Day 76 | Vance sees progress in Iran talks despite Trump rejection

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Read more: Day 77 | Trump says China's Xi vowed not to send weapons to Iran

Hezbollah on Thursday said it targeted ‘Israeli’ troops in northern ‘Israel’ with a drone, as Lebanon and ‘Israel’ were holding a new round of direct talks in Washington.

In a statement, the group said it "targeted a gathering of Israeli enemy army soldiers at the Rosh HaNikra site" near the border with Lebanon with a drone.

The ‘Israeli’ military had earlier said "an explosive drone launched by the Hezbollah terrorist organisation fell within Israeli territory, near the Israel-Lebanon border".

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday accused the United Arab Emirates of playing an "active" role in the US-‘Israeli’ war against Iran.

Speaking during the BRICS Summit in India, Araghchi said, "The UAE is an active partner in this aggression, there is no doubt about that. It has also become clear that it participated in these attacks, and may even have acted directly against us."

Araghchi also referred to what the office of ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a "secret" meeting with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a meeting that Abu Dhabi has denied took place.

"The truth is that the UAE was directly involved in the aggressive action against my country, as they refrained from even condemning the aggression when it began," he added.

He continued: "It has become clear that they participated in these attacks, and may even have acted directly against us."

Relations between Iran and the UAE have been under severe strain since February 28, when the US-‘Israeli’ strikes began, prompting Iran to retaliate with attacks on ‘Israel’ and US-allied Gulf states, including the UAE.

Despite a ceasefire that has been in effect, though marred by violations, since April 8, Iranian state television continues to air commentary from analysts accusing the UAE of involvement in attacks against Iran during the conflict.

In early May, the UAE blamed the Islamic Republic for a drone strike targeting the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, an accusation Iran denied.

Iran has repeatedly accused Gulf states of allowing US forces to launch strikes from their territory.

However, Gulf countries have denied the allegations, stressing even before the war began that they would not allow their territory or airspace to be used to attack Iran.

The UAE is considered one of the United States' closest regional allies and is among the few Arab states to normalize ties with ‘Israel’ following the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that military threats against Iran are destined for failure, asserting that diplomacy is the only viable path for resolving the conflict with the United States.

Speaking at the BRICS 2026 foreign ministers' meeting in India, Araghchi emphasized that Tehran remains steadfast despite external pressures.

"There is no military solution to any issue related to Iran," he stated. "We stand firm against threats and we do not bow."

Araghchi warned the United States that any further attempts to "test" Iran through military conflict would result in the same "failure" experienced by adversaries in the past.

Araghci also said the international community now recognizes Iran as the “victor” in the conflict with the United States, having successfully thwarted Washington’s objectives.

Araghchi noted that Iran’s regional status has significantly increased. He called this the opportune moment for Iran to further solidify its role and influence in the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said President Xi Jinping had offered China's help to open the Strait of Hormuz and pledged not to send military equipment to aid Iran in its war against the US and ‘Israel’.

"He said he's not going to give military equipment… he said that strongly," Trump told the "Hannity" show on Fox News, after the two leaders met in Beijing.

"He'd like to see the Hormuz Strait open, and said 'if I can be of any help whatsoever, I would like to help,'" Trump added.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have reached a critical understanding regarding the stability of the Middle East and the nuclear ambitions of Tehran.

According to a White House official speaking to Reuters, both leaders agreed on the absolute necessity of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to ensure the global flow of energy.

The official further confirmed that the two presidents are unified in the stance that Iran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.

This consensus marks a significant diplomatic milestone in the Beijing summit, as Washington looks to leverage China’s influence over Tehran to de-escalate the ongoing conflict.

Rubio confirms China's stance

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC that while the United States is not actively seeking China’s assistance, the two nations have found a "common ground" on the Iran file.

Rubio noted that China has confirmed its opposition to the militarization of the Strait of Hormuz or the imposition of any "toll systems" on international shipping.

"This is our position as well," Rubio said, emphasizing that China's reliance on the waterway for energy makes it a natural partner in maintaining maritime freedom.

He added that President Trump personally raised the Iran issue with Xi, ensuring that the "source of instability" in the Persian Gulf was a primary focus of their closed-door deliberations.

Potential war resumption

Despite the diplomatic breakthroughs in Beijing, reports from Axios suggest a more confrontational path may lie ahead once Trump returns to Washington.

