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Middle East crisis live: agreement signed by US-Iran presidents; Tehran claims it will charge ships to transit strait of Hormuz | US-Israel war on Iran
Iran says it will charge ships to transit strait of Hormuz after 60 days
More on the strait of Hormuz: Iran is saying it will “not return to prewar conditions” and that Tehran will charge ships to transit the waterway after a 60-day toll-free period stipulated in the memorandum of understanding.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei reportedly said the issue of the strait would be the responsibility of Iran and Oman.
Chief Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on state television that the “strait of Hormuz will not return to prewar conditions”, adding:
Iran has the right to sovereignty over the strait of Hormuz and of course we will receive a fee for services.
Donald Trump has previously said he would not accept tolls being imposed for crossing the vital energy route, through which about a fifth of global oil and LNG supplies usually travel. But in defending the US deal with Tehran, he said that if it was not struck the strait would “never have been opened” and a “worldwide depression” would result.
Key events
Robert Mackey
When he announced that the US and Israel had launched a war against Iran on 28 February, Donald Trump said one of the reasons the attack was necessary was that Iran had been “developing long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas and could soon reach the American homeland”.
“We’re going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground,” the president insisted. “It will be totally, again, obliterated.”
On Wednesday – 109 days later – Trump said it would be “unfair” for Iran to not have “some” ballistic missiles, telling reporters in Paris:
I’m saying that if other countries have them, it’s a little bit unfair for them not to have some. A ballistic missile is not the same things as what we’re talking about, when we talk nuclear. But if Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and they all have some, I would say, in relative proportion, I think it’s OK.
The US-Iran agreement calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and would waive sanctions on the country, immediately allowing Iran to sell its oil freely in a major concession from Washington, according to language released by both countries.
The deal’s text hasn’t yet been formally released but a draft read by US officials includes language that Iran agrees not to develop or procure nuclear weapons and requires that Iran’s highly enriched uranium be downgraded on site as a minimum, the Associated Press is reporting.
In return, the US will move to waive – but not eliminate – some wide-ranging sanctions against Iran.
Much of the agreement would restore the status quo before the war, including ending hostilities, reopening the strait of Hormuz and restarting US-Iran talks over Tehran’s nuclear program – and the deal appears to offer Iran several benefits up front while extracting little in return.
The US agreement to immediately allow Iran to sell its oil freely and the offer to eventually lift all sanctions represent major concessions that go beyond the terms of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, the report says. Donald Trump withdrew the US from that Obama-era pact in his first term, declaring it the “worst deal ever”.
Iran is saying talks with the US set for Friday in Switzerland are now not confirmed.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said early on Thursday, cited by Reuters:
The Friday meeting was confirmed until a few hours ago, but when it was decided that the presidents of the two sides [Iran and the US] would sign the agreement, it was decided to pause consideration of the Friday meeting for now.
Earlier it was expected that the US-Iran memorandum of understanding would be officially signed at a ceremony in Geneva on Friday. But reports quoting both sides say presidents Donald Trump and Masoud Pezeshkian have now signed the MoU.
Analysis: Trump’s Iran deal is a result of unrealistic ambitions for an untenable war
Andrew Roth
As the adage goes: no plan of battle survives first contact with the enemy.
Donald Trump entered the war with Iran with maximalist goals: eliminating the country’s nuclear programme, destroying its ballistic missile programme and ending its support for regional military groups including Hezbollah and Hamas.
He exits it with Iran’s word not to build a bomb and to hold further nuclear discussions, no mention in writing of the ballistic missile programme and with Hezbollah celebrating a “victory” as the memorandum of understanding (MOU) instituted a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israel has seized a swath of the country as a “buffer zone”.
Iran’s key asset ended up being the strait of Hormuz, the waterway that almost every previous simulation of the war predicated would be quickly cut off by Iran. To reopen the strait, the administration was forced to fold on its broader goals or face what Trump called a “worldwide depression”.
It has been clear for days that the Trump administration was skittish about putting out the text of its MOU. It was only finally read out by a senior administration official on a briefing call on Wednesday, and the White House still has not published a copy online.
The reasoning is clear: many in Trump’s own party will hate this deal. The outgoing US senator Bill Cassidy, of Maryland, called it the “worst foreign policy blunder in decades”.
The full analysis is here:
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson is also being quoted as saying that Iran must be able to sell its oil – with no problems around transport and insurance – and must receive the revenues from its oil sales.
