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US-Iran war news: Tensions across the Middle East have remained elevated as reports emerged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had sought US support for a joint attack on Iran ahead of Israel's elections, but US President Donald Trump did not approve the proposal. Meanwhile, Iran held talks with regional powers to ease tensions, Saudi Arabia had reported intercepting drones and concerns grew over Hezbollah's preparations for a possible renewed conflict with Israel.
Oil prices slipped after last week’s rally but remained near six-month highs as attacks on Saudi Arabia and uncertainty over the US-Iran conflict kept energy markets on edge.
Here are the top developments:
Netanyahu wanted joint attack on Iran before elections, Trump refused: Report
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly tried to persuade US President Donald Trump to approve a joint military strike on Iran before Israel’s elections. However, Trump did not give the green light, CNN reported, citing an Israeli security source.
“Netanyahu really wanted and tried to convince Trump for a joint attack in Iran before the elections, and Trump did not give a green light,” the source told CNN.
According to the report, the Trump administration wanted any potential military action to be delayed until Washington was ready. Netanyahu’s office rejected the report, calling it “fake news”.
The reported disagreement comes amid heightened regional tensions following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and the subsequent spread of hostilities to other parts of the Middle East.
Iran and Mecca pact nations agree to continue dialogue for peace
Iran and regional countries that signed the Mecca mutual defence pact have agreed to continue dialogue aimed at strengthening cooperation on security and regional peace, Iranian media reported.
Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met Iranian officials in Tehran on Monday in an effort to de-escalate the regional conflict.
The meetings marked the first high-level contact between Iran and the three countries since the war began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequently spread to Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
The diplomatic engagement comes as regional governments seek to contain the conflict, even as attacks and security concerns persist across the region.
Saudi Arabia intercepts three drones in Riyadh and southern regions
Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted and destroyed three drones in Riyadh and the kingdom’s southern regions.
The reported interceptions came amid continued security concerns over attacks targeting the Gulf kingdom.
Yemen’s Houthi movement has launched new attacks on Saudi Arabia, adding to tensions in a region already affected by the wider US-Iran conflict.
Egypt has also approved defence support for Saudi Arabia, according to reports, as regional countries respond to the evolving security situation.
Hezbollah prepares for possible renewed war with Israel
Hezbollah has spent the past three months preparing for a possible return to fighting with Israel, supported by a fresh flow of funds from Iran, according to Lebanese security personnel cited by Reuters.
The group, founded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982, has suffered significant losses in two wars with Israel since 2024. Thousands of its fighters and several senior commanders have been killed, while much of its weaponry has been destroyed.
Israeli troops currently hold villages in southern Lebanon that form part of Hezbollah’s stronghold, while pressure is mounting in Beirut for the group to disarm.
Despite these setbacks, Hezbollah remains determined to fight Israel, Reuters reported, citing two Lebanese security sources. The group has reportedly used the relative calm since June to rebuild its capabilities, focusing on acquiring explosives and manufacturing drones that could be deployed against Israeli positions.
Explosions reported in Yemen’s capital Sanaa and Red Sea coast
Multiple explosions were heard in Sanaa, the Houthi-controlled capital of Yemen, and along the country’s Red Sea coast, according to reports.
Residents in western Sanaa reported hearing at least four blasts. The targets of the explosions were not immediately clear.
One woman living near a Houthi base said the force of an explosion shattered windows in her home and neighbouring properties.
In the port city of Mocha, resident Khaled Adib said a rocket struck a four-storey residential building. Adib and another resident, Ahmed Omran, said at least 10 other houses and Mocha General Hospital were also damaged, Al Jazeera reported.
The reports emerged amid widening regional hostilities and renewed attacks involving the Houthis.
Iran refuses nuclear talks until US meets Tehran’s demands
Iran will not discuss its nuclear programme until the United States meets Tehran’s demands, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.
The position signals a continuing hurdle to diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the US-Iran confrontation.
Nuclear negotiations remain a key issue in the broader dispute, alongside military operations and regional security concerns.
The latest statement comes as Iran engages with regional powers on de-escalation, while tensions with Washington and its allies remain high.
Oil prices fall but remain near six-month highs amid Saudi attacks
Oil prices declined after rising sharply last week, but remained near six-month highs as investors weighed hopes of easing US-Iran hostilities against continued attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Brent crude futures fell USD 1.90, or 1.63 per cent, to USD 114.82 per barrel by 0959 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures declined USD 2.08, or 2 per cent, to USD 101.19 per barrel.
On Friday, both benchmarks settled nearly USD 3 higher. Brent gained 6 per cent over the week, while WTI rose 2.3 per cent.
Market participants remained cautious as attacks on key oil-producing regions threatened to disrupt supply and keep prices elevated.
“With the jeopardy doubled by Houthi attacks into Saudi, any Brent price dips back to the lows of last week will find grateful buyers,” PVM Oil Associates analyst John Evans said.
He added, “Corrective processes are notoriously difficult to quantify, but this one has nowhere near reached any sort of levels where bulls might abandon hope.”
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