How Trump’s Iran Blockade Is Complicating a High-Stakes Trip to China
If President Trump flies to China as planned in May, the primary topic will clearly be the rippling economic effects of a war that Beijing has made clear it viewed as unnecessary.
Filter by source ▾
-
-
US-Israel intervention frees Israeli-Turkish citizen held for serving in Israeli army
US-Israel intervention frees Israeli-Turkish citizen held for serving in Israeli army Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Thu, 04/30/2026 - 10:29 Jessica Bachar left Turkey in what Israeli media branded a 'covert operation' after she was arrested in February Israeli-Turkish woman Jessica Bachar was detained while visiting her family in Istanbul (Instagram) Off A Turkish- Israeli citizen was released after being detained in Turkey for serving in the Israeli army, following intervention from the US and Israeli governments. Jessica Bachar, who emigrated to Israel at 17, was visiting family members in Istanbul in February when she was detained by police. Bachar was the target of a campaign by pro-Palestinian groups in Turkey to expose Turkish citizens suspected of serving in the Israeli army.
-
Iran ready to continue path of diplomacy if U.S. stops "maximalist" approach -- Iranian president
TEHRAN, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that Iran is ready to continue the path of diplomacy if the U. S. "maximalist" approach stops, according to the official news agency IRNA.
-
Future of Persian Gulf will be without America: Iran's Supreme Leader, says no place for foreign aggressors except "depths of its waters"
Tehran [Iran], April 30 (ANI): Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday said that the future of the Persian Gulf would be free from American presence, asserting that foreign forces would have no role in the region except 'in the depths of its waters'.
-
The UAEs OPEC gambit: Clever power play or road to chaos
Abu Dhabis break with the oil cartel is less about barrels than power testing Riyadh, helping Trump, and redrawing Gulf alliances Although the United Arab Emirates has tried to present its upcoming exit from OPEC and the wider OPEC+ framework as part of its sovereign energy strategy and long-term economic planning, its timing and regional context suggest that this is a political act.
-
Trump tells Germany's Merz to stop interfering over Iran
Trump tells Germany's Merz to stop interfering over Iran US President Donald Trump criticised German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, saying he should focus on trying to end the Russia-Ukraine war and spend "less time on interfering" with the effort to tackle "Iran's nuclear threat".
-
Iran supreme leader issues defiant statement on strait of Hormuz
Mojtaba Khamenei says Tehran will eliminate ‘enemy’s abuses of the waterway’ and guard its nuclear and missile programmes US politics live – latest updates Iran’s supreme leader has broken his recent silence with a defiant statement hailing Iran’s control over shipping in the strait of Hormuz and vowing to guard the country’s nuclear and missile programmes. “Today, two months after the largest military deployment and aggression by the world’s bullies in the region, and the United States’ disgraceful defeat in its plans, a new chapter is unfolding for the Persian Gulf and the strait of Hormuz,” Mojtaba Khamenei said in a statement read by a state television anchor. Continue reading...
-
Gaza was the scandal that should have ended Keir Starmer’s political career
Gaza was the scandal that should have ended Keir Starmer’s political career Submitted by Hamza Yusuf on Wed, 04/29/2026 - 11:02 If the Mandelson saga does finally do for Starmer, it could clear the way for his true moral reckoning - appearing at The Hague over his unwavering support for Israel's genocide "His hands are soaked in Palestinian blood that will never wash, and the historical record will always reflect that. " (Tom Nicholson/AFP) On UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues to face intense pressure and the potential collapse of his spell in Downing Street, as the Peter Mandelson appointment saga rumbles on. Details recently emerged suggesting that Mandelson failed his security vetting as potential UK ambassador to the US , but that decision was overruled by the Foreign Office - under pressure from the Cabinet Office - in order to finalise the appointment.
-
Ghalibaf says Strait of Hormuz will be 'free from American presence'
Ghalibaf says Strait of Hormuz will be 'free from American presence' Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Thursday that his country's control over the Strait of Hormuz would ensure a future without US presence in the area. "Today, by managing the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will provide itself and its neighbours with the precious blessing of a future free from American presence and interference," said Ghalibaf in a post on X to mark the national Persian Gulf day.
-
Insecurity in Persian Gulf Result of US-Israeli Aggression: Pezeshkian
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a telephone conversation with the prime minister of Japan emphasized the need to condemn the United States’ maritime piracy.
-
Trump projects himself as peacemaker, but acts are opposite, says expert
New Delhi [India], April 30 (ANI): Foreign Affairs expert Waiel Awwad said on Thursday that US President Donald Trump's claims of being a peacemaker sharply contrast with his actions on the ground. Awwad, in a conversation with ANI, said that his actions in Venezuela, Iran, and laxity in the Ukraine-Russia war have cost many lives.
-
Iran's leader accuses US of driving Middle East insecurity, defends Iran’s military capabilities
Iran's leader accuses US of driving Middle East insecurity, defends Iran’s military capabilities The Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has accused the United States of driving instability across the Middle East, linking regional tensions to Washington’s military footprint and its joint war with Israel against Iran. In a statement, he said “it has been proven … that the presence of American foreigners and their nesting in the lands of the Persian Gulf is the most important factor in insecurity in the region”. He also criticised US bases in the region, saying: “America’s puppet bases do not even have the strength and capacity to ensure their own security, let alone that there is any hope that America will provide security to its dependents and American-loving people in the region.
-
US cable outlines new construct to control Strait of Hormuz media
The loosely defined initiative will reportedly be pitched to foreign governments by the State Department The US is set to pitch foreign governments on a new initiative for controlling the Strait of Hormuz, with participation explicitly excluding "adversaries" Russia and China, according to media reports.
-
Mideast in Pictures: Iranians pledge allegiance to new supreme leader at mass rallies
TEHRAN, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of Iranians took to the streets on Wednesday in mass rallies across the country to pledge allegiance to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and demonstrate national unity. In the capital Tehran, people marched from Imam Hossein Square to Azadi Square, waving Iranian flags and holding pictures of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the new leader.
-
Iranians to Safeguard Nuclear, Missile Technologies as National Assets: Leader
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei emphasized the Iranian nation’s determination to safeguard the country’s achievements in the nuclear and missile fields as national assets.
-
Persian Gulf not theater to impose foreign will: Iranian President
Tehran [Iran], April 30 (ANI): Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday highlighted that the Persian Gulf is not an arena for imposing foreign wills, taking a jibe at the United States amid the stand-off regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Pezeshkian, on the occasion of the Persian Gulf National Day, said that any attempt to impose a blockade and maritime restrictions against Iran is doomed to failure.
-
"Chic!" Macron replies to King Charles' 'Americans speaking French' jibe
Paris [France], April 30 (ANI): French President Emmanuel Macron has responded to King Charles III's jibe at US President Donald Trump where the King 'mocked' his belittling of European Allies. The King, during his visit to the US, said in an address, 'You recently commented, Mr President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German.
-
How the Taliban tilted toward Iran during wartime tensions
Taliban leaders and affiliated figures voiced support for Iran after Israeli strikes in June 2025 and later US threats, signaling a limited and conditional alignment despite longstanding disputes with Tehran.
-
Iran Firmly Committed to Principle of Good Neighborliness: Spokesman
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlined the country’s commitment to the principle of good neighborliness.
-
Any Attempt to Impose A Blockade, Maritime Restrictions on Iran Doomed to Failure: President
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said any attempt to impose a blockade and create maritime restrictions on the country is doomed to failure.
