Iran and the United States held hours of indirect negotiations Thursday over Tehran’s nuclear program but walked away without a deal, leaving the danger of another Mideast war on the table as the U.S.

Iran and the United States made "significant progress" in talks in Switzerland on Thursday, mediators said, after the latest round of negotiations to avert a war between the longtime foes,

The talks sought to de-escalate tensions after Washington bombed Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran launched a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests.

Iranian intelligence has sent word to the United States it could be prepared to open talks on how to end the war, according to people familiar with the indirect messages, but US officials say there are no negotiations currently underway and that potential “off ramps” are unlikely to materialize in the near term.

Cuba confirmed on Friday that it held talks with the United States aimed at easing the strained relations between the two countries. President Miguel Díaz-Canel told journalists in Havana that Cuban

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was injured and likely disfigured, raising doubts about his capacity to lead the country following nearly two weeks of coordinated US and Israeli strikes.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he discussed the “serious situation in the region” with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as New Delhi looks for ways to secure the safe passage of tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff discusses details of the U.S. talks with Iran and why the negotiations failed on FNC's "Hannity." 2025 FLASHBACK: Steve Witkoff: Diplomatic Solution With Iran Is A Real Possibility,