Iran war live: IRGC says US, Israel ‘must accept withdrawal’ from region
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the United States and Israel must accept the region’s freedom from their “vile and criminal presence,” as tensions remain high in the Strait of Hormuz where a second vessel was reported struck by debris. US UN envoy Mike Waltz reiterated US policy aiming to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon while saying Washington remains open to negotiations if Tehran returns in good faith.
Why It Matters
The IRGC’s statement signals continued Iranian defiance toward US and Israeli influence at a time when maritime incidents in the Strait of Hormuz raise regional security concerns. At the same time, US officials maintain diplomatic pressure over Iran’s nuclear activities, keeping the prospect of negotiations conditional on Tehran’s actions.
Key Facts
- IRGC statement: Said the US and Israel must accept the region’s freedom from their “vile and criminal presence”.
- Maritime incident: United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a second vessel hit by "debris from an unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz.
- US envoy comment: US envoy to the United Nations Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump is determined to ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.
- Negotiation condition: Waltz said the door remains open for Iran to return to the negotiating table if it does so "in good faith."
- Reporting: Story by Leena Fraihat and Noor Kareem for Al Jazeera.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has publicly called on the United States and Israel to accept what it described as the region’s freedom from their “vile and criminal presence,” escalating rhetoric amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf. The comment came as international maritime authorities reported a separate security incident in nearby waters. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said a second ship in the Strait of Hormuz was struck by debris from an unidentified projectile. The report adds to a string of recent maritime safety concerns in a chokepoint critical for global energy shipments and shipping lanes. Meanwhile at the United Nations, US envoy Mike Waltz reiterated the administration’s firm stance on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, saying President Donald Trump is resolved to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Waltz also stated that Washington would be willing to return to diplomacy, but only if Iran comes back to talks acting in good faith. The statements from the IRGC and US officials reflect parallel tracks of hardened rhetoric and conditional diplomatic openings, set against a backdrop of maritime incidents that have heightened regional security anxieties. The reporting was filed by Leena Fraihat and Noor Kareem for Al Jazeera.
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