Live: West Asia conflict: U.S. Senate signals dissent against Trump as Rubio visits Gulf partners

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday raised doubts about American involvement in the missile attack on an Iranian school, saying that on the first day of the Middle East war, projectiles were being launched in every direction, making it hard to pin down the source. Iranian state media reported that the assault struck a school in the southern city of Minab on February 28, claiming the lives of 73 boys, 47 girls, 26 teachers, seven parents, a school bus driver, and one other adult. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, 'What happened is absolutely terrible, but missiles were going in all directions at the time, and someone said it was ours — well, maybe it wasn't. I have not come across anything that makes me believe that missile was ours.' — AFP

Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave firm assurances to Washington's Gulf partners that the United States would stand by their interests as it works toward a durable resolution of the Middle East conflict through ongoing negotiations with Iran. Rubio is currently on a regional swing aimed at calming the anxieties of Gulf nations, which endured missile and drone strikes launched by Tehran during the war and saw their crucial oil and gas shipments nearly throttled after Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has come out of the conflict emboldened, vowing to retain its grip on the strategically vital waterway and going as far as to describe its preliminary ceasefire understanding with Washington as "a declaration of America's defeat." Speaking during a stop in Kuwait City, Rubio affirmed that the United States and its Gulf partners would remain on the same page as Washington grapples with Tehran over a permanent end to the conflict. -AFP

An Iranian diplomat on Wednesday took issue with remarks by the IAEA's chief, clarifying that inspections of nuclear facilities would be feasible only once a comprehensive final agreement between the U.S. and Iran is concluded. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi posted on X in response to statements delivered earlier that day by Rafael Mariano Grossi during his visit to Japan. "No meeting with Grossi took place in Switzerland, even though he had sought one. There is also no plan for granting access to the sites that came under attack or to any nuclear material," Mr. Gharibabadi wrote. "All these matters will be assessed and settled exclusively within the scope of a final agreement — and only once the other side takes concrete action to end all sanctions and related measures. The policy of provocation and seizure cannot be advanced through media noise," he added.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi assured his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni on Wednesday that Islamabad would sustain its efforts to help establish durable peace between Washington and Tehran, according to an official statement released that day. Mr. Momeni had arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday as part of the delegation accompanying Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on a one-day visit. Last week, Washington and Tehran put their signatures to a memorandum of understanding intended to bring peace and stability back to West Asia.

Speaking on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump disclosed that Iran had notified Washington it was not planning to impose any charges on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. "Should this information turn out to be false, negotiations will come to an immediate end!" Mr. Trump wrote in a social media post.

American Secretary of State Marco Rubio kicked off his Gulf tour by sitting down with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed, with the Iran-U.S. accord dominating the agenda and Washington underlining its security assurances to Abu Dhabi. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed that the two officials went over the Trump administration's memorandum of understanding reached with Tehran, deliberated on keeping transit through the Strait of Hormuz unimpeded and safe, and agreed on the critical need to preserve calm across the region. Pigott added that Rubio explicitly restated America's ironclad commitment to the Emirates' security.

Shipping records show that three previously immobilised tankers — together hauling 50 lakh barrels of crude oil — were making their way out of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, with two of the vessels bound for Asian ports. The provisional Iran-U.S. understanding is unlocking petroleum supplies that had been bottled up in the Gulf, putting downward pressure on international crude prices. The South Korean-flagged supertanker VL Breeze — a Very Large Crude Carrier loaded with 20 lakh barrels of Qatari condensate and Abu Dhabi crude — has cleared the strait and is now heading for the port of Daesan, according to tracking data from LSEG and Kpler. The vessel is on charter to South Korean refiner Hyundai Oilbank. Also moving out of the strait is VLCC Plata Carrier, operating under a charter from Indian Oil Corp and carrying 20 lakh barrels of Saudi crude. Sailing alongside it is Suezmax tanker Prudent Warrior, which is transporting 10 lakh barrels of Iraqi Basrah crude to Sohar port in Oman. Both vessels are registered under the Liberian flag, the shipping data confirmed.

Qatar's Prime Minister traveled to Muscat on Tuesday for consultations with Omani officials, a diplomat briefed on the discussions told Reuters. The visit is focused on establishing a negotiating process that would bring Iran, Iraq and Gulf Arab nations together to address the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and its long-term operational framework. These discussions run on an entirely separate track from the U.S.-Iran peace process and any arrangements for clearing naval mines. Gulf Arab states are expected to argue firmly against any transit fees on the strait, while Iran may put forward a proposal for charges based on environmental, navigational and security grounds, the same diplomat added.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi stated that questions surrounding access to nuclear facilities and nuclear materials will be examined and resolved exclusively within the framework of whatever final agreement is reached with the United States.

Oman has set up temporary shipping corridors through the Strait of Hormuz, available to vessels at no charge, as a step to guarantee safe passage amid the elevated security risks currently affecting the waterway.