'Israeli' officials are reportedly on "high alert" throughout the weekend, anticipating a possible decision by Trump to resume active hostilities if a final deal with Tehran remains elusive.

According to US officials, the White House is weighing several "heavy" options.

These include the full resumption of Project Freedom or a "new bombing campaign" specifically designed to target Iran’s remaining industrial and military infrastructure.

While the Beijing summit has fostered a temporary "truce of words," the military posture in the region suggests that the threat of a full-scale return to war remains imminent.

The ‘Israeli’ Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with Elbit Systems' Cyclone subsidiary to develop an ‘Israeli’-made capability for extending the range of its air force's F-35I "Adir" stealth fighter jets.

Announced on Thursday, the agreement, valued at over NIS 100 million (approximately $34 million), focuses on the design and integration of external fuel tanks.

The Defense Procurement Directorate led the initiative, which leverages Cyclone's existing external fuel tank design originally developed for the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Extended range reduces dependence on aerial refueling, which is a factor of ‘Israel's’ limited tanker fleet.

The F-35I Adir is a highly customized variant of the F-35A, incorporating ‘Israeli’-developed electronic warfare systems, weapons integration, and other national modifications.

The project marks a notable development for F-35 operators globally, as external fuel tanks have historically posed challenges to the aircraft's stealth profile.

‘Israel’ already has plans to expand the Adir fleet significantly, aiming toward approximately 100 F-35I aircraft alongside additional F-15IA.

Al Jazeera’s correspondent reported on Thursday that both Lebanese and 'Israeli' delegations have arrived at the US State Department to begin a new round of mediated negotiations.

With the current ceasefire extension set to expire in just four days -Monday, May 18- negotiators are racing to address a surge in cross-border drone strikes and lethal aerial bombardments that have pushed to a dangerous tipping point.

Peace at risk

The arrival of the delegations follows a week of unprecedented violence that has effectively shredded the "quiet" promised by the April ceasefire.

Just 48 hours ago, Hezbollah launched what 'Israeli' security sources called the most "coordinated and sophisticated" drone swarm in the history of the conflict, injuring two 'Israeli' soldiers and sparking massive fires in the Upper Galilee.

'Israel' retaliated with a wave of airstrikes on the Saida–South coastal highway, resulting in the deaths of eight, including two children.

As the diplomats sat down in Washington, the 'Israeli' military continued to issue mass evacuation orders for nearly a dozen Lebanese towns, signaling that a wider ground operation may be imminent if diplomacy fails.

Ceasefire path

Today’s summit is the culmination of two months of diplomatic maneuvers:

• April 16 breakthrough: After weeks of intense warfare, the US brokered an initial 10-day ceasefire. In a historic first, both nations agreed to "direct negotiations" toward a comprehensive peace. However, a major sticking point remained: 'Israeli' forces occupied positions inside southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah remained armed and active outside the formal state framework.
• The Trump Extension: On April 23, US President Trump announced a three-week extension of the truce. While he envisioned a "handshake summit" between the two nations' leaders, the reality on the ground remained tense. Lebanon demanded a full 'Israeli' withdrawal, while 'Israel' insisted on a permanent "buffer zone" to prevent alleged future incursions.
• The May Escalation: The nominal peace collapsed this week as Hezbollah transitioned to "fiber-optic drone" tactics, which bypass standard 'Israeli' jamming. This technological leap has forced the 'Israeli' military to shift from a defensive posture to a "forceful" clearance of southern Lebanese villages, displacing thousands of civilians for the second time in a month.

The Current Deadlock

The delegations enter today’s session with almost no common ground.

The Lebanese team, led by Ambassador Karam, is expected to present evidence of civilian "massacres" and demand an immediate withdrawal of 'Israeli' troops to the Blue Line.

Meanwhile, the 'Israeli' delegation is arriving with a mandate to secure the "total disarmament" of Hezbollah from the border region, arguing that the Lebanese state has failed to uphold its security commitments.

With the clock ticking toward the May 18 expiration date, the international community is watching Washington.

If a new extension or a permanent security framework is not reached today, the Middle East faces the very real prospect of an unmanaged, all-out regional war.

This is a developing story.

An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy official told Iranian state television on Thursday that 30 commercial vessels have been permitted to transit the Strait of Hormuz since Wednesday night under specific Iranian arrangements.

This comes an hour after Tehran had authorized several Chinese commercial vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz under specific Iranian management protocols according to information revealed by Iran's Fars News Agency reported on Thursday.

