U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran鈥檚 foreign minister said Friday that the . Iran鈥檚 top diplomat Abbas Araghchi said the strategic waterway 鈥渋s declared completely open,鈥� in line with the new ceasefire in Lebanon, and Trump said the strait is 鈥渞eady for full passage.鈥�
However, Trump added that the U.S. on Iranian ships and ports 鈥渨ill remain in full force鈥� until Iran reaches a deal with Washington to end the war.
after Iran said the strait is open, allowing tankers to resume shipments from the Persian Gulf. Stocks are heading for a third straight weekly gain, on hopes the U.S. and Iran can avoid a worst-case scenario for the global economy.
A 10-day began at midnight and appears to be holding after more than a month of war between Israel and Hezbollah, although the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group is not a party to the deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is with Hezbollah. The militant group said its response will depend on how events unfold.
The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, nearly 2,300 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed.
Here is the latest:
Trump rejects notion of tolls by Iran on Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump flatly rejected the idea when a reporter asked about the prospect of restrictions or tolls managed by Iran on the Strait of Hormuz.
鈥淣ope. No way. No. Nope,鈥� Trump said. He said there can鈥檛 be tolls along with restrictions. 鈥淣o, they鈥檙e not going to be tolls.鈥�
More than 20 ships turned back by US blockade
US Central Command says that since the began on Monday, 21 ships returned to Iran at the direction of U.S. forces.
U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier on Friday that the of Iranian ports would remain 鈥渋n full force鈥� until Iran reaches a deal with the U.S., including on .
Australia says opening of Strait of Hormuz is 鈥榩ositive news鈥�
鈥淲e hope that it certainly holds. This was positive news that we received last night,鈥� Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.
鈥淏ut we know that it鈥檚 very fragile and we don鈥檛 assume the best. What we do is prepare as best we can for the uncertainty which is there,鈥� Albanese added.
Israel experiences first 24 hours without incoming strikes since Iran war started
It鈥檚 been more than 24 hours since air raid sirens went off in any part of Israel 鈥� and that last time, very early on Friday morning in a small community at the border with Lebanon, turned out to be a mistaken identification.
Since the Iran war started on Feb. 28, Iran, then Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants and eventually the Houthis in Yemen sent barrages of missiles and rockets into Israel, sometimes more than a dozen times a day. Hezbollah kept up firing right until a ceasefire went into effect Friday.
In Israel鈥檚 major metropolitan areas of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, but also in villages in the country鈥檚 desert south and hilly north, sirens and alerts sent residents to bomb shelters and safe rooms throughout the day and night.
The strikes have killed 23 people and wounded about 600 more, according to Israel鈥檚 emergency services.
Iran warns US blockade risks fresh Strait of Hormuz closure
Iran鈥檚 parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf posted on X early Saturday that if the U.S. blockade continued, 鈥渢he Strait of Hormuz will not remain open.鈥�
On Friday, Iran had said it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, but U.S. President Donald Trump said the on Iranian ships and ports would 鈥渞emain in full force鈥� until Tehran reaches a deal with the U.S.
And a data firm, Kpler, said later Friday that movement through the strait remained confined to corridors requiring Iran鈥檚 approval.
Trump says US will go into Iran and excavate uranium
鈥淭he USA will get all the nuclear dust,鈥� Trump said in a speech in Arizona. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to get it by going in with Iran with lots of excavators.鈥�
Iran has yet to confirm that its agreed to give up the 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium believed to be buried under nuclear sites badly damaged by U.S. military strikes last year.
Giving up the uranium and agreeing to U.S. troops entering Iranian territory would be huge concessions by Iran.
Trump insisted that 鈥渘o money will exchange hands in any way, shape or form鈥� as part of a potential deal with Iran to end the war.
China willing to take custody of highly enriched uranium from Iran, AP source says
China is open to taking possession or downgrading some 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium that Trump says must be removed from Iran as part of a deal to end the war, according to a diplomat familiar with Beijing鈥檚 thinking on the matter.
At the moment, it appears Trump wants the U.S. to take custody of the material that is believed buried under nuclear sites badly damaged in an American bombardment last June.
But China, which is Iran鈥檚 biggest trading partner, is signaling it would be open if asked by Washington and Tehran to take the uranium or down-blend to levels that could be used for civilian applications, said the diplomat who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.
In 2015, under the Joint Comprehensive Plan for Action, Iran shipped approximately 25,000 pounds (11,000 kg) of low-enriched uranium to Russia to meet an essential requirement to fulfill that nuclear deal. 鈥� By Aamer Madhani
USS Ford returns to the Middle East
The world鈥檚 largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, has again entered the waters of the Middle East, two defense officials told the Associated Press.
The Ford, which until recently was operating in the Eastern Mediterranean, transited the Suez Canal, along with a pair of destroyers, the USS Mahan and the USS Winston S. Churchill, and is now operating in the Red Sea, one official said.
Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military operations.
The Ford is returning to the Red Sea after more than a month in the Mediterranean following a major fire in a laundry space that forced the ship back to port for repairs. The carrier also broke the record for the longest aircraft carrier deployment since the Vietnam war this week.
