APPLENEWS - STORY ADD
Iran live updates: US shoots down 2 Iranian drones attempting to strike ships in Strait of Hormuz
However, Trump says an Iran agreement could be signed as soon as this weekend.
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.
Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan in April failed to reach a peace deal.
Trump later announced the open-ended extension of the ceasefire and the continuation of a U.S. blockade until negotiations are concluded "one way or the other."
Key Headlines
- US forces shoot down more Iranian attack drones in Strait of Hormuz
- Pakistani prime minister says final, agreed upon text of peace deal reached
- What the White House says Iran agreed to in a short-term agreement
- Israel will not withdraw from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, Katz says
- Iranian official says memorandum of understanding has never been closer
- US moving forward with signing ceremony plans, but deal still needs final approval from Iran, sources say
Trump says Iran will 'pay the price' for taking 'too long' to make a deal
President Donald Trump posted to social media on Wednesday saying that Iran has "taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them, now they will have to pay the price!!!"
"Iran's Military is a complete and total mess. Much of it, like their Navy and Air Force, doesn't even exist anymore -- They have been completely defeated. Iran is all talk and no action. The Bully of the Middle East is DEAD!!!" Trump wrote.
Iran to 'reassess' US talks following latest strikes, spokesperson says
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters Wednesday that Tehran will need to reassess negotiations with the U.S. following the latest exchange of strikes.
"What happened last night demonstrated that Iran's brave armed forces do not hesitate when it comes to defending the country," Baghaei said, as quoted by the IRIB state television channel.
"Unfortunately, the United States is undermining this process through contradictory messages, frequent shifts in its positions and demands, and repeated violations of the ceasefire," he added.
-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian
Iran state media says US missiles hit water tanks in Hormozgan
Iranian state television said Wednesday that U.S. missiles hit water tanks in Sirik, a county located in the Hormozgan Province on the coastline of the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. has not commented on the report, which ABC News could not immediately verify.
According to a local water company, the two tanks affected -- one with 500 cubic meter capacity and the other 2,000 cubic meter -- are vital water distribution infrastructure for the area.
-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian
Kuwait, Bahrain intercept Iranian attacks
The Bahrain Defence Force said in a post to social media on Wednesday that its air defenses intercepted an unspecified number of Iranian missiles and drones. Iran, the BDF said, "is continuing its systematic hostility."
Kuwait's Defense Ministry said in a statement posted to X on Wednesday that its defenses also intercepted "hostile aerial targets at dawn today."