Here's the latest
• Peace talks: Iran sent its latest proposal for negotiations with the United States to Pakistani mediators, according to sources. US President Donald Trump has said no one knows the status of talks with Iran aside from himself and a handful of others.
• Pain at the pump: As the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, US gas prices are now at an average of $4.39 per gallon — their highest level since July 2022 — marking an increase of 33 cents just in the last week.
• War powers: Lawmakers and US officials disagree on whether a legal deadline for the use of military force without congressional authorization has passed, with the Trump administration insisting that the ceasefire “terminated” hostilities for the war powers deadline.
• In Lebanon: More than a dozen people were killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon yesterday and today, the country’s health ministry said, despite a ceasefire that was extended last week.
Two killed in Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, Lebanese health ministry says
Israeli strikes killed two people and wounded 10 more in a town in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.
The strike took place in town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, the ministry said in a statement early Friday.
On Thursday, ministry said Israeli strikes in multiple towns in the Nabatieh district in southern Lebanon killed at least 14 people.
The strikes come despite an extension of the ceasefire in Lebanon, during which Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have continued to trade attacks.
Democratic Sen. Blumenthal tells CNN "imminent" military strike still on the table
US Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal told CNN “an imminent military strike is very much on the table” based on his takeaways from some briefings and other sources.
“I do have the impression from some of the briefings that I have received, as well as other sources that an imminent military strike is very much on the table,” he told CNN’s Erin Burnett, adding it is “deeply disturbing, because it could well involve American sons and daughters in harm’s way and potential massive casualties.”
He added that he didn’t think it “should be surprising anyone, because the military leaders involved in this effort have talked about it for some time.”
US President Donald Trump was expected to hear about updated military options for Iran from Pentagon officials on Thursday as he pressures Tehran into agreeing to a deal, a source said.
Trump doesn’t need Congress for war powers, Republican senator says
Senator Rick Scott tells CNN’s Kaitlan Collins the president should be able to continue the war with Iran without asking Congress for authorization.
Iran's revised peace proposal could come today. Here's what we know
Pakistani mediators expect a revised peace proposal from Iran after US President Donald Trump rejected a previous version, with sources saying an answer could come by Friday.
Trump said that no one knows the status of talks with Iran aside from himself and a handful of others, suggesting the negotiations are advancing despite the public appearance of a standstill even as he acknowledged the uncertainty over Iran’s leadership.
The president said Wednesday that negotiations were happening “telephonically” and that his response to any proposal from Iran will depend on how far it goes on limiting its nuclear program. Iran’s previously rejected proposal called for opening the Strait of Hormuz first and dealing with nuclear issues later.
Here’s what else you need to know:
- War powers: Trump criticized congressional efforts aimed at limiting his war powers — the latest of which the Senate rejected Thursday. A post-Vietnam War law puts a 60-day clock on the use of military force without congressional authorization, but there’s disagreement in Congress over the deadline.
- Military options: The US president was expected to hear about updated military options for Iran from Pentagon officials on Thursday as he pressures Tehran into agreeing to a deal, a source said. Trump is routinely updated on military plans, and there was little to indicate his previous reluctance to restart the US bombing campaign was waning.
- Oil crisis latest: The Trump administration is pressing foreign governments to join a new coalition to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as the Iran war continues to choke the waterway vital to the global oil trade. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian again slammed the US blockade of Iranian ports, saying it amounts to continued military action against his country.
- Europe spat: Trump said that he is considering reducing US troop levels in Spain and Italy, as the US broadly re-evaluates its military footprint in Europe amid disagreements with allies over the Iran war. Trump has had significant friction with European leaders over their not helping in the Iran war. And in the Oval Office Thursday, he renewed his criticism of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in particular.