The Ford鈥檚 arrival makes it the second aircraft carrier in the region in addition to the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. The USS George H. W. Bush is also heading towardH.W. Bushn and is currently off the coast of South Africa, according to one defense official.
Vessel movement remains constrained in the Strait of Hormuz
Data firm Kpler said ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz remained confined to corridors requiring approval on Friday evening, hours after the U.S. and Iran announced full reopening of the strategic waterway.
Iran鈥檚 state media reported the country鈥檚 conditions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed since the beginning of the war, included that all commercial vessels transiting must go through a route designated by Iran and in coordination with the IRGC Navy.
Kpler said that 鈥渕arkets have responded with cautious optimism鈥� to the reopening decision, but warned that underlying supply dynamics remain tight, and a 鈥渇ull normalization in trade and confidence is likely to take months, not weeks.鈥�
Oil prices fall sharply and Wall Street rallies to a record as Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices dropped back to where they were in the early days of the Iran war, while U.S. stocks raced to another record.
The S&P 500 leaped 1.2% Friday after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is open again for commercial tankers carrying crude.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average leaped as many as 1,100 points before paring its gain and ended with a jump of about 870 points, or 1.8%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.5%.
A freer flow of oil could take pressure off prices not only for gasoline but also for groceries and all kinds of other products. Oil prices fell 9%.
Iran鈥檚 navy chief says Trump鈥檚 naval blockade is 鈥榩iracy and maritime theft鈥�
The commander of the Iranian navy, Shahram Irani, said Friday evening that Trump 鈥渉as blockaded his friends鈥� and not Iran, as the U.S. said its blockade will remain in place after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial traffic.
In a statement carried by Mizan, Iran鈥檚 official judiciary news agency, the navy chief said Trump鈥檚 blockade is just 鈥渆mpty words鈥� and that no one is listening to him.
The U.S. military says it has turned 19 ships back to Iran since earlier this week.
Lebanese president says negotiations are 鈥榥ot a weakness鈥� and the country has reclaimed its sovereignty
President Joseph Aoun struck a defiant tone in his first address since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took hold, saying he wants Lebanon to chart its own course after weeks of war between Israel and Hezbollah.
The president said he wants to see Lebanon 鈥渇lourishing, not committing suicide.鈥� He condemned Hezbollah鈥檚 rocket fire into northern Israel that triggered the latest round of fighting, and criticized Iran鈥檚 role in arming and backing the group.
He framed both as violations of Lebanese sovereignty, and again vowed to disarm non-state groups, including Hezbollah.
In a pointed response to Hezbollah鈥檚 criticism of Lebanon鈥檚 direct talks with Israel and claims that Beirut lacks leverage, Aoun said the country will make its own decisions and stand by demands shared across Lebanese society, not ones dictated by Iran or its allies.
鈥淭here will be no concessions to any principle, no infringement of the sovereignty of this country,鈥� he said.
Aoun also reiterated calls for Israel to halt attacks, withdraw troops, release detainees and allow displaced people to return.
US Treasury sanctions Iraqi militias backed by Iran
The U.S. imposed sanctions on seven senior commanders of Iraqi militias that are supported by Iran, including , for allegedly planning and carrying out attacks on U.S. personnel and coalition forces in the region.
Officials have said the move is part of a broader effort to counter Iran鈥檚 influence in Iraq and deter further violence against U.S. interests.
The action also signifies a U.S. strategy of using economic pressure, not just military force, to target Iran鈥檚 network of allies, while warning global banks and firms to stop doing business with anyone tied to these groups.
鈥淲e will not allow Iraq鈥檚 terrorist militias, backed by Iran, to threaten American lives or interests,鈥� Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said Friday. 鈥淭hose who enable these militias鈥� violence will be held accountable.鈥�
Head of US Central Command says ships are moving through the Strait of Hormuz
鈥淲e鈥檒l see what this looks like going forward. But I think we should all remain optimistic,鈥� Adm. Brad Cooper told reporters Friday after Iran announced the vital waterway was open to commercial vessels.
US Central Command leader says military will clear mines in Strait of Hormuz
The top commander in the Middle East confirmed that the U.S. military will be working to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz but would offer no details on the scope of the task.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a mission that we鈥檝e undertaken,鈥� Cooper told reporters on a call Friday before adding that he wouldn鈥檛 want to 鈥渃haracterize鈥� the extent to which the critical waterway has been mined by Iran as part of a weekslong conflict with the U.S. and Israel.
Cooper said that it was 鈥渨ell within our ability to remove mines.鈥�
Earlier on Friday Trump said in a social media post that 鈥淚ran, with the help of the U.S.A., has removed, or is removing, all sea mines!鈥�
US Central Command chief says military still has 鈥榚yes on every Iranian port鈥�
The top U.S. military leader in the Middle East said Friday that the American naval blockade of ships tied to Iran will remain in place for as long as Trump 鈥渟ays it will remain in effect.鈥�
Adm. Brad Cooper, who leads Central Command, told reporters on a phone call that 鈥淯.S. forces have eyes on every Iranian port.鈥�
鈥淲e are watching every Iranian ship in every port. Period. Full stop,鈥� Cooper said, adding that the U.S. military presence can stay in the region indefinitely.
