Exclusive information obtained by Iran International points to a growing clash between Iran’s moderate president Masoud Pezeshkian and the country’s military leadership over Monday’s escalation in the Persian Gulf and attacks on the United Arab Emirates.
US president offers no clear answer on truce status with Iran US President Donald Trump says Washington is assessing reports of incidents involving commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, declining to confirm whether the ceasefire has been breached. Asked by US media if the truce remained intact, Trump responded: “We’ll let you know. ” “Ships are moving.
The Iran war and rising costs are reportedly driving dissatisfaction with the presidents job performance among 62% of Americans US President Donald Trump's disapproval rating has reached a new high of 62%, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.
Saudi Arabia and its allies must curb the growing Israeli-Emirati axis US President Donald Trump has hit a brick wall with Iran . Whatever path he now takes, and whoever was stupid enough to follow him, will lead them into more danger. If Trump opts for war, he can be sure it will be more costly in US lives than the first round was.
Iran says managing Strait of Hormuz is its ‘legitimate right’ Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has said Tehran has the right to control activity in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the ISNA. Aref said managing the vital waterway is Iran’s “legitimate right”, as tensions continue to centre on the corridor that carries a large share of global energy supplies. He added that Iran is not seeking conflict but will respond forcefully if it is drawn into one.
WASHINGTON -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Rome and the Vatican on May 6-8 in what officials describe as an effort to shore up strained ties with key European partners as the war in Iran deepens divisions across the Atlantic. According to a State Department announcement, the trip will serve to advance bilateral relations.
After banging the battle drum, the US president is now in Nobel Peace Prize mode, promising to free marooned ships “Project Freedom” has all the trappings of a classic episode of the Trump Show, the reality series that the rest of the world does not just have to watch, but live through and survive. It has a dramatic plot twist, it is bathed in a self-projected beatific light, and the trailer looked far more promising that the reality. Trump spent a long weekend in Florida banging the war drum.
Senate Republicans prepare Iran authorisation bill: Report A small group of Senate Republicans is drafting an authorisation for the use of military force against Iran, positioning it for potential action if President Donald Trump resumes strikes on the Islamic Republic, according to a report by Semafor. The effort continues behind closed doors as lawmakers anticipate a possible return to hostilities following Trump's comments that the initial phase of the conflict has ended. Under the War Powers Act, Congress can fast-track consideration of a military authorisation if it is introduced within the early phase of renewed fighting, potentially allowing for a rapid vote in the Senate.
Saudi Arabia and its allies must curb the growing Israeli-Emirati axis Submitted by David Hearst on Mon, 05/04/2026 - 11:28 The UAE's increasingly overt involvement in Israel’s plans is a recipe for conflict that could last decades The Dubai skyline with the landmark Burj Khalifa skyscraper (R) is pictured as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport on 16 March 2026 (AFP) On US President Donald Trump has hit a brick wall with Iran . Whatever path he now takes, and whoever was stupid enough to follow him, will lead them into more danger. If Trump opts for war, he can be sure it will be more costly in US lives than the first round was.
Trump pulling troops out of Germany was a ‘surprise’, says EU chief European Union Foreign Policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters on Monday that although “there has been a talk about withdrawal of US troops for a long time from Europe,” the “timing of this announcement comes as a surprise” to the EU. “It shows that we have to really strengthen the European pillar in Nato, and we have to really do more,” Kallas said, adding that American troops are in Europe to protect "American interests" as well as European ones. The Pentagon said last week that the US would remove 5,000 of its soldiers from Germany after divisions between the countries over the Iran war, although German chancellor Friedrich Merz insisted there was “no connection” between the decision and the recent row.
The chancellor insists that the indefinite delay of the stationing had nothing to do with his row with the US president Chancellor Friedrich Merz has confirmed that the US will not station Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles in Germany in the foreseeable future.
Yerevan [Armenia], May 4 (ANI): NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has stated that European nations have 'gotten the message' from the United States regarding their military contributions, according to Al Jazeera. The NATO chief indicated that allies are now moving to ensure that 'agreements on the use of military bases are being implemented' across the continent.
Yerevan [Armenia], May 4 (ANI): French President Emmanuel Macron has called upon the United States and Iran to facilitate a 'coordinated' reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, following a directive from his US counterpart Donald Trump for the military to 'guide' vessels through the strategic channel, according to Al Jazeera.
US confirms Pope Leo to meet US secretary of state The United States confirmed on Monday that the Secretary of State Marco Rubio is due to visit Rome to meet with Pope Leo XIV on Thursday. “Secretary Rubio will meet with Holy See leadership to discuss the situation in the Middle East and mutual interests in the Western Hemisphere,” the State Department said. Sources told AFP that Rubio would also be meeting with Italian officials, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Monday that she would likely meet with the US secretary of state during his visit.
Greens compare Reform UK's detention centre pledge to racist 1960s Tory campaign slogan Submitted by Imran Mulla on Mon, 05/04/2026 - 11:43 Nigel Farage’s party proposed to put detention centres housing illegal migrants in Green-voting areas Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (R) attends a press conference with the party's home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, in London on 18 November 2025 (AFP) Off Nigel Farage's Reform UK has been criticised for promising to build detention centres for illegal migrants in areas that vote for the Green Party if it enters government at the next general election. A Green Party source told Middle East Eye the pledge was "reminiscent" of racist Conservative Party campaigning in the 1960s. Reform UK has previously promised to deport 600,000 illegal migrants and to build new detention centres holding up to 24,000 people.
Washington, DC [US], May 4 (ANI): Prominent American news outlets have drawn attention to the specific terminology employed by the Trump administration regarding its latest naval initiative in the Strait of Hormuz, noting a deliberate preference for the word 'guide' instead of 'escort'.
The US president says Tehrans proposed path to de-escalation is not acceptable US President Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian counterproposal to a peace plan previously conveyed via Pakistani intermediaries. The back-and-forth has so far resulted a deadlock in which neither party appears to be willing to budge.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmaeil Baqaei rejected media speculation about negotiations on details related to Iran’s uranium enrichment activities and enriched materials, saying Tehran is currently focused solely on ending the US-Israeli war.
UAE says it left OPEC on good terms, Iran criticises exit UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said on Monday that the UAE left OPEC and OPEC+ on good terms and will continue working with members of the groups. “OPEC has been relatively calm about the decision,” he said at a conference to reporters in reference to the reaction to the country leaving the oil producers’ group. Iran has criticised the UAE for the exit and said that a “negative or vengeful reaction toward members is not constructive,” in comments made by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei to reporters on Monday.
Islamabad [Pakistan], May 4 (ANI): Amidst shifting regional dynamics, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar reportedly held a telephonic discussion with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, to review the prevailing situation in the Middle East. According to Al Arabiya, the conversation focused on the current regional atmosphere and the diplomatic manoeuvres being undertaken by Islamabad.
