Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iranian embassy denies armed forces struck South Korean ship in Hormuz
Iran denied on Thursday that its armed forces had been involved in an explosion that struck a South Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz this week.
Tehran "firmly rejects and categorically denies any allegations regarding the involvement of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the incident involving damage to a Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz", its embassy in Seoul said in a statement. (AFP)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Rubio to meet Pope Leo as Trump keeps up attacks on pontiff
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Pope Leo at the Vatican on Thursday, in a potentially fraught encounter as President Donald Trump has continued a series of disparaging attacks on the Catholic leader over the Iran war. (Reuters)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Trump says US had very good talks with Iran in last 24 hours
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday told reporters that the US has had very good talks with Iran in the last 24 hours, adding that it was very possible that Washington and Tehran would make a deal. (Reuters)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Trump sees swift end to war as Iran reviews US peace proposal
US President Donald Trump predicted a swift end to the war with Iran as Tehran considered a US peace proposal that sources said would formally end the conflict while leaving unresolved key US demands that Iran suspend its nuclear programme and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson cited by Iran's ISNA news agency said Tehran would convey its response, while Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei, a spokesperson for parliament's powerful foreign policy and national security committee, described the proposal as "more of an American wish-list than a reality." (Reuters)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | DNO's Iraqi Kurdistan oil production remains shut over the Iran war
Norwegian oil firm DNO said on Thursday its production in Iraq's semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan remained shut due to the security situation in the Middle East, but the company restarted some drilling in April. (Reuters)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran denies ship attack as Trump warns of renewed bombing, eyes deal
Iran denied on Thursday attacking a South Korean cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz this week, as US President Donald Trump said a deal to end the war was "very possible" but warned Washington would resume bombing if talks failed. (AFP)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Firmly opposes moves that escalate tensions in the region: China foreign ministry, on attacks on UAE oil facility
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran's embassy in Seoul denies any involvement by Iranian armed forces in damaging south Korean vessel in strait of hormuz
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran reviewing US proposal as Trump pressures Tehran for agreement on deal to end war
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Hezbollah commander killed in first strike on Beirut since ceasefire: Israel
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iranian President says he met Mojtaba Khamenei recently
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | 'No terrorist is immune' from Israeli strikes: PM Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed responsibility for the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut. He said, "no terrorist is immune" from Israeli strikes.
In a video released by his office, Netanyahu said, "Last night, we eliminated, in the heart of Beirut, the commander of Hezbollah's Radwan force."
"I say to our enemies in the clearest possible terms: no terrorist is immune. Anyone who threatens the State of Israel will die because of his actions."
(AFP)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran war could affect electricity supply, says Swiss Federal Electricity Commission
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Washington-Tehran talks shift focus to temporary peace pact amid economic fears
With the prolonged Iran war raising fears of a global economic crisis, Washington and Tehran are now focusing on a limited temporary agreement instead of pushing immediately for a comprehensive peace deal.
According to Reuters, the sources from both sides said that the latest discussions are centred on a memorandum of understanding aimed at halting the conflict and ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The proposed framework is expected to move in three phases: formally ending the war, resolving tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, and opening a 30-day negotiation window for talks on a broader long-term agreement.
However, several disagreements remain even within this limited proposal. Major unresolved issues, including Iran's nuclear programme, are expected to complicate any future comprehensive deal.
The challenge is significant, especially considering the last major nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers in 2015 took years of technical negotiations before former US President Donald Trump withdrew from it in 2018.
(Reuters)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | 'Will not stand idly by': US sanctions Iraq oil official, militias over Iran support
The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on Iraq's deputy oil minister and several Iran-aligned militia leaders over alleged support for Tehran, according to the US Treasury Department.
The Treasury accused Iraq's deputy oil minister Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly of using "his position to facilitate the diversion of oil to be sold for the benefit of the Iranian regime and its proxy militias in Iraq."
The department also announced sanctions against three senior leaders linked to the Iran-backed militias Kata'ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada and Asa'ib Ahl Al-Haq.
"Treasury will not stand idly by as Iran's military exploits Iraqi oil to fund terrorism against the United States and our partners," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.
