Day 58 | Trump says US team won't visit Pakistan as uncertainty surrounds Iran peace talks

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Read more: Day 59 | Hormuz crisis spirals as ‘Israel’ intensifies Hezbollah clashes

Maritime analytics firm TankerTrackers reports that Iran has loaded the equivalent of 4.6 million barrels of oil at crude export terminals.

It said that an additional four million barrels of Iranian oil appear to have exfiltrated the US blockade line.

Hezbollah announced that its fighters targeted a gathering of 'Israeli' military vehicles and soldiers using a guided missile. According to the group's statement, the direct strike took place at Tel al-Nahas, located on the outskirts of the town of Kfar Kila in southern Lebanon.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been in Islamabad for more than three hours as critical diplomatic efforts proceed. According to the Associated Press, citing Pakistani officials, indirect negotiations between the involved parties are currently still underway.

Following a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Oman's Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi issued a statement emphasizing the shared responsibility of littoral states regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

Highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing maritime crisis, the Omani top diplomat stressed the urgent humanitarian need to free seafarers who have been held for "far too long," calling for intensive diplomacy and practical solutions to ensure lasting freedom of navigation for the international community.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held a telephone conversation with his Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to discuss ongoing regional diplomatic efforts. The  call focused on evaluating and coordinating efforts regarding the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

Iran will resume daily round-trip flights between Urmia and Tehran starting Monday, May 7, according to IRNA.

The move restores regular domestic air connectivity between the northwestern city and the capital, with one flight operating in each direction per day.

According to an official announcement from the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to hold a direct meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

• US President Donald Trump stated that the ongoing naval blockade against Iran is working, severely restricting Tehran's access to external funds.
• Trump emphasized that the economic pressure is compounded by the overarching threat of US military power.
• He praised the capabilities of the US armed forces, citing recent demonstrations of strength in both Iran and Venezuela.
• Trump also downplayed the extent of any potential economic or material assistance being provided to Iran by China.

In an interview with Fox News, US President Donald Trump highlighted the severe impact of the ongoing US naval blockade on Iran, characterizing his administration's economic and military pressure campaign against Tehran as highly successful.

An 'amazingly effective' blockade

Addressing the ongoing maritime standoff, Trump projected confidence in the strategy designed to cut off Iran's economic lifelines.

"The blockade we are imposing on Iran has proven amazingly effective," Trump told the network. He asserted that the stringent maritime restrictions and sanctions have successfully paralyzed Tehran's financial operations, leaving the Iranian government "unable to get any extra money."

The threat of military force

Beyond the economic stranglehold of the naval blockade, Trump emphasized that the ultimate leverage the United States holds over the region is its armed forces.

"Iran is under pressure as a result of the naval blockade, and I think the biggest pressure on them lies in our military power," he stated.

Highlighting the readiness and capability of US forces to enforce the administration's red lines, Trump reminded of America's reach: "We have an amazing military and we have proven that in Venezuela and in Iran, and we'll see where things go."

Downplaying Chinese assistance

Addressing potential loopholes in the international pressure campaign, Trump briefly touched upon Tehran's strategic relationship with Beijing.

While acknowledging the possibility that international allies might attempt to help Iran circumvent the strict US sanctions and blockade, he largely dismissed the impact of such efforts.

"China might provide some assistance to Iran, but I don't think they are providing much," Trump noted, signaling confidence that the US-led pressure campaign remains overwhelmingly dominant.

Pakistani mediation 

Shifting focus to the broader diplomatic channels, Trump took a moment to recognize Islamabad's ongoing efforts to mediate the crisis.

"The Pakistanis have done their best and will remain involved in the negotiation process," he confirmed, signaling that US-sanctioned diplomatic backchannels remain active.

Nuclear 'red lines'

However, the President was uncompromising regarding the United States' ultimate conditions for a resolution. Laying out a definitive red line for any future direct engagement, Trump stated: "Iran knows what the agreement must include; they cannot have a nuclear weapon, otherwise there is no need to hold a meeting."

Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs received a phone call from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss broader peace efforts and regional stability.

During the exchange, the Qatari premier strongly emphasized the necessity of keeping maritime routes open and guaranteeing freedom of navigation, explicitly warning his Iranian counterpart that vital shipping lanes must not be utilized as a "pressure card or bargaining chip" amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Iran’s ambassador to Russia announced that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Moscow on Monday for an official visit, where he is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The visit comes amid ongoing regional and international developments, with expected discussions to focus on bilateral ties and coordination on key issues.

Initiating his agenda in Islamabad, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held high-level talks with Pakistan's army commander, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

The meeting between the top Iranian diplomat and the Pakistani military chief underscores the heavy security focus of Araghchi's visit, setting the stage for broader diplomatic negotiations regarding regional stability and ongoing mediation efforts.

• Hezbollah rejected Netanyahu's assertion that 'Israel' possesses "freedom of action" in Lebanon based on a US-brokered agreement.
• The group justified its recent rocket attacks as a legitimate response to more than 500 alleged 'Israeli' ceasefire violations.
• Hezbollah vowed to continue its armed resistance, stating it will not rely on "failed diplomacy" or a "helpless authority" to defend the country.

Hezbollah released a strongly worded statement on Sunday, condemning recent remarks by 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and issuing a harsh rebuke of the Lebanese government's participation in ongoing negotiations in Washington.

The statement comes amidst a fragile, extended ceasefire and escalating tensions over the parameters of the truce.

Rejection of 'Freedom of Action'

Hezbollah directly addressed Netanyahu's recent claims that the group is undermining the ceasefire and that 'Israel' retains the "freedom to act" in Lebanon under an agreement with the United States and Lebanon.

