Day 60 | Washington reviews Tehran offer to end war, reopen Hormuz
US President Donald Trump is holding talks today with senior national security officials to review a new Iranian proposal that could lead to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.
The meeting follows a stalled round of peace negotiations over the weekend. On Sunday, Trump defended his decision to cancel a planned trip by US envoys to Pakistan, stating that Iranian authorities “can call” if they wish to resume dialogue. He added that the war with Iran could “come to an end very soon.”
Meanwhile, Iran has intensified its diplomatic efforts. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently visited Russia, where he met President Vladimir Putin after prior stops in Pakistan and Oman. Araghchi said his discussions with Putin focused in detail on the war. During his visit to Islamabad, he also presented Pakistani officials with a list of Iranian “red lines” to relay to Washington, including issues related to its nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz.
Amid these developments, global oil markets remain tense. Brent crude, the international benchmark, continues to trade above $100 per barrel, hovering near its highest level in three weeks.
EU lawmaker criticises plan to sanction 'Israel' over stolen Ukrainian grain, but not for Gaza
Marc Botenga, a member of the European Parliament from Belgium, has questioned why the European Union is considering sanctioning 'Israel' for trading in Ukrainian grain stolen by Russia but not for committing genocide in Gaza.
“Not for genocide. Not for war crimes. Not for occupation. Not for colonisation. Not for invasion. Not for torture,” Botenga wrote in a post on social media.
“But for trading stolen grain, maybe.”
Germany and Italy recently blocked a bid led by Spain, Slovenia, and Ireland to suspend a key EU trade pact with Israel over rights violations in Palestine and Lebanon.
Iranian army spokesman lauds air force’s role in war
Iranian army spokesman Brigadier-General Mohammad Akraminia has praised the air force’s role in the war that started with US-'Israeli' strikes on February 28.
Akraminia described how the air force “carried out several sorties and attacked enemy bases in regional countries, including the counter-revolutionary base in Erbil, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar”.
He noted in comments carried by state-run Press TV how Iran’s F-5 fighter jets had in one operation “managed to penetrate various layers of defence that the Americans had designed”.
He also lauded the country’s air defences, alluding to “reports” claiming “more than 170 enemy aircraft were hit, including 16 fighter jets”, while emphasising many were “highly advanced” and represented “significant financial value”.
“If the enemy again commits aggression and threatens the security of this land, they will face a more crushing response than before. We have many winning cards that we have not yet used,” Akraminia said.
White House says US won’t be ‘rushed into a bad deal’
Uncertainty persists over a potential ceasefire between the United States and Iran, a day after Donald Trump met with senior security advisers to assess a proposal from Tehran aimed at ending the conflict.
No final decision has been announced, leaving open the possibility of either de-escalation or a renewed surge in military operations.
A swift agreement could ease mounting political pressure on Trump, but analysts warn it may also risk strengthening Iran, potentially allowing it to rebuild its nuclear and missile programs over time.
The balance between short-term stability and long-term strategic concerns remains central to Washington’s calculations.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said negotiations with Iranian officials are continuing, emphasizing caution in the process.
“The president will only enter into an agreement that puts US national security first, and he has been clear that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” she said, adding that Washington “will not be rushed into making a bad deal.”
Trump approval plummets to new low as war with Iran raises concerns
US President Trump’s approval rating has sunk to the lowest level of his current term, as Americans increasingly soured on his handling of the cost of living and an unpopular war with Iran.
According to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, 34 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s performance in the White House, down from 36 percent in a prior survey.
Trump’s standing with the US public has trended lower since taking office in January 2025, when 47 percent of Americans gave him a thumbs-up.
His popularity has taken a beating since the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, which led to a surge in petrol prices.
Only 22 percent of poll respondents approved of Trump’s performance on the cost of living, down from 25 percent.
US sanctions entities, individuals involved in Iran ‘shadow banking’
The United States has imposed new sanctions on 35 Iranian entities and individuals accused of operating within a financial “shadow banking” network, amid stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
The move was announced by the US Treasury Department (United States Department of the Treasury), which said the designated network facilitated the movement of tens of billions of dollars in illicit funds.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the money was used to support what he described as Iran’s “terrorist operations.”
Lebanese civil defence says 3 members trapped after 'Israeli' strike
A statement by the organisation, quoted by the official National News Agency, says its members were trapped during a rescue operation in the town of Majdal Zoun, southern Lebanon.
CENTCOM redirects 39 ships amid maritime pressure on Iran
The United States Central Command (United States Central Command) said it has redirected 39 commercial vessels as part of what it described as ongoing maritime enforcement operations targeting Iran-linked shipping routes.
In a statement, CENTCOM said its forces “continue to operate across the Middle East” and maintain efforts to enforce what it referred to as a maritime blockade on Iran.
The command said US forces boarded a commercial vessel in the Arabian Sea after it was suspected of attempting to sail toward Iranian ports. The ship was later released following inspection, with authorities confirming it would not dock in any port in Iran.
Katz orders strikes on infrastructure in south Lebanon
‘Israel’ Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday he had instructed the military to destroy all what he described as “terror infrastructure” in southern Lebanon.
In remarks cited by local media, Katz claimed that the Lebanese government and army had committed to disarming Hezbollah in the south, adding, “These are the results.”
He said the directive targets the so-called “security zone” up to the “yellow line,” a reference often used by ‘Israel’ to describe areas near the border.
Ryanair CEO warns European airlines may fail if jet fuel prices stay high
Michael O’Leary says some European airlines might fail if jet fuel prices remain elevated through the Northern Hemisphere’s summer, as the aviation sector faces mounting cost pressures from disruption around the Strait of Hormuz.
