Ukraine has completed repairs on a damaged oil pipeline and is preparing to resume flows. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made the announcement Tuesday, warning that Russia might target the infrastructure again. Repairs to the Druzhba pipeline delayed approval of a major EU loan intended to support Ukraine's military and economic needs. Zelenskyy said the repairs were linked to freeing funds blocked by Hungary and Slovakia. Russian oil supplies to these countries have been halted for two months after alleged Russian drone attacks damaged the pipeline. Zelenskyy expressed reluctance to allow Russian oil to continue transiting through Ukraine. EU officials are now cautiously optimistic that the loan deal could be approved soon, ending months of political deadlock.
By MUNIR AHMED, JON GAMBRELL and MATTHEW LEE Associated Press
President Donald Trump says the United States is extending its ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan's request as he waits for a unified proposal from the Islamic Republic. The announcement came as last-minute ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran looked uncertain Tuesday as a two-week truce was set to expire. A White House official says Vice President JD Vance, who is expected to lead the U.S. delegation if talks resume in Pakistan, called off a trip to Pakistan. Pakistan's information minister says Iran has not formally confirmed whether it will participate. The ceasefire had been set to expire on Wednesday.
By AAMER MADHANI, MUNIR AHMED and RUSS BYNUM Associated Press
U.S. President Donald Trump is giving mixed messages on the path ahead for the U.S. war with Iran. In a series of media interviews and social media posts Monday, Trump insisted he's in no rush to end the war while also expressing confidence that peace negotiations with Tehran will soon resume in Pakistan. A two-week ceasefire between the two countries is set to expire Wednesday. Trump said he expects the negotiation team lead by Vice President JD Vance to return to Pakistan for more talks. Tehran said there were no plans yet to attend the talks with the U.S.
A truce took hold Friday between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, providing relief on both sides of the border and an opening for Iran and the United States to reach a deal to end the wider war. The ceasefire appears to have paved the way for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, easing the global energy crisis. But major obstacles remain, as Hezbollah has not formally agreed to the truce and wants Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon. Israel says it is "not finished" dismantling the Iran-backed militant group and shows no sign of ending its occupation.
By KAREEM CHEHAYEB, AAMER MADHANI and ELENA BECATOROS Associated Press
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels. But President Donald Trump says the American blockade on Iranian ships and ports will stay in force until Tehran reaches a deal with the U.S., including on its nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted Friday on X that the crucial waterway is now fully open to commercial vessels. This comes as a 10-day truce between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon appears to hold. Trump initially celebrated the Iranian announcement. But minutes later, he issued another post saying the U.S. Navy's blockade would continue.
