Iran-US tensions escalate as Trump rejects peace plan and Tehran warns of 'doomsday' war

Donald Trump has publicly rejected the seven-day plan and reportedly told staff he expects to resume hostilities after the November midterms

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Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was prepared for a “doomsday” war with the US but was keeping diplomacy open.

“If you ask us, there is no reason why we should go back to diplomacy, but I am still trying diplomacy because I think we shouldn’t miss any chance for peace,” Araghchi said.

“We are ready to negotiate as much as we are ready to face any challenge ... We stand firm in the face of any aggression against us, even if it comes to a doomsday war.”

Donald Trump has publicly rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end fighting, claiming the US was “winning tremendously”.

However, Iranian officials have responded by insisting diplomacy is the only solution, amid reports Trump is planning on resuming hostilities after domestic elections in November.

“Our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on these conditions being met,” Araqchi posted on social media.

“Only a negotiated solution can get them out of this deadlock.”Araghchi had presented the seven-day plan to American negotiators on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

IRGC claims it captured US drone in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s IRGC has claimed that it captured a US Remus 600 unmanned underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz and handed it to specialists for data recovery.

According to Tasnim news agency, the IRGC said: “IRGC Navy forces successfully captured an advanced unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) belonging to the US terrorist army.”

It added: “The IRGC Navy firmly declares that the Strait of Hormuz is closed [to unauthorised traffic].”

Maroosha Muzaffar28 September 2026 04:20

Iranian foreign minister says Tehran prepared for a 'doomsday' war with the US

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is prepared for a “doomsday” war with the US but is keeping diplomacy open to avoid missing a chance for peace.

“If you ask us, there is no reason why we should go back to diplomacy, but I am still trying diplomacy because I think we shouldn’t miss any chance for peace,” Araghchi said.

“We are ready to negotiate as much as we are ready to face any challenge ... We stand firm in the face of any aggression against us, even if it comes to a doomsday war.”

Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear talks if Washington meets its conditions, but president Donald Trump rejected the proposal.

Araghchi said: “Only a negotiated solution can break this deadlock.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s IRGC claimed it captured a US Remus 600 underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz.

Maroosha Muzaffar28 September 2026 03:51

In full: Terror police ‘investigate Iran link’ to suspected bomb plot near RAF Fairford

Terror police ‘investigate Iran link’ to suspected bomb plot near RAF Fairford

Bomb disposal experts are examining a number of vehicles after a major incident was declared near the military airbase, which is also used by the US air force

Harriette Boucher28 September 2026 03:00

Iran accuses US of 'faking' Strait of Hormuz control

Harriette Boucher28 September 2026 02:00

Trump expects talks with Iran to resume this week

Donald Trump has said he expects talks with Iran will resume this week as “they want to make a deal”.

He told Axios on Sunday: “I expect more talks with Iran [this week]. They want to make a deal, but it is not the deal that I want to make.

“It is what we would have maybe agreed to a year ago. They overplayed their hand.”

Asked if he is considering resuming strikes against Iran, Trump said: “I am always thinking about it.”

He told Fox News on Sunday that more strikes were possible.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Aragchi has insisted a diplomatic solution is the only option, syaing: “Only a negotiated solution can get them out of this deadlock.”

Harriette Boucher28 September 2026 01:00

Iran claims its seized US drone in the 'hunting ground' of the Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed its forces seized a US drone in the Strait of Hormuz.

Spokesman Hossein Mohebbi said the vital waterway was “not only open, but a hunting ground for the IRGC Navy targeting American submarines”

“The second catch has been reeled in, this time the Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish; an advanced, autonomous AUV equipped with sonar and precision navigation, worth several million dollars,” he said.

“It's not just a hunt; it's a trophy of technology and intelligence.”

Harriette Boucher28 September 2026 00:00

Trump refuses to rule out more strikes

Donald Trump has refused to rule out further attacks on Iran, but insisted the US would most likely win the war soon.

Asked by Fox News on Sunday if strikes in the coming weeks were an option, he said: “I don't want to say that. I don't want to say that. I mean, it's possible, but I just don't want to say that.

“I think what’s going to happen is we’re going to win this war very soon.

“We’ve already won it really from a military standpoint,” he added.

“But that doesn’t mean we’ve stopped that.”

Harriette Boucher27 September 2026 23:30

Watch: Trump praises UK police over alleged plot

Sam Rkaina27 September 2026 22:30

Hegseth spoke to UK about alleged terror plot against US airbase in England

UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said he had been “working closely with our American friends” in relation to a major incident outside the RAF Fairford airbase and that he had been in touch with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

He told a fringe event at the Labour Party conference: “This is my first experience as Defence Secretary of responding live to President Trump, and I’m sure it won’t be the only occasion.

“I’m sure you will understand that I’m not going to comment on a live operation and operational security matters.

“I don’t think it will come as a surprise to anyone that, given the importance of Fairford, not just to the United Kingdom but to the United States, we’ve been working closely with our American friends, and I’ve been in touch during the course of today with my counterpart Pete Hegseth.”

Sam Rkaina27 September 2026 21:30

Trump thanks UK police for foiling alleged terror plot on US base

A suspected terror plot against an RAF base used by the US Air Force (USAF) was “looking to do big damage”, US President Donald Trump has said.

Five men have been arrested on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences after armed police stopped three vans in the early hours of Sunday.

Mr Trump praised the UK police response and suggested authorities already had the suspects under investigation.

Using the American term for military sites – fort – to refer to RAF Fairford, which hosts USAF heavy bombers, he told reporters in the US: “It was fantastic. Working with Britain, it was an amazing job.

“We had them under investigation. They, they were looking to do big damage to our fort, and working with the British worked out great.

“It may have been Scotland Yard, I don’t know. We worked with a lot of them.

“We had them under view for a long time, and we got them. Thank you.”

Sam Rkaina27 September 2026 20:45