Day 79 | Iran to soon unveil Strait of Hormuz toll framework
Iran has finalized a new mechanism to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, introducing transit fees for vessels crossing the strategic waterway. Iranian politician Ebrahim Azizi said the plan will be officially announced in the coming days.
Reporting from the Strait of Hormuz, Tohid Asadi said the key shipping route has effectively turned into “a parking lot for ships,” citing local authorities who warned that regional tensions have sharply raised the stakes in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
Meanwhile, 'Israel' has continued its attacks on Lebanon, just hours after Lebanese and 'Israeli' negotiators agreed to extend the 45-day “ceasefire.” The truce has faced repeated violations since it was first announced.
In the Gaza Strip, Hamas confirmed the 'Israeli' assassination of senior military commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad in an attack west of Gaza City on Friday. The strike also killed his wife, daughter and several Palestinian civilians.
Day 80 of the US-‘Israeli’ war on Iran
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Read more: Day 80 | Trump to Iran: ‘Clock is ticking’ for reaching US agreement
Saudi Arabia says intercepted three drones coming from Iraqi airspace
Saudi Arabia said Sunday that it intercepted three drones entering the country from Iraqi airspace this morning.
“On the morning of Sunday, May 17, 2026, three drones were intercepted and destroyed after entering the Kingdom’s airspace from Iraqi airspace,” a statement by the defense ministry’s spokesperson added.
“The country reserves the right to respond at the appropriate time and place,” it added.
Trump & Xi agreed Iran cannot have nuclear weapon: White House
The White House said Sunday that US President Donald and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.
“During the first visit of a U.S. President to the People’s Republic of China since 2017, President Donald J. Trump reached consensus with President Xi Jinping on several issues,” the White House said in a factsheet released on its website.
“Both leaders agreed Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, called to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and agreed that no country or organization can be allowed to charge tolls,” it said.
It also added that Xi Jinping will visit Washington “this fall”.
Saudi Arabia calls drone attack at UAE nuclear site “threat” to region
Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry on Sunday condemned the drone strike that triggered a fire near a nuclear power plant in the neighbouring United Arab Emirates.
The ministry said in a statement that the attack was "a threat to the security and stability of the region" and expressed its solidarity with the UAE, saying it would "support all measures taken to preserve the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity" of the country.
‘Israeli’ strikes in south kill 5: Lebanon health ministry
Lebanon's health ministry said Sunday that new ‘Israeli’ strikes on the country's south killed five people including two children, despite an ongoing ceasefire.
The ministry published a "preliminary toll" for strikes on Sunday, with three killed in the town of Tayr Felsay, including a child, and two more were killed in the town of Tayr Debba, including another child.
It said 11 people were wounded in those strikes.
Trump believes Iran still wants to reach deal: Hebrew media
Hebrew Channel 12 says in a report that US President Donald Trump expects Iran to submit another peace proposal and that he believes Tehran wants to make a deal.
“We want to make a deal, but the Iranians are not at the place we want them to be right now,” Trump says according to Channel 12.
“They will need to reach that place, or they will receive a harsh blow.”
“If they don’t come to us with a better offer, we will hit them harder than anything we’ve done to them so far,” Trump continues, per Channel 12.
Trump believes Iran still wants to reach deal: Hebrew media
Hebrew Channel 12 reports that US President Donald Trump expects Iran to submit another peace proposal and that he believes Tehran still wants to make a deal.
“We want to make a deal, but the Iranians are not at the place we want them to be right now,” Trump says according to Channel 12.
“They will need to reach that place, or they will receive a harsh blow.”
“If they don’t come to us with a better offer, we will hit them harder than anything we’ve done to them so far,” Trump continues, per Channel 12.
Trump warns “won't be anything left” of Iran unless it agrees to deal
US President Donald Trump continued Sunday his threats against Iran, as talks for a potential deal remain deadlocked since the truce in April.
For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!” Trump said on Truth Social.
The statement comes after Axios reported a phone call between Trump and ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which discussed Iran.
Trump, Netanyahu discuss Iran in phone call: Axios
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump spoke on the phone today regarding Iran, an ‘Israeli’ official tells Axios.
Washington and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire that took effect on April 8, though talks that produced the truce have since stalled.
Both leaders still issue threats against Iran; with Netanyahu saying earlier that “our eyes are open regarding Iran”.
“Terrorist attack”: UAE calls drone attack at nuclear site “dangerous escalation”
The United Arab Emirates issued a condemnation of a drone strike that targeted the perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra region earlier today.
In a statement released by the UAE’s Foreign Ministry, the Gulf country described the incident as an “unprovoked terrorist attack.”
A drone entered UAE territory from the western border direction and struck an electricity generator located outside the plant’s inner perimeter, sparking a fire, according to the statement, adding that there were no injuries and no impact on radiological safety levels or the plant’s operations.
The statement said that the attack constitutes “a dangerous escalation, an unacceptable act of aggression, and a direct threat to the country’s security.”
