Iran live updates: Trump says Iran 'desperately' wants to meet for ceasefire talks amid new strikes

 

Iran live updates: Trump says Iran 'desperately' wants to meet for ceasefire talks amid new strikes

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.

Delegations from the U.S. and Iran entered negotiations in June aimed at a war-ending deal based on a memorandum of understanding signed by both countries.

The U.S. and Iran have nonetheless continued to exchange strikes, with the strategic Strait of Hormuz the primary flashpoint.

Many ship owners refusing to transit through alternate route after Houthi threats, shipping executive says

Even the threat of attacks by the Houthis is having an impact on ships transiting through the Bab el Mandeb route -- a strait in the Red Sea's southern gateway and one of the world's most important oil shipping routes for crude and fuel shipments moving between the Middle East, Europe and Asia -- according to a ship fleet company executive who has seven tankers in the region.

"There is no transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Also as of today the Bab el Mandeb transits into the Red Sea are also uncertain as Houthis have sent messages to many companies banning transit to Saudi ports," the executive told ABC News.

We deal with uncertainty on a daily basis but the level of uncertainty now is unprecedented. Especially for the seafarers this is a nightmare. This is a huge concern for the world because if the Bab el Mandeb closes while the Strait of Hormuz is closed oil will go to 150!" the executive said.

The executive said it is "too risky" to go through the Arabian Gulf, adding that the "Red Sea transit has become an unknown. No incidents as yet but clear threats and instructions from Houthis not to head to/from Saudi ports."

-ABC News' Desiree Adib

Trump says Iran 'desperately' wants to meet for ceasefire talks amid new strikes

President Donald Trump insisted on Tuesday that Iran "desperately" wants to meet for ceasefire talks despite the U.S. and Iran exchanging limited strikes for over a week.

But, Trump maintained that the war is not yet over telling reporters at the White House, "We're not finished."

"We're not leaving," Trump said.

Crew members in Kuwaiti tanker injured in Iranian attack

Multiple crew members were injured in Iranian strikes on a Kuwaiti tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening, Kuwait’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The ministry said it had summoned Iran’s ambassador to Kuwait to protest the alleged attack.

"The State of Kuwait renewed its demand for Iran to immediately cease its illegitimate attacks, emphasizing Kuwait's reservation of its right to take necessary measures, and holding Iran fully responsible for this aggression and its ongoing assaults against the State of Kuwait," Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Tuesday.

6:28 AM CST

Pentagon names soldier killed in Iraq by downed Iranian drone

The Pentagon on Tuesday identified the soldier killed in Iraq over the weekend during the disposal of a downed Iranian one-way attack drone.

Army Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, died during the controlled detonation of the drone at Erbil Air Base, Iraq, the Pentagon said.

Swinton was assigned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

At least 17 U.S. troops have been killed since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks against Iran on Feb. 28, while some 500 others have been wounded, according to Defense Department figures and an updated casualty count provided by Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell on Monday.

Army Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, died during the controlled detonation of the drone at Erbil Air Base, Iraq, the Pentagon said.

US Army

One service member also remains missing following last week's attack in Jordan, where officials are still working to identify human remains recovered at the scene.

-ABC News' Steve Beynon

5:40 AM CST

Kuwait says Iranian attacks damaged power, desalination facilities

Several power generation and water desalination plants in Kuwait came under attack from Iran for the fourth consecutive day late on Monday, causing fires at a number of facilities, the Ministry of Electricity said in a statement.

Several generating units were taken offline as a precaution to protect equipment and maintain the stability of Kuwait's electricity and water systems, the statement said.

-ABC News' Ayat Altawy and Othon Leyva

5:14 AM CST

Jordan intercepts 3 Iranian missiles

Air defenses in Jordan intercepted three Iranian missiles on Tuesday afternoon, the Jordanian Armed Forces said in a statement.

No injuries or damage were reported, the military said. The announcement came hours after the military announced it downed five Iranian drones overnight.