鈥淲e鈥檙e well-provisioned. We鈥檙e well-manned. We have all the forces necessary to sustain this for as long as necessary,鈥� Cooper said.
Iran threatens 鈥榬eciprocal measures鈥� if US blockade continues
In comments published by Iranian state media Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei slammed the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports as a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
He said the Strait of Hormuz remains under the supervision of Iran, which is serious about its commitments. But if the U.S. violates its own commitments, then 鈥淚ran will take the necessary reciprocal measures.鈥欌��
鈥淣o leniency will be shown in this regard,鈥� he said.
First cruise ship transits the Strait of Hormuz since the Iran war began
The vessel-tracker MarineTraffic said the Malta-flagged passenger vessel, reportedly sailing without passengers and bound for Oman, departed Dubai on Friday after remaining docked for 47 days.
It said the Celestial Discovery ship is expected to arrive in Oman on Saturday.
Hours earlier, Iran and the U.S. said the strategic waterway, which has been effectively closed since the beginning of the conflict, will be fully open to commercial traffic.
UN chief says opening the Strait of Hormuz is 鈥榓 step in the right direction鈥�
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated the United Nations鈥� position: 鈥淲e need the full restAnt贸nio Guterresnational navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz to be respected by all parties,鈥� his spokesman said.
Guterres supports diplomatic efforts 鈥渢o find a peaceful path forward out of the current conflict in the Middle East,鈥� U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
鈥淗e also hopes that, together with the ceasefire, this measure will contribute to creating confidence between the parties and strengthen the ongoing dialogue facilitated by Pakistan,鈥� the spokesman said.
What exactly did Trump 鈥榩rohibit鈥� Israel from striking in Lebanon?
The State Department said Trump鈥檚 announced prohibition on Israeli strikes inside Lebanon applies only to offensive attacks and not to actions taken in self-defense, and referred to the third point of Wednesday鈥檚 agreement by Israel and Lebanon.
That point says 鈥淚srael shall preserve its right to take all necessary measures in self-defense, at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks.鈥� It adds that Israel 鈥渨ill not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, and other state targets, in the territory of Lebanon by land, air, and sea.鈥�
With the ceasefire only a few hours old, Israel has already launched at least one deadly drone strike in southern Lebanon, according to the health ministry there. During the previous ceasefire, Israel struck what it said were Hezbollah targets almost daily.
Trump suggests a second round of direct US-Iran talks could happen this weekend
鈥淭he Iranians want to meet,鈥� Trump said in a brief telephone interview with the news outlet Axios. 鈥淭hey want to make a deal. I think a meeting will probably take place over the weekend.鈥�
Despite the ceasefire, an Israeli drone strike in Lebanon kills 1 person
An Israeli strike in the area of Kounine hit a car and a motorcycle, killing one person and wounding three, including a Syrian citizen, Lebanon鈥檚 health ministry said Friday. It was the first airstrike and first fatality reported since a 10-day truce between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah took effect overnight.
The Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon had reported sporadic artillery shelling in some parts of the south in the hours after the ceasefire took effect.
The Israeli army did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel has maintained that it still has the right to strike in Lebanon in response to perceived threats despite the ceasefire. There was no immediate response from Hezbollah.
Thousands head home as US-brokered truce holds in Lebanon
A fragile calm settled over parts of Lebanon on Friday as a brokered by the United States took hold between Israel and Hezbollah, prompting thousands of displaced families to begin the journey home 鈥� even as uncertainty, destruction and Israeli warnings against going back to parts of southern Lebanon clouded their return.
By early morning, cars were backed up for kilometers on the route leading south to the damaged Qasmiyeh bridge over the Litani River, a key crossing linking the southern coastal city of Tyre to the north. Vehicles piled high with mattresses, suitcases and salvaged belongings crept forward through a single reopened lane, hastily repaired after an Israeli airstrike just a day earlier.
Drivers heading back to their villages along coastal highways cheered each other, flashed victory signs and exchanged blessings.
鈻�
Iranian media reports a challenge to the FM鈥檚 post declaring Strait of Hormuz open
Two semiofficial news agencies in Iran are casting doubt on an earlier announcement from Iran鈥檚 top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, that the Strait of Hormuz was being opened to global traffic.
Considered close with the powerful Revolutionary Guard, Fars news agency appeared to challenge Iran鈥檚 reported decision to open the strait in a series of posts on its X account.
The posts condemned a 鈥渟trange silence from the Supreme National Security Council and the negotiating team.鈥�
Iran鈥檚 Supreme National Security Council has recently acted as the de facto top decision-making body in the country, as doubts swirl over the status of the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was reportedly injured early in the war.
Mehr news agency also has said that the reported decision to reopen the strategic waterway needed 鈥渃larification鈥� and 鈥渞equires the (Supreme) Leader鈥檚 approval.鈥�
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