This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.

Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments

  • Iranian president says Tehran will honor agreement if US does
  • Turkiye condemns Israeli attacks on Syria
  • Iran says no upcoming meetings scheduled with US in Qatar
  • Witkoff, Kushner to attend meeting with Iranians: White House
  • Trump says Iran requested Doha meeting Tuesday, Tehran denies


Iran’s IRGC says it targeted separatist cell, killing all 6 members

Published: June 30, 2026 | 23:15 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s IRGC says it foiled a cell of separatists attempting to enter the country’s northwest to carry out “acts of sabotage and terrorism."


The IRGC said it launched the operation after learning that the group had entered Iran’s northwestern border areas, according to a statement cited by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.


All six members of the separatist cell were ambushed and killed, it said.



Israel forces raid charity’s office in occupied West Bank

Published: June 30, 2026 | 22:45 GMT | by Web Desk

Israeli forces have raided the headquarters of the al-Tadamon Charitable Society in Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, and ordered its closure for a year, according to a report by Palestinian news agency Wafa, reported Al-Jazeera.


Security and local sources told Wafa that several Israeli military vehicles entered Sufian Street and al-Adl Street before raiding the association’s headquarters, it added.



Israel ex-army chief launches campaign in bid to unseat Netanyahu

Published: June 30, 2026 | 20:48 GMT | by AFP


Israel's former army chief of staff, Gadi Eisenkot, on Tuesday announced the start of his electoral campaign as he bids to become prime minister, succeeding Benjamin Netanyahu.


"We will replace a leadership devoid of vision and strategy, which is leading the country toward a loss of direction," he said.



Iran prioritises diplomacy with US but remains ready for war: Negotiator

Published: June 30, 2026 | 20:40 GMT | by AFP

Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said that Iran was prioritising diplomacy with the United States, but remained ready for war.


"We are pursuing dialogue, but if the dialogue is not implemented, we are also prepared for war and will respond accordingly," Ghalibaf said in an interview on state television, as Iranian and US delegations were due to hold separate discussions in Doha.



Iran says will respond to any US violation of memorandum of understanding

Published: June 30, 2026 | 17:15 GMT | by AFP


Iran will respond to any US violation of the memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, its foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday, as delegations from both sides were expected in Qatar for indirect talks on the deal.

"We will not leave any action unanswered. As Iran's powerful armed forces have demonstrated, any act of aggression against the objectives of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be met with an immediate and decisive response," Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters at a weekly press conference.

"Such actions would constitute a violation of Article 1 of the memorandum of understanding. Naturally, if such violations are repeated and continue, the continuation of this process will encounter difficulties."



Israeli plan for 100 new settlement sites in occupied West Bank slammed

Published: June 30, 2026 | 15:30 GMT | by Web Desk


The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned what it called a dangerous Israeli settlement scheme targeting roughly 100 locations across Area A of the occupied West Bank, AL Jazeera reported.

In a statement, it accused settler organizations, including the settlement farm union, an organized coalition of Israeli settler groups that specialises in establishing agricultural outposts across the occupied West Bank, of acting with backing from Israeli government ministers.

It added the plan, reported in local media, violated international law and existing agreements and amounted to a systematic war crime, according to AL Jazeera.



Qatar says no direct US-Iran talks to take place in Doha

Published: June 30, 2026 | 10:42 GMT | by AFP


Qatar said that no high-level meetings or direct talks between the United States and Iran were planned in Doha after Washington said it had sent a top delegation for negotiations.


"To the best of my knowledge, there are no direct meetings scheduled between the two parties in the coming days," foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari told reporters in Doha, adding that the American team would meet with mediators. "To my knowledge, there is no high-level meeting between the two sides."



US envoys Witkoff, Kushner meeting mediators in Doha: Qatari spokesman

Published: June 30, 2026 | 10:41 GMT | by AFP


US envoys were meeting with Qatari mediators, the Gulf state's foreign ministry spokesman said, after Washington said it was sending a negotiating team.


"Mr. Steve Witfoff and Mr. Jared Kushner are here in Doha to meet with mediators, with Qatari officials, and the talks will be around all regional issues... including, of course, negotiations with Iran, but also including Lebanon," foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said.


"They are not here for their negotiations with the Iranians," he added.



Death toll in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza rises

Published: June 30, 2026 | 10:09 GMT | by Web Desk


The Gaza Health Ministry says at least 73,066 Palestinians have been killed and 173,514 wounded in Gaza since Israel’s genocidal war began in October 2023, Al Jazeera reported. 


Among the dead are 1,053 people killed since the October “ceasefire” while 3,406 Palestinians have been wounded.


In the latest 24-hour reporting period, eight people were killed and 26 wounded, it added.



Israel raids charity organisation in the occupied West Bank

Published: June 30, 2026 | 10:02 GMT | by Web Desk


Israeli forces have raided the headquarters of the al-Tadamon Charitable Society in Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, and ordered its closure for a year, according to a report by Palestinian news agency Wafa.


Security and local sources told Wafa that several Israeli military vehicles entered Sufian Street and al-Adl Street before raiding the association’s headquarters.


Israeli forces also raided the Balata and Askar refugee camps east of Nablus.



German, US foreign ministers hold talks on Islamabad MoU

Published: June 30, 2026 | 07:41 GMT | by Web Desk


German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, in Washington, DC, and reiterated support for the US-Iran MoU. 


In a post on X, he described the agreement as an “important step” that “creates an opportunity for diplomacy in what remains a highly fragile situation.” 