The group denied Lebanon's involvement in such terms, warning of the extreme danger of "attempting to entangle the Lebanese authorities in a bilateral agreement that occurred only between 'Israel' and Washington."

Hezbollah stressed that Lebanon had no say or position in that specific agreement and therefore did not approve it. The group asked the Lebanese government to issue a clear explanation to its citizens regarding Netanyahu's claims of an agreement granting 'Israel' the freedom to attack and destroy.

Retaliation for alleged violations

Addressing the recent exchange of fire, Hezbollah framed its continued targeting of 'Israeli' military gatherings in occupied territories and its shelling of northern 'Israeli' settlements as a "legitimate response" to persistent 'Israeli' aggression.

According to the statement, 'Israel' has committed over 500 violations of the temporary truce since its inception. Hezbollah detailed that these breaches occurred across land, sea, and air, involving the bombing and destruction of homes in southern Lebanon, which the group says has resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of Lebanese citizens.

Hezbollah argued that the recent extension of the truce should have brought a genuine halt to the aggression, but instead, 'Israel' escalated its actions.

Read more: 'Israeli' military launches series of strikes in southern Lebanon following Netanyahu directive

Scathing critique of Lebanese authorities

A significant portion of the statement was dedicated to attacking the Lebanese government over its participation in direct, US-mediated talks with 'Israeli' and American ambassadors at the White House.

Hezbollah described the Washington meeting as "disastrous" and a "dangerous predicament." The group accused the Lebanese authorities of failing to uphold their stated primary condition for attending the talks, demanding an end to 'Israeli' attacks and a withdrawal from occupied lands.

Instead, Hezbollah criticized the Lebanese representative for publicly praising the US President, who the group labeled a "partner in the shedding of Lebanese blood."

The statement accused the government of taking a "shameful picture" with representatives of an occupying entity and standing by as a "silent, helpless spectator" while Lebanese land and homes are destroyed.

Read more: Lebanese President denies direct contact with Netanyahu

Commitment to armed resistance

Concluding the statement, Hezbollah issued a clear warning that any continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire, destruction of homes, targeting of civilians, or ongoing occupation of Lebanese territory will be met with direct retaliation.

The group asserted that the right to defend its land and people is guaranteed by international charters. Dismissing the ongoing political negotiations, Hezbollah declared, "We will not wait for or bet on a failed diplomacy that has proven its ineptitude, nor on an authority that has failed to protect its homeland."

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump held a phone call on Sunday to address the stalled maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Downing Street warned of the "severe consequences" the ongoing disruptions pose to the global economy and the cost of living.
• Starmer briefed Trump on a joint UK-French initiative aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the vital commercial waterway.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump engaged in a telephone conversation on Sunday, focusing on the escalating crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

The leaders underscored the critical necessity of resuming commercial shipping operations in one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.

Global economic fears

According to a statement released by a Downing Street spokesperson, the conversation heavily focused on the immediate, cascading impacts of the blockade.

"The leaders discussed the urgent need to get shipping moving again in the Strait of Hormuz, given the severe consequences for the global economy and cost of living for people in the UK and globally," the spokesperson for Starmer's office stated.

The disruption of the waterway, which typically facilitates a massive portion of the world's daily oil supply, threatens to trigger widespread economic instability and drive up consumer costs worldwide.

Joint European initiative

During the exchange, the British Prime Minister also outlined ongoing European efforts to resolve the maritime standoff.

The Downing Street spokesperson added that Starmer "shared the latest progress on his joint initiative with French President Emmanuel Macron to restore freedom of navigation."

The briefing signals a coordinated effort between London and Paris to secure the waterway and stabilize international trade routes amidst the escalating regional tensions.

According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet to exchange views with Pakistani officials in Islamabad.

Following his diplomatic consultations in Pakistan, the top Iranian diplomat is scheduled to travel to Russia for further engagements.

According to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, held a telephone conversation to discuss the latest regional developments and ongoing diplomatic initiatives.

During the exchange, Araghchi briefed the Saudi top diplomat on the current situation, specifically highlighting developments related to the ceasefire, and outlined Iran's latest diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war and de-escalating regional tensions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has left Muscat to return to Pakistan, according to the Tasnim News Agency.The departure immediately followed a high-level diplomatic meeting with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.
Araghchi is returning to Islamabad to resume mediated peace negotiations following this brief regional consultation.

Lebanese official media said ‘Israel's’ military began striking the country's south on Sunday after issuing an evacuation warning for seven locations, despite a ceasefire with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

"Israeli warplanes launched a strike" in Kfar Tibnit -- one of the locations included in the warning -- the state-run National News Agency said, adding that there were reports of casualties.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, ‘Israel’ reserves the right to act against "planned, imminent or ongoing attacks".

‘Israel's’ military has carried out repeated strikes in Lebanon since the truce came into force on April 17, and its troops are operating inside an ‘Israeli’-announced "yellow line" near the border where Lebanese residents have been warned not to return.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said Hezbollah's actions in Lebanon are "dismantling" the ceasefire agreed between ‘Israel’ and Lebanon.

"It must be understood that Hezbollah's violations are, in practice, dismantling the ceasefire," Netanyahu said during a weekly cabinet meeting.

The ‘Israeli’ military ordered the evacuation of seven villages in southern Lebanon on Sunday, saying it would respond to what it said were Hezbollah's violations of a recently-renewed ceasefire agreement between the two.

"In light of the terrorist organisation Hezbollah's violation of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF is compelled to take decisive action against it," the military's Arabic-language spokesman Colonel Avichay Adraee said on X, naming seven villages south of the Litani River.