Day 65 | US-Iran diplomacy stalls, fears mount over return to conflict

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Read more: Day 66 | Trump says US will start escorting ships through Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump said Sunday that US officials were holding "very positive discussions" with Iran over potential steps toward ending the war that has upended the Middle East.

"I am fully aware that my Representatives are having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

Iran's foreign ministry earlier said that Tehran had submitted a 14-point plan "focused on ending the war" and that Washington had responded to it in a message to Pakistani mediators.

The United States will escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz from Monday, US President Donald Trump said Sunday, claiming that "countries from all over the world" had requested it.

"For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

"This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time."

Artillery shelling targeted the town of Haris in southern Lebanon, while Mansouri was struck earlier by tank fire from 'Israeli' forces positioned in al-Bayada, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

An Iranian Revolutionary Guard spokesperson says Iran’s armed forces are prevailing in what he described as an “unequal war” and will not retreat in the face of its enemies.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff says Washington is “in conversation” with Iran, speaking to CNN while attending a golf event with President Donald Trump, as reports indicate Tehran is reviewing a US response to its latest proposal.

The comments come amid signs of intensified diplomacy following a period of stalemate, despite Trump expressing skepticism that Iran’s offer would be acceptable.

US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s latest proposal aimed at resolving regional tensions, calling it “not acceptable,” according to comments reported by Kan’s Nathan Guttman.

In a brief phone call quoted in a post on X by Guttman, Trump said: “It’s not acceptable to me. I’ve studied it, I’ve studied everything, it’s not acceptable.”

Further remarks reported by Kan in Hebrew indicate that Trump said the ongoing campaign is “going great,” adding that Iran’s proposal falls short of US expectations.

“The Iranians want to make a deal, but I’m not satisfied with what they’ve offered,” Trump was quoted as saying. “There are things I can’t agree to.”

Trump also reiterated his position that Israeli President Isaac Herzog should grant Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a pardon in his ongoing criminal trial. “He’s a wartime prime minister. Israel wouldn’t exist without me and Bibi, in that order,” Trump said, according to Kan. “You need a prime minister who can focus on the war and not on nonsense.”

Iran says the United States has responded to its 14-point proposal through Pakistani intermediaries and that it is currently reviewing the reply, according to state media reports.

A foreign ministry spokesperson added that “at this stage, we do not have nuclear negotiations,” signaling that formal talks have not yet resumed despite ongoing diplomatic exchanges.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) says 49 commercial vessels have been redirected to comply with an ongoing blockade of Iranian ports, adding that US forces remain “fully committed to total enforcement.”

CENTCOM also reported that its commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, visited the USS Milius during patrols in regional waters supporting the operation, where he addressed sailors and highlighted the mission’s importance.

Hezbollah says it carried out multiple attacks on 'Israeli' military targets in southern Lebanon, including a drone strike on army vehicles and personnel in the town of al-Bayyad on Sunday, claiming at least one direct hit.

The group also reported a second operation targeting 'Israeli' vehicles and soldiers in al-Qantara, Marjayoun district, using rocket-propelled weapons, though it said no hits were confirmed.

In a statement on Telegram, Hezbollah said the strikes were conducted “in defence of Lebanon and its people” and in response to what it described as 'Israeli' violations of the ceasefire and attacks on southern Lebanese villages that resulted in civilian casualties.

Twenty-five oil tankers carrying Iranian crude left in April 2026, with seven reportedly turned back to Iran, two seized in the Indian Ocean, and one reaching the Far East, according to Tanker Trackers.

A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader issued a sharp response to recent threats by President of the United States Donald Trump, saying his remarks reflect a “lack of understanding” of global economic and political realities.

The adviser said the logic of threats would not succeed against what he described as Iran’s geopolitical capabilities, stressing that Tehran holds significant strategic leverage.

Hormuz warning

Responding to Trump’s warning of imposing famine-like conditions on Iran, the adviser said global food security is closely tied to the Strait of Hormuz. He added that fertilizer supplies and key trade routes pass through the waterway, warning that any disruption could trigger a global food crisis.

The Iranian official warned that any attempt to target Iran’s interests would face consequences, stating that those who interfere with what he called a “vital artery” of the global system would reach a dead end.