He said the priority now is to secure a sustainable solution that guarantees safe, unrestricted passage through the #StraitOfHormuz and, above all, addresses Iran’s nuclear program so it never again poses a threat.



Germany says halting attacks, continuing negotiations an ‘important step’

Published: June 30, 2026 | 06:00 GMT | by Web Desk


The German foreign office termed the “agreement between the United States and Iran to halt mutual attacks and continue negotiations” an important step, stating that it created an “opportunity for diplomacy in what remains a highly fragile situation.”


“The priority now is to reach a sustainable solution that ensures safe and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and, in particular, addresses Iran's nuclear program, which must never again pose a threat,” the ministry said in a post on X.



Iranian and French foreign ministers discuss Islamabad MoU

Published: June 30, 2026 | 05:36 GMT | by Web Desk


Iran’s foreign minister has discussed the memorandum of understanding and its implementation during a phone call with his French counterpart, Al Jazeera reported.


Abbas Araghchi and Jean-Noel Barrot “reviewed and exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments” regarding the US-Iran MoU, with “the aim of ending the war imposed by the US and Israel against Iran, according to the IRIB broadcaster.


The report comes after Iran’s deputy foreign minister criticised comments by French President Emmanuel Macron, who said Paris was working with Oman on demining the Strait of Hormuz


Kasem Gharibabadi said demining in the Strait is solely Iran’s responsibility and that “we fundamentally do not permit such a thing”.



Trump says meeting with Iranian delegation going to be ‘perhaps important, perhaps not’

Published: June 30, 2026 | 05:05 GMT | by Web Desk


US President Donald Trump said that the meeting with the Iranian delegation on Tuesday was “going to be a perhaps important, perhaps not.”


“We are going to find out,” he said. 


“We will see how that goes, but we are doing very well on that front,” he added.



Traffic in Strait of Hormuz ‘continues amid security threats’

Published: June 30, 2026 | 04:37 GMT | by Web Desk


MarineTraffic, a global provider of ship tracking, says vessel movements in the Strait of Hormuz continued over the weekend despite security concerns, including attacks on two ships on Friday and Saturday.


It said 108 verified transits were recorded over three days, Al Jazeera reported.


“Activity was highest on 26 June [Friday], with 48 crossings, followed by 38 crossings on 27 June [Saturday] and 22 crossings on 28 June [Sunday].”



Iranian delegation’s visit to Doha unrelated to US team’s trip, official says

Published: June 30, 2026 | 03:49 GMT | by Web Desk


Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran’s “current priority is to ensure the implementation” of the memorandum of understanding with Washington, and that “we are seriously pursuing our demands,” Al Jazeera reported.


He said the expert delegation being dispatched to Doha is going there to follow up on the implementation of the MoU.


Baghaei noted that the US has issued waivers for Iranian oil exports under Article 10 of the MoU and said, “We are following up on its implementation.” Officials are also seeking the release of frozen Iranian funds, under Article 11 of the MoU.


“We will not have any negotiation meetings at any level with the American side in the coming days. And the fact that American representatives are travelling to Qatar has nothing to do with the Iranian delegation’s trip,” he added.



Qatari, Iranian defense ministers ‘review security developments’

Published: June 30, 2026 | 03:37 GMT | by Web Desk


Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani has received a phone call from the Acting Minister of Defence of Iran, Majid Ibn Reza, according to the Qatari defence ministry.


“During the call, they reviewed the latest developments and security developments in the region, and discussed aspects of joint coordination amid the current circumstances,” the ministry said, according to Al Jazeera.


Gulf states have been on high alert in recent days after Iran and the US engaged in tit-for-tat military strikes over a dispute involving the Strait of Hormuz.


Tehran targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait over the weekend, saying the attacks were in retaliation for US strikes on Iranian territory. The Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the Iranian attacks, saying they “undermine international and regional efforts aimed at establishing security and peace and resolving the crisis.”



US Congresswoman Tlaib to force vote on ending US support

Published: June 29, 2026 | 23:31 GMT | by Web Desk

US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib said she will force another vote to end US participation in what she described as the “Israeli apartheid regime's campaign of ethnic cleansing and territorial expansion” in Lebanon.


In a post on X, Tlaib said more than 4,250 people have been killed and that twelve children are killed or maimed every day as "these US-backed war crimes continue." She said Congress must vote to end US support for "these atrocities" and force an end to Israel's invasion and illegal military occupation of Lebanese territory.



Iranian president says Tehran will honor agreement if US does

Published: June 29, 2026 | 21:21 GMT | by Web Desk


Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said mutual understanding is "a two-way street," adding that Tehran will honor its commitments if Washington adheres to the agreement, in a statement on his X.


He also said Iran would respond to "unreasonable saber-rattling and baseless threats" with rationality and human dignity in decision-making, while defending the country's interests "decisively and fearlessly" when it comes time to act, the statement said.



Trump says Iran requested Doha meeting Tuesday, Tehran denies

Published: June 29, 2026 | 12:40 GMT | by AFP

US President Donald Trump said that Iran has requested a meeting that will be held in the Gulf state of Qatar on Tuesday, despite an earlier denial from Tehran that talks were planned.

"IRAN HAS REQUESTED A MEETING. IT WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW IN DOHA!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Monday.

Iran's foreign ministry on Monday denied reports that Iranian and American technical teams will meet this week to discuss the implementation of the deal to end the Middle East war.

For earlier developments, read our June 29 live blog here.