Iran says it will charge ships to transit strait of Hormuz after 60 days
More on the strait of Hormuz: Iran is saying it will “not return to prewar conditions” and that Tehran will charge ships to transit the waterway after a 60-day toll-free period stipulated in the memorandum of understanding.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei reportedly said the issue of the strait would be the responsibility of Iran and Oman.
Chief Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on state television that the “strait of Hormuz will not return to prewar conditions”, adding:
Iran has the right to sovereignty over the strait of Hormuz and of course we will receive a fee for services.
Donald Trump has previously said he would not accept tolls being imposed for crossing the vital energy route, through which about a fifth of global oil and LNG supplies usually travel. But in defending the US deal with Tehran, he said that if it was not struck the strait would “never have been opened” and a “worldwide depression” would result.
A summary of today’s developments
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Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war with Iran, a White House official told Reuters. The text of the agreement has been officially signed by the presidents of both sides, Iran state media reported, citing foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei.
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The deal for an immediate and permanent halt to military operations on all fronts, includes Lebanon. The deal commits both sides and their allies to cease hostilities and refrain from the threat or use of force against each other – though Israel retains the right to strike back if Hezbollah attacks.
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Israel has not been shown the final text of the MOU, according to its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, though senior US officials said he had been briefed consistently on its substance.
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Iran will not receive broad sanctions relief simply by signing. Senior officials were emphatic on a press call that sanctions removal is directly tied to nuclear performance. Iran has committed to destroying its enriched uranium stockpile at minimum through down-blending under IAEA supervision – a concession officials called “a major, major win”.
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The strait of Hormuz is set to reopen for toll-free commercial passage within 30 days. Iran had already stopped firing on vessels in the strait the day before the signing call – the first such pause in 100 days of conflict. One immediate upside for Tehran does kick in upon signing: a US treasury waiver on Iranian crude oil exports. Iran said it will charge ships crossing strait of Hormuz after 60 days, AFP reported.
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Both sides have 60 days to reach a final deal to be endorsed by a binding UN security council resolution. Senior US officials said the administration would know within “days or weeks, not months” if Iran was stalling – and was prepared to tighten economic pressure significantly if talks broke down.
Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war with Iran, a White House official told Reuters.
The text of the agreement has been officially signed by the presidents of both sides, Iran state media reported, citing foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei.
The US and Iran have signed the MOU for ending war electronically on Wednesday and it is now in effect, according to website Axios.
Iran said it will charge ships crossing the strait of Hormuz after 60 days, AFP reported.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, , Iran’s top negotiator, said in an interview aired on state television: “Iran has the right to sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and of course we will receive a fee for services.”
Key events
7 mins: Early yellow card for Mojica who hauls back Fayzullaev after the young Uzbek caught his direct opponent dwelling on the ball. The Istanbul-based playmaker takes the resulting free-kick but belts it straight at the one-man wall.
5 mins: Now Colombia get a free-kick opportunity with Khusanov going in too firmly on Mojica just a few metres outside the corner of the box on the left. James takes it left-footed, but it’s overhit slightly and Yusupov does well to swat it away.
4 mins: It’s a patient start. Colombia are happy to accept possession along their back four and probe through midfield, in no rush to find the vertical pass. James is busy, trying to get on the ball, but Uzbekistan are organised and happy to watch the game unfold in front of them.
2 mins: Uzbekistan get the first opportunity to attack when Taylor awards a free-kick on the right. Fayzullaev curls it over but Colombia head clear. The two sides are structured as expected.
Kick-off!
The last of the first round of group matches is under way…
There are tears in Rodriguez’s eyes as he, his teammates, and most of the 80,000 crowd belt out Himno Nacional de la República de Colombia. That was a proper World Cup moment. Uzbekistan, on debut, are going to have to absorb plenty of emotion tonight.
The two sides stride out into the Mexico City evening. James Rodriguez puffs out his cheeks as he takes in the massed ranks of Colombian supporters in the stands.
The host broadcaster has just shown us inside the Azteca for the first time and it is a sea of Los Cafeteros yellow. It is going to feel like a Colombia home match.
Uzbekistan will be wearing all white tonight, hence their nickname the White Wolves. Colombia will be in their jazzy change strip of electric teal and navy with neon accents.
Conditions in Mexico City are surprisingly cool and damp, much to the delight of the players. There is light rain in the air, temperatures around 19C, and no wind to speak of.
This is our second visit to the mighty Estadio Azteca (AKA Mexico City Stadium) this tournament. It is unrivalled for World Cup significance.
