Iran

By Sabiu Abdullahi

US President Donald Trump has announced that he has cancelled planned military strikes against Iran, saying the decision depends on the swift conclusion of an agreement.

In a statement, Trump said he called off the attacks “subject to being able to rapidly make a deal”.

He also claimed that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had urged him to suspend the planned operation because “the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to”, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump’s announcement followed fresh warnings from Iran over the possibility of military action.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the foreign ministers of Turkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in separate telephone conversations that any “aggression” by the United States and Israel would be met with a “decisive ⁠and proportionate response”.

Meanwhile, the conflict in Gaza continued as Israeli forces reportedly killed at least eight Palestinians across the territory.

Reports also said Israeli attacks destroyed a medical warehouse in Deir el-Balah. The strike left a crater measuring about 20 metres (66 feet) wide and 10 metres (33 feet) deep.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Global oil prices declined sharply on Monday after the United States and Iran reportedly paused military attacks, easing concerns over supply disruptions that had pushed crude prices higher in recent weeks.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell by 6.76 per cent to $90.24 per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also recorded a 6.04 per cent decline, settling at $83.92 per barrel.

The drop followed reports that both countries had agreed to halt attacks over the weekend after nearly two weeks of hostilities.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, said President Donald Trump had decided to suspend US military action against Iran to create room for diplomatic engagement.

“He’s giving talks some space, he’s ⁠giving it a little bit of room,” Waltz said.

Reuters also reported that a senior Iranian official confirmed Tehran would stop its attacks as long as the United States maintains the ceasefire.

The latest decline comes days after Brent crude climbed to $100 per barrel on July 23 following reports of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.

The earlier surge in crude prices triggered fresh increases in petrol prices across Nigeria.

On July 23, Dangote Petroleum Refinery raised its ex-gantry price of petrol from ₦1,075 per litre to ₦1,215 per litre. The refinery also resumed the sale of petrol in naira.

Earlier, on July 16, fuel importers had proposed an increase in the depot price of petrol from ₦1,230 per litre to ₦1,350 per litre.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has warned Russia and China against providing military assistance to Iran, saying such a move would not be in the interests of either country.

Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him that their governments were neither supplying weapons to Tehran nor taking part in the conflict involving the United States and Israel.

According to the U.S. president, it would be “certainly not in their best interests” for either Russia or China to arm Iran.

His comments followed earlier Western intelligence reports that alleged Russia had supplied Iran with drones, food and medical supplies. China was also reported to have been considering the delivery of air defence systems to Tehran.

In a post on social media, Trump said Xi had given him assurances during their recent meeting in Beijing that China would not provide military equipment to Iran.

He said the Chinese leader told him that Beijing would not sell or transfer weapons to the Islamic Republic under any circumstances.

Trump also said Putin made a similar commitment despite Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. According to him, the Russian president stated that Moscow would not sell weapons to Iran.

The U.S. leader expressed confidence that neither country was currently providing military support to Tehran. He, however, cautioned that any reversal of that position would have serious consequences.

Trump added that although Russia and China are often linked to discussions about Iran, he did not believe either country was backing Tehran militarily because doing so would not serve their interests.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Iran has executed more than 100 people over the past month, including three women. The development has drawn fresh concern from human rights organisations, which said repression in the country has intensified.

The reports said Iranian authorities resumed executions several weeks after hostilities with the United States and Israel began in March. The executions were reportedly part of efforts to suppress anti-government protests.

More than 50 people have also reportedly lost their lives over their participation in the demonstrations, which observers described as the largest wave of unrest since Iran’s Islamic leadership assumed power in 1979.

Analysts have warned that the number of executions could increase further following the collapse of efforts to secure a ceasefire.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States House of Representatives on Thursday approved a resolution calling on President Donald Trump to halt military operations against Iran, marking another congressional challenge to the administration as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies.

The measure passed by a vote of 214 to 208 after four Republican lawmakers joined Democrats in support. It directs the president to withdraw US forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress formally authorises military action.

However, the resolution is largely symbolic because it is a concurrent resolution. It does not require the president’s signature, and its legal effect remains disputed. As a result, Trump is widely expected to disregard it.

The vote came as the United States launched its 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military targets. Iran has also continued attacks on US military bases and allied Gulf states.

The remains of four American service members killed in recent Iran-related attacks were returned to the United States this week and honoured in flag-draped caskets.

The conflict has also affected maritime security in the region. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement said on Wednesday that it attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea after announcing a naval blockade. Iran has also maintained pressure around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.

Thursday’s vote reflected growing concern among lawmakers over the conflict, which began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. The war has also become a political issue for Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections.

Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal criticised the military campaign, saying it had “no clear mission, no strategy, no end goal.”

Democrats argued that President Trump breached the Constitution by launching and continuing military operations without congressional approval. They have repeatedly used war powers resolutions to force Republicans to take a public position on the conflict.

Most Republican lawmakers, however, remained supportive of the president.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast accused critics of overlooking the sacrifices made by American troops killed in the conflict. He said the military campaign was bringing a “reckoning” for Iranian attacks.

The Senate also considered a separate war powers resolution sponsored by Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen on Thursday, although it was expected to fail.

