Live updates on Iran-U.S. tensions: Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman said on social media Friday that he discussed “efforts to advance peace and stability in the region and the world” with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the region Steve Witkoff, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Cain. (AP)

Iran-US tensions live updates: US allies in the Middle East have called for restraint from both the US and Iran as tensions between the two countries escalate and could lead to military conflict, news agency Associated Press reported, citing an Arab diplomat familiar with the matter.

Several Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Oman and Qatar, are in touch with leaders in Washington and Tehran to argue that escalation by either or both could cause major instability in the region.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he warned that such an escalation would also affect energy markets.

Iran-US tensions Live updates: US arms sales to Israel consist of four packages, one for 30 Apache attack helicopters and related equipment and weapons, and the other for 3,250 light tactical vehicles.

Apache helicopters, equipped with rocket launchers and advanced targeting equipment, will make up the largest portion of the $3.8 billion total, according to the State Department.

The second largest vehicle, the light tactical vehicle, will be used to move personnel and logistics “to extend lines of communication” for the Israel Defense Forces and will cost $1.98 billion, the report said. (AP)

Live updates on Iran-US tensions: The sale to Saudi Arabia is for 730 Patriot missiles and related equipment and will “support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by improving the security of a key non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic development in the Gulf region,” the Associated Press reported.

“This enhanced capability will protect the ground forces of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and local allies, and will significantly enhance Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the regional integrated air and missile defense system.”

Iran-US tensions Live updates: The US has approved major arms deals with Israel and Saudi Arabia worth $6.67 billion and $9 billion, respectively, as tensions rise in the Middle East over the potential threat of US military action against Iran.

The deal was announced late Friday (local time) and was made public after the U.S. State Department notified the U.S. Congress of the sale’s approval early Friday.

Tensions between Iran and the US Live updates: A US Navy destroyer has docked in the Israeli port of Eilat, Israeli media reported on Friday, citing the military. The development comes amid tensions between the United States and Iran. The report said the destroyer’s arrival at a port in the southern Gulf of Aqaba, near Israel’s borders with Egypt and Jordan, was pre-planned and part of continued cooperation between the U.S. and Israeli militaries.

Live updates on Iran-US tensions: US President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated his insistence on persuading Iran not to carry out mass executions of people protesting the Islamic regime.

“They were going to hang 837 people. And I said to them, ‘If you do that, you’re going to pay a price like no one has ever paid before.’ And they backed off,” Trump said, Bloomberg reported.

“We understand that a lot of people are being killed, so let’s see what happens. All I can say is this: They want a deal.”

Live updates on Iran-US tensions: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Friday that Britain is working with allies to stop Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. The British Prime Minister made the remark when asked if he supported a possible US attack on Iran. “The goal or purpose here is to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, and that is very important,” Starmer told the BBC.

Iran-US tensions live updates: Amid rising tensions with the US, which has sent an “armada” to Iran, Middle East Defense Council chief Ali Shamkhani said on Friday that Iran is ready to face “more advanced scenarios” as well as naval combat.

“We are not limiting the geography of the conflict to just the sea and are preparing for broader and more advanced scenarios,” he said, according to Tasnim news agency.

Iran-US tensions live updates: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragushi said on Friday that Iran is “ready for war” as well as negotiations with the United States. He also accused Israel of enabling and encouraging the US attack on Iran, adding that any military attack could lead to a wider conflict.

Referring to last year’s 12-day war with Israel, which eventually included the United States, Araghchi said Iran is “even more prepared than it was before the 12-day war.”

Iran-US tensions live updates: US President Donald Trump seemed confident on Friday that Iran would strike a deal rather than face military action, saying an “armada” was heading toward Iran that he said had outnumbered the fleet sent to support the US operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.

“We’re actually sending more ships to Iran right now, and we’re hopeful that we can get an agreement,” Trump said.

Iran-US tensions live updates: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi hinted at easing tensions between Iran and the US, saying Iran was “ready to start negotiations” but only “if negotiations take place on an equal footing.”

He also said that “Iran’s defense and missile capabilities will never be subject to negotiation.” He added that he had no plans to meet with U.S. officials to resume talks, AFP reported.