Putin says Russia is ready to help end Iran war
Russian president Vladimir Putin told Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday that Moscow was ready to help end the war in Iran, Reuters reported.
Speaking during talks in Turkmenistan, Putin said Iran was making “real efforts” to end the conflict, which he said had begun through no fault of Tehran.
“You know our position. On our part, we are ready to do everything we can to help you resolve this situation,” Putin said, according to the Interfax news agency.
“We know that Iran is making real efforts to end the conflict, which broke out through no fault of its own, no fault of Iran,” Putin added.
The meeting came as diplomatic efforts between Iran and the US continued. Donald Trump said on Thursday that “productive discussions” with Iran were still underway.
Maroosha Muzaffar9 October 2026 07:00
US aircraft carrier returns home after 322-day deployment
The USS Abraham Lincoln returned to its home port in San Diego, California after a 322-day deployment, including a record 265 consecutive days at sea.
The aircraft carrier supported the US-Israel war on Iran, which began in February.
Crew members were greeted by family and friends, with some describing relief at finally returning home.
“It feels amazing,” 20-year-old Abel Ramirez told Associated Press, adding that his parents had driven from Texas to meet him.“There was a certain point when I never thought I would come off.”
On Thursday, the Pew Research Center released a poll that revealed that 65 per cent of Americans disapproved of Trump’s handling of the war, compared with 33 per cent who approved.
Maroosha Muzaffar9 October 2026 06:00
‘Massive explosions’ reported in southern Strait of Hormuz
Iranian media reported “massive explosions” in the southern Strait of Hormuz.
Fars news agency, citing unnamed military sources, said tankers using “unauthorised” routes may have hit sea mines.
Maroosha Muzaffar9 October 2026 05:00
Houthis claim attack on Riyadh airport
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed they struck Riyadh airport with a ballistic missile on Thursday, damaging a parked Saudi Airlines plane that caught fire.
Air India and Lufthansa suspended flights to the Saudi capital.
Saudi Arabia has not commented on the latest claim, but said three people were killed in strikes on Riyadh and Abha airports earlier this week.
The Houthis say they are targeting Saudi Arabia because it supports Yemen’s internationally recognised government in the civil war.
They have also threatened to strike Saudi energy facilities.
Maroosha Muzaffar9 October 2026 03:59
USS Abraham Lincoln docks in San Diego after 10-month deployment in support of Iran war
The USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier that had been deployed for a record 265 days at sea and supported US operations in Iran, has docked in San Diego, California.
The carrier drew national attention following reports of stress among the crew and poor mental health, as well as supply shortages. Pentagon officials downplayed those reports.
Crew members stand on the deck as the USS Abraham Lincoln Nimitz-class aircraft carrier approaches its homeport at Naval Air Station North Island on return from its historic 10-month deployment on October 8 (Getty Images)
Brendan Rascius8 October 2026 20:45
Trump defends his comments about Iran destroying US cities
President Donald Trump defended his comments about Iran destroying U.S. cities in a lengthy Truth Social post on Thursday afternoon.
“The Fake and Artificial News is out there trying to say that I’m inviting the enemy to bomb San Diego and Los Angeles,” Trump wrote on Thursday. “In actuality, what I was talking about was that a temporary increase in the price of Gasoline is a small price to pay for Iran not having a Nuclear Weapon and, if you want to see a big price, can you imagine what it would be like if they bombed San Diego and/or Los Angeles?”
“The Fake and Artificial News is out there trying to say that I’m inviting the enemy to bomb San Diego and Los Angeles,” Trump wrote on Thursday. (@RealDonaldTrump, Truth Social)
Brendan Rascius8 October 2026 20:27
Trump swats away female journalist after she asks him to explain ‘take out’ LA and San Diego comment
Addressing a rally crowd in Grand Island, Nebraska, Monday, the president had been discussing the Iran war driving up gas prices due to the blockading of the Strait of Hormuz, which he said was “a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe.”
He then continued: “They can take out a city – let ’em take, let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em take out San Diego. That’s – this is a very small price to pay.”
Maira Butt8 October 2026 19:00
Watch: Iran-backed groups target Riyadh airport with ballistic missiles
Iran-backed groups target Riyadh airport with ballistic missiles
Maira Butt8 October 2026 18:00
Trump says US will not attack Iran before 3 November
Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States is having productive discussions with Iran and will not launch an attack on the country before US midterm congressional elections in November.
“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. He said the US blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect and that oil is flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.
“We will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd,” Trump said.
Alex Ross8 October 2026 17:37
US military planes worth up to $3.3 billion now lost or damaged in Iran war, Congress report says
The U.S. military has seen 81 fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft worth as much as $3.3 billion damaged or destroyed in President Donald Trump’s war with Iran so far, according to a Congressional Research Service report.
Trump launched his Operation Epic Fury airstrikes against Tehran, in partnership with Israel, on February 28, since when it has seen airplanes, helicopters and drones hit in retaliatory strikes.
The total cited includes a costly F-35A fighter jet and a four-engine E-3 Sentry among the casualties, while MQ-9 Reaper drones, used for surveillance and search-and-rescue operations, account for more than half of the losses.
Read our full story below.
Daniel Keane8 October 2026 17:00