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BREAKING NEWS

Iran receives US proposal via Pakistan, talks venue under discussion - Reuters

Pakistan has handed over a US proposal to Tehran, while the venue for potential talks is still being discussed, a senior Iranian source told Reuters.

The development follows earlier reports that Washington sent a multi-point proposal to Iran via intermediaries as part of efforts to end the conflict.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202603192844#202603251939

Iran allows ‘non-hostile’ ships through Strait of Hormuz

US and Israeli vessels, as well as those that support the “aggression” against Iran, are not welcome, officials in Tehran have said

Published 24 Mar, 2026 19:15 | Updated 25 Mar, 2026 11:06

Iranian officials have signaled that “non-hostile” ships are free to sail through the Strait of Hormuz on condition that they are in no way linked to the “aggression” against Iran – adding, however, that passage must be coordinated with the authorities.

Despite the message, Middle East tensions show no signs of abating, as the Pentagon has officially issued orders for around 2,000 elite troops from the army’s 82nd Airborne Division to deploy within “striking distance” of Iran, according to US officials cited by the Washington Post and the New York Times.

An additional 2,500 marines are scheduled to arrive later this week to reinforce a potential ground operation, which the media has long speculated could include seizing Iran’s main oil export hub on Kharg Island.

Senior Iranian military adviser Ali-Akbar Ahmadian previously dared US soldiers to “come closer,” warning that the Iranian armed forces have “trained in asymmetrical warfare” for decades.

US President Donald Trump is reportedly seeking an off-ramp from the war, with a list of 15 peace proposals. Tehran has thus far rejected backchannel talks with Washington.

Here are the latest developments:

President Trump claimed the US has already “won” and ongoing diplomatic talks with Iran are the reason why he postponed military strikes on Iranian power plants for five days.

Israel’s Channel 12 has reported that Trump’s 15-point proposal demands that Iran dismantle its nuclear and missile programs, abandon its regional proxy network, and open the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted maritime passage. In exchange, Tehran would allegedly receive a full lifting of international sanctions, assistance with its civilian nuclear program, and the removal of the “snapback” sanction mechanism.

“We negotiate with bombs,” US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has said about the Pentagon's role in the alleged behind-the-scenes talks.

Tehran has denied that talks with the US are taking place, with Iran’s parliamentary speaker saying such claims are “fake news” and are being “used to manipulate financial and oil markets.” Oil prices fell more than 5% on Wednesday morning.

https://www.rt.com/news/636078-us-to-send-thousands-more-troops-middle-east/

ICE airport deployment should be ‘test run’ for 2026 election – ex-Trump strategist

Placing immigration officers at voting sites would stop illegal migrants from “canceling” the votes of citizens, Steve Bannon has said

Published 24 Mar, 2026 22:24 | Updated 25 Mar, 2026 05:33

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents helping at US airports should be treated as a “test run” for a wider role in the 2026 election, Steve Bannon, a former White House strategist and prominent MAGA figure, has said.

ICE agents have begun assisting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at airports across the US, after a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) led to staff shortages and long security lines at checkpoints.

Speaking on his War Room podcast on Monday, Bannon told conservative lawyer Mike Davis that the airport deployment could be used “as a test run, as a test case to really perfect ICE’s involvement in the 2026 midterm elections.”

Trump threatens to deploy ICE to US airportsREAD MORE: Trump threatens to deploy ICE to US airports

Davis replied that ICE agents should be “at the polling places,” noting that it is a federal crime for illegal immigrants to vote in federal elections. “If you’re an American citizen, you should be happy that ICE is there, because you’re not going to have illegal aliens canceling out your vote,” he said.

Bannon described the airport ICE deployment as “another 5D chess move from President Trump,” noting that the agents are “trained to – wait for it – check IDs.”

more:

https://www.rt.com/news/636086-us-ice-airports-midterms/