Iran news LIVE: Explosions, sirens heard in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait; IRGC says ‘region will turn to ashes’
Explosions were heard across Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Iran news LIVE: Explosions have been reported in Erbil, Iraq, as well as in Bahrain and Kuwait, with significant air defense activity underway across the region. The situation comes amid heightened tensions, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) saying it is targeting US bases. In a statement, the IRGC said, “The era of ‘hit and run’ is over.” It warned that “Any new foolishness will be met with a seismic, crushing, and decisive response that goes beyond established rules and boundaries.” The statement further added, “We will not hesitate to turn all aggressors’ headquarters and interests in the region to ashes.”
Bahrain’s interior ministry said a warning siren has been activated and asked citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe place.
Tehran remains open to negotiations with Washington, though competing hardline positions are narrowing the path to an agreement. Iran’s leaders maintain there will be no “surrender”, but subtle divisions over strategy persist.
The US stopped a Botswana-flagged oil tanker called M/T Lexie while it was sailing through international waters towards Iran’s Kharg Island.
A partial ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel took effect on Monday, offering a limited easing of hostilities. The deal calls for Israel to stop attacks on Beirut and its southern suburbs, while Hezbollah suspends strikes on Israel, but falls short of ending the war in Lebanon.
Despite Trump’s claims of progress, Iran has halted mediator-led discussions, citing Israel’s continued bombardment of Lebanon. Fighting on the ground has continued despite ceasefire efforts.
Trump lashes out at Netanyahu
Trump lashed out at one of his staunchest allies, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a heated phone call on Monday over Israel’s continuous bombardment of Lebanon, reported Axios, citing US officials and a source briefed on the call.
During the call, Trump referred to Netanyahu as “crazy” and accused him of being ungrateful, the report said.
Summarising his remarks, a US official told Axios: “You’re f**king crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your a*s. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.”
Earlier the same day, Iran had warned it could pull out of negotiations with the US in response to Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
A second source said Trump also shouted at Netanyahu: “What the f**k are you doing?”
The US-Iran peace talks
Donald Trump expressed optimism about a breakthrough in the Middle East, noting that he anticipates securing an agreement with Iran to extend the truce and restore transit through the strategic maritime chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz, “over the next week”.
He told ABC News he has thus far withheld final approval on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at unblocking the vital shipping lane, explaining, “I still have to get a few more points.”
This optimistic outlook builds on a statement he had made just a few hours earlier on Monday, when the US President announced that negotiations with Tehran are progressing “at a rapid pace”, despite a recent exchange of fire that has severely tested the fragile truce between the two nations.
Elaborating during that earlier window on Monday via social media, the US President posted on Truth Social, “Talks are continuing, at a rapid pace, with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
However, this diplomatic momentum is moving against a volatile backdrop, as the ceasefire, which was established nearly two months ago following weeks of intense conflict, faces renewed friction after American and Iranian forces engaged in retaliatory strikes over the weekend and into Monday. These latest hostilities have triggered widespread concern that the truce might break down and disrupt ongoing diplomatic channels entirely.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the US naval blockade and Lebanon escalation were “clear evidence of US non-compliance with the ceasefire”.
Late Monday, Tasnim reported that Iran was suspending “dialogues and exchange of texts through mediators” over Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
In a message carried by state TV, the Revolutionary Guards intelligence body said “crossing the red lines in Lebanon and Gaza” would mean “direct war”.
It said Iran was determined to preserve what it called the “Strait of Hormuz equation” and to take “meaningful actions” by opening other fronts.
Trump told NBC that he did not mean Washington would “start dropping bombs all over there”, but insisted the US naval blockade would remain.
Tasnim reported that Iran would keep Hormuz blocked and, with its allies, “activate other fronts”, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the entrance of the Red Sea.
Tehran’s Houthi allies in Yemen have previously attacked shipping near Bab al-Mandab, whose closure could disrupt millions more barrels of oil exported daily by Saudi Arabia through its Red Sea port of Yanbu.
In another sign of danger to Gulf shipping, the UKMTO maritime agency reported a “large explosion” on a cargo vessel off Iraq “following a hit from an unknown projectile”.
