Trump's morning ultimatum demanding Hamas release hostages by Saturday competed with news of journalist Niloufar Hamedi's release from prison - a symbolic counterpoint to external pressures. Iran filed a formal protest at the UN Security Council regarding Trump's nuclear threats, while state media emphasized Pezeshkian's repeated assertions of seeking peace despite refusing negotiations.
By afternoon, Hamas's rejection of Trump's deadline dominated coverage, followed by Netanyahu's own ultimatum threatening to resume Gaza operations. The currency markets responded with the dollar dropping below 80,000 tomans, though independent media predicted future increases.
Evening brought reports of widespread power outages in Tehran, while state media shifted focus to the opening of the Fajr Music Festival and announcements about digital economy initiatives - a characteristic pivot from international tensions to domestic achievements.