US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a video message vowing to fight efforts in Congress to impeach him and defending the Iran war as "courageous and historic" in this week’s midterm elections.

Hegseth's remarks, posted on social media, came as taunts from his foes in Congress intensified and President Donald Trump swatted away questions about whether he might fire Hegseth.

Trump has commended his Pentagon chief.

The top Democrat in the House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, asked in a post: "Why is Pete Hegseth still around?"

Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Fuat Oktay says the alliance is entirely about defence, and not for attacking other countries.

Turkish parliament has ratified the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, a defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, clearing the way for Ankara to send military support to Riyadh amid attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia against the kingdom.

Under the agreement, approved by the Turkish lawmakers early on Friday, an attack on one party constitutes an attack on all.

Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Fuat Oktay said the alliance is entirely about defence, and not for attacking other countries.

The agreement was approved by 279 votes to 119 in the 600-seat parliament.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said that it had brought down two US MQM-170 reconnaissance drones over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA.

In two separate statements, the IRGC said its Aerospace Force used advanced electronic warfare systems to disable the drones over the island, bringing the total number of MQM-170 drones it claimed to have downed to six.

The statements did not provide further details about the incidents.

Iran has sent the United States a nuclear proposal via Qatar, to be discussed only after Washington meets Tehran’s seven demands, a senior Iranian official has told Reuters.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the US was reviewing the proposal but declined to provide further details.

Mediators have intensified efforts to end the war between Iran and the United States amid fears it could reignite after the US midterm elections, with Trump on Tuesday declining to rule out a resumption of combat operations after the vote and Iran planning wider retaliation if war resumes.

US President Donald Trump has said that he may have to "destroy the rest" of Iran, and that "you’ll know soon enough."

"Now we’ll make a decision: Do we want to go further and just certify it, by certifying it meaning it will never happen again?" Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

"I would rather not destroy the rest of the country, if possible, but maybe I’ll have to. And you’ll know soon enough," he said.

Hakan Fidan, Abbas Araghchi and other top diplomats discuss regional developments in separate meetings and calls.

Israel: Largest recipient of US aid

Israeli opposition leader expected to receive recommendations from the majority of the 120-seat Knesset once the Joint List formally submits a decision to the president.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi discussed regional developments with US President Donald Trump in a phone call, stressing the need for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve ongoing crises.

According to a statement from the Iraqi premier’s office, the two leaders stressed the importance of coordination and consultations between Baghdad and Washington to address current challenges, support regional stability, and prioritise diplomatic solutions.

Al-Zaidi reaffirmed Iraq’s position on respecting the sovereignty of states and preventing the use of Iraqi territory as a launching point for attacks against neighbouring countries.

He also stressed the need for peaceful solutions and constructive dialogue to safeguard regional security and stability.