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Bahrain’s interior ministry said a warning siren has been activated and asked citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe place.
Tehran remains open to negotiations with Washington, though competing hardline positions are narrowing the path to an agreement. Iran’s leaders maintain there will be no “surrender”, but subtle divisions over strategy persist.
The US stopped a Botswana-flagged oil tanker called M/T Lexie while it was sailing through international waters towards Iran’s Kharg Island.
A partial ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel took effect on Monday, offering a limited easing of hostilities. The deal calls for Israel to stop attacks on Beirut and its southern suburbs, while Hezbollah suspends strikes on Israel, but falls short of ending the war in Lebanon.
Despite Trump’s claims of progress, Iran has halted mediator-led discussions, citing Israel’s continued bombardment of Lebanon. Fighting on the ground has continued despite ceasefire efforts.
Trump lashes out at Netanyahu
Trump lashed out at one of his staunchest allies, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a heated phone call on Monday over Israel’s continuous bombardment of Lebanon, reported Axios, citing US officials and a source briefed on the call.
During the call, Trump referred to Netanyahu as “crazy” and accused him of being ungrateful, the report said.
Summarising his remarks, a US official told Axios: “You’re f**king crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your a*s. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.”
Earlier the same day, Iran had warned it could pull out of negotiations with the US in response to Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
A second source said Trump also shouted at Netanyahu: “What the f**k are you doing?”
The US-Iran peace talks
Donald Trump expressed optimism about a breakthrough in the Middle East, noting that he anticipates securing an agreement with Iran to extend the truce and restore transit through the strategic maritime chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz, “over the next week”.
He told ABC News he has thus far withheld final approval on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at unblocking the vital shipping lane, explaining, “I still have to get a few more points.”
This optimistic outlook builds on a statement he had made just a few hours earlier on Monday, when the US President announced that negotiations with Tehran are progressing “at a rapid pace”, despite a recent exchange of fire that has severely tested the fragile truce between the two nations.
Elaborating during that earlier window on Monday via social media, the US President posted on Truth Social, “Talks are continuing, at a rapid pace, with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
However, this diplomatic momentum is moving against a volatile backdrop, as the ceasefire, which was established nearly two months ago following weeks of intense conflict, faces renewed friction after American and Iranian forces engaged in retaliatory strikes over the weekend and into Monday. These latest hostilities have triggered widespread concern that the truce might break down and disrupt ongoing diplomatic channels entirely.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the US naval blockade and Lebanon escalation were “clear evidence of US non-compliance with the ceasefire”.
Late Monday, Tasnim reported that Iran was suspending “dialogues and exchange of texts through mediators” over Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
In a message carried by state TV, the Revolutionary Guards intelligence body said “crossing the red lines in Lebanon and Gaza” would mean “direct war”.
It said Iran was determined to preserve what it called the “Strait of Hormuz equation” and to take “meaningful actions” by opening other fronts.
Trump told NBC that he did not mean Washington would “start dropping bombs all over there”, but insisted the US naval blockade would remain.
Tasnim reported that Iran would keep Hormuz blocked and, with its allies, “activate other fronts”, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the entrance of the Red Sea.
Tehran’s Houthi allies in Yemen have previously attacked shipping near Bab al-Mandab, whose closure could disrupt millions more barrels of oil exported daily by Saudi Arabia through its Red Sea port of Yanbu.
In another sign of danger to Gulf shipping, the UKMTO maritime agency reported a “large explosion” on a cargo vessel off Iraq “following a hit from an unknown projectile”.
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Jun 03, 2026 5:28:06 AM IST
Iran news LIVE: IRGC’s full statement after attacks in Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait
Iran news LIVE: The IRGC said its Aerospace Force launched “precise and concentrated missile attacks” on US military facilities in Kuwait.
