Iran Confirms Diplomatic Contact with US via Qatar in New York Amid Escalating Regional Tensions

Iran has confirmed maintaining contact with the US through Qatar in New York, even as Iran is forced to cancel Iraq and Oman flights amid US aviation sanctions. Meanwhile, diplomats report that France is drafting a UN Security Council resolution on Hormuz.

In related diplomatic developments, Putin and Saudi Crown Prince discussed Gulf security in a phone call, and a complaint was filed in France over an alleged Israeli war crime in Lebanon. Saudi Arabia has also restarted operations at the East-West Pipeline.

As tensions persist, Trump posed the question to the UN: 'Do I annihilate Iran?', while Antonio Guterres emphasized that the fighting must stop. Trump later cut his trip short as Houthis strike Saudi Arabia, leading Yemenis to flee to Djibouti as the Houthi conflict spirals.

Gargash stated that the UAE seeks dialogue with Iran while protecting our interests. Furthermore, Trump stated that the US 'hopefully' nearing end of the Iran war, while discussions continue on why the US needs to rebuild its interceptor arsenal - and fast.

Elsewhere, officials behind a brutal crackdown on protests in Iran consolidate power, and footage purports to show Houthis fighting Saudi-backed forces. Finally, Massad Boulos stated that the region's security is a red line for the US.