• Chinese President Xi Jinping told US President Donald Trump that the US and China could "collide or even come into conflict" if the Taiwan issue is mishandled.
• The Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized the necessity of building a "stable and strategic" relationship.
• Beijing reaffirmed its "consistent and clear" opposition to US arms sales to Taiwan.

In high-stakes bilateral talks held Thursday morning at the Great Hall of the People, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned US  President Donald Trump regarding the status of Taiwan.

According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Xi characterized the Taiwan question as the "most important issue" in the US-China relationship and the "biggest risk factor" that could push both nations toward open conflict.

Xi emphasized that while Beijing is open to a "constructive strategic relationship," the US must exercise "extra caution."

The Chinese side specifically reiterated its unwavering rejection of US arms sales to Taiwan, a point of contention that has intensified following reports of a pending $14 billion American weapons package.

"Strategic Ship"

Despite the sharp rhetoric on Taiwan, the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed a desire to move beyond the recent trade war.

Xi spoke of the need to steer the "giant ship of China-US relations" toward stability, aiming to avoid the so-called "Thucydides Trap" - the historical tendency for rising and ruling powers to fall into war.

The two leaders reportedly agreed to:

• Establish a new framework: A "constructive strategic and stable relationship" intended to provide guidance for the next three years.
• Expand cooperation: Targeted growth in agriculture, health, tourism, and law enforcement.
• Support global forums: Mutual backing for the successful hosting of this year’s APEC and G20 summits.

Iran-Middle East file

Confidentiality shrouds Trump-Xi talks as Middle East and Iran dominate the agenda.

Despite the official pomp of the state visit, a veil of strict confidentiality has descended over the private deliberations between Trump and Xi regarding the ongoing war in Iran and broader Middle East instability.

Conflicting reports have emerged from sources, with some suggesting a breakthrough on maritime security in the Persian Gulf, while others indicate a deadlock over US sanctions.

As the Iran war enters a critical phase, the lack of a public joint statement on the conflict suggests that while both leaders are eager for stability, the path to a shared diplomatic solution remains fraught with strategic disagreement.

• Tehran says its armed forces are prepared to deliver a “devastating” response if targeted.
• Araghchi tells BRICS meeting diplomacy remains an available path.

Abbas Araghchi said there is no military solution to issues related to Iran, stressing that the Iranian people will not submit to external pressure or threats.

Speaking during a meeting of the BRICS group, Araghchi said Iran grows “stronger and more united” whenever it faces attempts at pressure, adding that the country is impossible to defeat.

He stated that Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to deliver a “devastating and crushing response” against any attack targeting Iranian territory, while emphasizing that Tehran does not seek war and continues to pursue peace.

“We are not the aggressor party. We are the ones who have been subjected to injustice and aggression under these unfortunate circumstances,” Araghchi said.

The Iranian foreign minister concluded his remarks by outlining what he described as two possible paths in dealing with Tehran.

“We are ready to fight with all our strength in defense of our freedom, and at the same time, we are prepared to pursue and support the diplomatic path,” he said, adding that the international community now faces the choice of how it wishes to address the rights of the Iranian people.

A British maritime agency said Thursday that a vessel was seized off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and escorted into Iranian waters, according to preliminary reports.

Lebanese and 'Israeli' officials are set to meet in Washington for a new round of US-mediated negotiations ahead of the expiration of the current ceasefire arrangement, which has remained fragile amid continued 'Israeli' strikes in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said Beirut is seeking a permanent ceasefire, while 'Israel' is reportedly conditioning any long-term agreement on the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Despite the truce extension through Sunday, Lebanese authorities say more than 400 people have been killed in 'Israeli' attacks since the ceasefire took effect in April.

A coalition of six Arab states has called on the United Nations to reject Iran’s recent declarations asserting new “administration” and legal rules over the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the move threatens maritime law and regional stability.

In a letter submitted to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan condemned what they described as Tehran’s “escalation” and “rejected allegations” of unilateral control over the strategic waterway, according to the Bahrain News Agency.

'Israeli' strikes across southern Lebanon killed at least 10 people, including several children, in the Nabatieh and Tyre districts, according to Lebanon’s state news agency NNA.

Multiple others were wounded in attacks on Arabsalim, Harouf, Roumin and Zebqine.

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

Read more: Day 75 | Trump claims Iran war ‘won’t last long’