-ABC News' Othon Leyva

5:07 AM CST

IDF 'adjusts force posture' as Lebanese military begins pilot program

An Israeli military official told ABC News on Tuesday that the Israel Defense Forces "will adjust its force posture" in one of the south Lebanon villages earmarked for a U.S.-backed pilot scheme, through which the Lebanese military will take control of the villages and clear them of Hezbollah presence and weapons.

The Lebanese Armed Forces will take control of three villages in the south of the country under the program, which was agreed during U.S.-brokered talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials last month.

The IDF, the Israeli military official said, will continue "safeguarding the security of IDF soldiers and preserving its right to self-defense and to remove threats."

A Lebanese army armored vehicle enters the southern Lebanese village of Zawtar on July 21, 2026.

Fadel Itani/AFP via Getty Images

The IDF, they added, will remain in southern Lebanon "for as long as necessary to defend the communities of northern Israel" and will "retain the freedom of operation to remove threats posed to the soldiers deployed in the Security Zone," a reference to a 6-mile-deep area along the shared border which Israeli forces have occupied.

"In the event of any violations of the agreement by the Hezbollah terrorist organization, the IDF will work through the coordination mechanism, mediated by the United States," the official said. "The objective of the pilot and the agreement is the disarmament of the Hezbollah terrorist organization and the removal of its illegal weapons," they added.

The LAF said in a post to X on Tuesday that its forces had begun deploying to the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, in the southern Nabatieh Governorate.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Othon Leyva

4:16 AM CST

Jordan says it intercepted drones launched from Iran

Jordan's Ministry of Government communication said in a post to social media that the country's air defenses intercepted five Iranian drones on Monday night and Tuesday morning.

-ABC News' Charlotte Gardiner and Joe Simonetti

4:11 AM CST

IRGC says 'not a drop of oil or gas' will transit Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed on Tuesday morning that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to commercial traffic.

"Not a single drop of oil or gas, nor any shipment of chemical fertilizers, will be exported from the region as long as the United States continues its hostile actions," the force said in a statement.

Vessels are pictured in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on July 21, 2026.

Stringer/Reuters

-ABC News' Nasser Atta and Joe Simonetti

3:51 AM CST

Bahrain sounds air raid sirens

Bahrain's Interior Ministry said on Tuesday morning that air raid sirens were sounded, urging residents "to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place."

2:49 AM CST

State Department issues 'worldwide caution' for Americans due to Middle East war

The State Department issued a "worldwide caution" for American citizens early on Tuesday "due to heightened tensions in the Middle East."

"The security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation," read the statement, which was shared by regional embassies. "Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for possible flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures and potential travel disruptions."

"Please monitor embassy and consular security alerts, local authorities, and the news for breaking developments. Americans outside the Middle East should reconsider travel to and through the region," it added.

"U.S. diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted. Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world," the statement said.

1:14 AM CST

CENTCOM launched 10th consecutive night of strikes on Iran

U.S. Central Command said late on Monday that it completed its 10th consecutive night of strikes on Iran.

The attacks targeted "Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems to degrade Iran's ability to continue attacking commercial vessels flowing through the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM said in a post to X.

This photo shows an explosion at an unknown location during what U.S. Central Command said were are strikes on Iran, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on July 20, 2026.

U.s. Central Command/via Reuters

-ABC News' Alex Ederson

Jul 20, 2026, 2:29 PM CST

US attacks Iran

At 4 p.m. ET, the U.S. began attacking Iran with another volley of strikes for the 10th consecutive day. CENTCOM said the “strikes are designed to further degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz."

U.S. Central Command launching the ninth consecutive evening of precision strikes against Iran, July 19, 2026.

U.S. Central Command

-ABC News' Steven Beynon

Jul 20, 2026, 12:53 PM CST

Jordan says 3 missiles from Iran intercepted

The Jordanian Armed Forces said three missiles launched from Iran have been intercepted, according to Jordan’s state TV.

Jul 20, 2026, 12:26 PM CST

Lebanese president to visit White House on Tuesday

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will visit the White House on Tuesday, a White House official confirmed, marking his first face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump.

