Day 69 | Trump threatens ‘much higher level’ attacks if no deal
The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is facing growing strain after both sides exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tensions deepened further after the United Arab Emirates, a key US ally, announced that its air defenses intercepted 19 Iranian missiles and drones on Monday.
The US will pause escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz barely a day after it began doing so, US President Donald Trump said Tuesday, citing a desire to reach a peace deal with Iran.
Despite an uptick in military activity in recent days, Trump said "great progress has been made" toward a deal with Tehran and that the ship-guiding operation "will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed."
The announcement came hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States had completed its offensive operations against Iran, while withholding the right to unleash a "devastating" response to any new attacks on shipping in the narrow shipping lanes.
Rubio echoed Washington's top military officer who earlier in the day said that US forces were ready to resume combat operations if ordered.
And Trump added that the blockade of Iranian ports "will remain in full force and effect."
Meanwhile, tensions are also intensifying on another front. In Lebanon, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem declared that “there is no ceasefire,” as the Iranian-backed group continued exchanging fire with Israeli forces, raising concerns that the conflict could widen beyond the Gulf.
New explosions reported in Bandar Abbas and Minab
The Iranian Mehr News Agency reports that fresh explosions have been heard tonight in the cities of Bandar Abbas and Minab in southern Iran, as military activity continues to intensify along the Hormozgan coastline.
US official: US strikes Qeshm and Bandar Abbas
A US official told Fox News that the American military conducted targeted strikes on the ports of Qeshm and Bandar Abbas in Iran tonight.
US fighter jet takes off aircraft carrier to enforce Iran blockade
US CENTCOM released a stated via X that an EA-18G Growler taking off from the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), which is currently leading a massive task force of over 20 warships to enforce the naval blockade against Iran.
Iranian missiles repel US forces after attack on Iranian tanker in Hormuz
A military official stated that Iranian missile units opened fire on "enemy units" in the Strait of Hormuz after the US military attacked an Iranian tanker, forcing the US vessels to retreat after reportedly suffering damage.
Tasnim: Air defenses in Bandar Abbas targeted two small drones
According to sources cited by the Tasnim News Agency, the explosions heard in the city of Bandar Abbas were the result of Iranian air defenses engaging and intercepting two small unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) detected in the area.
'Israel' denies involvement in ongoing Iranian explosions
Senior 'Israeli' officials, reports that 'Israel' has "no connection" to the series of explosions and military exchanges currently unfolding across Iran’s southern coast and the Strait of Hormuz, according to 'Israel’s' Channel 12.
Exchange of fire in Qeshm Island’s Bahman Wharf, partially damaged
The Iranian Fars News Agency reports that portions of the Bahman Wharf on Qeshm Island were struck and damaged partially during an intense exchange of fire between Iranian forces and "enemy" units in the Strait of Hormuz late Thursday night.
Explosions reported in Sirik, coastal unrest spreads in Hormozgan
The Iranian Mehr News Agency reports that several loud explosions were heard in the city of Sirik, located on the eastern coast of the Hormozgan province, marking an expansion of reported blasts along Iran's strategic southern coastline tonight.
Explosion reported at Bahman Wharf on Qeshm Island
Iranian state television reports that a loud explosion has occurred at the Bahman Wharf on Qeshm Island in the country's south; while official causes have not yet been released, the blast follows a series of "warning operations" conducted by the IRGC against unauthorized vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
IRGC: Explosions near Bandar Abbas were warning shots to vessels
Sources from the Tasnim News Agency clarified that some of the explosions heard tonight near Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island were linked to IRGC naval operations, serving as "warning shots" to prevent commercial vessels from attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz without prior authorization.
Explosions heard near Bandar Abbas, southern Iran: Fars
Residents in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas reported hearing multiple loud explosions late Thursday evening, originating from the outskirts of the city.
According to local reports via Fars News, authorities are currently investigating the cause and precise location of the blasts. No official statement regarding casualties or damage has been released.
While the exact source of the sounds remains unconfirmed, the incident occurs amid a sharp escalation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Araghchi: Hormuz back to normal navigation; if deal reached
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Thursday that maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz will only return to its normal status if the war is permanently ended and the naval blockade and economic sanctions against Iran are fully lifted.
US sanctions Iraqi deputy oil minister over Iran oil funding
- US Treasury sanctions Iraq-linked officials and groups tied to Iran oil funding.
- Washington intensifies economic pressure on Tehran's revenue networks.
The US Treasury and State Departments announced a major wave of sanctions on Thursday as part of "Operation Economic Fury," a campaign designed to exert maximum pressure on the Iranian regime.
The new measures specifically target individuals and entities accused of exploiting the Iraqi oil sector to fund Iranian-backed groups and undermine regional security.
Iraqi officials sanctioned
A central focus of the sanctions is Iraq’s Deputy Oil Minister, Ali Ma'arij Al-Bahadli, who is accused of exploiting his position to facilitate a scheme to help Iran sell its oil.
Diversion of resources: The Treasury stated that Al-Bahadli used his post to divert oil and sell it for the benefit of the Iranian regime.
Economic exploitation: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the Iranian regime is "looting Iraq’s resources," adding that the US will not stand by while Iraqi oil is used to fund "terrorism".