“In response to the provocation and blatant aggression of American terrorist forces targeting the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the beloved island of Qeshm, the Air and Space Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, by the grace and support of Allah and in line with its commitment to protect the homeland, subjected the military bases of American occupiers in Kuwait to precise and concentrated missile attacks, resulting in the successful destruction of their targets and the ignition of the aggressors’ trenches.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, by announcing this initial response for retaliation, issues a firm and decisive warning to the government of the United States, the leader of global arrogance, and all those who allow the use of their soil or airspace to violate Iran:
Any new stupidity, further aggression, or any action that violates even a single inch of our borders and sovereignty will be met with a devastating, crushing, and decisive response that goes beyond all laws and established boundaries. Our brave forces will not hesitate to turn all the headquarters and interests of the aggressors in the region into ashes.
The era of “hit and run” has ended, and the aggressor forces must bear the dire consequences of their ignorance and reckless adventures.”
Jun 03, 2026 5:26:27 AM IST
Iran news LIVE: A recap of US-Iran talks
Iran news LIVE: US secretary of state Marco Rubio told Congress that any sanctions relief for Iran would be limited to its nuclear programme and would not include reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The IAEA chief said several nuclear activities in Iran have now halted.
The US military reported disabling a Botswana-flagged oil tanker that was heading toward Iran’s Kharg Island.
UN Trade and Development warned that a closure of the Strait of Hormuz could significantly raise global oil import costs, hitting poorer nations hardest.
Violence continued in the region, with Israeli strikes killing civilians in southern Lebanon and a Hezbollah drone attack injuring Israeli soldiers.
Jun 03, 2026 5:18:41 AM IST
Iran news LIVE: How Iran’s geography makes it a natural defensive fortress
Iran news LIVE: Iran’s geography makes it one of the most difficult countries in the world to invade, with vast mountains, deserts, and long coastlines acting as natural defensive barriers. Covering about 1.4 million square kilometres, Iran is surrounded by the Zagros and Alborz mountain ranges, which protect its western and northern regions and make land invasions highly challenging. Behind these mountains lie harsh central deserts that complicate logistics and give Iran space to disperse and hide military assets, including underground bases and missile systems.
In the south, Iran’s long coastline along the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Sea of Oman further strengthens its strategic position, with numerous islands that can be used for asymmetric warfare. The Strait of Hormuz is especially critical as it handles a significant share of global oil trade, making it a major geopolitical pressure point. Overall, Iran’s terrain creates an “escalation trap,” where any invading force would be drawn from coastal areas into difficult inland terrain, reducing its military advantage.
Jun 03, 2026 5:16:52 AM IST
Iran news LIVE: Pete Hegseth shares footage of missile strike on oil tanker
Iran news LIVE: US defense secretary Pete Hegseth shared a video from US Central Command (CENTCOM) showing American forces disabling an unladen oil tanker in the Arabian Gulf that was reportedly heading toward an Iranian port.
According to CENTCOM, the Botswana-flagged vessel M/T Lexie was stopped in international waters near Kharg Island after it allegedly ignored repeated warnings over a 24-hour period. The ship was then disabled when a US aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into its engine room, preventing it from continuing its route.
CENTCOM said the action was part of blockade enforcement measures on maritime traffic linked to Iranian ports, adding that several vessels have been disabled or redirected since April 13 amid the war on Iran.
Jun 03, 2026 5:11:32 AM IST
Iran news LIVE: Warning sirens activated in Kuwait for second time
Iran news LIVE: Kuwait’s state news agency KUNA reported that warning sirens were activated in the country for a second time on the same night, following earlier reports that the Kuwaiti armed forces were intercepting “hostile missile and drone threats.”
Jun 03, 2026 5:05:32 AM IST
Iran news LIVE: Escalation after US struck Qeshm Island
Iran news LIVE: Iranian officials accused the US of striking a freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island on March 7. They said the attack disrupted water supplies to around 30 villages in the region. Iran’s foreign minister called it a “blatant and desperate crime” and warned of consequences, while stressing that the facility was critical for local drinking water supply. The US denied carrying out the attack.
On May 5, the UA bombed Iranian radar and drone sites around Geruk and Qeshm Island after Iran shot down a US drone over the weekend.
In response, Iran launched missile attacks targeting American troops in Kuwait.
Jun 03, 2026 5:01:05 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Iran’s revenge for Qeshm Island?