The remarks reflect Tehran’s ongoing strategy of highlighting its maritime influence as a form of economic pressure, amid continued tensions linked to the “maximum pressure” policy pursued by the Trump administration.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he on Sunday demanded that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and give up its nuclear weapons programme in a telephone call with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi.

"I emphasised that Germany supports a negotiated solution," Wadephul said in a post on X about the call. "As a close US ally, we share the same goal: Iran must completely and verifiably renounce nuclear weapons and immediately open the Strait of Hormuz, as also demanded by" US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In my call with @araghchi, I emphasized: #Germany supports a negotiated solution. As a close ally of the #US, we share the same goal: #Iran must completely & verifiably renounce nuclear weapons & immediately open the Strait of #Hormuz, as also demanded by @SecRubio. @AussenMinDE https://t.co/lmDp5hcuk9

— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) May 3, 2026

• Tehran's proposal aims for a permanent end to the war within 30 days.
• The plan includes a mutual non-aggression pact, alongside the phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran offers a 15-year total enrichment freeze in exchange for a clear mechanism to lift sanctions and release frozen assets.

The roadmap seeks to transform the fragile ceasefire into a permanent end to hostilities through a series of unprecedented security and nuclear concessions, sources provided Al Jazeera.

Phase one: Ending the war and reopening the Gulf

The first stage of the proposal aims to finalize a complete cessation of the war within a minimum of 30 days. Central to this phase is the establishment of an international oversight authority to guarantee that none of the parties return to military operations.

Phase one includes:

Mutual non-aggression pact: A formal commitment between the US and Iran to cease hostilities, which explicitly extends to 'Israel' and Iran’s regional allies.
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz: Iran proposes a gradual reopening of the strategic waterway. Tehran would take responsibility for clearing naval mines, with the possibility of receiving US technical support.
Lifting the Blockade: A phased lifting of the blockade on Iranian ports would occur in tandem with the reopening of the Strait.
Military De-escalation: The withdrawal of US forces from the waters surrounding Iran and an end to the current military mobilization.
Compensation: An "innovative and new formula" for war reparations to address the economic damage caused by the conflict.

Phase two: deep nuclear freezes

The second phase addresses the core of the international standoff: Iran’s nuclear program. Sources indicate that Tehran is offering a total freeze on all uranium enrichment for a period of up to 15 years.

Key nuclear provisions include:

Long-term caps: Following the freeze period, Iran would return to enrichment at a maximum level of 3.6% under a "zero-stockpile" principle.
Infrastructure preservation: The proposal strictly rejects the dismantling of nuclear infrastructure or the destruction of facilities.
High-enriched stockpile: Negotiators are currently discussing whether Iran’s existing high-enriched uranium will be shipped abroad or diluted to lower percentages.

Phase Three: Sanctions relief and economic reintegration

The final phase emphasizes a "clear mechanism" for lifting international sanctions in exchange for Iran’s nuclear compliance. This includes the phased release of frozen Iranian assets according to a strictly defined timeline.

By offering a 15-year enrichment freeze and a mutual non-aggression pact that includes 'Israel', Tehran appears to be signaling a desire for a fundamental reset of its relationship with the West. However, the rejection of infrastructure dismantling remains a potential sticking point for Washington, which has previously demanded the permanent removal of Iran’s breakout capability.

The proposal is currently being reviewed by the US administration and regional stakeholders as mediators from Pakistan and Qatar push for a finalized agreement to prevent a return to full-scale kinetic warfare.

• At least one person was killed in Arabsalim.
• Four rescuers from the Islamic Health Committee were wounded in a strike on Srifa.

'Israeli' airstrikes targeted several locations across southern Lebanon on Sunday, killing at least one person and wounding multiple emergency responders.

The attacks come despite a fragile ceasefire agreement, with the Lebanese Health Ministry reporting that medical personnel were caught in the crossfire.

According to the ministry, a strike on the town of Arabsalim killed at least one person and wounded three others, including a child.

In a separate incident, a strike near a medical center in Srifa wounded five people. Four of the injured were rescuers from the Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic Health Committee.

Condemnation

The Lebanese Health Ministry issued a stern rebuke following the strikes, accusing 'Israel' of systematically ignoring international humanitarian law.

"The Ministry reiterates its condemnation of these repeated attacks," the statement read. The ministry cited Article 19 of the Geneva Convention, which mandates that medical facilities and personnel be protected from danger in conflict zones. "What is happening is exactly the opposite," the ministry added.

