Trump says US has ‘no interest’ in Iran talks until Tehran is ready for ‘meaningful’ negotiations

US President Donald Trump led tributes to longtime Senator Lindsey Graham on Tuesday (July 28), remembering his close ally as "a true American original" who "left us much too soon" during an emotional memorial service at Washington National Cathedral.The ceremony, attended by top US officials, lawmakers and foreign leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, honored Graham's more than three decades in Congress and his influence on US national security and foreign policy.Trump reflects on Graham's legacySpeaking for about 12 minutes, Trump acknowledged the emotional weight of the occasion.Quick answers to key questions•5 QUESTIONSDuring the memorial service, President Trump described Lindsey Graham as 'a true American original' and highlighted his significant influence in Washington over the past three decades.Trump referred to Graham's passionate defense of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during the contentious confirmation hearings as a defining moment in Graham's career, marking it as 'perhaps his finest hour.'The memorial service attracted top US officials and international leaders like Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Zelensky, illustrating Graham's extensive impact on US national security and foreign policy.Yes, the funeral is expected to draw a range of US leaders and international dignitaries, including President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and various members of Congress and foreign governments.Lindsey Graham died from a likely aortic dissection, as indicated by preliminary findings after his sudden passing following a demanding travel schedule."I will say, this memorial service — it's so hard to say: memorial service for Lindsey," Trump said.He described Graham as a dominant force in Washington whose influence stretched far beyond Capitol Hill."For more than 30 years, nothing of consequence happened in this capital without Lindsey Graham knowing about it. Nothing of significance happened anywhere in the world without Lindsey Graham having a view on it."Trump said Graham had devoted his life to public service until "that heart itself just gave out," adding that the senator "went out at the peak of his career and the top of his game."Near the end of his remarks, Trump looked upward and suggested Graham was still watching over those gathered."Our nation needs more men and women like that great person... I think he's up there. I think he's watching us."Trump recalls Kavanaugh confirmation battleTrump singled out Graham's passionate defense of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during the contentious 2018 Senate confirmation hearings, calling it one of the defining moments of the senator's career.Referring to the hearings following sexual assault allegations made by Christine Blasey Ford, which Kavanaugh denied, Trump praised Graham's role in defending the nominee."His impassioned defense of a wonderful person, a great gentleman, Justice Kavanaugh, ended a disgraceful attack... I believe it was Lindsey's perhaps finest hour."Kavanaugh attended the memorial service alongside members of the Supreme Court and senior administration officials.Leaders from around the world attendThe memorial drew a high-profile audience reflecting Graham's international influence.Among those also attending were:Vice President JD VanceIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuUkrainian President Volodymyr ZelenskySecretary of State Marco RubioDefense Secretary Pete HegsethSupreme Court Justice Brett KavanaughMembers of Congress and former lawmakersGraham's sister and successor, Senator Darline GrahamNetanyahu had also attended a memorial dinner on Monday evening, where he described Graham as "a dear friend.""America has lost a great patriot. Israel has lost one of its greatest friends and supporters. And I have lost a dear friend," Netanyahu said.JD Vance, Thune praise GrahamEarlier in the day, Graham's flag-draped casket was honored during a ceremony

Most people also expect the conflict to take months or even years longer, with a big majority (76%) saying it's been harder than the Trump administration anticipated.President Donald Trump says US, Iran close to nuclear deal. (Illustration: Reuters)A new poll reveals Americans' indifferent views on several questions related to the ongoing US-Iran war. For many, the conflict is "marked by feelings of uncertainty," and most of those polled in the survey believed that it is not going well.According to the new CBS News Polls July 22-24, 2026, most Americans picked "uncertain" (58%) and "frustrated" (57%) as the top ways to describe their personal feelings about the war as the fighting escalates again. Only 19 percent of those polled were "optimistic" about it.Most people also expect the conflict to take months or even years longer, with a big majority (76%) saying it's been harder than the Trump administration anticipated.What do Americans want?The public's expressed goals have been consistent, CBS News reported on Sunday.Opening of the Strait of Hormuz (especially as gas prices rise back home), stopping Iran's nuclear program, stopping the Islamic Republic from threatening the region and safety of Iran's people remain important to most Americans.'Conflict will last longer'Most suspect the conflict will last months or even years longer.When asked "how much longer will the military conflict with Iran last," as many as 37 percent said it may take months, 21 percent said years, 9 percent said days/weeks, and 33 percent said they were not sure.End the war or pressure Iran?Given that, a preference for ending the war — as opposed to pressing for more concessions from Iran — remains the majority view.For the one-third who do want the US to press on for more concessions from Iran, the goals listed above are especially important.It's also related to age: Younger people (18-29 years) are far more apt to say the war should end than older Americans over 65.What drives that uncertainty?People