The large-scale exercise coincides with President Vladimir Putins state visit to China The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage showing road-mobile missile launchers taking part in this week's large-scale nuclear exercise. The drills, conducted jointly with Belarus, coincide with President Vladimir Putin's state visit to China.
Iran promises war beyond the Middle East if Trump decides to attack Iran vowed to extend the war "beyond the region" of the Middle East if the US attacks it again, following threats from Donald Trump to resume hostilities if peace negotiations fail to produce a breakthrough. "If the aggression against Iran is repeated, the promised regional war will this time extend far beyond the region, and our devastating blows will crush you," declared the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Wednesday.
The warning was issued as President Trump and Vice President JD Vance say progress is being made toward a deal, while keeping open the threat of renewed strikes.
How the Iran war broke the ambitions of 'Little Sparta' Submitted by Andreas Krieg on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 20:04 The UAE must abandon the illusion of strategic exceptionalism, and rebuild its autonomy through a collective Gulf security order UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed is pictured in Moscow on 29 January 2026 (Maxim Shipenkov/AFP) On The United Arab Emirates has spent two decades trying to escape the ordinary fate of small states through the network power of hyper-connectivity. It built ports, bought influence, cultivated militias, courted Washington, hedged with Moscow and Beijing, and projected the image of a country too nimble, too wealthy and too useful to be cornered by geography. The “ Little Sparta ” brand sounded less like a nickname than a doctrine: a small federation with middle-power ambitions, relative military excellence and enough networked leverage to shape its strategic environment on its own terms.
Israel considered installing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as ruler during war Israel considered installing former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as ruler during the early days of the US-Israeli war on the country. US officials told the New York Times that the former president, previously known for his staunchly anti-US and anti-Israel views, was directly consulted on the issue. They said Ahmadinejad was injured on the war’s first day by an Israeli strike at his home in Tehran that had been designed to free him from house arrest.
The New York Times analyzed the president’s statements suggesting that the conflict was drawing to a close and compared them with the reality of the moment. Often, there was a wide disconnect.
Over two days, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly raised the prospect that the cease-fire with Iran will be broken by new US military strikes -- in comments that have drawn close scrutiny from analysts and policymakers.
Israeli authorities transferring 430 Gaza flotilla activists to Israel Israeli authorities are transferring to Israel all 430 activists involved in the the latest flotilla attempting to break the siege of Gaza. "Another PR flotilla has come to an end," a spokesman from Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said late Tuesday. "All 430 activists have been transferred to Israeli vessels and are making their way to Israel, where they will be able to meet with their consular representatives.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) warned that any renewed aggression against Iran would expand the conflict beyond the region, stressing that the Islamic Republic had not yet employed all its capabilities during the recent confrontation with the US and Israeli enemies.
Outmatched militarily, Iran used “triangular coercion” by attacking Gulf states and closing the Strait of Hormuz. It points to a long-term U. S.
Trump says he could strike Iran again as Tehran threatens ‘new fronts’ in war if an attack takes place Trump threatens ‘a big hit’ if Tehran does not make deal soon Welcome to our live coverage of events in the Middle East. Donald Trump warned the US may strike Iran again – a day after he said he had held off a major assault in hopes of a peace deal – but Tehran’s army threatened to open “new fronts” if he went ahead. The US Senate has advanced a war-powers resolution that would end the Iran war unless Trump obtains Congress’ authorisation .
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman dismissed as “a baseless fabrication” a US Central Command claim that the elementary school targeted in Iran’s Minab on February 28 had been part of a missile launch facility, saying the gruesome attack constituted a clear war crime.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Diplomatic and military pressure around Iran is intensifying as Donald Trump gives Tehran a deadline of “two or three days” to reach an agreement, while Iran warns that any return to war would bring “many more surprises”. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting in Beijing for talks expected to focus heavily on the Iran conflict, energy security and shifting global alliances. Fighting and maritime tensions also continue across Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The United States Senate advanced a War Powers Resolution that could prevent US President Donald Trump from using military force against Iran without congressional authorization amid widening fallout from the conflict.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Iranian foreign minister said the US Congress has effectively acknowledged the scale of losses inflicted during the war on Iran, including the destruction of dozens of aircraft, while stressing that any future aggression would be met with even stronger responses from Tehran.
Commander of Israeli armoured brigade injured in Hezbollah drone attack The commander of the Israeli army’s 401st Armoured Brigade and several soldiers were wounded in southern Lebanon after a Hezbollah drone attack, according to Israel’s Walla news website. The report said the troops were injured when a drone launched by Hezbollah struck their position. The Israeli Home Front Command also said sirens were activated in Malkiya and other areas of the Upper Galilee after a drone was detected near the border.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – In a new breach of the fragile ceasefire, Israeli forces used internationally regulated phosphorus shells to strike agricultural land in southern Lebanon, while separately abducting Lebanese civilians.
JD Vance says Iran conflict will not become 'eternal war' US Vice President JD Vance said the conflict with Iran would not become an “eternal war”, defending President Donald Trump amid mounting pressure in Congress to limit the president’s military powers. Vance said any escalation with Tehran in the absence of a diplomatic solution would be aimed at protecting long-term US security interests. “This is not an eternal war.
Video: Congressman grills US Admiral on Iranian girls school hit by US strike Congressman and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee expressed his scepticism about US admiral Bradley Cooper’s claims that the girls' school struck in Iran was located on an active cruise missile base The admiral did not respond to the member’s questions over whether the US should take responsibility for the mistake. "What we've seen out of the Secretary of Defence and his callous disregard for any sort of rules of engagement or protecting civilian life, they make us suspicious.. " Congressman and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee expressed his scepticism to US admiral… pic.
Oil prices fall after Trump predicts quick end to Iran war Oil prices fell on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump reiterated that the war with Iran would end “very quickly”, raising hopes of easing tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude futures dropped 45 cents, or 0. 4 percent, to $110.
