An Iranian official told CNN that there is “cooperation” between the US and Iran and that Iran is ready to listen to “appropriate” proposals to end the war.
The tentative recognition came a day after Iran strongly denied holding talks with Washington, contradicting US President Donald Trump’s claims that the two countries had reached “key points of agreement” in negotiations over the weekend.
Conflicting accounts have caused wild swings in oil prices and stock markets. Meanwhile, the conflict shows little sign of abating, with Iran launching several waves of missile attacks against Israel overnight into Tuesday, and Israeli settlers carrying out a series of attacks in the occupied West Bank.
Communities on the ground continue to bear the brunt of the violence. Thousands of people, including nearly 350 children, have been killed in the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, Iranian retaliatory attacks in the region, and expanded Israeli attacks in Lebanon, according to regional statistics compiled by CNN.
Here’s what you need to know on day 25.
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Iran is ready to listen: Iranian sources told CNN on Tuesday that the US government has begun “outreach” in recent days, but “nothing has reached the level of serious negotiations.” The official stressed that Iran “does not seek talks or direct negotiations with the United States, but is willing to listen if a sustainable agreement that protects the regime’s interests is within its reach.”
Iran’s denial: Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Ministry had categorically denied talks between Tehran and the US, according to state media. Iran dismissed Trump’s claims as an attempt to lower energy prices and buy time for its military plans. One of the supreme leader’s senior military advisers said the war will continue until Iran receives full compensation for the damage it has suffered.
Trump threatens to postpone: Trump said Saturday that he would bombard Iran’s power grid if the Strait of Hormuz was not fully navigable within 48 hours. President Trump suddenly announced on Monday, hours before a self-imposed deadline, that he would suspend these strikes for five days. He claimed that the United States and Iran had reached “key points of agreement” in talks over the weekend, but did not provide details about what was agreed or who the United States was talking to in Iran.
Iran attacks Israel: Iran’s attack on Tel Aviv on Tuesday damaged buildings and set vehicles ablaze, as seen in video obtained by CNN. Israeli authorities said Iran fired seven waves of missiles starting in the middle of the night and set off sirens in the southern desert city of Dimona, near Israel’s Negev nuclear research center. Meanwhile, Israel continues to carry out attacks on Tehran, including attacking one of the headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Volatile markets: Oil prices plunged and stock markets soared on Monday after President Trump’s surprise announcement of talks with Iran. However, Iran’s refusal caused oil prices to rise again to more than $100 per barrel. Meanwhile, the timing of President Trump’s announcements on Iran, often before or after market hours, has drawn attention. CNN reported on how one trader made nearly $1 million on dozens of well-timed polymarket bets since 2024 that accurately predicted US and Israeli military action against Iran.
Human toll: Nearly 350 children have been killed in the region since February 28, according to a CNN tally. At least 217 children have been killed in Iran alone, according to the US-based Human Rights Defenders News Agency (HRANA), and the Lebanese Ministry of Health has announced that at least 121 children have been killed in Lebanon.
West Bank violence: Israel is diverting combat battalions from its northern border with Lebanon to the occupied West Bank amid a surge in settler violence against Palestinians during the war, according to Israeli military officials. Israeli human rights group Yesh Din said there had been an average of 10 attacks by settlers against Palestinians a day since early March.
Israel’s response: Despite talk of ending the war with Iran, an Israeli official told CNN that the deal “doesn’t seem concrete at this point.” Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Trump believed there was an opportunity to turn military gains into a deal that “protects our vital interests,” but stressed that Israel would continue its attacks on Iran and Lebanon.
Diplomatic efforts: Countries continue to seek a diplomatic solution to the war, with Pakistan offering to host talks involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Turkey’s foreign minister has spoken over the past 48 hours with more than a dozen regional and global stakeholders about efforts to end the war. “It’s time to come to the negotiating table and end hostilities” on Iran, the European Commission president said on Tuesday.