Iran war news LIVE: Reports claim that the recent attacks on US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait are a retaliation by Iran after Trump dropped bombs on Qeshm Island. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
Jun 03, 2026 4:47:56 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: IRGC’s ‘ashes’ threat amid explosions in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait
Iran war news LIVE: The IRGC said in a statement that “The era of ‘hit and run’ is over.” It warned that “Any new foolishness will be met with a seismic, crushing, and decisive response that goes beyond established rules and boundaries.” The statement further added, “We will not hesitate to turn all aggressors’ headquarters and interests in the region to ashes.”
Jun 03, 2026 4:39:34 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Kuwait intercepts missile and drone attacks, says army
Iran war news LIVE: Kuwait’s General Staff says its air defenses are currently intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks. It added that any explosion sounds heard are the result of these interception operations. The army urged the public to adhere to safety and security instructions issued by the competent authorities.
Jun 03, 2026 4:36:01 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Siren sounds across Bahrain, residents told to remain calm
Iran war news LIVE: Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said a warning siren has been activated and urged citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe place. The announcement, reported by Reuters, comes amid heightened regional tensions, with authorities advising the public to follow safety instructions.
Jun 03, 2026 4:32:31 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: US petrol prices jump 42.2% in May year-on-year
Iran war news LIVE: Average petrol prices in the US rose by 42.2% in May compared with 2025, according to figures from the US Transportation Department.
The increase comes amid volatile oil markets, with prices climbing about 1% to a one-week high as traders await developments in US-Iran talks. The Strait of Hormuz remains a key pressure point, with disruptions affecting nearly a fifth of global oil and LNG flows and contributing to a 50% or more surge in prices.
Jun 03, 2026 4:02:49 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: US must secure Iran nuclear concessions or face political backlash, says expert
Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump is facing pressure to secure meaningful nuclear concessions from Iran, amid criticism over any potential agreement.
Alan Eyre, a fellow at the Middle East Institute, told Al Jazeera, “the US needs to get some kind of nuclear concession from Iran; otherwise, Trump’s opponents can say he made a deal that took the US back to February 27, before the war on Iran started.”
He also said, “On Iran’s side, they need money, so they need either unblocked assets, a toll system, or something, because their economy is in a shambles.” Eyre further cautioned that “the blockade is hurting Iran, but it’s hurting Iran on the scale of months, whereas the closure of the strait is much more immediate and much more urgent,” referring to the US blockade on Iranian ports and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Jun 03, 2026 4:01:06 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Mojtaba Khamenei ‘increasingly engaging’ in peace talks, says Rubio
Iran war news LIVE: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and “increasingly engaging” in discussions related to negotiations, though mostly through indirect channels and written communication rather than public appearances. He noted that Khamenei has not been seen publicly since being injured in earlier US-Israeli strikes, which also killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Jun 03, 2026 3:55:33 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: 5 killed, 45 wounded in fresh Israeli strikes on Lebanon
Iran war news LIVE: Five people, including a child, were killed and 45 others injured in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Tuesday, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The strikes reportedly hit Burj Shemali, Ebba, and Tibnin.
Jun 03, 2026 3:54:45 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Kuwait responds to missile, drone attack
Iran war news LIVE: Kuwait reports active response to missile and drone strikes, says sounds heard nationwide are from intercepts
Jun 03, 2026 2:37:51 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: US imposes fresh sanctions on Iranian digital asset exchanges
Iran war news LIVE: The US has imposed sanctions on Iran’s largest digital asset exchange Nobitex and three other firms as part of its ongoing effort to pressure Iran over the conflict with the US and Israel. The Treasury says Nobitex handled more than half of Iran’s crypto income last year and helped move money to bypass sanctions. US officials accuse Iran of using digital assets to hide wealth and fund activities despite restrictions, while Iran-linked media reports suggest ceasefire talks with mediators have stalled. The sanctions are part of a wider US campaign that also targets countries and companies doing business with Iran.
