Iran says it hit US naval vessel, resumes talks with Washington

Iran says it hit US naval vessel, resumes talks with Washington MEE staff on Wed, 06/03/2026 - 19:14 Iranian strikes in response to US attacks killed one person and injured dozens on Wednesday People hold Hezbollah flags during a rally in Tehran, Iran, on 1 June 2026 (Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency via Reuters) Off Iran said it targeted a US military vessel hosting a "control and command" centre on Wednesday, as it approached Iranian territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman. US Central Command denied any such attack. Kuwait's airport also sustained significant damage in what was originally blamed on Iranian strikes, which Iran said was the result of a Patriot missile interceptor gone awry. US Central Command has described Iran's more than 30 ballistic missiles aimed at Kuwait on Wednesday as a "deliberate, calculated, and unjustified attack", after one person was killed, and some 60 others were wounded at Kuwait airport. Kuwait has been a frequent target for Tehran, which claims that the Gulf country has been used as a launchpad for US missiles against it. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee tore into US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the issue, as Rubio testified in Congress on Wednesday. "Did you warn the president that launching US strikes against Iran would result in retaliatory attacks on US allies, partners, and Americans living or working in the Middle East?" Gregory Meeks asked multiple times, demanding that Rubio give him a yes or no answer. "We were prepared for any response," Rubio said. Kuwait, which has arrested and deported those who have filmed missile activity, maintains that it has not allowed Washington to use its bases for the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on 28 February. Back at the negotiating table (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); But while hostilities appear to be escalating again after a fragile ceasefire brokered by Pakistan went into effect in early April, Iran has now acknowledged it is back at the negotiating table with the US. Iranian state media indicated that officials had walked away earlier this week due to Israel's relentless bombardment of Lebanon, owing to Tehran's relationship with its key ally, Hezbollah. Iran says Patriot missile interceptor hit Kuwait airport, US denies Read More » But on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Lebanese broadcaster al-Mayadeen that contacts with Washington have not been cut off, but no progress has been made in the negotiations. Texts have been exchanged between the two sides, Araghchi said. The negotiations, according to US President Donald Trump, must be premised on an end to nuclear activity as well as Iran's ballistic missile programme, which is a red line for Tehran. "What Iran was trying to do was build a conventional shield of drones and missiles and navy and capabilities," Rubio told lawmakers. "The president was not going to allow them to build a conventional shield behind which they can develop their nuclear programme." Operation Epic Fury, Rubio testified, has been wound down entirely. He said he would not call the current exchanges of fire with Iran a "war". "Epic Fury achieved its purpose in degrading that conventional shield, and it has brought them to the negotiation table, and hopefully will lead to the point where Iran will give up its enrichment ambitions," he said. Iran's Fars news agency, citing a source within the Iranian negotiating team, reported on Wednesday that any memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran must go through a four-stage mechanism, indicating that results may take time. Trump, on the other hand, has indicated in several press gaggles that a deal with Iran could be imminent. Iran has made it clear that any agreement that does not shield Lebanon from further Israeli attacks will not be considered. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Lebanese and Israeli officials met in Washington for the third round of talks on Tuesday and Wednesday, after Trump announced on Monday that he'd had a call with Hezbollah representatives who stated they would abide by a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would only abide by a ceasefire when it comes to Beirut, suggesting that strikes and ground troops in south Lebanon remain on his agenda. War on Iran News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0