US Iran Israel War News Highlights: Rubio says US will not remove sanctions on Iran, even if Hormuz is opened

According to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, authorities are preparing a three-day public funeral for Ali Khamenei, who was killed earlier this year during the conflict involving the United States and Israel.

Tehran Deputy Mayor Mohammad Amin Tavakolizadeh said commemorations will take place in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad. He added that a 24-hour ceremony is planned in the capital, where officials are preparing for attendance that could reach 20 million people.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Rafael Grossi met Qatar’s prime minister in Doha to discuss the latest developments in negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear programme.

According to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, Grossi met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha, where the two discussed strengthening cooperation between Qatar and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The talks also focused on the latest developments in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, which remains a central issue in ongoing diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States does not promise any relaxation on the sanctions imposed on Iran, even if the Strait of Hormuz gets opened by the Islamic Republic.

While answering a question on whether US intends to relieve Iran's sanctions or frozen money, Rubio asserted, that "any sanctions relief is conditional" on Iran's "commitment or compliance" with agreements on not enriching uranium and pursuing alleged "nuclear activity".

Marco Rubio says the U.S. will not give sanctions relief to Iran in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com/aITwIbIFaE

— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 2, 2026

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iran appears willing to discuss elements of its nuclear programme that it had previously refused to negotiate over, though he cautioned that no agreement is guaranteed.

Rubio told US lawmakers that ongoing discussions with Tehran now include aspects of Iran’s nuclear programme that, in his view, Iranian officials would not even consider discussing a month or a year ago.

He described the development as a potentially significant shift in the negotiations but stressed that it does not guarantee a final agreement. “That is not a guarantee it will ultimately lead to a deal that’s acceptable,” Rubio said.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged Israel to show restraint in Lebanon amid expanding military operations and rising civilian casualties.

Merz said Germany was following the latest escalation in southern Lebanon with “great concern” and called on Israel to exercise restraint as military operations expand deeper into Lebanese territory. At the same time, he urged Hezbollah to lay down its arms, stressing the need to prevent further deterioration of the security situation.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Joseph Aoun has warned against internal divisions in Lebanon, saying negotiations remain the only option to end the war with Israel.

In a statement posted by the Lebanese presidency on X, Aoun said Lebanon remains committed to preserving civil peace and warned that anyone fuelling internal divisions was effectively serving Israel’s interests. He highlighted the heavy toll of the conflict, noting that more than 3,000 people have been killed, around one million displaced and thousands of homes destroyed.

Stressing the need to protect Lebanese citizens and restore stability, Aoun said there was “no other option but negotiation” to bring the war to an end. His remarks come as Israeli and Lebanese delegations hold a fourth round of direct talks in Washington aimed at reducing tensions and seeking a diplomatic path forward.

(Al Jazeera)

Israeli forces have intensified attacks across southern Lebanon, carrying out air raids and drone strikes in the Nabatieh and Tyre districts.

Israeli warplanes continued heavy bombardment of the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh and the nearby town of Shukin, following earlier strikes on the area. Drone attacks also targeted the towns of Harouf and Kafr Sir in the wider Nabatieh district. Further west in the Tyre district, Israeli forces struck the town of al-Haniya and carried out two air raids on Qlailah along Lebanon’s Mediterranean coast.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Tankers carrying oil products have exited the Strait of Hormuz and an LNG carrier has loaded in the UAE, though energy flows remain constrained by the conflict involving Iran.

Shipping data showed that two tankers carrying oil products successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz over the past week, while an LNG carrier loaded cargo in the UAE. The Aframax tanker Cy Victorious, carrying about 80,000 tonnes of fuel oil, left the strait on Saturday and is expected to arrive in Malaysia later this month. Another products tanker, Sti Elysees, also exited the Gulf after loading in Kuwait. Meanwhile, the LNG carrier Marigold, managed by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, loaded cargo at Das Island in the UAE.

Analysts noted that some vessels have switched off their automatic identification systems while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the continued security risks in the waterway. Despite these movements, oil and LNG exports remain significantly constrained by the ongoing regional conflict.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said 24 commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz during the past 24 hours after obtaining permission and coordinating with the IRGC Navy, Al Jazeera reported citing Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB.

In a statement, the Guard said it would continue exercising what it described as “intelligent control” over the strategic waterway and declared that “evil foreigners” would have no place in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Iran Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has accused the UN Security Council of failing to hold Israel accountable and urged it to adopt binding punitive measures rather than issuing statements of concern.

Gharibabadi said developments in Lebanon, Syria and Jerusalem demonstrated that regional instability stemmed from what he described as Israel's actions and the lack of international accountability.

In a post on X, he argued that the UN Security Council should move beyond expressions of concern and adopt binding measures against Israel. Gharibabadi also criticised US involvement, saying President Donald Trump's reported intervention to dissuade Benjamin Netanyahu from attacking Beirut highlighted Washington's influence over Israeli military decisions.