Target: Militia leadership and commercial entities
The sanctions also extend to top military figures and business networks that the US claims are fueling violence against both
Iraqis and Americans
Militia commanders: Sanctions were imposed on three senior leaders of Iranian-aligned militias, including Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq.
Corporate crackdown: Several individuals and commercial entities were designated for exploiting Iraq’s oil sector and undermining the country’s sovereign security.
"Maximum pressure"
The Treasury Department highlighted that these actions are being taken in tandem with the ongoing naval blockade to directly strike the Iranian regime's primary source of revenue.
Decisive action: The State Department described the move as a decisive step against those looting Iraqi wealth to fuel Iranian "terror".
The Naval link: US officials noted that the maritime blockade allows for more direct targeting of Iranian income streams, amplifying the effects of the broader economic pressure campaign.
Iran reviewing US proposal; no decision reached
The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that it is currently reviewing a formal proposal from the United States, delivered through Pakistani mediation, aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.
In a series of urgent statements, the Ministry’s spokesperson clarified the current status of the high-stakes negotiations:
Active review: Tehran confirmed it is in the process of studying the American proposal but emphasized that no final position has been reached "up to this moment."
No formal response: Iran has not yet provided an official reply to the US side regarding the terms of the deal.
Next steps: Once a final conclusion is reached, the Iranian government will notify the Pakistani mediator of its decision.
Future actions: The spokesperson noted that all subsequent steps and decisions regarding the war will be determined based on the results of this current exchange of messages.
US intelligence: Iran can withstand Trump's blockade for months
A confidential CIA assessment delivered to the White House has concluded that Iran can survive the US naval blockade for at least three to four months before facing systemic economic collapse.
While administration officials have publicly described Iran's economy as "crashing," the report -obtained by The Washington Post- reveals that Tehran retains a substantial missile arsenal and has proved far more resilient than initial government estimates suggested.
US to host new round of 'Israel'-Lebanon talks on May 14-15
The US State Department announced on Thursday that representatives from Lebanon and 'Israel' will convene in Washington on May 14 and 15 for a third round of direct diplomatic talks.
US, Iran move toward temporary deal to halt fighting
- Iran reviewing US proposal ahead of follow-up talks
- Key disputes remain unresolved
- One-page memo leaves out major US nuclear demands
- “We remain optimistic,” says mediator Pakistan
The United States and Iran are reportedly moving toward a limited, temporary agreement to halt their ongoing war, according to Reuters citing sources and officials familiar with the negotiations.
Rather than a comprehensive peace treaty, the emerging plan centers on a short-term memorandum of understanding aimed at stabilizing the region while leaving the most contentious issues for future discussion.
The proposal, which comes after weeks of intense mediation led by Pakistan, reflects a scaling back of ambitions from both Washington and Tehran.
Both sides appear to have accepted that a sweeping settlement -particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear program- is not immediately reachable.
Proposed three-stage framework
According to mediation sources, the deal would unfold in three distinct phases designed to de-escalate the conflict without requiring immediate concessions on long-term ideological goals:
Formal end to hostilities: Transitioning the current fragile ceasefire (in place since April 7) into a formal end to the state of war.
Strait of Hormuz crisis: Stabilizing shipping lanes and lifting blockades to restore the global flow of oil.
The 30-day window: Launching a month-long period of direct, intensive negotiations to hammer out a broader, permanent agreement.
Key obstacles and omissions
Despite the optimism expressed by US President Donald Trump, who told reporters on Wednesday that a deal is "very possible" and could happen "quickly," significant gaps remain.
Nuclear deadlock: The current draft memorandum reportedly does not address the fate of Iran’s 400 kg stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium, a central demand for the US and 'Israel'.
Proxy groups & missiles: Constraints on Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for regional proxies like Hezbollah are notably absent from the one-page memo.
Iranian skepticism: While Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been in active contact with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, some Iranian lawmakers have dismissed the US proposal as an "American wish list" rather than a realistic framework.
World oil prices drop 5% on hopes over US-Iran war talks
Global oil prices fell more than five percent Thursday on optimism over talks aimed at ending the Middle East war.
International benchmark, Brent North Sea crude, shed 5.1 percent to $96.06 a barrel.
The main US contract, West Texas Intermediate, lost 5.5 percent to $89.87.
Iran's Pezeshkian says met supreme leader Khamenei
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday he had met with the country's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since his appointment in early March.
Pezeshkian did not say when their meeting took place.
"What struck me most during this meeting was the vision and the humble and sincere approach of the supreme leader of the Islamic revolution," the president said in a video broadcast by state television.
Khamenei, wounded in strikes on the first day of the Middle East war that claimed the life of his father and predecessor Ali Khamenei, has released only written statements since his appointment.
His 86-year-old father was killed after more than three decades at the helm of the Islamic republic.
Ali Khamenei himself had succeeded the founder of the republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989.
Mojtaba's appointment by Iran's Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body responsible for selecting the supreme leader, was announced by state television on March 9.
Since then, portraits of the 56-year-old have become ubiquitous in the streets of Iran, but the new leader has been conspicuous in his absence from the public stage, in stark contrast to frequent appearances made by his father.
VIDEO - ‘Israel’ strikes south Lebanon's Nabatieh
Smoke billows from heavy ‘Israeli’ strikes on Lebanon's southern city of Nabatieh.
The strikes come a day after at least 11 people were killed in ‘Israeli’ bombardment across Lebanon's south and east, according to the country's health ministry.