Congress passed a similar resolution in June, but Trump dismissed it as “poorly timed and meaningless.”

The White House has maintained that limiting the president’s military authority would weaken the United States in its efforts to pressure Tehran. Democrats and a small group of Republicans have argued that Congress should reclaim its constitutional authority over decisions relating to war and peace.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has said the war involving the US, Israel and Iran has so far cost $37.5 billion, according to the latest official estimate released by the Pentagon.

Hegseth disclosed the figure on Tuesday during a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee. He appeared alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, to defend a proposed $1.5 trillion US defence budget. The request includes nearly $70 billion for military operations linked to the conflict with Iran.

“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5bn,” Hegseth said in response to a question from Democratic Senator Dick Durbin.

He explained that the estimate covers some operational and maintenance expenses through the end of September. However, he did not provide a detailed breakdown of the spending.

The latest estimate is about $8 billion higher than the $29 billion figure the administration of President Donald Trump announced in May.

Other estimates place the economic impact much higher. Moody’s Analytics, for example, has estimated that the war could cost the US economy as much as $150 billion after accounting for higher domestic energy prices and other indirect effects.

The hearing took place as hostilities between the US and Iran continued after a memorandum of understanding that had paused attacks since June 17 collapsed last week.

On Monday, Trump said Iran would “pay” after two US soldiers were killed over the weekend. In recent days, he has also threatened further military action, including strikes on Iranian energy facilities, bridges and a deeply buried nuclear-linked site known as Pickaxe Mountain.

The Pentagon said the conflict has also increased pressure on US weapons supplies.

Hegseth told lawmakers that additional funding would help “to expand production lines and accelerate delivery of high-demand munitions. We’re talking about solid rocket motors, JDAMs [Joint Direct Attack Munition], hypersonics, and counter-drone capabilities”.

He also warned that military readiness could suffer if Congress failed to approve the requested funding.

“Training in the future would have to be curtailed if we do not get our budget needs met and met urgently, and yes, some of that has to do with the current budget cycle and how things come together,” he said.

Democratic Senator Patty Murray criticised the broad spending proposal, which also includes funding for National Guard deployments in Washington, DC, military operations against suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean and border security missions.

“So I’ll be blunt,” she said. “The truth is, your request does not make a lot of sense.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Iran has claimed responsibility for missile attacks on United States military assets in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait. The development came after the US carried out its seventh consecutive night of air strikes on targets inside Iran, according to reports by Al Jazeera.

Iran’s military said it struck US facilities in response to the latest American attacks. Iranian state media reported that the targets in Bahrain included the Sheikh Isa Air Base.

According to a statement carried by the Tasnim news agency, Iran said it targeted the “aircraft hangar and parking lot” as well as “fuel tanks” at the Sheikh Isa airbase and several communication bridges in Bahrain.

The statement added that the United States had used the base to launch “operations against regional targets, especially our country.”

“We are proud of our military duty to defend this land,” the statement concluded.

Earlier, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had completed its seventh straight night of military operations against Iran. The command said it used “fighter aircraft, aerial drones and warships” to strike Iran’s “surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities”.

Reports indicated that the attacks targeted Lar, Jask, Sirik, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Ahvaz and the central city of Yazd.

Iranian state media said at least 3 people were killed and 8 others sustained injuries in Hormozgan Province, which borders the Strait of Hormuz.

The US military also dismissed claims by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards that two oil tankers exploded after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM described the allegation as “false”.

Meanwhile, Kuwait said its armed forces were responding to Iranian missile and drone attacks for the third time. The country’s military urged residents to “adhere to the authorities’ safety and security instructions”.

Bahrain also activated warning sirens for the fourth time within a few hours. The country’s Ministry of Interior advised residents to “remain calm and head to the nearest safe place”.

The US State Department also issued a travel advisory as tensions continued to rise across the Middle East.

In a statement posted on X, the department warned that “due to high tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation”. It also advised that “Americans should reconsider travel to/through the Middle East”.

The department urged US citizens already in the region to exercise caution, monitor developments closely and confirm flight schedules with their airlines.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States government has announced a temporary suspension of sanctions on Iranian oil exports and related transactions until August 21, 2026.

According to a statement released on Monday by the US Treasury Department, the measure will allow Iran to produce, sell and transport crude oil and associated petroleum products during the period.

The Treasury Department, which oversees US economic sanctions, stated that “All transactions” that had previously been restricted in connection with Iranian-origin crude oil “are authorized through 12:01 am eastern daylight time, August 21, 2026.”

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington decided to ease the restrictions due to commitments made by Tehran during ongoing talks with the United States and its allies.

Bessent explained that Iran had agreed to support “free and open transit” through the Strait of Hormuz. He also cited Tehran’s decision to permit inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to enter the country.

The latest development comes amid continuing diplomatic efforts between both countries over regional security and energy-related concerns.

AFP reported that the temporary relief could affect global crude oil supply and international energy markets in the coming weeks.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Iran has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz after accusing the United States of violating a recent agreement signed between both countries.

