US-Iran War News Live Updates: No Plans To Pursue A Ceasefire, Says Iran; Ukraine Agrees To Assist US

Iran media claims Israeli Embassy targeted in Bahrain.

Video shows the aftermath of an Iranian missile striking near Kuwait's Ali al-Salem Air Base, which hosts US forces.

The US Embassy in Kuwait shut down after retaliatory Iranian strikes on the country, becoming the second American diplomatic mission to fully halt work as the war in Iran escalates. Kuwait is also where six American soldiers were killed by an Iranian drone on Sunday.

In a post on X, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka wrote, "No civilian should die in wars. Our approach is that every life is as precious as our own. We jealously guard our non-aligned policy while ensuring that humanitarian values and the saving of lives remain our top priority."

He reiterated that the world needs today is peace. "We call upon all parties to demonstrate a firm commitment to peace. As a state, Sri Lanka stands ready to support every step toward ending hostilities. All our actions are aimed at saving lives and ensuring that humanity prevails," concluded the post.

US military investigators believe it is likely that US forces were responsible for an apparent strike on an Iranian girls' school that killed scores of children on Saturday but have not yet reached a final conclusion or completed their investigation, two US officials told Reuters.

The Kurdish groups have dismissed reports of joining the fight against Iran. "Not entering and fighting in Iran", Anti-Iran militia Kurds released a statement amid buzz over extending support to the US.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday denied reports that Tehran has been in contact with the US to push for a ceasefire.

“We don't see any reason why we should negotiate with the US,” Araghchi told NBC News. “When we negotiated with them twice, and every time they attacked us in the middle of negotiations.”

In the Axios interview, Trump derided the 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei, who has never been elected or appointed to a government position, as “a lightweight.”

"We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran," Trump said.

"I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy in Venezuela," said Trump, referring to the acting president in the South American country. Delcy Rodríguez took power in January after a US military operation captured Nicolás Maduro and whisked him to the US to face federal drug conspiracy charges.

US President Donald Trump he should be involved in choosing Iran's next supreme leader as the US and Israel hammered the country for a sixth day. Trump ruled out Mojtaba Khamenei, a front-runner to replace his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening strikes of the war.

Trump's comments to the American news website Axios were likely to renew questions about whether the US and Israel seek the overthrow of the Islamic Republic or just a change in its policies, as the conflict has appeared increasingly open-ended.

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has stated that Tehran is fully prepared for the possibility of a U.S. ground offensive and has no plans to pursue a ceasefire or enter negotiations with Washington as the conflict with the United States and Israel escalates.

Speaking in a firm tone during an interview with NBC News, Araghchi said Iran’s armed forces are ready for any development and warned that any American ground operation would carry severe consequences for U.S. troops.

Canada’s defence chief has delivered a significant message, signalling that while Canada may contribute to efforts to help protect the Persian Gulf, the country will not take part in any U.S.-led military attacks on Iran. 

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine will assist the United States and its allies in countering Iran’s Shahed drones, following a request from Washington. He explained that he had received a formal appeal from the US for support in defending against drone attacks in the Middle East, and had authorised the transfer of equipment along with Ukrainian specialists, though he did not disclose specific details, as per reports from Guardian.

Russia has deployed tens of thousands of Shahed drones against Ukraine over the course of the war, at one point unleashing more than 800 drones and decoys in a single large‑scale overnight assault. Iran, in turn, has used the same drone model in retaliation to joint US‑Israeli strikes, launching them at targets across the Middle East.

The United States has announced that its forces struck an Iranian drone carrier, leaving the vessel ablaze, as the US‑Israeli offensive against Iran continues into its seventh day. In a statement posted on X, US Central Command said that American forces “are not holding back” in their campaign to dismantle Iran’s naval capabilities.

The command described the targeted drone carrier as being comparable in size to a World War II–era aircraft carrier. The statement did not specify the location of the strike.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that three Australian nationals were aboard a US nuclear‑powered submarine that collided with — and ultimately sank — an Iranian military vessel in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka.

Speaking to Sky News, Albanese said Australia would not usually comment on such matters but did so due to National Security Committee deliberations and heightened public interest. He emphasized that while the Australians were on board, none of them took part in any offensive action against Iran.

US President Donald Trump says, "I'm once again calling on all members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the military, and the police to lay down their arms. They are only going to be killed. And now is the time to stand up for the Iranian people and help take back your country... Accept immunity; we will give you immunity... or you will face absolutely guaranteed death... "

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed that its air defence systems successfully intercepted a coordinated ballistic‑missile attack targeting Prince Sultan Air Base. According to an official statement released on X, Saudi Air Defence Forces detected, intercepted, and destroyed three ballistic missiles launched toward the strategic facility, preventing any reported damage or casualties.

Donald Trump has said he had rejected what he claimed was an attempt by Tehran to restart negotiations on Tuesday.