Iran-US war latest: Tehran shares letter from supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei not seen for months as president hits out at Trump
Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Close US walks out at UN after Iran accuses them of 'terrorism' On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Iran ’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a new handwritten letter to the military serving as potential proof of life after not being seen in public for months, according to state media. Khamenei addressed IRGC Aerospace Force commander Majid Mousavi in a letter dated 1 August and praised a report he submitted while encouraging the military to continue. “Efforts regarding the supply chain should, God willing, continue, and reports on it should be regularly conveyed to me,” reads the document, which has not been independently verified. He also urged the commander to protect himself and others: “Taking care of your dear life and all the brothers is my emphatic request.” Khamenei has not been seen since US -Israeli strikes killed his father on 28 February. Communications since the attacks have been electronic or communicated through intermediaries and the letter marks the first time a handwritten document has been attributed to the leader. Meanwhile, Iran’s president condemned Donald Trump’s “bullying mentality” as he stood before the United Nations in New York on Wednesday. He said Iran was ready to resolve tensions through diplomacy, but warned that they would not accept the language of force. Recommended Iranian president accuses US of ‘terrorism’ and flouting international law in defiant UN speech Navy admits there were 8 suicide attempts aboard the USS Lincoln during Iran war deployment Netanyahu hits out at Macron’s ‘grotesque’ claim Hamas has never operated in the West Bank Iran’s president faces stark choice in UN speech after Trump threatens ‘annihilation’ Key Points Iranian president: US has no respect for international law - but Iran won't surrender 'They were innocent': Iranian president holds up image of children killed in Minab school strike War-torn Ukraine and Iran discuss keeping tensions low Oil prices edge lower as Iran says it is open to diplomacy How Iran’s ‘bazaar style’ negotiation tactic is stalling deal discussions to its benefit Negotiations between the US and Iran over an end to the war on the country have been languishing in a stalemate for weeks as both sides remain intransigent about key issues including nuclear development. This has likely not been helped by Iran’s particular “bazaar style” negotiation strategy, which aims to wear down its opponents. How Iran’s ‘bazaar style’ negotiation tactic is stalling deal discussions The Iranian penchant for what Tehran’s foreign minister calls ‘continuous and tireless’ bargaining appears to be wearing down Donald Trump, writes Maira Butt Maira Butt 24 September 2026 09:02 Iranian president accuses US of ‘terrorism’ and flouting international law in defiant UN speech Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian launched a defiant attack on the United States and Israel at the UN, the day after President Donald Trump threatened to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic . The US leader warned he could send Iran to “hell” during his combative address to the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday, seven months after the war he started alongside Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu. In his address to the gathering in New York on Wednesday , Pezeshkian insisted that Iran would never surrender and held up images of children killed in a strike on a primary school in Minab. Iranian president accuses US of ‘terrorism’ and ignoring international law at UN ‘We will never bow our head or bend at the knee,’ said the Iranian leader Masoud Pezeshkian Maira Butt 24 September 2026 08:19 Netanyahu hits out at Macron’s ‘grotesque’ claim Hamas has never operated in the West Bank Benjamin Netanyahu has accused French president Emmanuel Macron of “grotesque absurdity” after claiming Hamas did not operate in the West Bank. Macron gave his last UN General Assembly speech on Tuesday before stepping down as president, lashing out at increased settler violence. “Look at what is happening in the West Bank, where every day violations are committed. In whose name? Hamas has never operated in the West Bank,” Macron said. More here. Netanyahu hits out at ‘grotesque’ Macron claim Hamas has never operated in West Bank French president Emmanuel Macron was scathing of Israeli actions in the West Bank and Gaza in speech to the UN General Assembly Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 24 September 2026 06:55 Iran slams Canadian PM for calling Trump's threat 'language of war' The Iranian foreign ministry has criticised Canadian prime minister Mark Carney for “reframing a threat to annihilate Iran as merely speaking the language of war”. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that “Mark Carney must understand that time is too ruthless to let the shelter of illusion and hypocrisy endure forever”. He added that “those who sought refuge in the long shadow of American bullying” would eventually learn that “averting their eyes from reality and bartering away their dignity and self-respect buys no salvation”. When asked for his reaction to US president Donald Trump's threat to "annihilate Iran", the Canadian prime minister had said: "There is a war going on. He [Trump] is speaking the language of war." Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 24 September 2026 06:28 Shipping traffic via Strait of Hormuz stays lower than average Ten commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, up from seven a day earlier and below the 10-day moving average of about 17, preliminary shipping data showed. The figures could change as some ships switch off their transponders during the voyage. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 24 September 2026 06:10 Iranian president accuses US of ‘terrorism’ Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian launched a defiant attack on the United States and Israel at the UN, the day after president Donald Trump threatened to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic . The US leader warned he could send Iran to “hell” during his combative address to the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday, seven months after the war he started alongside Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu. In his address to the gathering in New York, Pezeshkian insisted that Iran would never surrender and held up images of children killed in a strike on a primary school in Minab. More here. Iranian president accuses US of ‘terrorism’ and ignoring international law at UN ‘We will never bow our head or bend at the knee,’ said the Iranian leader Masoud Pezeshkian Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 24 September 2026 05:58 Another ship hit in the Strait of Hormuz A cargo ship was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said, citing an unidentified company security officer. The vessel was hit by an "unknown projectile," resulting in two casualties, UKMTO said without providing further details. The crew abandoned the ship, which caught fire and was left adrift. The attack was the first reported in two days. No one immediately claimed responsibility. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 24 September 2026 05:23 Indian sailors urge Modi to send naval escorts to Hormuz Indian sailors have urged prime minister Narendra Modi to deploy naval escorts for Indian crews in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf waters following the death of another Indian sailor. Forward Seamen’s Union in a letter to the PM said Suraj Yadav, 26, was working as a wiper aboard the MV Cape Dao, which was sailing from Mina Saqr in the United Arab Emirates toward India. The vessel was struck twice on its port side. “Our sons who move the world’s trade must not be slaughtered in silence,” the union wrote Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 24 September 2026 05:20 Hard-liners in Iran criticise talks with US Hard-line figures in Iran have attacked the country's top diplomat for engaging with the US at the UN, triggering pushback from rival factions in Tehran. In an X post, lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei demanded that Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi explain the decision to meet with "the aggressor enemy". Ali Ahmadnia, a media official for Iran's president, responded by posting an AI-generated image depicting Araghchi as a wounded warrior. "How can a soldier be on the battlefield while the home front is being weakened from within?!" Ahmadnia wrote on X. "The Iranian delegation in New York operates in full coordination with the relevant institutions." Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 24 September 2026 04:56 War-torn Ukraine and Iran discuss keeping tensions low Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said he discussed ways of keeping tensions in check at a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araqchi." Diplomacy is about direct conversation, even in challenging circumstances," Sybiha wrote on X. "Our conversation focused on mutual steps to prevent further aggravation of tensions between our countries. We agreed to keep existing channels of communication open." Sybiha said the two ministers exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and Europe "as well as various tracks of ongoing peace efforts". "I reiterated Ukraine's position in support of a sooner restoration of peace and stability in both our regions." Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 24 September 2026 04:45 Newer 1 / 3 Older