Strikes beyond evacuation zones

While the 'Israeli' military had issued specific evacuation warnings for 11 villages earlier in the day, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that the bombardment extended far beyond those designated areas.

Read more: 'Israeli' army issues urgent evacuation for 11 southern Lebanon towns

The NNA described a "series of intensive strikes" hitting various towns across the south, signaling a widening of the military’s target list.

Hezbollah announced on Sunday that it launched a suicide drone targeting a gathering of ‘Israeli’ military vehicles and soldiers in the southern Lebanese town of Al-Bayyada.

The group claimed in the statement that the strike achieved a "direct hit," resulting in casualties among the gathered troops.

The ‘Israeli’ military confirmed on Sunday that the rocket sirens activated earlier in the Upper Galilee community of Avivim were the result of a "false identification" and not a hostile launch.

In a brief statement, the military clarified that no projectiles had crossed into ‘Israel’ from Lebanon during the alert.

• OPEC+ convenes Sunday with a preliminary agreement in place, sources say
• OPEC+ plans to boost June output quotas by 188,000 bpd, draft says
• Most members unable to hit targets due to Strait of Hormuz shutdown
• Quota hike to exclude UAE share after its exit from OPEC and OPEC+, sources say

OPEC+ is poised to agree on a modest oil output increase during its meeting on Sunday, according to sources and a draft statement.

However, analysts and industry insiders warn the hike will remain largely on paper so long as the US-Iran war continues to block the Strait of Hormuz.

Seven key OPEC+ members -Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Oman- have reached an agreement in principle to raise June output quotas by 188,000 barrels per day (bpd).

This marks the third consecutive monthly increase as the group attempts to signal its readiness to restore global supply.

Gesture amid blockade

While the quota increase aims to reassure markets, the reality on the ground remains dictated by the military conflict that began on February 28.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has effectively throttled exports from the group's heaviest hitters, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait.

Before the conflict, these nations were the only members with the spare capacity to significantly increase production. Now, with shipping lanes impassable, current production levels are dictated by physics and logistics rather than policy.

"The output hike will remain largely symbolic until shipping through the Strait of Hormuz reopens," said one Gulf oil executive. "Even then, it will take several weeks, if not months, for flows to normalize."

Market turmoil and UAE departure

The meeting comes during a week of significant structural shifts for the organization. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) officially exited both OPEC and the wider OPEC+ alliance this week.

Sources indicate that the new June quotas have already been adjusted to remove the UAE’s previous share.

The continued disruption has propelled oil prices to a four-year high, surging above $125 per barrel. Global markets are bracing for a spike in inflation, with some analysts predicting widespread jet fuel shortages within the next 60 days if the blockade persists.

Production freefall

The scale of the supply crunch was highlighted in a recent OPEC report, which noted that total crude output from the alliance averaged 35.06 million bpd in March, a staggering drop of 7.70 million bpd from February.

Saudi Arabia and Iraq accounted for the bulk of these involuntary cuts as their export terminals stood idle.

By pressing ahead with a quota increase, OPEC+ appears to be maintaining its administrative framework in anticipation of a post-war environment.

The draft statement suggests the seven core members will meet again on June 7 to re-evaluate the theater requirements.

The subsequent Iranian response have transformed the energy market into a geopolitical battlefield, leaving OPEC+ with few tools beyond symbolic gestures until the diplomatic or military stalemate in the Persian Gulf is resolved.

The Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued an assessment on Sunday, asserting that Washington’s decision-making space has become severely restricted.

According to IRGC intelligence officials, US President Trump now faces a binary choice: embarking on a military operation they labeled as "impossible" or accepting a "bad deal" with Tehran.

The ‘Israeli’ military claimed on Sunday that it targeted and killed two armed Hezbollah members operating south of the Forward Defense Line, claiming they posed an imminent threat to its troops.

ELIMINATED: 2 armed Hezbollah terrorists operating south of the Forward Defense Line, posing an imminent threat to IDF troops.

Additionally, terrorists who were identified inside structures in the area who posed a threat, were eliminated in a subsequent strike.

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 3, 2026

According to the military statement, a subsequent strike also targeted individuals identified within nearby structures who were described as posing an additional threat to forces in the area.