US has hit Iran with nearly 2 weeks of daily strikes; Trump signals he’s not yet ready to negotiate

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'We want to stay aligned': Former U.S. Navy admiral breaks down the reasons for striking a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia

4:01 • Source: CNN

'We want to stay aligned': Former U.S. Navy admiral breaks down the reasons for striking a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia

4:01

Shortly after the US and Saudi Arabia signed a new civilian nuclear agreement, President Donald Trump laid out a new condition: The country would have to join the Abraham Accords. He also denied that the agreement would allow uranium enrichment.

When asked why the US wanted to strike a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, Former US Navy admiral James Stavridis told CNN’s Audie Cornish: “Short answer: We want to stay very aligned with the Saudis.”

Stavridis explained that Saudi Arabia already has a “very close relationship with Pakistan and a reasonable relationship with Russia.” Both countries have nuclear programs. “I think part of the conversation here (is)… ‘we should work with the Saudis’ — they are going to get this capability.”

Iran’s military claimed it launched attack drones at US targets in Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Air Base and Jordan’s Al-Azraq Air Base Friday morning local time, Iran’s Press TV reported.

An Iranian military video released by state broadcaster IRIB purportedly showed drones launching toward Bahrain and Jordan. It was unclear when or where the video was shot.

CNN can’t independently verify Iran’s claims.

Earlier on Friday morning local time, Bahrain’s interior ministry said on X sirens had sounded and urged residents to seek safety.

The US military said it completed a new wave of strikes against Iran as daily military action has gone on for nearly two weeks. Thursday’s attacks came hours after President Donald Trump signaled that a ceasefire isn’t imminent, saying that they “need more of the same.”

Here’s the latest on the US-Iran war:

More on the latest attacks: The US military said it targeted Iranian military assets in Thursday’s onslaught — the 13th consecutive night of strikes. At least four people were killed as the strikes hit several locations in Iran, state media reported.

War damage: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said “seizing another nation’s assets to pay for unrelated future claims is an incendiary precedent,” after Trump claimed that any damage done to ships or cargo “will be paid for by Iranian money that the United States has in its possession, and controls.” The president’s claim came after Houthi rebels targeted Saudi ships in the Red Sea.

Iran rejects ceasefire offer: Tehran on Thursday rejected a US ceasefire deal which was presented by the Iraqi prime minister, The New York Times reported, citing unnamed Iranian and Iraqi officials. Iranian officials said Tehran was not interested in a temporary deal which left the question of control of the Strait of Hormuz unresolved, according to the Times.

Oil prices surge: Brent crude settled above $100 per barrel for the first time in two months. The global oil benchmark rose about 7% to settle at $100.69 per barrel on Thursday. WTI, the US benchmark, rose 6.17% to settle at $92.19 per barrel.

War casualties website: The Pentagon website that tracks casualties of war removed four soldiers recently killed in the war from the site — reducing the total number of service members killed in the conflict. A spokesperson told The New York Times that the change was due to “temporary data disruptions” on the website that he suggested would be quickly fixed.

Threat against base: The United Kingdom has said its armed forces are ready to protect the country ​from any attack after Iran issued ‌a warning over allowing US bombers to fly from UK bases. Iran threatened to target RAF Fairford in southwest England, saying any base used to launch attacks on Iranian territory would be considered a “legitimate target.”

Lex Harvey, Aleena Fayaz, Clay Voytek, Molly English and John Towfighi contributed reporting.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said “seizing another nation’s assets to pay for unrelated future claims is an incendiary precedent” after US President Donald Trump said he will use Iran’s seized assets to pay for damaged ships.

“Those who celebrate or profit from such funds should remember: once governments normalize confiscation, no one’s assets are safe,” Araghchi said in a post to X Friday Iran time. “Ensuing chaos will not be pretty or peaceful.”

Trump said Thursday that any damage done to ships or cargo “will be paid for by Iranian money that the United States has in its possession, and controls.”

“These damages may be very substantial, but nevertheless, this is the fair and equitable thing to do,” Trump said in a post to Truth Social.

The post came after Iran-backed Houthi rebels targeted Saudi ships in the Red Sea. Iran has also repeatedly attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The unfreezing of its assets was a key point for Tehran in the memorandum of understanding it struck with the US in June — an agreement neither side is honoring.

It is difficult to pinpoint the total amount of Iran’s frozen assets, which are spread across various financial networks around the world. Iranian media outlets and analysts estimate that it ranges between $124 billion and $167 billion.

At least four people were killed during strikes on several areas in Iran early Friday, according to Iranian state media. CNN cannot independently verify the reports.

Here are the locations that were reportedly targeted:

Khuzestan: The four reported deaths occurred in the western coastal province of Khuzestan, in what the province’s governor said was a US strike on the city of Ahvaz, Iranian Press TV reported. Several people were also wounded, according to the report.

Also in Khuzestan, missile strikes targeted locations near the cities of Andimeshk and Omidiyeh, IRNA reported.

Markazi: A site on the outskirts of the city of Khondab, which is roughly 150 miles from the Iranian capital Tehran in the central Markazi province, was hit by two projectiles, the province’s deputy governor said, according to IRNA. Authorities are still assessing for casualies and damage, according to the report.

Lorestan: A projectile struck a location in the city of Khorramabad, the deputy governor of the central province of Lorestan said, according to IRNA, which added that authorities are still evaluating possible damage and casualties.

Hormozgan: Two people were wounded in an attack on the port city of Bandar Abbas, state broadcaster IRIB reported.

Iran rejected a US ceasefire deal Thursday which was presented to Tehran by the Iraqi prime minister, The New York Times reported, citing unnamed Iranian and Iraqi officials.

Full details of the proposal have not been reported. But Iranian officials said Tehran was not interested in a temporary deal which left the question of control of the Strait of Hormuz unresolved, according to the Times.

CNN has reached out to the White House for comment.

The reported rejection comes after nearly two weeks of strikes between the US and Iran.

Iran has continued to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz, despite the reimposed US naval blockade, and strike American targets in the Middle East, while the US has bombarded military bases and infrastructure across Iran.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Tehran Thursday after meeting with US President Donald Trump early last week at the White House.

Ahead of the visit, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said al-Zaidi might convey messages and viewpoints from Trump, but insisted Tehran is not seeking further mediation with the US.

“The primary obstacle is the irrational, excessive, and hegemonic approach of the US,” Araghchi told the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

Trump struck a similarly harsh tone Thursday, saying that Iran is “not ready” to strike a deal and its leaders “have some evil intentions.”