The CEO told CNBC that budget carrier Ryanair is relatively protected because it hedged 80 percent of its fuel requirements, but warned that rivals with weaker hedging positions could face “real financial difficulties.”
“Jet A-1 was about $80 a barrel in March. It’s now $150,” said O’Leary, adding that if prices remain at that level into July, August and September, “you’ll see European airlines fail.”
The average price of jet fuel rose to $179 per barrel in the week ending April 24, according to the International Air Transport Association’s Jet Fuel Price Monitor.
The International Energy Agency recently said that Europe could face jet fuel shortages within weeks, depending on its ability to replace lost supplies from the Middle East, which previously accounted for a large share of the region’s net jet fuel imports.
Iran formalizes joint Army-IRGC control over Hormuz
Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters spokesperson, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, announced that the military is maintaining "full coordination" with the Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) to enforce total control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Under this divided security framework, the IRGC is tasked with securing the western portion of the maritime chokepoint, while the Army manages the eastern side.
Hezbollah targets 'Israeli' military personnel, equipment southern Lebanon
Hezbollah announced a significant escalation in its maritime and border operations, utilizing one-way attack drones to strike multiple 'Israeli' targets.
According to the group's statements, a suicide drone successfully targeted an 'Israeli' military bulldozer as it was demolishing residential homes in the border city of Bint Jbeil.
Simultaneously, a separate drone strike was launched against a gathering of 'Israeli' soldiers in the town square of Al-Qantara, with the group claiming a "confirmed hit" on the personnel.
Trump claims Iran is in a "State of Collapse," urgently requesting reopening of Hormuz
In a statement on TruthSocial, US President Donald Trump announced that Tehran has privately communicated that the country is currently in a "State of Collapse."
According to the US President, Iranian officials are urgently asking the US to allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as they struggle to resolve a severe internal leadership crisis.
Trump, who expressed confidence that Iran would eventually navigate its internal leadership turmoil, highlighted a shift in the ongoing geopolitical standoff.
Iran dictates post-war Hormuz shipping protocols, warns of aggression 'chaos'
The Iranian Ministry of Defense has declared that future maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz will be strictly governed by protocols ensuring the nation's security is not compromised.
Ministry of Defense spokesperson Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik also warned that any aggression on Iranian territory will severely undermine international law and global trust, and will ultimately lead to widespread chaos.
Reinforcing this stance, General Reza further vowed that any new enemy aggression will be directly confronted using newly deployed military equipment and unprecedented combat tactics.
VIDEO - Extraordinary Gulf summit held in Jeddah
Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states held an Extraordinary summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday to discuss the region’s "security situation," according to official media.
The talks come more than two weeks after a ceasefire began between Iran on one side and ‘Israel’ and the United States on the other, following a five-week war during which Gulf states were hit by Iranian strikes targeting oil and critical infrastructure facilities.
The region is also grappling with severe economic fallout after Iran closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas production normally passes.
Saudi Arabia’s official news agency (SPA) reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "chaired in Jeddah today the GCC consultative summit for leaders and heads of delegations of the Gulf Cooperation Council states."
It added that "a number of topics and issues related to regional and international developments were discussed during the summit, as well as the coordination of efforts in response to them."
Saudi state broadcaster Al Ekhbariya reported the arrival in Jeddah on Tuesday afternoon of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
UAE to withdraw from OPEC, OPEC+: state media
The United Arab Emirates will withdraw from the OPEC and OPEC+ oil cartels on May 1, state media said on Tuesday, calling it a strategic decision by the major producer.
"This decision reflects the UAE's long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile," the official WAM news agency said.
This is expected to greatly affect the oil exporting groups, amid the ongoing Iran war and its effects on energy markets.
US oil benchmark rises 5%
Oil prices rose sharply Tuesday amid a lack of progress in re-opening the key Strait of Hormuz.
The benchmark US oil contract West Texas Intermediate (WTI) surged 4.94 percent to $101.1 dollars a barrel at 1205 GMT, after earlier edging above 5.0 percent. Brent oil rose 3.79 percent to $112.3.
The rise came after Qatar warned on Tuesday of the possibility of a "frozen conflict" in the Gulf, as talks between the US and Iran for a peace deal appeared to be at a stalemate.
Iran bans steel exports
Iran has banned the export of steel products, local media reported on Tuesday citing customs authorities, after airstrikes targeted the country's steel industry in the war with ‘Israel’ and the United States.
Fars news agency reported a directive from the Islamic republic's customs authorities "regarding the prohibition of the export" of steel products, effective from April 26.
Japanese tanker passes Hormuz in direct coordination with Iran
A Japanese tanker has successfully navigated through the Strait of Hormuz after coordinating its passage with Iranian authorities. According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Qatar warns against “frozen conflict” in US-Iran war
Qatar on Tuesday cautioned against the possibility of a "frozen conflict" in the Gulf, as talks between the US and Iran for a peace deal appeared at an impasse.
"We do not want to see a return to hostilities in the region anytime soon, we do not want to see a frozen conflict that ends up being thawed every time there is a political reason," Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said at a press conference.
Bahrain jails five for Iran-linked “terrorism” plot: prosecutor
Five people were sentenced to life in Bahrain on Tuesday for plotting "terrorist and hostile acts" with Iran, which has bombarded the Gulf state during the Middle East war.
"The Public Prosecution affirms that the crime of communicating with hostile foreign entities against the Kingdom of Bahrain is considered one of the most serious crimes affecting national security," Bahrain's public prosecution said in a statement on X.