Under the sanctions, any US-based assets belonging to those targeted will be frozen, while American individuals and entities will generally be barred from conducting business with them.
(Reuters)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Israel, Lebanon to hold talks in Washington on May 14-15: US
The US State Department official, on Thursday, said that Israel and Lebanon will hold talks in Washington next week, on May 14-15.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Israeli soldier places cigarette in Virgin Mary statue's mouth, IDF says 'will be disciplined'
An Israeli soldier was allegedly seen placing a cigarette in the mouth of the statue of Virgin Mary in a Christian village in Lebanon, according to a photo circulating online.
Following this, the soldier was identified. The Israeli Defence Forces said that he "will be disciplined."
IDF "views the incident gravely and emphasizes that the soldier's conduct completely deviates from the values expected of its troops," said IDF, in a statement, according to the Times of Israel.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Tehran cuts oil production by 400,000 barrels per day: US Energy Secretary
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Iran appears to have reduced its oil production by around 400,000 barrels per day and warned that output could decline further in the coming weeks.
Speaking to Fox News, Wright said Iran's production slowdown is likely linked to storage constraints and difficulties in exporting crude oil.
(Reuters)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | US urges Iran to free jailed Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Oil-price bets ahead of Iran war news totalled $7 billion, reporting shows
A series of well-timed market bets on falling oil prices totalling as much as $7 billion during March and April spread across multiple exchanges and types of fuel and derivatives just before major Iranian policy announcements by U.S. President Donald Trump, according to traders, market experts and Reuters analysis of exchange data.
The size exceeds previously reported bets amounting to $2.6 billion, which have already prompted the U.S. administration to warn staff against using nonpublic information for financial benefit. The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is investigating, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters in April, although the CFTC has yet to officially confirm a probe is underway.
(Reuters)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Saudi Arabia, Kuwait lift restrictions on US military access to bases and airspace, WSJ says
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have lifted restrictions on the U.S. military's use of their bases and airspace that were imposed after the launch of a U.S. operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing U.S. and Saudi officials.
(Reuters)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Says Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Has Full Oversight Over All Matters and Issues -Nournews
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran's Fars news agency says sounds of explosions heard near Bandar Abbas city
Iran's Fars news agency said on Thursday that several sounds resembling explosions were heard near Bandar Abbas city, adding the origin and the location of these sounds was unknown.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran state TV reports explosions on island in Hormuz strait, reports AFP
Iranian state TV reported explosions on an island in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, saying they occurred during an "exchange of fire".
"The explosions at the Bahman pier on Qeshm Island occurred during an exchange of fire between Iranian armed forces and the enemy," the broadcaster IRIB reported.
Iran's state broadcaster says 'enemy units' came under missile fire after US attack on Iranian oil tanker
Iran's state broadcaster, citing an unnamed military official, said on Thursday that "enemy units" operating in the area of the Strait of Hormuz came under Iranian missile fire, following an attack by the U.S. military on an Iranian oil tanker, forcing the units to retreat.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | US military strikes Iran's Qeshm port and Bandar Abbas, Fox News reporter says
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran accuses US of violating ceasefire with new attacks
Iran accused the United States of violating a ceasefire by targeting two ships at the Strait of Hormuz and attacking civilian areas, the country's top joint military command said early on Friday.
The U.S. targeted "an Iranian oil tanker traveling from Iran's coastal waters near Jask toward the Strait of Hormuz, as well as another vessel entering the Strait of Hormuz near the Emirati port of Fujairah," a spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said in a statement carried by state media.
"At the same time, with the cooperation of some regional countries, they carried out air attacks on civilian areas along the coasts of Bandar Khamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island."
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates |US military says it intercepted Iranian attacks on 3 Navy ships in Strait of Hormuz and targeted Iranian military sites, reports AP
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Trump says 'great damage' done to Iranian attackers after US Navy destroyers came under fire
President Donald Trump said on Thursday three U.S. Navy destroyers transited out of the Strait of Hormuz under fire, adding that the American destroyers were not damaged but "great damage was done to Iranian attackers."