Jun 03, 2026 2:30:40 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: US says it disabled tanker headed for Iran’s Kharg Island
Iran war news LIVE: The US military said on Tuesday that it disabled the Botswana-flagged oil tanker M/T Lexie after the vessel attempted to sail toward Iran’s Kharg Island. The brief statement did not provide details on how the tanker was disabled or whether any injuries were reported. Kharg Island is Iran’s main oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf.
Jun 03, 2026 2:26:27 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: A recap of events
Iran war news LIVE: US-sponsored talks between Israeli and Lebanese representatives concluded their first day at the State Department in Washington, DC, as tensions continued to escalate on the ground.
At least eight people were reported killed in Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah said it launched drones targeting two Israeli military armoured vehicles and two tanks in the south. Meanwhile, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said many nuclear activities in Iran have now stopped. In Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and “increasingly engaging”.
Jun 03, 2026 2:10:30 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Lebanon-Israel talks get underway in Washington
Iran war news LIVE: The first day of talks between Lebanese and Israeli representatives concluded in Washington on Tuesday, according to reports. The discussions are expected to continue in the coming days as mediators seek progress on outstanding disputes.
Jun 03, 2026 1:51:27 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: 89 Palestinian women detained in Israeli prisons, rights group says
Iran war news LIVE: Four Palestinian women were detained by Israeli forces on Tuesday, bringing the total number held in Israeli prisons to 89, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society. The group said those in custody include three minors, three pregnant women, 19 administrative detainees and three women diagnosed with cancer.
Jun 03, 2026 1:36:08 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: IRGC strikes vessel; company denies US, Israel ties
Iran war news LIVE: The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has said that its vessel, Sariska V, was struck by two projectiles at Iraq’s Umm Qasr port, calling the attack “completely unjustified” and rejecting claims by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that the ship was linked to the United States or Israel.
The IRGC said it targeted the vessel in retaliation for an attack on an Iranian ship near Oman. MSC said that it is a neutral commercial carrier based in Switzerland and wholly owned by Italian nationals, with no affiliation to either country. The attack was first reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which did not identify the vessel.
Jun 03, 2026 12:58:05 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Israel launches fresh air raids across Lebanon
Iran war news LIVE: Israeli air strikes targeted several towns in southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh governorate, including Dibbine, Haddatha and Qaqaiyat al-Jisr, according to local reports.
Jun 03, 2026 12:20:39 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: IAEA chief says many of Iran’s nuclear activities have now stopped
Iran war news LIVE: IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said many of the nuclear activities that were previously taking place in Iran have now stopped, reflecting what he described as a “fundamental change” in the assessment of Tehran’s nuclear programme following months of war and repeated strikes on nuclear-related facilities.
Jun 03, 2026 12:13:27 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: US senators slam Trump’s Iran policy as ‘dumpster fire’
Iran war news LIVE: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers during a Senate hearing. Senator Chris Van Hollen called the Trump administration’s foreign policy a “dumpster fire” and describing the war on Iran as “stupid and reckless”.
Senator Cory Booker argued that Iran was “finding ways to leverage” the “economic havoc” caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the administration of handing Tehran a strategic advantage.
“Our adversary and our enemy who’s causing havoc in the region … has discovered, thanks to you all, the power of shutting down the Strait of Hormuz,” Booker said, adding, “This ill-conceived war never should have happened.”
Jun 03, 2026 12:10:58 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Wall Street steadies as AI rally offsets concerns over war on Iran
Iran war news LIVE: Wall Street traded largely flat on Tuesday as enthusiasm around artificial intelligence was offset by concerns over the Iran conflict and its impact on global energy markets.
The Dow Jones rose 149 points, or 0.29%, while the S&P 500 edged up 0.06%; the Nasdaq slipped 0.05%. Semiconductor stocks surged, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index jumping 4.6% and Marvell Technology soaring 28.9% after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang called it the next “trillion-dollar company”.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise gained 15.5% following strong results. Rising geopolitical tensions kept investors cautious as oil prices climbed to a one-week high amid uncertainty over US-Iran talks and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Bitcoin’s 5.5% decline also dragged crypto-linked stocks lower, with Coinbase falling 4.9% and Strategy dropping 8.8%.