Anthony Taylor will be in charge of this match. The Mancunian has refereed FA Cup finals, a UEFA Nations League decider, and the Europa League final. On the latter occasion, back in 2023, he was the subject of extraordinary abuse by Roma fans and their then coach, Jose Mourinho.
José Orlando Ascencio knows more about Colombia than I do.
Today’s Selección Colombia still have a core of players that are remembered fondly from the Brazil and Russia World Cup finals tournaments in 2014 and 2018 respectively. A few of them are taking part in their third tournament, led by James Rodríguez, still a key figure in a side whose 4-2-3-1 formation is built around his No 10 position. There is support out wide, where Luis Díaz has become a source of goals, though not to the extent to which he shines for Bayern Munich.
Asian football expert John Duerden has more on the White Wolves.
Since qualifying behind Iran, Uzbekistan have lost 2-1 to Uruguay but defeated Gabon and Egypt before final warm-up defeats to Canada and the Netherlands. The latter came thanks to two penalties from Cody Gakpo with the Liverpool forward scoring the winner in the 99th minute, not long after Uzbekistan had equalised to achieve what they thought was going to be a morale-boosting result. It was an important lesson about concentration and focus.
Underestimating the White Wolves would, however, be a mistake. “Uzbeks are tough: people who fight, who never give up,” Cannavaro says. “Playing against them is a pain in the arse. We played Uruguay: we had nine injured players, they weren’t at their best, but my players are tough. It’s not easy to play against them and we only lost 2-1.”
If you don’t know much about Uzbekistan football, you’re not alone. Fortunately Narzulla Saydullaev is around to help out.
Abdukodir Khusanov is by far the most recognisable face in the Uzbekistan side – the country’s first player to appear in the Champions League, Premier League or Ligue 1. His father, Khikmat Khoshimov, also played as a central defender. At 17, Khusanov went to play for Energetik-BGU Minsk in Belarus but could only train, with foreign players not allowed to play competitively until the age of 18. “In Belarus, I suffered away from my parents – often there were training sessions three times a day. If there was heavy snow in winter, we would clear the field ourselves and then train,” he says. During a whirlwind 2023, when Khusanov won the Under-20 Asian Cup with Uzbekistan and earned his first senior cap, Lens came calling. Within 18 months the shy youngster was at Manchester City. “He is a top signing,” Pep Guardiola said. “He is so coachable. He is always training good and gives 100%.” The 22-year-old has won the FA Cup and League Cup this season.
Colombia XI
An experienced and robust Colombia will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The question is where the goals will come from with only Rodriguez and Diaz registering more than six in their international careers to date.
12 Vargas, 2 Munoz, 23 Sanchez, 3 Lucumi, 17 Mojica; 14 Puerta, 16 Lerma; 11 Arias, 10 Rodriguez, 7 Diaz; 25 Suarez.
Uzbekistan XI
Fabio Cannavaro has continued with the 3-4-3 that served Uzbekistan well in qualifying. Khusanov is the only man in the starting XI to play in one of Europe’s top five leagues. The promising playmaker Fayzullaev is on the cusp of bigger things at İstanbul Başakşehir, where he is teammates with the proven goalscorer Shomurodov. Everyone else in the squad is drawn from clubs in Uzbekistan, Iran, or the UAE.
1 Yusupov; 18 Abdullaev, 5 Ashurmatov, 2 Khusanov; 13 Nasrullaev 7 Shukurov, 6 Mozgovoy, 24 Karimov; 22 Fayzullaev, 11 Urunov, 14 Shomurodov.
The penultimate match of the first round has just ended – and it’s joy for Ghana – who pinched a last-minute winner to down Panama 1-0 in Group L.
On the topic of goalscorers, Justin Kavanagh joins in by email to discuss a striker who failed to find the back of the net earlier today. “Strange how we’ve seen a 40-year-old goalkeeper perform miracles for Cape Verde, and an aging Messi put on a masterclass for the next generation. Yet Ronaldo, for all his years of dedicated self-preservation, looks like the oldest man at this tournament. He used to be wind in Portugal’s sails, but now he looks like their anchor. Yet presumably Roberto Martínez won’t do the necessary and make him walk the plank.”
I agree entirely. Extending the point somewhat, Roberto Martinez must be great in job interviews, or have a massive cache of incriminating photographs of significant football administrators. Behind a modest CV he was gifted Belgium’s greatest ever cohort and never looked like winning anything with them, now he has arguably the strongest squad at the finals under his management. At a World Cup notable for its array of superstar coaches it’s hard not to think Portugal may be handicapped by theirs and his inability to make the tough call(s).
