Iran’s top diplomat hopes the United States will demonstrate “rationality” as diplomatic efforts aim to avoid a return to all-out war.
Meanwhile, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed eight people, including a young boy. And Qatar’s national gas company said one of its ships had been struck in the Persian Gulf.
Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Sunday. Read our full coverage here.
Iran’s top diplomat hopes US will be ‘rational’
Iran’s top diplomat said consultations with mediators were ongoing as diplomatic efforts try to avoid a return to all-out war, and that the final outcome depends on the answers provided by the United States to the “Iranian questions.”
In an interview shared on his Telegram channel, Abbas Araghchi said Iran hoped the United States would choose “diplomacy over other paths.” He said Iran was prepared for both defense and diplomacy, depending on Washington’s “rationality.”
Araghchi said Saturday that Iranian negotiators were in Qatar to discuss a proposal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if the United States meets several conditions. He said no direct negotiations were taking place with the United States.
Trump says he had ‘very good discussions’ with Netanyahu
US President Donald Trump told reporters that he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday and had “a very good conversation” with him.
Trump gave no details but said the two men discussed the war in Iran.
There was no public comment on the call from Netanyahu, who some Israelis fear is eager to attack Iran again to save his political position after he and his allies lost their majority of seats in parliament following last week’s elections.
Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 8, including a 4-year-old boy
A strike in Khan Younis in southern Gaza killed five people, according to Nasser Hospital, where the bodies were taken. Another strike in Gaza City killed three people, including the boy, and seriously injured a woman, according to Shifa Hospital, which received the wounded.
The Israeli army said it struck several militants in Khan Younis as well as a Hamas militant in northern Gaza.
A ceasefire in October 2025 largely ended major fighting, but near-daily Israeli strikes continued. More than 1,570 Palestinians have been killed since the truce began, according to Gaza’s health ministry, bringing the total death toll in the war to more than 74,500.
The ministry, part of the Hamas-led government, does not distinguish between civilians and militants. Israel says the strikes target militant targets and accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields.
Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of airstrikes on medical school
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen reported two airstrikes on the medical faculty of Hodeida University, according to the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV channel.
The rebels blamed Saudi Arabia for the strikes. No information was immediately provided on the victims. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the rebels said only that it had carried out a “precision operation.”
The port city of Hodeida has been the target of repeated attacks since fighting escalated months ago between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces, reigniting Yemen’s devastating civil war.
Qatari shipping company says ship hit in Persian Gulf
Qatari liquefied natural gas shipping company Nakilat said one of its vessels was struck by “unidentified objects” while in the Persian Gulf.
Nakilat, formally known as Qatar Gas Transport Co., said the Al Mayeda suffered damage Friday evening, but no crew members were injured and there was no impact on the environment. He said the ship remained operational.
The press release does not specify who fired these objects. Iran has previously claimed responsibility for attacks on ships and warned against vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz without its permission.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and said authorities were investigating. Such attacks also risk harming the environment and marine life.
UN opens investigation into death of staffer held by Houthis
The UN is calling for an investigation after an employee of its human rights office became the second UN employee to die in the custody of Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Mohammad el Shami had been detained since June 2024 and the Houthis never provided information on his state of health or proof of life despite repeated requests, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said.
A World Food Program employee died while in Houthi custody in February 2025.
Iran labels British naval and air forces terrorist organizations
Iran has designated Britain’s navy and air force as terrorist organizations and declared its foreign intelligence service MI6 a hostile entity, the official IRNA news agency reported.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has accused the UK of participating in US-Israeli attacks on Iran by providing military bases and logistical support.
The designation could expose those accused of working with MI6 to prosecution under Iranian law and increase the risk of military confrontation.
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This report will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.
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