The U.S. has tried to treat Lebanon as a separate conflict from the Iran war, with Trump saying in April that the deal with Iran “is not in any way tied to Lebanon.” But Iran has made clear that Lebanon is a sticking point in any negotiation, and last month’s memorandum of understanding promised an end to military operations, including in Lebanon. Despite the MOU falling apart, Lebanon-Israel talks -- brokered by the U.S. -- were held in Rome last week, with a State Department official calling it “productive and positive discussions.”

Aoun met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, and the State Department announced a step forward in the implementation of the framework agreement on Monday, saying pilot zone operations had begun in three villages in Lebanon.

Aoun’s office said he will focus on trying to “consolidate the ceasefire, restore security and stability to Lebanon,” as well as the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

-ABC News' Emily Chang

Jul 20, 2026, 11:36 AM CST

Trump says Iran 'will pay' for killing US troops

President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran on Monday following the deaths of three American servicemembers this weekend-- saying Iran "will pay" every time they kill Americans.

"Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!" Trump wrote.

But the president did not elaborate on how Iran will "pay," or whether there will be consequences separate from the ongoing strikes that have hit the country the past nine consecutive nights.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after landing in Air Force One, July 19, 2026 in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Sunday night, Trump said the U.S. had struck Iran "in honor" of the fallen U.S. servicemembers.

In his post Monday, Trump added that "this directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the Military"-- though it is unclear exactly what consequence to Iran is outlined in this alleged "directive."

--ABC News' Emily Chang and Michelle Stoddart

Jul 20, 2026, 11:32 AM CST

Trump to attend dignified transfer of fallen US service members Tuesday

President Donald Trump will attend the dignified transfer ceremony of the fallen U.S. service members at Dover Air Force Base on Tuesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on social media.

Undated photos of First Lt. Tyler James Feehan and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales who died in an attack in Jordan.

U.S. Army

"President Trump will attend the dignified transfer of our fallen heroes tomorrow evening at Dover Air Force Base," Leavitt said.

"The President and the entire White House are praying for their families," Leavitt added.

-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart

Jul 20, 2026, 9:20 AM CST

Rubio says 'growing split' in Iran interfering with diplomacy

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that Iran is continuing to send messages "directly and through multiple channels with other countries," indicating it was willing to negotiate, and that the U.S. remains open to diplomacy -- but he noted that a "growing split" in Iran’s system complicates that.

"So, they’ll have to work out that split internally. We’re going to continue to respond," he said.

Rubio said the current military mission is solely focused on responding to Iran’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.

"The only reason why the U.S. is conducting strikes is against assets of Iran that are being used to attack global commercial shipping," Rubio said. "Other countries should join us in this effort, but the United States is involved not just in protecting those ships but in targeting the places that they use to launch these missiles and drones."

Rubio also spoke about the service members killed.

"The mission they carry out is very, very dangerous," he said. "Our hearts go out to the families of the heroes that paid the ultimate price."

-ABC News’ Shannon Kingston

Jul 20, 2026, 6:30 AM CST

Trump says US hit Iran 'hard' in honor of service members killed

President Donald Trump said the U.S. hit Iran "hard" in honor of the U.S. service members who were killed by Iran over the weekend.

U.S. Central Command said two service members were killed in an attack on Jordan on Friday, and that a third service member remained missing. Another service member was killed in Iraq on Saturday, CENTCOM said.

Trump said on Sunday the U.S. lost "great patriots," but said the mission of ending Iran's nuclear capabilities would carry on -- claiming that U.S. forces started another wave of attacks against Iran "in honor" of the service members lost.

"Well, we feel very badly, but you know those great people, those great patriots, were out there fighting that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Iran has been very, very badly damaged," Trump told reporters after flying back from the World Cup final in New Jersey.

"We hit them very hard again tonight, and we did that in honor of the probably three -- It's probably three as opposed to two. Great patriots," Trump said.

-ABC News' Devin Garbitt and Isabella Murray

Jul 20, 2026, 5:57 AM CST

Iran ready to face the US, Ghalibaf says

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament and the leader of Tehran's peace talks delegation, said in a statement posted on social media on Monday that "Americans keep bringing new military equipment to the region and claim they're after stopping the war."

