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Iran live updates: US-Iran talks ongoing, Israel advances in Lebanon
Several weeks of peace talks are yet to produce a resolution to the conflict.
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.
Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan in April failed to reach a peace deal.
Trump later announced the open-ended extension of the ceasefire and the continuation of a U.S. blockade until negotiations are concluded "one way or the other."
Key Headlines
- Death toll in Lebanon now 3,412 from Israeli attacks, health ministry says
- Any deal with US must secure 'rights of the Iranian people,' Ghalibaf says
- IDF advances north of Litani River, approaches city of Nabatieh
- 'Suspected' mine reported in Strait of Hormuz, Omani authorities say
- Hegseth calls talks with Iran 'productive'
Trump admin sanctions Iranian agency controlling strait
The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned the Persian Gulf Strait Authority — the entity created by Iran to manage and charge for passage through Strait of Hormuz.
Prior to this move, the Treasury Department had already warned that providing payment to the PGSA for passage through the strait could open the payer up to sanctions risks, and that firms that facilitate financing could be subject to secondary sanctions. The move to formalize the sanctions is a potential sign the administration could seek to step up enforcement of the penalties.
-ABC News’ Shannon K. Kingston
Rubio holds call with Lebanese president
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun held a call on Friday, during which Rubio "reiterated that Hizballah is entirely responsible for the ongoing fighting” in the country, according to the U.S. State Department.
The readout makes no mention of the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel but says Rubio "commended President Aoun’s courage and vision in pursuing direct negotiations with Israel” during their conversation.
Negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are set to resume in Washington next week.
-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston
Situation Room meeting has ended, White House says
President Donald Trump's meeting in the Situation Room about the possible draft deal with Iran has ended, according to a White House official.
-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart
Negotiations still ongoing but agreement text has not been finalized, Iranian Foreign Ministry says
Negotiations between Iran and the U.S. are still ongoing and a text for a memorandum of understanding, an agreement, "has not yet been finalized," Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Friday.
"What the Americans refer to as a 'maritime blockade' was an illegal action from the very beginning, both a violation of the ceasefire and an obstruction of international freedom of navigation. We need to see in practice whether they will actually follow through on this statement or if it is merely a propaganda claim," Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Iran’s State TV Friday.
"Regarding an agreement, as I said, as I speak to you now, message exchanges are continuing, but no final agreement has been reached," he said.