Middle East crisis live: Trump says he is ‘pausing’ planned destruction of Iranian energy sites as he claims talks are ‘ongoing’

Key Points:

• Former President Trump urged Iran to permanently abandon its nuclear ambitions and warned that if Iran refuses, the US will be their "worst nightmare," emphasizing America's superior military capabilities.
• Trump criticized NATO and specifically mocked the UK's aircraft carriers as inadequate compared to US military assets, dismissing the need for British support in the ongoing conflict.
• Iran, through its semi-official Tasnim news agency, responded to Trump's 15-point peace proposal by outlining conditions including an end to aggression, reparations, recognition of Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, and guarantees against future war.
• Iranian sources expressed skepticism about US intentions, viewing American negotiation efforts as deceptive tactics aimed at buying time and preparing for further aggression.
• The conflict has escalated regionally, with Israeli strikes in Lebanon killing at least five people amid Hezbollah rocket attacks on Israel, while Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement signals readiness to open a new front in the Red Sea, potentially targeting strategic maritime chokepoints.