"Three World Class American Destroyers just transited, very successfully, out of the Strait of Hormuz, under fire. There was no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Trump says US is negotiating with Iran
President Donald Trump on Thursday told reporters that the United States is negotiating with Iran, following a fresh exchange of fire between the two countries.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Trump tells ABC news the retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets are just a 'Love Tap'
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran ceasefire is still on: Trump
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Trump says Pakistan has asked US not to proceed with 'Project Freedom' during negotiations with Iran
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | They better sign their agreement fast: Trump on Iran
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | UAE says its air defences system are engaging with missiles and drone threats, Reuters reports
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran will soon celebrate "great victory" in war against US and Israel: Iranian First Vice President
Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has claimed that the Islamic Republic will soon be marking a "great victory" in its ongoing confrontation with the United States and Israel, as reported by the state-run Press TV.
"We will soon hold our victory celebration, and the sanctions and pressures that have been imposed on the Iranian nation over recent years will be lifted with the great victory of the Iranian nation," Aref was quoted as saying. (ANI)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Stock markets slump in early trade amid fresh tensions in West Asia
Equity markets declined in early trade on Friday as escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia and rising oil prices weighed heavily on investor sentiment.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Oil tanker arrives in South Korea after passing through Strait of Hormuz in mid-April
A Malta-flagged tanker carrying 1 million barrels of crude oil arrived off South Korea's west coast Friday after passing through the Strait of Hormuz in mid-April, a South Korean refinery said.
Like many other Asian nations, South Korea imports much of its crude oil from the Middle East. The latest shipment of 1 million barrels reportedly equals 35-50 per cent of South Korea's daily crude oil consumption. (AP)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Trump causes steep fall of global perceptions of US, says survey
Global perceptions of the US have deteriorated for a second consecutive year and are now worse than views of Russia, an annual study on democracy published on Friday showed, as U.S. President Donald Trump's policies continue to severely strain the NATO alliance.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Is Trump really 'winning' the war against Iran?
Two months into the war in Iran, the reasons the US gave for launching this conflict - and Washington's minimum criteria for claiming success - now appear unintelligible. So much so that US officials are now arguing the war had actually ended in America's favour almost a month ago, when the ceasefire came into effect.
It is hard to think of a more damning indictment of Donald Trump's catastrophic war in Iran than the spectacle of his secretary of state, Marco Rubio, telling reporters on May 5 that the main goal now was to get the Strait of Hormuz "back to the way it was: anyone can use it, no mines in the water, nobody paying tolls".
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iraq denies US claims deputy oil minister helped Iran evade sanctions
Iraq's oil ministry has denied US accusations against its deputy minister, who the United States hit with sanctions over alleged support to Iran as Washington escalates pressure on Baghdad to break with Iranian-linked groups.
The US State Department on Thursday announced sanctions on Ali Maarij al-Bahadli, saying he "abused his government position to divert Iraqi oil in support of the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies."
It accused him of fraudulently mixing Iraqi and Iranian oil as part of a scheme to help Iran avoid sanctions.
His ministry said late Thursday that "it denies the accusations" against Bahadli and stressed "the importance of transparency in addressing all... accusations on the basis of evidence and facts," according to the INA state news agency. (AFP)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | China confirms attack on oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz, no casualties reported
China's foreign ministry confirmed on Friday that an oil products tanker carrying Chinese crew was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, and expressed deep concern about vessels affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
There are Chinese nationals aboard the vessel, but no reported crew casualties so far, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a regular news conference.
A Chinese-owned oil products tanker was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, China's Caixin reported on Thursday. (Reuters)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | South Korea begins probe into ship fire in Strait of Hormuz
South Korea's Oceans Ministry said on Friday that government investigators had started examining the cause of an explosion and fire aboard a Korean-operated vessel amid uncertainty over whether it had been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. (Reuters)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | World food prices rise to more than three year high in April, FAO says
World food prices climbed in April to their highest in more than three years, with vegetable oils particularly elevated due to the Iran war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Friday.
FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero said vegetable oil prices are being driven by elevated energy costs that are in turn raising demand for biofuels made using organic materials, such as oil-rich plants.