With Harry Kane scoring twice against Croatia earlier today – and Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé already putting on a show – see how the race for the golden boot is shaping up.
And check out the all-time standings for good measure.
The World Cup groups have started falling into place with Uzbekistan v Colombia the last game to be played in the opening round of matches. Wondering where each team might be heading into the knockouts? Predict your team’s path to the final with Bracketology:
Similar topics can be enjoyed in audio format with Max, Barry, and the rest of the podcats.
Yara El-Shaboury has the latest Football Daily round-up.
Yet for all the brilliance of Mbappé and Haaland, football’s greatest showman was not about to accept third billing. Hours after the younger generation had dazzled, Lionel Messi wandered on to the stage and reminded us sequels rarely outperform the original. A first World Cup hat-trick. A record-equalling 16th World Cup goal. Another entry in the ever-expanding folder labelled “proof he still has it”. Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 and Messi was involved in absolutely everything that mattered, including a raking challenge on Aissa Mandi that surely would have been a red card for mere mortals. Perhaps not inconsequentially, Gianni Infantino was in Kansas, watching on through misty eyes.
Not such a comfortable debut for Portugal though, who failed to click in attack against DR Congo.
Ronaldo’s baying followers, swathes of them with local accents and wearing his No 7 shirt, had done their best to cajole a meaningful contribution from their idol but ultimately they had to settle for being under the same roof. Perhaps they expected a repeat of Lionel Messi’s staggering performance the previous night but Ronaldo did little to assuage concerns that his presence, once glorious, is nowadays a dead weight. The watching Gianni Infantino could have been forgiven for wondering whether Fifa’s contortions in freeing him from suspension for this game had been worthwhile.
It’s already been a significant matchday for England, who looked like genuine contenders as they put four past Croatia.
They looked like they actually wanted to take part in a game of football, that this wasn’t just an activity to be undertaken out of fear and self‑loathing. For the next 10 minutes they swarmed all over Croatia, might have scored four, and gave a glimpse not so much of patterns of play, but of a willingness to actually do this, of the muscle, speed and ruthlessness that are undeniably there in this team.
Preamble
Jonathan Howcroft
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of match 24 of the 2026 World Cup between Uzbekistan and Colombia. Kick-off in this Group K clash at the Estadio Azteca is 8pm local time (10pm EDT/3am BST/12pm AEST).
The final match of the opening round of fixtures is, on paper, perhaps the most unprepossessing. Uzbekistan, on World Cup debut, scored just 14 goals in their 10 AFC qualifying matches, and they take on a Colombia side that have gone off the boil since an incredible unbeaten run that stretched over two years from 2022 to 2024.
Uzbekistan are one of the few little-known quantities at the finals. They began their qualification journey led by Slovenian Srečko Katanec, but ill health forced him to resign in 2025, handing the reins to national hero Timur Kapadze. The step up from under-23 coach was seamless with Kapadze going unbeaten in his eight matches in charge to confirm the White Wolves’ participation in North America.
But then in October of last year the Uzbekistan FA parachuted in Fabio Cannavaro. The 2006 World Cup winning captain has done nothing in his coaching career to date to suggest he is worthy of such a gift. A decent four-year spell at Guangzhou Evergrande ended in 2021, since when he has coached only briefly – and unsuccessfully – at Benevento, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb.
A mere 18 months ago Colombia would have been among the tournament favourites. Remodelled by Néstor Lorenzo, the Argentine oversaw victories over Germany, Brazil, and Japan, as well as taking Argentina to extra time of the final of the Copa America. But recent friendly defeats to France and Croatia exposed the limitations of a squad still reliant on James Rodriguez to pull the strings. Luis Diaz has prodigious talent but saw his form wane for Bayern Munich, while the disappearance off the radar of Jhon Duran since leaving Aston Villa for Saudi Arabia has robbed Lorenzo of an x-factor.
I’ll be back shortly with team news and a roundup of all the matchday action so far. In the meantime you can keep an eye on Ghana v Panama and email any thoughts about the tournament so far to jonathan.howcroft.freelance@theguardian.com.
“The sky – the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets and stars – they change very slowly throughout the centuries. We don’t really notice it during our lifetimes,” said Dr Fabio Silva, an archaeoastronomer from Bournemouth University and the Skyscape Academy.
The crash wouldn’t have happened if one of the train sanding systems had activated, investigators say.
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