Israeli defence minister denies rift between Netanyahu and army over Iran ahead of election

▲ Escalating

Trump rules out Iran strikes 'today' as Tehran says it is preparing to return to war

On Monday, Iran said it is preparing for a possible US and Israeli attack after the US midterms, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking in Cairo, urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the war. Reports on Sunday said the Pentagon has drawn up strike plans, and Trump said there would be no strikes on Iran 'today' without saying whether he would approve them. Israeli media reported a dispute between Netanyahu and army chief Eyal Zamir over Iran, which Netanyahu and the defence minister deny. Iran's hardliners are reported to be turning on President Pezeshkian over the US talks.

• Iran says renewed US-Israeli attacks 'will achieve no different outcome'. On Saturday it warned that even limited strikes would draw a response 'several times greater' and blamed the US for the failed deal.
• The US ordered diplomats out of Saudi Arabia on Saturday and is drawing down staff elsewhere in the region. Officials say Iranian plots against Americans are at an advanced stage.
• US Central Command says more than 3,000 commercial vessels have transited the Strait of Hormuz with its support, helping Gulf states export 1.5 billion barrels of oil.
• Pakistan-Iran border trade has partly resumed after a week-long halt, though Tehran says its cargo is not getting through.