He added, however, that despite war-linked disruptions, agri-food systems were showing resilience, with cereal prices having increased only moderately thanks to adequate supplies from previous seasons. (Reuters)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran seizes oil tanker Ocean Koi over alleged attempt to disrupt its oil exports, state media says (Reuters)
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | UAE reports drone, missile attack as Iran war ceasefire is challenged
The Iran war's shaky ceasefire was further strained on Friday as the United Arab Emirates responded to a missile and drone strikes, hours after the US said it thwarted attacks on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz and retaliated against Iranian military facilities.
There were no immediate reports of damage in the UAE.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran says redirects US-sanctioned oil tanker to its shores
Iran said on Friday it redirected a US-sanctioned oil tanker carrying Iranian oil back to its shores, though it was unclear from its statement why it would have returned it.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iranians never bow to pressure: Iran's FM Araghchi
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Israeli strike kills 4 in south Lebanon: Health Ministry
An Israeli strike on Friday killed four people including two women in the southern Lebanon town of Toura, the health ministry said, as state media and AFP correspondents reported Israel was conducting widespread strikes.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran attack on UAE leaves three injured: Ministry
The United Arab Emirates on Friday said an Iranian missile and drone attack on the country resulted in three moderate injuries.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Rubio says expecting Iran response to US proposal on Friday
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was expecting a response from Iran on Friday to US proposals for a deal to end the conflict.
"We're expecting a response from them today at some point... I hope it's a serious offer, I really do," Rubio told reporters during a visit to Rome.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Rubio says 'unacceptable' for Iran to control Hormuz
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday slammed Iranian efforts to control the Strait of Hormuz, following a report that Tehran has created an authority to approve transit through the vital waterway.
"Iran now claims that they own, that they have a right to control, an international waterway... That's an unacceptable thing that they're trying to normalise," Rubio told reporters during a visit to Rome.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | If missiles are fired at US, we are going to respond: Rubio on Iran
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran official says 10 sailors wounded, five missing after overnight clash with US
An Iranian official said on Friday that US attacks overnight in and near the Strait of Hormuz struck an Iranian cargo vessel, wounding 10 sailors and leaving five others missing.
Iran and the United States exchanged fire overnight Thursday-Friday despite a truce in place since April 8 that paused a weeks-long war.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson says Tehran still weighing its answer to US proposals
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Israeli airstrikes kill 5 in southern Lebanon as Hezbollah rockets hit open areas in Israel
Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed at least five people Friday, while Hezbollah fired rockets on northern Israel without inflicting any casualties.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran accuses US of 'blatant violation' of truce after overnight clashes
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | US military struck empty tankers trying to break Iran blockade
The US military carried out more airstrikes on Friday and hit several empty tankers attempting to break the blockade on Iran, news agency reported.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | US military says it fires on and disables 2 more Iran-flagged oil tankers trying to break its blockade (AP)
US Central Command says its forces have disabled two more Iranian tankers that were trying to breach an American blockade.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Iran media reports new 'sporadic clashes' with US forces in Hormuz
Iranian media reported fresh "sporadic clashes" with US naval forces in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, following a flare-up the night before, despite the ceasefire in the Gulf.
"For the last hour, sporadic clashes have taken place between the Iranian armed forces and American vessels in the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency said.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | Hezbollah says launched missiles at military base in north Israel
Hezbollah on Friday said it launched missiles at a military base in northern Israel in retaliation for Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs despite a truce.
In a statement, the group said it targeted a base south of the Israeli city of Nahariya. The Israeli military had said earlier that sirens sounded in several northern cities.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | US VP Vance meeting with Qatar PM to discuss Iran, Axios reports
U.S. Vice President JD Vance is in a meeting with the prime minister of Qatar to discuss the negotiations with Iran, Axios reported.
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | If Americans try to enter the Gulf again, cause trouble for Iranian vessels, there is chance of clashes: Iranian military source
Situation calm in the Gulf now but if Americans try to enter the Gulf again, and cause trouble for Iranian vessels, there is chance of clashes: Iran military source
Iran, US-Israel Ceasefire LIVE Updates | US naval blockade measure will be met with military response from Iran from now on: Senior Iranian MP