Pakistan confirmed that the technical-level discussions it has been brokering between Washington and Tehran are on track to restart next week. Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi told reporters in Islamabad that the negotiations are likely to get underway on Tuesday. He added that Monday, May 29, 2026, or Wednesday, July 1, 2026, could also serve as alternate start dates, though he offered no details on where the meetings would be held.

Iran's speaker of parliament declared today that the nations of this region must be the sole architects of West Asia's political and security order, firmly rejecting outside interference and urging stronger collaboration among neighboring states. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf put forward these views at a session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, convened in Baku, Azerbaijan's capital. His statement came at a moment when Iran and the United States are working to finalize a durable peace arrangement. The address was broadcast on Iran's state-run television.

The EU's aviation safety watchdog, EASA, has advised airlines to continue avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon despite the recent framework agreement between the U.S. and Tehran. Due to the potential for security breaches, the agency extended its conflict-zone advisory until July 1, 2026. EASA warned that short-term violations of the ceasefire could still occur, particularly near the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, the volatile situation between Israel and Hezbollah poses ongoing risks for military activity within Lebanese airspace.

Israeli and Lebanese officials are currently negotiating a U.S.-backed proposal to transfer territories occupied during the recent conflict with Hezbollah to the control of the Lebanese military. Under this plan, Israeli officials emphasize that Lebanese forces must undergo rigorous U.S. vetting and training to ensure they remain independent of Hezbollah. Israel intends to retain a military presence in a designated border buffer zone. This pilot initiative is part of the latest diplomatic round that commenced in Washington on June 23, 2026.

Iran’s Oil Minister, Mohsen Paknejad, has traveled to India to attend the BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting, according to reports from SHANA. India is hosting the 11th edition of this summit in Gurugram on June 25-26, 2026, as part of its BRICS Chairship. The conference aims to foster cooperation among the 11 member nations—which represent nearly half the global population and 40% of the world's GDP—regarding sustainability, innovation, and energy security.

President Donald Trump and Vice-President J.D. Vance assert that their interim deal with Iran will bring financial gains to American agricultural sectors. However, Iranian officials have rejected these assertions. Sanctions experts remain skeptical and confused regarding how frozen Iranian assets held in escrow could feasibly be transferred to benefit U.S. farmers, as the administration has provided no detailed roadmap. Tehran continues to challenge both the terms and the stated intentions behind these remarks.

Amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to address regional instability, the Indian Embassy in Iran issued a formal advisory on Wednesday urging Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the country. The Embassy stated that it is maintaining a close watch on the prevailing security situation throughout Tehran.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) indicated on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, that inspectors will soon visit Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities, a move essential to the interim U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement. Speaking to journalists in Tokyo, IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized the inevitability of the inspections, stating that the exact timing within the coming days is secondary to the fact that they will proceed as planned.

Oil prices fell by over 1% on Wednesday, trading near four-month lows as market indicators suggest that tankers previously stranded in the Gulf are now moving through the Strait of Hormuz. The downward trend follows Washington’s decision to grant Tehran a 60-day sanctions waiver, allowing for oil exports following initial peace negotiations, alongside a cooling of hostilities in Lebanon.

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that only one in four Americans believes the conflict with Iran was justifiable, with a majority expressing doubt regarding the sustainability of the current truce. The survey shows President Donald Trump’s approval rating has slipped to 34%, matching the lowest point of his second term. Furthermore, only 23% of respondents feel the U.S. is in a stronger position than before the war, while 35% argue the country is now worse off.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday castigated Congress for backing a symbolic measure seeking to conclude hostilities with Iran, labeling the move as ill-timed and devoid of substance. Commenting on the 50-48 Senate vote via his Truth Social account, Trump claimed he had Iran under immense pressure when the legislature intervened with the War Powers Act. He remarked that while these senators have complicated his efforts, he remains committed to achieving his goals.

Arsenio Dominguez, the head of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), announced a rescue initiative for the vessels and their 11,000 crew members stuck in the Persian Gulf due to regional instability. He noted that this extensive recovery operation will involve collaboration between Iran, Oman, the United States, relevant coastal governments, and the broader maritime sector.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran will be barred from collecting tolls within the Strait of Hormuz as part of any concluding pact with the United States. He maintained that such a provision would violate international legal standards.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio faces a delicate task this week as he attempts to sell the Washington-led Iran peace deal to Gulf Arab leadership. These nations fear that excessive concessions might empower Tehran, jeopardizing regional security balances and oil trade. The top U.S. diplomat landed in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and is scheduled to visit Kuwait and Bahrain next. He plans to engage with representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Council, which encompasses Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. When queried about the allies' apprehension toward the agreement, Rubio confirmed that these topics would certainly be addressed, adding that talks will extend to matters outside the formal memorandum of understanding.

While the resolution lacks the immediate weight of law, it highlights rising skepticism among GOP members in both chambers regarding the current conflict and the peace terms established by Mr. Trump. The House had previously passed the same motion earlier this month. The Senate's approval of the War Powers resolution signals significant Republican dissent against the military trajectory pursued by the Trump administration in Iran.