Day 80 | Trump to Iran: ‘Clock is ticking’ for reaching US agreement
Trump said the “clock is ticking” for Iran to reach a peace deal with the United States, warning there “won’t be anything left of them” if no agreement is reached. The remarks came as Iran’s Mehr news agency reported that Washington’s latest response to Tehran’s proposed negotiation agenda offered no meaningful concessions.
Meanwhile, a drone strike in the UAE triggered a fire in an electrical generator at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the al-Dhafra region, raising fresh concerns over regional security tensions.
In Lebanon, 'Israel' said it had struck 100 sites in the country’s south over the past two days, despite negotiators agreeing to a 45-day extension of the supposed “ceasefire.”
Tehran also announced it will soon unveil a plan to regulate maritime traffic and impose shipping tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could further heighten tensions along one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
Russian ambassador suggests Iran appoint special envoy to Moscow
Russia’s permanent representative to international organisations in Vienna has suggested that Iran consider appointing a special envoy to Moscow, drawing a parallel with Tehran’s diplomatic arrangement with China.
In a post on X, Mikhail Ulyanov reacted to reports that Iran had designated parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as a special envoy to Beijing. He questioned whether a similar approach could be adopted in Russia-Iran relations.
“Isn’t it equally relevant to consider something similar in relations with Russia?” Ulyanov wrote, without providing further details.
Yemen’s Houthis pledge support for Hamas after commander’s killing
Yemen’s Houthi-aligned military leadership has reiterated its support for Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip, pledging continued backing following the reported killing of a senior Hamas commander.
In a condolence message published on Telegram, Yusuf Hassan al-Madani described the death of commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad as a significant loss for the Palestinian movement and what he called the broader regional resistance.
Al-Madani said the group would maintain what he described as joint efforts with Hamas and allied factions, adding that cooperation would continue “until victory is achieved”.
Melenchon slams ‘European complicity’ in US-'Israel' war on Iran
French left-wing figure Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the political movement La France Insoumise, has condemned what he described as “European complicity” in US–'Israeli' strikes on Iran that escalated into wider regional tensions.
In a post on X, Mélenchon argued that the military pressure on Iran would not have been possible without European support or tolerance.
“Trump and Netanyahu’s crude threats to destroy Iran are only possible thanks to European complicity. The world’s peace is reduced to the interests of Trump and Netanyahu’s colonialism,” he wrote.
Unidentified ship approaches Gaza-bound flotilla, activist says
A Spanish activist on board one of several vessels sailing toward the Gaza Strip said an unidentified military ship approached the convoy at sea, triggering security procedures among participants.
Pablo Quesada Martín posted on X that a vessel appearing to be military was detected near the flotilla, prompting the crew to activate precautionary measures while continuing the mission.
The flotilla is made up of civilian boats carrying activists aiming to challenge the maritime blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
According to the activist’s account, onboard teams followed established protocols after the sighting.
Trump posts Middle East map with US flag overlay
US President Donald Trump has posted an uncaptioned image on Truth Social showing a map of the Middle East overlaid with US flags spread across the region and red arrows pointing toward Iran.
Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi speaks to his Turkish counterpart
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has spoken with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, about the latest developments in the stalled US-Iran negotiations and the broader regional situation.
Turkey has been working behind the scenes to help bring an end to the war, while also reinforcing its border with neighbouring Iran amid concerns that worsening conditions could trigger a large-scale movement of people into the country.
Iran warns UAE against deepening ties with 'Israel'
The Iranian Students’ News Agency quoted Mohsen Rezaei, former IRGC commander and secretary of Tehran’s Expediency Council, as saying that Iran has not “closed the door to friendship in dealing with the United Arab Emirates, but they should know that Iran’s patience has limits.”
“We are aware that there are relations and exchanges between the UAE and 'Israel'; the UAE should not become entangled in 'Israel’s' plots and schemes,” Rezaei said.
The UAE was the target of some of Iran’s most intense attacks during the war with 'Israel' and the US, and recent reports suggest it may have carried out retaliatory strikes of its own.
India’s government condemns UAE drone strikes, calls for restraint
India’s government has said it is “deeply concerned” at the drone strikes which hit the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the UAE.
“Such actions are unacceptable and represent a dangerous escalation. We urgently call for restraint and a return to dialogue and diplomacy,” India’s foreign ministry said.
Saudi Arabia intercepts three drones from Iraq
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed three drones that entered its airspace from Iraq on Sunday, warning that it reserves the right to respond to any threat against the Kingdom’s sovereignty.
In a statement, official Defense Ministry spokesperson Major General Turki al-Maliki said the drones were detected after crossing into Saudi airspace from Iraqi territory earlier in the day, before being successfully intercepted and neutralized.
Al-Maliki stressed that the Ministry of Defense “retains the right to respond at the appropriate time and place,” adding that all necessary operational measures would be taken to counter any attempt to target the Kingdom’s security, sovereignty, or the safety of its citizens and residents.
The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions and follows a similar diplomatic protest by Riyadh last month. On April 12, Saudi Arabia summoned Iraq’s ambassador to formally object to what it described as drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory.
At the time, the Saudi Foreign Ministry urged Baghdad to deal responsibly with such threats, reiterating the Kingdom’s rejection of violations of state sovereignty and attempts to destabilize regional security.
Saudi authorities have repeatedly said they will take all necessary measures to defend the country and protect its territory from cross-border attacks.
Day 79 of the US-‘Israeli’ war on Iran
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Read more: Day 79 | Iran to soon unveil Strait of Hormuz toll framework
