportunities for U.S. energy companies to access routes stretching from Central Asia toward global markets.

Pashinyan thanked Trump in a post on X, while the endorsement followed a visit to Armenia by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a regional diplomatic tour.