Netanyahu tells CNBC his relationship with Trump has not shifted: Live updates

Iranian official disputes Trump’s claim on nuclear pledge, calls it “misleading”

An Iranian official pushed back on Trump’s assertion that Tehran had agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons, calling the characterization “misleading” and inconsistent with Iran’s longstanding position.

Speaking to CNBC Wednesday on condition of anonymity to discuss private negotiations, the official said Iran, a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, has always maintained that its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful and has “never sought nuclear weapons.”

Framing the issue as a new agreement, the official added, falsely implies Iran was previously pursuing such arms, contradicting what it describes as Tehran’s “declared policy and international obligations.”

— Emma Graham

Dow Jones index down, oil prices up

Trump confirms he told Netanyahu “you’re crazy” in tense call, praises wartime leadership

Trump in an interview with The New York Post’s “Pod Force One” podcast confirmed reports that he told Netanyahu during a phone call “you’re f**king crazy. You’d be in prison if not for me.”

Trump framed the conversation as two wartime leaders who work well together, saying “I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon,” Trump said, adding that the two have “worked very well together” during the Iran war.

— Emma Graham

Rubio said Iran’s nuclear program could be negotiated

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing concerning the fiscal year 2027 budget for the State Department, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on June 2, 2026.

Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images

Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared before two congressional committees on Tuesday and has two more appearances scheduled for Wednesday. He told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that Iran “could negotiate aspects of their nuclear program.”

He told lawmakers talks between the U.S. and Iran were ongoing, following Iran’s comments that they were stalled. The appearance was Rubio’s first public testimony since the Iran war started Feb. 28.

— Angela Greiling Keane

Trump suggests Iran has agreed to not have nuclear weapons

President Trump told The New York Post in a podcast interview that Iran agreed to not have nuclear weapons, but “‘they can change their mind.”

CNBC has reached out to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, which declined to comment.

— Emma Graham

Iran fired missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain, U.S. Central Command says

A huge art work banner newly posted on the corner of Vali Asr Square depicts Iranian missiles with messages addressing Minab schoolgirls and victims of Epstein Island on March 17, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. =

Kaveh Kazemi | Getty Images

U.S. Central Command says Iran fired missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain, marking the first time Bahrain has been attacked since the ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. was agreed to on April 7.

According to Kuwait’s Army HQ, “a number of hostile drones targeted today the passenger building (T1) at Kuwait International Airport,” injuring 63 people according to Kuwait’s Health Ministry.

In Bahrain, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed they struck U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters and a U.S. air base in the region.

U.S. Central Command said “all Iranian attacks on American forces failed,” and insisted the ceasefire is in place.

Central Command said it launched “self defense” strikes overnight on Iran, “on Qeshm Island in response to attempted attacks by Iran across the Middle East.”

— Emma Graham

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