Trump warns of a return to "strong military action" against Iran if talks fail, as Tehran denies any negotiations are underway. Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei has told Hezbollah there is "no path forward except jihad and resistance.3 min readJul 28, 2026 06:17 AM IST First published on: Jul 28, 2026 at 06:11 AM IST ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebookThe agreement follows more than three months of conflict and several rounds of diplomacy involving regional intermediaries (AI-generated image)The US and Iran are sending conflicting signals over the state of diplomacy, even as a pause in strikes holds for a third day. Trump says talks are “friendly,” Tehran says none exist, and Iran’s Supreme Leader has issued his starkest message yet to Hezbollah.Here are 10 key points on where things stand.Trump warns of a return to military actionTrump told Axios, “If they don’t work out, we will go back to very strong military action,” referring to talks with Iran, according to The Guardian. He added that the window for diplomacy was short, saying it would either move quickly or not happen at all.Trump shares AI-generated images of attacks on Iranian facilities. (Photo: @realDonaldTrump)Iran denies any negotiations are underwayIran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran is not currently engaged in any negotiations with the US, and is only receiving messages through mediators.Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. (Photo/X/@IRIMFA_SPOX)The US says strikes were paused at Iran’s requestTrump said the US halted renewed strikes on Iran at Tehran’s request, warning they would resume if a new ceasefire deal isn’t reached.Khamenei tells Hezbollah there is ‘no path forward except jihad’Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei told Hezbollah, “There remains no path forward except jihad and resistance,” tying any US ceasefire to a full halt of Israeli operations in Lebanon.Story continues below this adA demonstrator holds a picture of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei during a gathering after announcement of a two-week ceasefire with the United States and Israel, in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo)Netanyahu arrives in WashingtonIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in Washington to meet Trump, with the Iran war expected to top their agenda.Saudi Arabia intercepts drone attacksSaudi Arabia’s defence ministry said it intercepted several drones targeting oil facilities, launched by Iran-backed militias in Iraq.Oil prices drop as shipping slowsBrent crude fell 6.7 per cent to trade near $90 a barrel, with shipping through the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb chokepoints dipping over the weekend.Most Read1Seattle shooting: 3 killed, 5 injured near iconic Space Needle2‘No path forward except Jihad’: Khamenei’s direct message to Hezbollah3‘Guardians of world’: Trump posts AI images showing US seizing Iranian tanker, striking Kharg oil terminal4Victims, suspects, motive: What we know so far about Seattle festival shooting5US court rejects Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee: What it means for Indians61 killed in communal clash in Nepal’s India-bordering Sunsari; prohibitory orders imposedOman and Iran near a deal on HormuzOman and Iran are nearing a technical agreement on managing the Strait of Hormuz, though Tehran’s demand for a transit toll on passing ships remains unresolved.Story continues below this adIran threatens Ukraine over Caspian Sea attackIran escalated threats against Ukraine after a Ukrainian strike on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea killed one person and injured three; Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi said the incident “cannot go unanswered.”Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (AP File Photo)UN flags possible war crimes in LebanonUN human rights chief Volker Turk said his office has documented Israeli violations of international law in Lebanon, some of which may amount to war crimes.AdvertisementLoading Recommendations...Advertisement