President Trump warned that he would “unleash hell” on Iran if Tehran does not accept a deal to end the war, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, asserting the U.S. would strike Iran harder than ever if it fails to acknowledge its military defeat. The White House also said talks with Iran are continuing, with senior officials describing negotiations as “productive,” even as Iranian state media and military spokespeople publicly rejected U.S. terms and ridiculed claims of meaningful negotiations.
Diplomatic and military developments
– Iran rejected a 15-point U.S. plan conveyed via an intermediary and offered a five-point counterproposal reportedly calling for an end to killings of Iranian officials, guarantees against further attacks, reparations, cessation of hostilities and recognition of Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz — elements unlikely to be acceptable to Washington. Iranian state media called U.S. terms “excessive and disconnected from reality.”
– U.S. and allied officials, including CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper, said the operation remains “on plan or ahead of plan,” claiming thousands of targets struck and severe damage to Iran’s naval and missile production capabilities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the campaign as part of pressure in negotiations, saying “we negotiate with bombs.”
– The U.S. has reportedly struck Iran’s Underwater Research Center, which Israel said was Iran’s only submarine-making facility, and Israeli strikes also targeted naval cruise missile production sites in Tehran.
– Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they fired missiles at Israel and at bases hosting U.S. forces in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain. The Lebanese military said fragments recovered from a missile that burst north of Beirut resembled an Iranian-made Qadr 110 that may have been headed toward Cyprus.
– Hezbollah rejected calls for truce talks and insisted negotiating under fire would be “surrender.” Israel said it was expanding a buffer zone inside Lebanon and reported intercepting rockets aimed at central Israel. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continued across border areas.
– The International Atomic Energy Agency reported no damage to Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant after a projectile struck its premises; Iran said the plant and staff were unharmed.
– The UAE said it intercepted nine Iranian drones and reported no missile attacks that day; UAE officials have said their air defenses have engaged hundreds of incoming missiles and drones since the conflict began.
U.S. politics and oversight
– President Trump said he avoids using the word “war” because of the constitutional requirement for congressional authorization, preferring “military operation,” though he has at times described the conflict as a war and claimed it “has been won.” Senate Democrats have held votes seeking to end U.S. offensive operations absent congressional authorization, but such measures have fallen short.
– Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), chair of the House Armed Services Committee, said lawmakers are not getting enough answers from the Pentagon after a classified briefing. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) accused House Republicans of acting as a “rubber stamp” for the administration after a failed attempt to subpoena senior officials to testify about the lead-up to the war.
– House Speaker Mike Johnson said the operation is “wrapping up” and that objectives have been met, while acknowledging the need for international help to restore access to the Strait of Hormuz. Johnson denied that a large-scale ground invasion is intended even as additional U.S. troops are deployed.
Troops, casualties and regional reactions
– CENTCOM said nearly 300 U.S. service members have been wounded since the fighting began; most have returned to duty, while a number remain seriously wounded.
– The Pentagon is expected to deploy elements of the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, including a command element and ground forces numbering fewer than 1,500, according to officials.
– The husband of Army Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, one of six U.S. soldiers killed in a strike in Kuwait, spoke about her service and leadership; her death highlights U.S. casualties tied to the conflict.
– Iraq condemned an airstrike it said hit a military clinic near Habbaniyah, killing and wounding service members; Iraq called the attack a violation of international law and warned of consequences.
International institutions and markets
– U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres urged an immediate end to the war, warning of widespread civilian harm, regional destabilization and global economic impacts, including disruptions to oil, gas and fertilizer supplies amid planting season.
– Stock markets and oil prices reacted to presidential statements suggesting progress in talks: oil futures fell more than 5% and major world indices rose on hopes of de-escalation, even as the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed to most shipping.
Regional actors and militia activity
– Hezbollah claimed it launched dozens of attacks on Israeli forces and fired rockets at central Israel; Israeli media reported interceptions. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected negotiated settlements under fire and called for national unity.
– Iran’s parliamentary speaker warned against testing Iran’s resolve as U.S. troop movements continue. An Iranian military spokesperson mocked U.S. negotiation claims, saying Americans are “negotiating with themselves” and portraying U.S. strategy as failed.
– Lebanon’s president proposed direct negotiations with Israel to end fighting; Israel rebuffed the initiative, and Lebanon’s government has faced pressure amid strikes and cross-border attacks.
Defense industry and logistics
– The Pentagon announced framework agreements with major defense contractors — Honeywell, Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems — intended to surge production of munitions, missile interceptors and critical components and to “put the defense industrial base on a wartime footing.” Details on total costs and funding mechanisms were not disclosed.
Information and scrutiny
– Unusual trading activity in oil futures minutes before President Trump’s market-moving post about talks prompted scrutiny from financial market experts concerned about potential insider trading.
– Iranian state and military media continued to frame U.S. actions as strategic failure while asserting Iran will end the war on its own terms.
Outlook
– U.S. officials say they are pressing Iran to accept terms to end hostilities while maintaining the military pressure that, according to them, has degraded Iran’s capabilities. Tehran publicly rejects U.S. proposals and insists any settlement must align with its conditions. International leaders and the U.N. have appealed for restraint as fighting continues across multiple fronts and the risk of wider regional escalation persists.