Iranian minister mocks Trump negotiations – Live updates

The price of Brent crude oil – the international benchmark – hit $110 per barrel today, rising 2.4% following a 2.8% gain yesterday.

Meanwhile, the US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, rose 2.1% to about $98 per barrel, following a 2.1% increase yesterday.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has openly mocked Donald Trump’s claims that he is winning the war in the Middle East.

He asked: ‘So then why did he ask for negotiations? Clearly, Iran is standing up to the largest superpower in the world, and they have not achieved a single one of their objectives.

‘That is why he is asking for negotiations, and we are now considering this option.’

Some US defence material deliveries to Europe are being delayed because of the war in the Middle East, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb said on Tuesday.

Sweden is issuing an early warning of a potential shortage of jet fuel stemming from the war in the Middle East, Energy Minister Ebba Busch said on Tuesday.

‘This is based on the Energy Agency’s assessment,’ Busch told a press conference.

Sweden could in a worst case scenario face rationing of aviation fuel, but the situation going forward depends to a great degree on how the market adapts, said Energy Agency General Director Caroline Asserup.

Iranian police have arrested several people accused of sending sensitive information and images to intelligence agencies using Starlink devices.

The Tehran Metropolitan Police Command Information Centre claimed that suspects rented a flat that was ‘used as a base for espionage activities.’

The accused are alleged to have used ‘advanced communication equipment, including Starlink satellite internet’ to send ‘information and news to intelligence services and hostile networks abroad.’

Police in Sarvestan arrested a person for allegedly ‘collaborating with hostile networks by sending messages, images and videos from important and sensitive locations.’

Netblocks, an internet monitoring service, said Iran’s internet has been blocked for two months now.

The IDF has today warned the residents of more than a dozen towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate.

It told the residents of Ghndouriyeh, Burj Qlawiyeh, Qlawiyeh, al-Sawana, al-Jumayjima, Safad al-Batikh, Braashit, Shaqra, Aita al-Jabal, Tibnin, al-Sultaniyya, Bir al-Sanasil, Dounin, Khirbet Silm, Salaa, and Deir Qifa to move north as soon as possible.

IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee said in a post to X in the last few minutes: ‘The [IDF] does not intend to harm you, and out of concern for your safety, you are required to evacuate your homes immediately and move away from the specified area towards the Sidon District.’

A tanker carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) has crossed the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the start of the war in the Middle East.

the tanker was last seen in the Persian Gulf on March 30 but showed up off the west coast of India Yesterday.

Iran has been blocking commercial ships going through the strait for weeks.

Russia’s ambassador to the UN has claimed Iran has the right to control who goes in and out of the Strait of Hormuz.

Vassily Nebenzia said: ‘There was an attempt to pin full responsibility on Iran as if it was Iran which attacked its neighbours.

‘In times of war, a coastal state that is under attack may limit navigation in its territorial waters for the purpose of security.’

Nebenzia also compared Western states to pirates, claiming: ‘Unlike pirates who raise their black flags with a skull and crossbones in their vessels, Western countries are attempting to conceal their lawless actions with references to unilateral coercive measures.’