He questioned why months of ceasefire violations, attacks and displacement in Lebanon had continued despite that influence.

تحولات فعلی لبنان، سوریه و قدس اشغالی، یک واقعیت را آشکارتر کرده است: بحران منطقه حاصل «تنش‌های پراکنده» نیست؛ محصول جنایات و مصونیت رژیم صهیونیستی است که حاکمیت دولت‌ها را نقض می‌کند، آتش‌بس را بی‌معنا می‌سازد و به مقدسات فلسطینی ها تعرض می‌کند.

شورای امنیت باید از مرحله ابراز…

— Gharibabadi (@Gharibabadi) June 2, 2026

UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash says Iran’s regional ambitions are contributing to instability and imposing costs on countries across the Gulf.

In a post on X, Gargash said Gulf states are “all paying the price for Iran’s inflated regional ambitions” and argued that no country should pursue influence at the expense of regional security, stability and prosperity. He called for a reassessment of regional relations based on respect for sovereignty, good neighbourly ties and non-interference in the affairs of other states.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran has paid a “very heavy” price in the conflict and claimed its ruling system is “destined to fall”.

In a post on X, Netanyahu said the cost borne by Iran during the conflict had been severe and argued that the foundations of what he called the Iranian regime’s “reign of terror” had been weakened. He claimed Iran “will never return to being what it was” and asserted that its leadership was ultimately “destined to fall”.

נפרדנו אתמול מראש המוסד היוצא דדי ברנע.

המחיר שאיראן כבר שילמה הוא כבד מאוד. היסודות של משטר-האימים הזה באיראן נסדקו. הוא לא ישוב להיות מה שהיה, ואני אומר לכם - סופו ליפול.

בשמי, בשם העם כולו, באתי לומר לדדי - תודה. תודה על 30 שנים של שירות מסור במוסד ותודה מיוחדת על השנים… pic.twitter.com/lMXjenIWYt

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) June 2, 2026

Abbas Araghchi has held a series of calls with foreign ministers from Turkiye, France, Pakistan and Belgium to discuss ongoing diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington.

Araghchi held separate phone conversations with senior officials from Turkiye, France, Pakistan and Belgium regarding the latest developments in negotiations between Iran and the United States, Al Jazeera reported citing IRNA news agency.

Hezbollah has launched new attacks on northern Israel as the Israeli military continues to expand its operations in Lebanon.

The Israeli military said it intercepted a rocket fired from Lebanon after sirens sounded in the northern Israeli communities of Margaliot and Kiryat Shmona. Two additional projectiles reportedly landed near Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon, with no casualties reported.

Separately, after alerts warning of a hostile aircraft intrusion in the Rosh HaNikra and Betzet Beach areas, the military said an explosive drone crashed inside Israeli territory near the Lebanese border.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Qatar and Switzerland have discussed ways to support mediation efforts between the United States and Iran and help reduce regional tensions.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held talks with Ignazio Cassis on ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions between Tehran and Washington. According to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two discussed Islamabad-led mediation initiatives and ways to coordinate international support for negotiations designed to promote de-escalation and advance a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

The Israeli military has issued evacuation warnings for residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs, signalling possible strikes on the Dahiyeh area.

The Israeli military warned residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs to leave their homes, saying it could strike targets in the Dahiyeh district if Hezbollah continues launching rockets towards Israeli cities and towns. The warning follows remarks by Benjamin Netanyahu, who said he had instructed the military to target what Israel describes as Hezbollah infrastructure in the area.

The evacuation notice comes alongside similar displacement orders issued for nine additional towns in southern Lebanon, marking a further escalation in Israel’s operations against Hezbollah.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

The Israeli military says it intercepted three projectiles fired from Lebanon as air raid sirens continued to sound across northern Israel.

(Al Jazeera)

The Gulf Cooperation Council has strongly condemned Iran’s attack on Kuwait, describing it as a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security.

GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi denounced Iran’s attack on Kuwait as a “dangerous and irresponsible escalation”. In a statement, he said the attack undermined efforts to preserve regional stability and urged the international community and the UN Security Council to take a firm stance against what he described as serious violations of international peace and security. Al-Budaiwi also reaffirmed the GCC’s full support for Kuwait, stressing that member states stand united behind measures taken to protect the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and citizens.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it carried out a retaliatory strike on a base used by US forces, while Kuwait says its air defences intercepted incoming missiles and drones.

The IRGC said it targeted an airbase allegedly used in a US attack on a communications tower on Sirik Island in Iran’s Hormozgan Province, claiming the intended targets were destroyed. Kuwait, where the base is located, said its air defences intercepted missiles and drones as warning sirens sounded across the country. Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, warning that such actions undermine efforts to reduce tensions and threaten regional stability.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)