Day 71 | Despite renewed attacks, US looks for breakthrough proposal from Iran today

• Satellite imagery shows a suspected oil spill covering approximately 45 to 71 square kilometers west of Kharg Island.
• Iranian officials have denied the report, labeling it psychological warfare.
• Maritime analysts suggest the slick is the largest since the start of the current conflict 71 days ago.

New imagery from the European Copernicus Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and Sentinel-3 satellites captured between May 6 and May 8 reveals a large grey and white slick in the Persian Gulf.

The suspected oil spill is located west of Kharg Island, which serves as the terminal for 90 percent of the oil exports of Iran.

Researchers from the Conflict and Environment Observatory and maritime firm Windward AI have confirmed the visuals are consistent with a significant offshore oil leak.

Escalating environmental impact

The slick was first identified on May 5 and has since expanded, with some estimates suggesting it covers more than 71 square kilometers.

Experts from Data Desk noted that this could be the most severe environmental incident since the US-'Israel' war against Iran began.

Tracking data shows the spill moving southeastward at roughly two kilometers per hour, potentially threatening the exclusive economic zone of Qatar within days and the coastline of the United Arab Emirates shortly thereafter.

Infrastructure under blockade strain

The cause of the leak remains unconfirmed, but analysts point to the deteriorating state of the oil infrastructure in Iran under the current US naval blockade.

While US forces previously destroyed military targets on Kharg Island, current reports suggest the spill could originate from a rupture in aging undersea pipelines or from tankers stranded by the blockade.

Environmental engineers warn that the inability to properly store or export crude oil has pushed the Iranian system into a dangerous state.

Conflicting reports on origin

Tehran has officially rejected the satellite findings, with some officials claiming the images show waste discharged by a European tanker rather than a leak from their facilities.

However, independent monitoring services like Orbital EOS estimate that over 3,000 barrels of oil may have already been released into the sea.

The US military and the United Nations mission for Iran have not yet issued formal statements regarding the origin of the environmental disaster.

• 'Israeli' military has ordered an immediate evacuation for residents in several southern Lebanese towns. 
• 'Israel' cites alleged ceasefire violations by Hezbollah as the reason for the renewed military operations in the region.

'Israeli' military's Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, issued an urgent warning on Saturday to residents of several towns and villages in southern Lebanon.

Civilians in Tayr Debba, Al-Abbasiyeh, Burj Rahhal, Maroub, Barish, Arzun, Jannata (Tyre), Al-Zrariyeh, and Ain Baal were instructed to leave their homes immediately.

'Israeli' military directed residents to move at least 1,000 meters away from their villages into open areas to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

 Alleged ceasefire violations

According to the statement posted on X, 'Israel' claims that it is compelling its forces to act "forcefully" due to what it described as "persistent violations" of the current ceasefire agreement by Hezbollah.

#عاجل انذار عاجل الى سكان لبنان المتواجدين في البلدات والقرى التالية: طير دبا, العباسية, برج رحال,معروب, باريش, أرزون, جناتا (صور), الزرارية, عين بعال

في ضوء قيام حزب الله الارهابي بخرق اتفاق وقف اطلاق النار يضطر جيش الدفاع على العمل ضده بقوة. جيش الدفاع لا ينوي المساس… pic.twitter.com/YltW8TlTy4

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) May 9, 2026

'Israeli' military claimed that Hezbollah elements continue to operate within these civilian areas, using them to facilitate activities against 'Israeli' forces.

The spokesperson stated that while the military does not intend to harm civilians, anyone present near Hezbollah facilities or combat equipment is exposing their life to danger.

Escalating cross-border friction

The new warnings come amid a sharp increase in hostilities despite a fragile truce mediated by the United States.

In the last 24 hours, Hezbollah reported launching retaliatory drone and missile swarms toward northern 'Israel' following 'Israeli' strikes on southern suburbs.

Meanwhile, Lebanese health authorities reported that 11 people were killed on Friday due to ongoing 'Israeli' aggression in southern districts.

Read more: Hezbollah claims more than two dozen attacks on 'Israeli' forces in southern Lebanon

Fragile humanitarian situation

The displacement orders further strain a humanitarian situation that has already seen over 1.2 million people forced from their homes in Lebanon.

International observers note that these frequent evacuation orders make it nearly impossible for displaced martyrs' families and other civilians to find permanent safety.

