In an exclusive interview, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asserted that Tehran would not capitulate to the United States or Israel and attributed regional instability to Washington, describing Iranian military actions as retaliatory. He also addressed issues including Houthi operations in the Bab el-Mandab strait, relations with the UAE, and the presence of US bases in the region.

Additionally, Pezeshkian indicated a willingness to engage in direct, precondition-free dialogue with US President Donald Trump.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Indian President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, reportedly following a prior bilateral engagement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During a subsequent interview with India Today, Pezeshkian characterized the bilateral relationship as steadily improving and described the nations' civilizational ties as a foundation for countering what he termed "rising global totalitarianism.

" The discussion also addressed various unverified or broadly defined topics, including regional security dynamics in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear enrichment stance, and domestic economic conditions.

Global oil prices surpassed $105 per barrel amid reports of intensified conflict with Iran, coinciding with the implementation of new U.S. sanctions under "Operation Economic Outcast." Simultaneously, trade tensions escalated as the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods following the collapse of negotiations, prompting retaliatory measures from Canada.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that while Saudi Arabia has not signed the Additional Protocol, it is prepared to grant the agency oversight powers over enrichment, conversion, and reprocessing that are functionally similar to those established by the protocol.

The underlying US-Saudi 123 agreement, signed in July, potentially permits domestic uranium enrichment after a two-year study, marking a departure from the UAE’s previous enrichment-free framework. Currently in its 90-day congressional review period, the deal faces objections from Democrats and nonproliferation advocates, with two accompanying side letters remaining classified.