Middle EastLiveBlasts rock Qeshm Island as Iran fires warning shots at vessels in Strait of Hormuz

Tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified after Washington rejected Tehran's proposal for a seven-day ceasefire linked to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming discussions on Iran's nuclear programme.

Key points

• United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, the UAE's official WAM news agency documented Monday.
• One source remarked the negotiations focused on a recent Haaretz report alleging that Sheikh Mohamed had cautioned Netanyahu of a feasible Hamas attack shortly before October 7, 2023.
• Axios just published a story that 'Trump' offered Sanctions Relief and Frozen Funds to Iran.
• Iran War: Netanyahu, UAE president's secret Abu Dhabi discussions reportedly centred on Hamas warning.
• Araqchi, speaking in New York, remarked Iran had discussed the ideas with Qatari mediators.

06: 03 (IST) Sep 29. Iran War: Bessent urges Lebanon to disrupt Iran, Hezbollah financial networks.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pressed Lebanon on Monday to take proactive steps to disrupt the financial networks of Iran and Hezbollah, during negotiations with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Finance Minister Yassine Jaber in Washington.

Bessent additionally stressed the need for financial-sector reforms to restore confidence in Lebanon's banking system, according to a US Treasury readout. 05: 16 (IST) Sep 29. US Iran War: Saudi, US foreign ministers discuss Hormuz security, Yemen.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Monday for discussions on regional security, Yemen and freedom of navigation through key waterways.

Notably, the two ministers discussed regional developments and stressed the importance of maritime security and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, the Saudi Foreign Ministry remarked in a post on X.

They additionally reaffirmed their backing for diplomatic efforts to address regional crises, according to the ministry. 04: 12 (IST) Sep 29.

US Iran War: Trump denies offering Iran sanctions relief or frozen funds.

US President Donald Trump on Monday denied an Axios report that he was willing to offer Iran sanctions relief or release frozen Iranian funds in exchange for nuclear concessions, saying he had offered Tehran "NOTHING".

"Axios just published a story that 'Trump' offered Sanctions Relief and Frozen Funds to Iran. This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "They should withdraw this fake story, IMMEDIATELY!" he continued.

Axios documented earlier on Monday, citing US office-holders, that Trump was willing to provide sanctions relief and release frozen Iranian funds in return for concrete concessions from Tehran on its nuclear programme.

Notably, the conflicting accounts come as diplomatic efforts intensify to find a way to end the war between the US and Iran, with Qatar and other intermediaries involved in efforts to bridge differences between the two sides.

While Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated Tehran had presented ideas through Qatari mediators and was awaiting Washington's response through Doha, trump has remarked his administration has been in contact with mediators. 03: 48 (IST) Sep 29.

Iran notes it provided Qatar ideas for US discussions, awaits Washington response on war.

As diplomatic efforts gather pace alongside the fighting, iran has proposed proposals through Qatari mediators to support end the war and expects Washington's final response to come through Doha, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on Monday.

Araqchi, speaking in New York, remarked Iran had discussed the ideas with Qatari mediators. This person would present them to the US. Tehran was then expecting Washington to convey its response through Qatar, state news agency IRNA documented. 03: 23 (IST) Sep 29.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an hourlong session with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during a secret visit to Abu Dhabi on Sunday, according to two residents briefed on the trip. The visit was first documented by Israel's Channel 12.

One source remarked the negotiations focused on a recent Haaretz report alleging that Sheikh Mohamed had cautioned Netanyahu of a feasible Hamas attack shortly before October 7, 2023. According to a person with firsthand knowledge, Netanyahu asked the Emirati leader to deny the report. Netanyahu's office had previously rejected the claim.

Meanwhile, the UAE confirmed the session late Monday, saying the two leaders discussed bilateral relations "and ways to strengthen and develop them".

Netanyahu's office remarked the gathering focused "solely on strengthening relations" and denied that the prime minister asked Sheikh Mohamed to address the newspaper report.

Netanyahu's office additionally stated the Shin Bet security agency had filed a complaint against Channel 12, accusing it of violating censorship rules by reporting the visit before Netanyahu had returned to Israel. 03: 01 (IST) Sep 29. Iran War: UAE confirms Netanyahu-MBZ session in Abu Dhabi.

United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, the UAE's official WAM news agency documented Monday. The session took place against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions after the recent war with Iran. "The two sides discussed bilateral relations between the UAE and Israel and ways to strengthen and develop them, " WAM remarked. The confirmation came after Israeli media documented that Netanyahu had produced a secret visit to Abu Dhabi and met Mohamed bin Zayed.

For now, middle EastLiveBlasts rock Qeshm Island as Iran fires warning shots at vessels remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.