As the 'Israeli' military prepares for it claims "precise and targeted" strikes, the Lebanese government continues to call for international guarantees to protect its territorial sovereignty.

• 'Israeli' army says it targeted 85 Hezbollah infrastructure sites across Lebanon within 24 hours.
• Hezbollah says it fired rockets at 'Israeli' forces operating south of the forward defense line.

'Israeli' army announced today that its forces targeted more than 85 Hezbollah sites and infrastructure points over the last 24 hours.

'Israeli' military stated that these strikes aimed to dismantle operational capabilities used to target Israeli soldiers and civilians.

The targets included weapons storage facilities, rocket launch pads, and buildings used by Hezbollah operatives for military activities in southern Lebanon.

Targeting the Beqaa Valley

In a significant escalation, 'Israeli' jets bombed an underground site in the Beqaa Valley. 'Israeli' military identified the facility as a production plant for advanced weaponry.

Officials stated the strike was necessary to prevent Hezbollah from replenishing its strategic arsenal during the current period of instability.

Clashes south of defense line

'Israeli' military reported that Hezbollah operatives fired several rockets toward Israeli troops positioned south of the "forward defense line" in southern Lebanon.

While the projectiles fell near the forces, 'Israeli' military confirmed there were no injuries among the soldiers. In response, 'Israeli' forces targeted the specific Hezbollah elements responsible for the attack, stating they were actively engaged in "hostile activities" against the troops.

Ongoing tension despite negotiations

The intensified military activity comes despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the regional ceasefire.

'Israeli' army reaffirmed its commitment to neutralizing immediate threats, emphasizing that it will continue to strike any infrastructure that violates existing security understandings.

These strikes follow a week of renewed friction, as both sides accuse each other of breaching the terms of the fragile truce mediated by international partners.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister confirmed that Moscow will not support a draft resolution proposed by the United States and Bahrain at the UN Security Council.

US intelligence agencies have assessed that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is playing a "crucial role" in directing the country’s wartime strategy and diplomatic negotiations, despite remaining entirely out of the public eye due to significant injuries.

According to a CNN report citing sources familiar with the intelligence, Mojtaba Khamenei has not been visually confirmed by US agencies since taking power. Officials describe a clandestine command structure that avoids all electronic communication to prevent tracking.

Hezbollah says it carried out 26 attacks on 'Israeli' forces in southern Lebanon since Thursday afternoon, as 'Israeli' strikes across the region intensified and were reported to have killed more than 30 people.

The group said its operations included a missile strike on a tank near Deir Siryan, shelling against an 'Israeli' advance toward Haddatha, and an attack on soldiers gathered in Labbouneh village, claiming to have inflicted casualties but without giving figures.

The escalation comes amid some of the deadliest airstrikes on southern Lebanon since fighting began on March 2, with 'Israeli' operations reportedly causing more than 2,700 deaths and at least 8,500 injuries in Lebanon.

US President Donald Trump said Friday that Washington could resume a short-lived maritime operation known as “Project Freedom,” which was intended to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions in the region.

“I think Project Freedom is good, but I think we have other ways of doing it also. We may go back to Project Freedom if things don’t happen, but it’d be Project Freedom plus, meaning Project Freedom, plus other things,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House.

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he was expecting Iran's response to Washington's latest proposal on a deal to ending the Middle East war by "tonight."

"I'm getting a letter supposedly tonight, so we'll see how that goes," Trump told reporters outside the White House.

The US Treasury has announced sanctions against 10 individuals and companies accused of aiding Iran’s military efforts to obtain weapons and raw materials used in the production of Shahed drones.

The measures target entities based in Hong Kong and China. The Treasury also warned it is prepared to act against any foreign firms supporting illicit Iranian trade, including airlines, amid stalled efforts to resolve the conflict and ahead of President Trump’s upcoming visit to China.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met US Vice President JD Vance in Washington, DC, where discussions focused on efforts to end the war with Iran and promote lasting stability in the Middle East, according to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The talks also highlighted ongoing mediation efforts involving Pakistan and stressed the need for all parties to engage in dialogue to reach a comprehensive peace agreement.

For coverage of the previous day, visit the link below.

Read more: Day 70 | US military strikes sites in Iran as countries exchange fire