Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: US approves major arms deals with Israel, Saudi amid tensions with Iran

Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: Nationwide protests in Iran began in late December against economic woes but broadened into a challenge to the Islamic Republic’s theocracy. Activists say the government’s crackdown has killed at least 6,540 people. (AP)

Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: United States President Donald Trump is seeking a nuclear deal with Iran, without having to use military force against the Islamic nation. Among the Trump administration’s demands is for Iran to not have nuclear weapons.

“Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal — NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS — one that is good for all parties,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform earlier this week. “Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!” he added

Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia’s defense minister, Khalid bin Salman, said on social media Friday that he discussed “efforts to advance regional and global peace and stability” in Washington with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s envoy to the region Steve Witkoff and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (AP)

Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: The United States allies in the middle east region have called for restraint from both the parties — the US and Iran — amid growing tensions between the two nations which could end up in a military confrontation, reported news agency Associated Press citing an Arab diplomat familiar with the matter.

Several gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Oman and Qatar have been in touch with leaders in Washington and Tehran to make the case that an escalation by either or both sides would cause massive destabilization in the region.

They also warned that such an escalation would also impact energy markets, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: The United States’s arms sales to Israel consists of four packages, which includes one for 30 Apache attack helicopters and related equipment and weapons, with another for 3,250 light tactical vehicles.

The Apache helicopters, which will be equipped with rocket launchers and advanced targeting gear, are the biggest part of the total package, coming to $3.8 billion, according to the State Department.

The next largest portion is the light tactical vehicles, which will be used to move personnel and logistics “to extend lines of communication” for the Israel Defense Forces and will cost $1.98 billion, it said. (AP)

Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: The Saudi sale is for 730 Patriot missiles and related equipment that “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major non-NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region,” said the US state department, reported Associated Press.

“This enhanced capability will protect land forces of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and local allies and will significantly improve Saudi Arabia’s contribution” to the integrated air and missile defense system in the region, it said.

Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: The United States has approved major arms deals with both Israel and Saudi Arabia worth $6.67 billion and $9 billion respectively, amid growing tensions in the middle-east over potential US military action threat on Iran.

The deals were announced late Friday (local time) and were made public after the US State Department notified the US Congress of its approval of the sales earlier on Friday.

Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: A US Navy destroyer was docked at the Israeli port of Eilat, an Israeli media report said on Friday, citing the military. The development comes amid tensions between Washington and Iran. The report said that the arrival of the destroyer at the southern port on the Gulf of Aqaba, near Israel’s borders with Egypt and Jordan, was pre-planned and part of ongoing cooperation between the US and Israeli militaries.

Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: United States President Donald Trump on Friday renewed his claim of convincing Iran to not mass execute people protesting against the Islamic regime.

“They were going to hang 837 people. And I told them, ‘if you do it, you’re going to pay a price like nobody’s ever paid before.’ And they pulled back,” Trump said, reported Bloomberg.

“I appreciated that a lot of people are being killed, so we’ll see what happens. I can say this, they do want to make a deal.”

Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: UK PM Keir Starmer said on Friday that the UK was working with allies to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. The British prime minister made the remark when he was asked whether he would support possible US strikes on Iran. “The goal, or the aim, here is that Iran shouldn’t be able to develop nuclear weapons and that is hugely important,” Starmer told BBC.

Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: Amid escalating tensions with the United States, which has sent an “armada” towards Iran, the middle-eastern country’s defence council head Ali Shamkhani said on Friday that Iran was ready to face “more advanced scenarios” than just fighting in the sea.

“We are not limiting the geography of confrontation to the sea alone and have prepared ourselves for broader and more advanced scenarios,” he said, according to Tasnim news agency.

Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that his country was “as ready for war” as it was for negotiations with the United States. He also accused Israel of enabling and encouraging the US to attack Iran and added that any military strike could lead to a wider conflict.

Referring to the 12-day war with Israel last year, in which US was also eventually involved, Aragchi said that Iran is “even more prepared than before the 12-day war.”

Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: United States President Donald Trump, who appeared confident on Friday that Iran would make a deal instead of facing military action, said that an “armada” is headed towards Iran and that the fleet exceeded the one sent to support the US operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.

“We’re now sending, actually, a larger number of ships to Iran, and hopefully we’ll make a deal,” Trump said.

Iran-US tensions LIVE updates: Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi hinted towards a de-escalation of tensions between his country and the US and said that Iran was “ready to begin negotiations” but only “if they take place on an equal footing”.

He also said that “Iran’s defensive and missile capabilities will never be subject to negotiation”. He added that there were no plans to meet with US officials on resuming talks, reported AFP.