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is the Arab world’s first nuclear facility, comprising four reactors that supply approximately 25% of the UAE’s electricity.
The statement did not specify where the drone was launched from, although the UAE has recently accused Iran of being behind attacks on its energy infrastructure.
Iran launched retaliatory strikes across the Gulf following a February 28 attack by the United States and ‘Israel’, which killed the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic and several senior commanders, triggering a broader regional conflict.
Iran accused the UAE and other US Gulf allies of allowing American forces to launch attacks from their territories, allegations the UAE has strongly denied.
Washington and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire that took effect on April 8, though talks that produced the truce have since stalled.
“Our eyes are open regarding Iran”: Netanyahu
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that “our eyes are open regarding Iran”.
At a weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Netanyahu added he will speak with US President Donald Trump later today.
“I will certainly hear impressions from his trip to China,” Netanyahu says, “perhaps other things as well. Certainly there are many possibilities, and we are prepared for every scenario.”
‘Israel’ built second secret base in Iraq ahead of Iran war: NYT
‘Israel’ maintained at least two covert military outposts in Iraq’s western desert for over a year to support operations against Iran, according to a report by The New York Times on Sunday.
The revelations expand on earlier reporting by The Wall Street Journal regarding one base built by ‘Israel’.
The WSJ previously disclosed that ‘Israel’ constructed a clandestine outpost in Iraq’s western desert shortly before the onset of major hostilities with Iran in late February 2026.
This facility reportedly served as a logistical hub for the ‘Israeli’ Air Force, housing special forces and search-and-rescue teams, and was established with US awareness.
‘Israeli’ forces allegedly conducted airstrikes on Iraqi troops who approached the site to prevent its discovery.
Iraqi officials informed The New York Times of a second, previously undisclosed base in the same remote region.
This additional outpost was reportedly used during ‘Israel’s’ June 2025 strikes on Iran.
Construction of the second site began in late 2024, according to a regional official, and it is no longer operational.
Both bases were maintained intermittently over an extended period.
The exposure of these facilities stems from the death of Awad al-Shammari, a 29-year-old Iraqi shepherd.
On March 3, 2026, al-Shammari encountered one of the bases near al-Nukhaib while on a routine trip.
He observed soldiers, helicopters, tents, and a landing strip, and promptly reported the activity to Iraq’s regional military command.
Witnesses described an attack on his vehicle by a helicopter shortly afterward, resulting in his death. His family has demanded an official investigation.
Iraqi authorities have denied prior knowledge of the ‘Israeli’ presence on their territory. ‘Israel’ has offered no public comment on the reports.
The western Iraqi desert, characterized by its vast and sparsely populated terrain, provided a strategically suitable location for such low-profile operations.
These outposts reportedly facilitated logistics, potential pilot rescues, and coordination for long-range air campaigns targeting Iranian assets.
UAE says three drones targeted country on Sunday
UAE Ministry of Defense announced Sunday that the country’s air defenses responded to three drones that entered the country from the western border area.
In a statement, the ministry said two drones were successfully intercepted, while the third struck an electricity generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah nuclear power plant in the Al Dhafra region on May 17, 2026.
The ministry added that investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the attack, noting that further details will be announced once the inquiry is completed.
UAE authorities stressed that the country remains fully prepared to respond to any threats targeting national security, sovereignty, and stability, emphasizing that all necessary measures will be taken to protect the nation’s interests and capabilities.
UAE showcases combat capabilities
'Israel' threatens strikes on four towns in south Lebanon
'Israel' warned residents of Arzi, Al-Marwaniyah, Al-Babiliyah, and Al-Baysariyah in southern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of threatened attacks.
IAEA says radiation levels normal at UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant after drone attack
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the United Arab Emirates informed the agency that radiation levels at the Barakah nuclear power plant remain within normal levels following a drone attack outside the facility’s perimeter.
The agency added that no injuries had been reported after the incident.
Netanyahu to hold security consultations amid reports of possible strikes on Iran
'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to convene a limited security meeting at 6 p.m. amid reports of intensive preparations for renewed strikes on Iran, according to Hebrew media.
Drone strike sparks fire near Barakah nuclear plant in Abu Dhabi
UAE authorities said a drone strike caused a fire in an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region, adding that no injuries or radiological risks were reported and operations remain normal.
Iran FM spokesperson accuses US, 'Israel' of “manufacturing war” over energy markets
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei accused the US and 'Israel' of using “false” claims about protecting global energy markets to justify what he described as an illegal war of choice, saying they are responsible for destabilizing diplomacy and vital energy routes.
Iran chief negotiator Ghalibaf appointed to oversee ties with China
Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who recently emerged as a chief negotiator in talks with the United States, has been appointed to oversee relations with China, Iranian media reported on Sunday.
"Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has recently been appointed as a special representative of the Islamic republic of Iran for China affairs," Tasnim news agency reported, citing "informed sources", with other media carrying similar reports.
It was not immediately clear who appointed Ghalibaf to the role, but Tasnim said he would "coordinate various sectors of relations between Iran and China".