still don't feel they're getting an understanding of what's happening day to day in the Strait of Hormuz.And to most, President Trump isn't helping on that search for clarity in the public, as most (60%) feel Trump makes things sound better than they are.Meanwhile, perceptions of how the war is going have ticked down through the course of it.Iran vs US: Who has the advantage?Perceptions of who has the advantage at the moment remain mixed, at best, with many still saying neither side (38%), and a few more (40%) saying the US has the advantage now than in May.Iran, US halt strikesIran and the United States held their fire Monday, handing Gulf shipping and the oil industry a respite from missile strikes as Donald Trump's UN envoy said the president was "giving talks some space," AFP reported.Tehran said it had halted retaliatory attacks against Washington's allies in the Middle East, and US ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told "Fox News Sunday" that, while forces remained "locked and loaded", Trump would give negotiations "a little bit of room".Prior to Friday, the US military had carried out strikes on Iran for 13 consecutive nights, in the largest rekindling of the almost five-month-old war since an April ceasefire. But Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights passed without bombing."Since... our strategy has essentially been retaliatory, we have also halted our retaliatory operations," said Iran's army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia.Stay updated with the latest Trending, India, World and US news. Follow CJP Protest LIVE updates as Sonam Wangchuk ends his 26-day hunger strike following government assurances, while the Jantar Mantar protest continues. Get the latest updates on talks between the CJP delegation and the Centre, the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, possible arrests, Delhi security measures and developments in Parliament.HomeNewsUs NewsIran war may last longer, has been harder than Trump admin expected: New poll reveals America'

LeBron James endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016. He is a regular critic of Donald Trump. The basketball star also backed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris later on.Michael Jordan or LeBron James? Donald Trump picks his favorite, ‘I only like people that like me’(Luke Hales/Getty Images/AFP, Jerome Miron-Imagn Images, AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)Basketball star LeBron James might be racist, Donald Trump has suggested. The US president made the remark to reporters on Friday afternoon (local time). James announced on July 24 that he'd return for a 24th NBA season.President Trump was asked about James signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. He was also asked whether James had surpassed Michael Jordan's greatness. Trump called Jordan a personal friend during his response. He speculated about James being racist.“Michael Jordan's a guy that's a friend of mine. I think LeBron is, maybe he's a racist, but maybe he doesn't like Trump. I don't know, but I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way,” he said.Trump-James feudThese comments extend a lengthy feud between Donald Trump and LeBron James. Back in 2016, James endorsed Hillary Clinton against Trump. James argued America needed a “unifying” rather than a “divisive” president. “We need a president who brings us together and keeps us unified,” James said at that time.Tensions escalated after Trump canceled the Golden State Warriors' White House invitation. James publicly criticized Trump, calling the move “dishonorable”. “U bum. Going to the White House was a great honor until you showed up!” James retaliated on social media.Trump hit back the following year over James' television interview. In that interview, the basketball player criticized Trump's attacks on kneeling Black athletes then. Since then, Trump has praised Michael Jordan while continuing to target James. He noted Jordan had played golf with him. He has also complimented the legend's character.In 2018, James said that Trump did not “give a f***” about the American people.”It's not even a surprise when he says something. It's laughable; it's laughable, and it's scary,” he said then.“While we cannot change what comes out of that man's mouth, we can continue to alert the people that watch us, that listen to us that this is not the way,” James added.James later endorsed Joe Biden during the 2020 election cycle. He also backed Kamala Harris against Trump in 2024. James cited concerns about his children's future when explaining this.“When I think about my kids and my family and how they will grow up, the choice is clear to me,” he said ahead of the 2024 US election.James is not alone among athletes criticized by Trump. Others previously targeted include NBA stars Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.About the AuthorSounak MukhopadhyaySounak Mukhopadhyay covers trending news, sports and entertainment for LiveMint. His reporting focuses on fast-moving stories, box office performance, digital culture and major cricket developments. He combines real-time updates with clear context for everyday readers. Sounak brings newsroom experience across breaking news, explainers and long-form features. He has a strong emphasis on accuracy, verification and responsible storytelling. His work tracks audience behaviour, celebrity influence and the business of sport and cinema. He helps readers understand why a story matters beyond the headline. Sounak has contributed to widely read digital publications. He continues to build a body of journalism shaped by consistency, speed and editorial clarity. He is particularly interested in the intersection of media, popular culture and public conversation in contemporary India. At LiveMint, he writes daily coverage as well as analytical pieces that interpret numbers, trends and cultural moments in accessible language. His approach prioritises factual depth, balanced framing and reader trust. The reporting aligns with modern newsroom standards of transparency and cred

Amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, Iran rejected US President Donald Trump's renewed ceasefire proposal, delivered through Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, on Thursday (local time), according to the New York Times report.Citing Iranian and Iraqi officials, the NYT reported that al-Zaidi's visit to Tehran came after his recent meeting with Trump at the White House, during which the Iraqi PM presented the US president's proposal.The details of the proposed ceasefire agreement were not immediately available.Iranian officials, however, told the NYT that the proposal was the only offer currently on the table and indicated that Tehran was not interested in accepting a temporary arrangement that did not resolve control of the Strait of Hormuz.Al-Zaidi travelled to Tehran with a delegation of senior Iraqi officials and held meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian Speaker and Iranian top negotiator — MB Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to Iranian media.‘Perceptions from trip’: Araghchi on al-ZaidiOn the sidelines, Araghchi said it was “natural” for al-Zaidi to convey his "views and perceptions" from his trip to Washington, according to state media Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).“The Iraqi Prime Minister, of course, had a trip to Washington. It is natural that they would convey their views and perceptions from this trip to us, which is normal,” the Iranian FM said.Araghchi also noted that Iran has an issue with the "American approach" in dealing with the Islamic Republic, which he described as “irrational, excessive and hegemonic”.“The problem is the type of American approach, which is the irrational, excessive, and hegemonic approach of this country, which has been confronted by the authoritative approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.US-Iran warThe rejection of the ceasefire proposal came as Iran and the United States have witnessed a sharp rise in hostilities in recent weeks.US forces have carried out strikes on Iranian military facilities as well as civilian infrastructure, including railways, airports, bridges and seaports, while Iran has launched ballistic missile and drone attacks against US military targets in West Asia.Two Iranian officials told NYT that the country's armed forces were preparing for a possible expansion of the conflict if Trump follows through on threats to strike Tehran and critical infrastructure.The officials said Iran could widen the confrontation across the region, including by targeting Tel Aviv and seeking assistance from its Houthi allies to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategically important waterway in the Red Sea.(With agency inputs)About the AuthorLivemintFor about a decade, Livemint—News Desk has been a credible source for authentic and timely news, and well-researched analysis on national news, business, personal finance, corporates, politics and geopolitics. We bring the latest updates on all the listed companies on BSE and NSE, startups, mutual funds, Union ministries, geopolitics, and untapped human interest stories from around the world, helping our readers to stay informed on the latest developments around the globe. Our Coverage Areas 1. Companies: Comprehensive news and analysis on listed and unlisted companies, corporate announcements, corporate chatter, C-suite, business trends, hiring alerts, layoffs, work-life balance, world's top billionaires and richest and more. 2. Personal finance: Insights into mutual funds, small savings schemes like - PPF, SSY, post office savings scheme, stock to watch, personal loans, credit cards, top bank FDs, real estate, income tax and more. 3. Politics: Comprehensive coverage of general elections, state elections and bypolls, Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, Parliament, PMO, PIB, finance ministry, home ministry, among other union ministries and government departments. 4. National News: From metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and e to untapped stories from rural India, w

Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters before travelling to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for a dignified transfer ceremony honouring four US service members killed in the conflict.U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (L) and U.S. President Donald Trump attend a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on July 22, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. President Trump is attending the dignified transfers of Army 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, Army Staff Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, Army Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad and Army Pvt. Isabella Gonzales who were killed in action in Iraq and Jordan. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/AFP(Getty Images via AFP)US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (July 22) claimed that Americans were not opposed to the ongoing war with Iran, arguing that public anger was mainly driven by rising fuel prices rather than opposition to the military campaign.Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters before travelling to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for a dignified transfer ceremony honouring four US service members killed in the conflict.“Americans aren't against the war,” Trump said. “A poll, a poll just came out, Americans don't want high gasoline prices, but they're not against the war.”His comments came despite several recent surveys showing growing public opposition to the conflict. A Washington Post-Ipsos poll released last week found that 68% of Americans believed the war was not “worth fighting”, while only 28% said it was.Another Economist/YouGov survey showed that 55% of respondents wanted the US to stop attacking Iran, compared with 27% who supported continuing military strikes.Trump defends Iran campaign amid rising costsThe US military operation has also drawn scrutiny over its financial impact. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said this week that the campaign had cost American taxpayers $37.5 billion, while defending the administration’s request for additional emergency military funding.The conflict has also pushed global energy prices higher, with disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz threatening a key route for international oil shipments.Trump threatens further strikes over Hormuz attacksTrump has recently escalated his warnings against Tehran, saying the US would target Iranian infrastructure if Iran attacks commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.“Any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.He also signalled that Washington had no immediate plans to end the military operation, saying, “We're not finished at all... we're not leaving right now.”Iran conflict fuels oil price concernsThe latest escalation comes as tensions continue around the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran’s restrictions on commercial shipping have disrupted global energy flows.The crisis has pushed crude prices higher and increased pressure on the White House, with rising gasoline costs becoming a political challenge ahead of the November midterm elections.Rubio says US open to talks but doubts Iran’s intentDespite the military escalation, senior US officials have said Washington remains open to diplomacy.Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Manila, said the US was willing to negotiate but questioned Tehran’s commitment.“We remain open to working it out in a negotiated way. But right now, they don't seem to be serious about that,” Rubio said.The remarks come as both sides continue military and diplomatic manoeuvring, with no clear path yet toward ending the conflict. Stay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and US news. Follow CJP Protest LIVE updates for Sonam Wangchuk’s health, the Centre’s response, police action and the protesters’ next move.HomeNewsUs NewsTrump says ‘Americans aren’t against Iran war’ despite polls showing public oppositionMore

Live UpdatesUS Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump said earlier the US would soon target the area near Pickaxe Mountain — a fortified underground site near one of Iran’s primary nuclear enrichment facilities.US Iran war news LIVE Updates: This screen grab taken from video footage released on July 20, 2026 by Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC)'s Sepah News shows what they say a missile being launched from an undisclosed location towards US targets in the Gulf.(AFP)The US military said it launched an 11th night of strikes on Iran Wednesday as the two countries vie for control of the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command did not immediately reveal the targets being struck in the latest wave, which comes after Trump telegraphed that strikes would be intensifying.Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that Iranian officials "want to desperately meet. And until they’re ready to meet in a meaningful way, we have no interest in meeting.”Trump said the US would soon target the area near Pickaxe Mountain — a fortified underground site near one of Iran’s primary nuclear enrichment facilities.In response, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stated that the US has issued threats to strike Iran's nuclear facilities and other critical installations."It is made clear that should the invading and terrorist forces of that nation take such a step, it will be regarded as an escalation of conflict across the region. In that event, all US assets, along with those of its allies and backers, will be subject to a decisive strike by the Islamic Republic of Iran's Armed Forces," the IRNA news agency said in a series of posts on X.Stay tuned to this LIVE blog for all the lates updates on the US-Iran war:22 Jul 2026, 05:45 AM IST22 Jul 2026, 05:43 AM IST22 Jul 2026, 05:40 AM IST22 Jul 2026, 05:40 AM ISTFollow updates here:22 Jul 2026, 05:45:34 AM ISTIran war LIVE: Multiple explosions heard around TabrizMultiple explosions heard around Tabriz. The exact site and cause remain unclear at this time. Updates will follow shortly, IRNA reported.22 Jul 2026, 05:43:27 AM ISTIran war LIVE: Air defense activity reported in parts of TehranIran's state broadcaster IRIB reported on Tuesday that air defense activity was heard in western, eastern and northeastern parts of Tehran, Iran International reported.22 Jul 2026, 05:40:33 AM ISTUS Iran war news LIVE Updates: Iran warns of broader conflict if…Iran warned Tuesday that a US attack on Pickaxe Mountain would widen the war and trigger broader strikes on Washington’s regional allies, after Trump said the nuclear site would be targeted “pretty soon.”22 Jul 2026, 05:40:33 AM ISTUS Iran war news LIVE Updates: US CENTCOM says US strikes Iran for 11th consecutive nightThe US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Tuesday that its forces began striking military targets in Iran for the 11th consecutive night. CENTCOM said on X the strikes were aimed at continuing to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.About the AuthorAkriti AnandAkriti Anand is a Deputy Chief Content Producer at LiveMint. She is a digital journalist with more than six years in the news industry. In her current role, she covers both national and international politics, and also keeps a close watch on the latest trends in science and space exploration. Akriti joined the LiveMint team in October 2023. Before this, she built a strong career at other major media houses. She worked as a senior sub-editor at India Today. Later, she moved to CNBCTV-18. There, she covered high-pressure topics like breaking news and major elections. She spent much of her time analysing Parliament bills and complex political debates. She is also a skilled editor who knows how to polish a story for a digital audience. One of her career highlights happened at CNBCTV-18. She made her first television debut during the Chandrayaan-3 mission. She also provided special on-air coverage for the Karnataka Elections