Iran strikes vessel in Strait of Hormuz amid debate over "transit fees"

New Updates   4m ago "Very strong" nuclear verification needed in Iran after war, U. N. official says A "very strong" verification system is needed in Iran following the Middle East conflict to ensure that the country doesn't develop nuclear weapons, the U. N. nuclear watchdog chief said Friday. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Grossi's remarks come as the United States and Iran negotiate a broader deal to end the war, with Tehran's nuclear program remaining a key sticking point. "I think the objective of this (recent U. S.-Iran) agreement is to ensure that there is no development of nuclear weapons in Iran. The government of Iran has declared quite clearly that this is not their intention," Grossi told reporters in Japan. "But of course intentions are not enough. We have to have a very strong verification system in place ... as soon as is practicable," he said. Grossi also said the watchdog had "barely initiated" talks with Iran following its recent preliminary agreement with the U. S. about what to do with Tehran's uranium stockpile. "Initial conversations have taken place. ... We expect this work to pick up soon," Grossi said. Iran has consistently denied seeking to acquire a nuclear bomb while remaining adamant about its right to operate a full-scale civilian nuclear program. Under a law passed 's 12-day war with Israel, Tehran suspended cooperation with the IAEA last July.   PM Trump says Iran will buy U. S. crops with sanctioned funds "pretty soon," which Iran denies President Trump said once again that Iran is expected to buy U. S. wheat, corn and soy — a claim a top Iranian negotiator has denied. "All over the world, we're opening up markets for the farmers," the president said Thursday at a White House event with farmers. "And we have another one, a new market coming up, and that's called the lovely country of Iran." The president continued during the Rose Garden event: "We're going to be taking some of their money and we'll spend it, and we're going to be buying wheat, soybeans and corn. And that process is going to be starting pretty soon." Mr. Trump made a similar announcement Tuesday, writing on Truth Social that any sanctioned Iranian funds released by the U. Treasury will be "used for the purchase of food and medical supplies, exclusively from the United States." He framed the plan as a win for American farmers.