Chinese FM urges peace talks in phone call with Iranian FM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that all hotspot issues should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, rather than through the use of force.

Wang made the urge in a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi at the latter's request. Wang called on all parties to the conflict to seize every opportunity and window for peace, and start peace talks as soon as possible.

Araghchi briefed Wang on the latest developments in the regional situation. Thanking China for providing emergency humanitarian assistance, he said the Iranian people are more united in resisting foreign aggression and safeguarding the country's sovereignty and independence.

U.S. sent Iran 15-point plan aimed at month-long ceasefire: Israeli media

Washington has delivered Iran a 15-point plan for a month-long ceasefire deal, Israel's Channel 12 reported Tuesday night.

The report, citing sources familiar with the matter, said U.S. President Donald Trump's advisors Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are promoting a plan for an immediate pause in hostilities, using a 30-day window to finalize a 15-point agreement.

The plan reportedly demands that Iran dismantle its nuclear capabilities, cease all uranium enrichment, and provide a permanent commitment to never seeking nuclear weapons.

Additionally, Tehran would be required to end the funding and arming of allied groups in the region and ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains an open international waterway. The plan also demands that Iran limit its missile production and restrict future use strictly to self-defense.

In exchange, Washington is offering full sanctions relief, assistance in developing a civilian nuclear energy project at southern Iran's Bushehr, home to the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, and the removal of the "snapback" mechanism threat that enables the reimposition of previously lifted UN sanctions on Iran.

15 Iraqi paramilitary members killed in U.S. airstrike in western Iraq

A U.S. airstrike killed 15 members of Iraq's paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), including a senior commander in the western province of Anbar early Tuesday, a security source told Xinhua.

The PMF said in a statement that the attack was a "flagrant violation of Iraqi sovereignty," stressing that the action shows no respect for international law or humanitarian norms.

It also urged Iraq's political forces to adopt a clear and firm position to preserve the country's sovereignty and put an end to these serious violations.

U.S. Senate Democrats reject Republicans' DHS funding proposal as shutdown continues

U.S. Senate Democrats on Tuesday rejected a Republican proposal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a plan supported by President Donald Trump, as the DHS shutdown stretches into its second month.

The proposal would fund almost all DHS but set aside some funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in an attempt to end the department's shutdown, which has resulted in staffing shortages for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers at some airports.

At a press conference, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters that Democrats will present a counteroffer to Republicans, insisting on reforms to rein in ICE.

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant loses connection to main power line

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) lost the connection to its 750 kv Dniprovska line on Tuesday, and is only depending on its sole back-up line for external power, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on social media.

The IAEA has initiated discussions with both Russia and Ukraine on establishing local ceasefire to allow repairs of the damaged power line, according to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, one of Europe's largest nuclear facilities, has been under Russian control since March 2022.