Iran, Ghalibaf added, is ready to face the U.S.

"We've reached the stage of mastery in recognizing these American games, and on that basis, we've prepared ourselves. Actions must confirm claims, not contradict them," he wrote.

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule

Jul 20, 2026, 5:07 AM CST

Pentagon releases names of 2 service members killed in Jordan attack

The Pentagon on Monday identified two soldiers killed in Friday's Iranian missile and drone attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.

Among them was Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas, the Pentagon said. Gonzales was assigned to 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air Missile Defense Command, Ansbach, Germany.

An undated photo of Pvt. Isabella Gonzales who died in an attack in Jordan.

US Army

1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, died on July 18, from wounds sustained in the attack the day before. Feehan was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 32nd Army Air Missile Defense Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the Pentagon said.

An undated photo of First Lt. Tyler James Feehan who died in an attack in Jordan.

U.S. Army

A third U.S. service member remains missing following the attack. U.S. Central Command, which oversees troops in the Middle East, said human remains recovered at the scene are undergoing identification.

Separately, another U.S. service member was killed in Iraq on Saturday in an incident involving the disposal of a downed Iranian drone, according to CENTCOM.

The Pentagon typically withholds the identities of deceased troops until at least 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.

-ABC News’ Steven Beynon

Jul 20, 2026, 3:56 AM CST

UKMTO says ship on fire in Strait of Hormuz after attack

The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported that a vessel was on fire in the southern route area of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday morning, near Oman's coast.

The vessel "was struck by an unknown projectile," the UKMTO said in its report. "The crew safely abandoned the vessel and have been recovered by a tug boat. The fire has not been extinguished and the vessel is currently adrift. There is no reported environmental impact."

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule

Jul 20, 2026, 3:12 AM CST

US will 'face the consequences' of any Kharg Island operation, Iran official says

The U.S. will "face the consequences" if it launches any ground operation to seize Iran's Kharg Island, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday, during his weekly press conference.

Asked about President Donald Trump's threats to seize the strategically-located island in the northern Persian Gulf, Baghaei said there are people in Iran who are "counting down the minutes to welcome" U.S. forces.

Baghaei told reporters that Iran's implementation of the memorandum of understanding with the U.S. "became practically impossible" as a result of the recent resumption in fighting.

Asked whether the MOU was now void, Baghaei said, "An understanding or agreement has value and validity as long as its parties adhere to their obligations; otherwise, it will be nothing more than a document on paper."

This satellite image shows an oil terminal on Kharg Island, Iran, on February 25, 2026.

2026 Planet Labs Pbc/via Reuters

"This agreement was formed on the basis of mutual obligations, and with its violation by the United States, its implementation by Iran became practically impossible," Baghaei added.

Asked about Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying on Sunday that the U.S. was open to diplomacy with Iran, Baghaei said Iran does not believe the U.S. is negotiating in good faith.

"When the US talks about diplomacy, it means imposition, intimidation, threats and sanctions, and certainly as long as they are in this space and seek to impose their demands on the Iranian nation, our response will definitely be to defend Iran's dignity and national sovereignty," Baghaei said.

"The guarantee of implementing any treaty and agreement is the power of the parties, and we are determined to make this tool more powerful day by day," he added.

Baghaei also repeated Tehran's long-time assertion that Iran is "determined to take the necessary measures to exercise our sovereignty and to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz is not abused to harm our interests."

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule

Jul 20, 2026, 2:32 AM CST

Iran FM says war must end when Tehran has 'upper hand'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the IRNA state news agency in an interview on Monday that the war with the U.S. "must be ended exactly at the point where you have the upper hand in the field."

"The end of the war is possible either through absolute military victory or through negotiations," Araghchi said.

"The right time to negotiate is precisely when you have achieved a reliable field and strategic achievement on the military front," he added. "A politician must always ask this fundamental question: will continuing the war increase the achievements or the losses?"

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule