Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, The fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran appears increasingly uncertain after Donald Trump described it as being “on life support” and rejected Tehran’s latest proposal as “totally unacceptable”. Iran says Washington is making unreasonable demands and warns it is prepared to respond to any new aggression. At the same time, Israeli strikes in Lebanon continue, oil prices are climbing again and global concerns over the Strait of Hormuz are intensifying.
Iran executes man linked to Baloch militant group Iran on Tuesday executed a man accused of links to the militant group Ansar al-Furqan operating in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, according to a report by Tasnim News Agency. The report identified the man as Abdoljalil Shahbakhsh. Iranian authorities said Shahbakhsh was convicted on charges including armed rebellion against security forces and membership in what Tehran described as a terrorist organisation.
UN: Fertiliser disruption due to Hormuz crises may spark humanitarian emergency A senior United Nations Office for Project Services official has warned that tens of millions of people could face hunger and starvation if shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are not restored soon. Speaking to AFP, Jorge Moreira da Silva said the world had only “a few weeks” to prevent what he described as a likely “massive humanitarian crisis”. Moreira da Silva said about one-third of the world’s fertiliser normally passes through the Gulf waterway, making continued disruption a major threat to global food production and supply chains.
Islamabad denies Iranian military aircraft presence at Nur Khan The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan rejected a CBS News report alleging that Iranian aircraft had been stationed at Nur Khan Air Base during the conflict involving Iran and the United States. In a statement, the ministry said it “categorically rejects” the report and described the claims as speculative narratives intended to undermine efforts to achieve regional peace and stability. Pakistan said the Iranian aircraft currently grounded in the country had arrived during the ceasefire period and stressed that Pakistan remains committed to supporting “all sincere efforts” to promote dialogue and diplomacy.
Yemen: The rise of Saudi-backed Salafi commanders Submitted by MEE correspondent on Mon, 05/11/2026 - 10:46 Having played a key role in the conflict against the Houthis and separatists in southern governorates, Salafis now hold significant positions as military leaders in Yemen Fighters said to be backed by the Saudi-led coalition drive through the streets of the port city of Aden on 8 January 2026, the day after it was announced that Yemen's separatist leader had fled to the United Arab Emirates (AFP/file photo) Off With his long beard and traditional Yemeni attire, wearing a mawaz (a sarong-like garment worn by men), Gawed, 43, used to travel between mosques in Lahj governorate, proselytising and teaching people about his interpretation of Islam. The purpose of his work was to encourage Yemenis to follow religious guidance that remained strictly detached from politics. This was the approach he learned from Salafi leaders like Muqbil al-Wadi'i, who was educated in Saudi Arabia before establishing the Salafi centre in Dammaj, Saada, in the 1980s.
Saar rejects ‘moral equivalence’ between Israelis and Hamas Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar said the European Union’s decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers accused of violence against Palestinians was “unacceptable” and would not succeed in pressuring Israel. Speaking after the European Union approved sanctions against several settlers and organisations in the occupied West Bank, Saar described the move as “arbitrary” and “political”, according to Jewish News Syndicate. Saar also criticised what he called a “completely distorted moral equivalence” between Israeli citizens and Hamas members after EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc had approved sanctions against both Israeli settlers and Hamas figures.
Israeli parliament passes bill allowing death penalty over 7 October attacks The Israeli Knesset has passed legislation establishing a special military court to prosecute Palestinians accused of involvement in the attacks on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, according to The Times of Israel. The report said the bill, supported by both government and opposition lawmakers, allows for the death penalty in certain cases and permits the court to modify standard rules governing evidence, testimony and legal procedures. According to the report, roughly 300 Palestinians arrested by Israeli forces after the attack remain in detention.
WSJ: US has not achieved any strategic goal in Iran war The Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed sources, that the administration of US President Donald Trump has achieved tactical gains in the conflict with Iran but has not yet secured any strategic objective. According to the report, major disagreements remain between Washington and Tehran over the future management of the Strait of Hormuz. The report added that significant gaps also persist regarding the type of restrictions Iran would be willing to accept on its nuclear programme.
Israeli air strike kills six in southern Lebanon An Israeli air strike on an inhabited house in the town of Kafr Dunin in southern Lebanon killed six people and wounded seven others overnight, according to the country’s National News Agency. The injured were transferred to hospitals in Tyre for treatment as rescue efforts continued. Separately, the National News Agency reported that Israeli artillery shelled the outskirts of the towns of al-Mansouri and Majdal Zun at dawn.
Trump weighs renewed military pressure on Iran, US media says US President Donald Trump is increasingly considering renewed military action against Iran as part of efforts to secure concessions over Tehran’s nuclear programme, according to reports from Axios and other US media outlets. Trump is expected to meet his national security team on Tuesday to discuss “maximum pressure” options against Iran, amid growing frustration within the administration over stalled negotiations and the continuing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the reports, US officials believe Trump is likely to postpone any decision on military action until after his planned trip to China later this week, while continuing to use the threat of force as leverage in negotiations.
US and UK discuss reopening Strait of Hormuz Talks between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz ahead of a meeting involving defence ministers from around 40 countries, according to the United States Department of State. The discussions come amid continued disruption to global shipping and energy flows linked to the conflict involving Iran. British Defence Secretary John Healey and French counterpart Catherine Vautrin are expected to co-chair the coalition meeting later on Tuesday.
Oil prices rise as US-Iran tensions cloud diplomatic outlook Oil prices edged higher in early Asian trading on Tuesday as uncertainty surrounding diplomacy between the United States and Iran continued to fuel concerns over global energy supplies. Markets remained focused on tensions linked to the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump criticised Iran’s latest peace proposal and both sides exchanged threats. Brent crude futures rose 30 cents, or 0.
Australia imposes new sanctions on Iranian officials and entities Australian foreign minister Penny Wong announced new sanctions and travel bans against seven Iranian individuals and four entities, accusing Iran of ongoing repression and regional destabilisation. In a statement, Wong said the Iranian government had carried out mass arrests and violence against peaceful protesters, including women and children, and said those targeted by the sanctions included senior officials and organisations allegedly involved in those actions. Wong said the measures also targeted what she described as Iran’s “shadow banking system”, which Canberra claims helps fund groups such as Hamas, supports Iran’s ballistic missile programme and enables other activities.
Israel orders evacuation of Lebanese town ahead of attack The Israeli military ordered residents of the town of Sohmor in eastern Lebanon to leave their homes ahead of a threatened attack, warning that anyone who remained would expose “their life to danger”. In a statement, the military described the notice as an “urgent warning” and instructed residents to move at least 1,000 metres away to open areas. The order is the latest in a series of evacuation warnings issued by Israel during months of military operations in Lebanon, particularly in the south of the country.
CNN reports divisions inside Trump administration over Iran strategy US President Donald Trump is giving more serious consideration to resuming combat operations against Iran than in previous weeks, according to a CNN report citing unnamed sources. The report said Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and that Iran’s latest response to Washington’s proposal has raised doubts among US officials about Tehran’s willingness to negotiate seriously. CNN reported that some officials within the Trump administration are advocating a more forceful strategy, including military strikes aimed at weakening Iran’s position.
Democrats push new vote to limit Trump’s war powers on Iran US Senator Chuck Schumer criticised President Donald Trump over the conflict with Iran, accusing him of dragging Americans into an “illegal, costly war without any goals or without any endgame”. In a post on X, Schumer said Democrats would force a seventh vote this week on a War Powers Resolution aimed at withdrawing US troops from hostilities involving Iran. Schumer said Republicans would continue to “bear the blame for Trump’s war” if they voted against the measure.
US to release 53 million barrels from strategic oil reserve The administration of US President Donald Trump is providing 53. 3 million barrels of crude oil from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve to energy companies as part of a global effort to stabilise markets shaken by the conflict involving Iran, according to a Reuters report. The move comes amid concerns over tightening global fuel supplies and disruptions linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel condemns NYT article on sexual abuse of Palestinians in Israeli prisons The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused The New York Times of publishing “one of the worst blood libels ever to appear in the modern press” after the newspaper ran an opinion piece by columnist Nicholas Kristof titled The Horror of Sexual Assault in Israeli Prisons. In a post on X, the ministry said the article falsely portrayed Israel as the guilty party despite Israeli claims that its citizens were victims of sexual violence during the attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023. The New York Times article reported allegations of widespread sexual violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians, citing recent reports and first-hand testimonies from detainees.
CBS: Pakistan hosted Iranian military planes at Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi CBS News reported that Pakistan quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to park at its airfields during the conflict between Iran and the United States, despite Islamabad’s role as a diplomatic intermediary between Tehran and Washington. Quoting anonymous US officials, the report said multiple Iranian aircraft were flown to Nur Khan Air Base near Rawalpindi shortly after President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire in early April. Among the aircraft reportedly moved was an Iranian Air Force RC-130 reconnaissance plane.
US imposes new sanctions tied to Iranian oil sales to China The administration of US President Donald Trump imposed new Iran-related sanctions targeting 12 individuals and entities accused of helping the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps sell and transport Iranian oil to China. In a statement, the United States Department of the Treasury said the IRGC relied on front companies operating in “permissive economic jurisdictions” to conceal its involvement in oil sales and channel revenue to the Iranian government. The sanctions targeted several companies based in Hong Kong, as well as firms in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, alongside three individuals based in Iran.
