This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.
Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments
- Gharibabadi calls US export control move an 'Abu Dhabi scandal document'
- Egypt, Qatar call for restart of US-Iran talks: Cairo
- Qatar delegation in Iran for talks after Hormuz attacks: local media
- Trump says US agrees to more Iran talks but ceasefire 'over'
- Six Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza
Friday developments at-a-glance
Published: July 11, 2026 | 00:00 GMT | by Web Desk
Diplomatic engagement gathered pace on Friday despite continuing regional tensions, with Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt stepping up efforts to preserve dialogue as the United States confirmed it would continue negotiations with Iran following this week's military escalation.
Pakistan remained at the center of regional diplomacy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate telephone conversations with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, stressing restraint, dialogue and the need to preserve the gains achieved under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan's leadership for attending the funeral of Iran's assassinated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and praised Islamabad's constructive role in supporting regional peace.
President Donald Trump said Washington had agreed to continue talks with Tehran, while insisting the ceasefire between the two countries was "over." A US official also confirmed that technical-level negotiations on a nuclear agreement remained underway even as the United States imposed fresh sanctions on an Iranian financial facilitator and several exchange houses.
Regional diplomacy also intensified beyond Islamabad. Qatar dispatched a delegation to Tehran for talks aimed at reinforcing its mediation role, while Egypt and Qatar jointly urged Washington and Tehran to return to negotiations. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump reviewed the latest US-Iran talks and discussed maritime security and broader regional stability during a telephone conversation.
Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency said global oil demand was beginning to recover as supplies gradually resumed through the Strait of Hormuz, although production remained below pre-war levels.
The day also brought the final chapter of Iran's national mourning, with Iranian media reporting that an estimated 41 to 43 million people attended six days of funeral ceremonies for assassinated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was laid to rest in Mashhad after being killed in a US-Israeli strike on Feb. 28.
Saudi foreign minister holds phone call with US Marco Rubio
Published: July 10, 2026 | 21:33 GMT | by Wed Desk
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a telephone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
According to the statement, the two officials discussed the latest regional developments and emphasized the importance of continuing coordination and joint consultations to achieve security and stability in the region.
Trump administration demands Iran keep Strait of Hormuz open: Report
Published: July 10, 2026 | 21:30 GMT | by Wed Desk
The Trump administration is demanding that Iran publicly acknowledge that the Strait of Hormuz is open and pledge to stop firing on commercial ships, reported Axios.
It added that the administration says Iran “violated the memorandum of understanding” it signed with the U.S. three weeks ago by repeatedly “firing” on commercial vessels in and around the strait.
For earlier developments, read our July 10 live blog here
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