According to reports, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, IRGC, announced the decision through a statement broadcast on maritime radio channels on Friday. Iranian authorities linked the move to the continued presence of US forces in the region and Israel’s military operations in southern Lebanon.

The IRGC claimed Washington failed to comply with conditions contained in the memorandum of understanding signed on Wednesday by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

“Since Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, the complete lifting of the naval blockade, and the withdrawal of American terrorist forces from the Persian Gulf and the region are among the main conditions of the agreement between Iran and the United States, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until these conditions are met,” the IRGC said.

“All ships are requested, for the sake of their security and safety, not to approach the Strait of Hormuz. Any vessel that defies this directive will be targeted.”

Iran’s Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the IRGC, also issued a statement on the situation. The agency insisted that the waterway would remain shut until Israel ends its military actions and completely withdraws from Lebanon.

“The continuation of Israeli crimes and the occupation of Lebanese land signify the death of the agreement, and this must not be tolerated or overlooked,” the Tasnim statement reads.

The latest development came shortly after Switzerland confirmed that follow-up talks connected to the agreement had been postponed.

The deal signed earlier this week was expected to end the conflict involving Iran, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin a sixty-day negotiation process on broader issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.

The agreement was also expected to stop hostilities in Lebanon. However, Israel’s military announced fresh strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon on Friday.

As part of the arrangement, Iran was expected to receive a reconstruction package valued at three hundred billion dollars from the United States.

Meanwhile, Trump reacted to the situation in a post on Truth Social. He argued that the conflict had weakened Iran and denied claims that Washington approached Tehran from a position of weakness.

The US president said Iran was “finished” in the ongoing dispute and stated that America would allow the sixty-day negotiation window to continue.

Trump also rejected the possibility of financial assistance for Tehran, saying the United States would not provide “ten cents” in funding.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has declared that a ceasefire agreement has been reached with Iran, alongside a decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping, marking a major shift in relations after months of tension.

Trump made the announcement from the White House and later expanded on it in a series of posts on Truth Social, where he confirmed the deal and outlined immediate steps linked to its implementation.

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He further stated:
“Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

In a separate message, he added:
“This Great Deal will bring Peace and Security to the whole Region”

Trump also suggested that the agreement could reshape regional relations going forward.

“Many presidents have tried to make Peace with Iran, and all have failed before me. The Leaders of the Region have, for the first time, found a President who can help them achieve real Peace. With the opening of the Strait upon the signing of the Deal on Friday, for purposes of mine removal, oil will flow on both ends again for the Region, and the World!”

The announcement came shortly after Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that both parties had reached a comprehensive understanding to end hostilities.

“Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED. Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” Sharif wrote.

He also disclosed that an official signing ceremony is scheduled to take place in Switzerland on Friday, June 19, following a series of preparatory diplomatic meetings.

The agreement, according to mediating parties, followed intensive negotiations involving several regional actors. Qatar welcomed the outcome, describing it as a step toward wider stability.

“The State of Qatar welcomes the agreement reached on the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran on addressing the outstanding issues between them, including ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and considers it an important step towards consolidating sustainable peace and promoting economic growth regionally and internationally,” Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed support for continued technical discussions aimed at ensuring full implementation of the agreement.

“Attention must now turn to fully implementing the memorandum of understanding to ensure the Strait reopens and remains fully and permanently open, and that the detailed elements of the nuclear agreement are finalised,” Starmer said.

He added:
“We are clear that toll-free freedom of navigation must now be restored,”

French President Emmanuel Macron also welcomed the deal, urging swift implementation while confirming France’s readiness to support maritime stability efforts.

“I welcome the agreement reached between the United States and Iran, the result of a diplomatic effort to which several partners contributed. I call for its swift and full implementation by all parties to the conflict,” Macron said.

“This agreement must allow for the urgent and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which the international mission established with the United Kingdom is ready to support. The resources are in place and ready to be deployed,” he added.

“The resumption of maritime traffic, without restrictions or tolls, is essential for regional stability and the global economy.”

France “will also continue to provide its full support to the determined efforts of the Lebanese authorities to restore the sovereignty of the State, which alone can ensure Lebanon’s stability and territorial integrity and meet the needs of its populations”, he added.

US Vice President JD Vance described the agreement as a turning point for the region and expressed optimism about its wider impact.

“What the president has done is create the real space to transform that region. And now, hopefully a new era with the Iranians,” Vance said.

“I think we can safely say, with confidence, that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon… This is just a great thing for the American people.”

The ceasefire announcement comes as international observers watch closely for signs of long-term stability in the region, with attention now turning to the upcoming signing ceremony in Switzerland and the practical implementation of the agreement.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged that the United States will take action after Iran allegedly brought down an American Apache helicopter during a patrol operation over the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump disclosed the development on Tuesday through a post on his Truth Social platform. He said military officials informed him that the incident took place overnight and involved what he described as a “highly sophisticated Apache Helicopter.”

The president stated that both pilots aboard the aircraft survived and did not suffer any injuries.

Trump wrote: “I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz.

“There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The reported incident is expected to heighten tensions between the United States and Iran. It comes amid ongoing concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

Neither the U.S. military nor Iranian authorities had immediately provided additional details on the incident at the time of this report.