Rubio noted that Washington's priority now was reopening the Strait of Hormuz and preventing Iran's control of the Hormuz Strait from being "normalized. " WASHINGTON, May 6 (Xinhua) -- U. S.
Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda-linked fighters combine to cause havoc in Mali Submitted by Samira Elsaidi on Tue, 05/05/2026 - 14:06 An unofficial partnership has put Goita's government on the back foot. Can it last, or will ideological differences tear it apart? Malian President Assimi Goita attends the state funeral of Defence Minister Sadio Camara, who was killed in a suicide attack, in Bamako, Mali, 30 April 2026 (handout) On A new, undeclared partnership between Tuareg separatists and an al-Qaeda-affiliated armed coalition is rocking Mali’s ruling junta and causing havoc across the country’s north.
In today’s newsletter: The brief US effort to steer trapped vessels through the waterway put the fragile ceasefire under strain Good morning. Uncertainty once again reigns in the Middle East. The uneasy ceasefire between the US and Iran threatened to disintegrate after Donald Trump launched an initiative – dubbed “Project Freedom” – to help thousands of sailors stranded in the Gulf by the war to pass through the strait of Hormuz.
China calls US Israel war against Iran illegitimate Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran is “illegitimate”, as he met with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing. Wang said China was ready to continue efforts to ease tensions, stressing that “a complete ceasefire is essential” and that the region is at a “critical juncture” where direct meetings between the sides are necessary. Araghchi thanked China for its “firm stance”, particularly its condemnation of the United States and Israel, saying Beijing remains “a close friend of Iran”.
US president says he will briefly pause Project Freedom after just one day; Rubio says US has achieved objectives of Iran operation; Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi flies to China Trump puts ‘Project Freedom’ on hold, saying he hopes to finalise deal with Iran Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi met with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi for talks in Beijing on Wednesday, China’s Xinhua news agency reported, without giving details on the discussion. Iran’s Fars news agency earlier said Araghchi would “discuss bilateral relations and regional and international developments with his Chinese counterpart”. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said the military objectives of so-called “Operation Epic Fury” have concluded and the offensive stage of the war with Iran is “over”.
Air defences engaged drones over Qeshm island, Iran says Iranian authorities said loud sounds heard on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz were caused by air defences “confronting” drones, denying reports of explosions or damage on the strategic island. Officials in Hormozgan province said the sounds were linked to air defence systems responding to small and reconnaissance drones, according to Iran’s Student News Network. The statement followed reports of explosions on Qeshm Island, which sits along the contested Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
Rubio says ‘Operation Epic Fury’ is over, insists US now acting defensively in Hormuz US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says “Operation Epic Fury” has concluded, claiming the US has achieved its objectives and is now operating in a purely “defensive” role near the Strait of Hormuz. He stressed that US forces would only fire if attacked first, describing the current phase as focused on protecting ships and keeping the vital waterway open. Despite that framing, Rubio also pointed to ongoing interceptions and warned Iran it risks “generational destruction” to its economy if tensions escalate, urging its leadership to change course.
Oil prices fell and stocks rose after President Trump’s about-face to pause the U. S.
Jet fuel has doubled in price since the start of the war on Iran. How bad will the disruption get and could this accelerate the route to jet zero? What happens to flights if the world runs out of oil?
More than 600 attacks hit US sites in Iraq, official says More than 600 attacks have targeted US facilities in Iraq during the war with Iran, a senior US State Department official said, according to CNN. The official added that Iraqi leaders understand what Washington is seeking, stressing: “We are looking for actions, not words. ” The official said this includes expelling “terrorist militias” from state institutions, cutting off their funding from the Iraqi budget and preventing salaries from being paid to their fighters.
Survey shows most Israelis oppose ending Iran war A majority of Israelis oppose ending the war with Iran under current conditions, according to a survey by the Israel Democracy Institute. The poll found that 59 percent of respondents were against ending the conflict at this stage, while two-thirds of Jewish participants said doing so would be only slightly, or not at all, compatible with Israel’s national security interests. Arab citizens of Israel were more divided, with nearly half saying an end to the war would serve Israel’s interests “to a large extent”.
Tehran [Iran], May 6 (ANI): Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has warned all vessels intending to transit the Strait of Hormuz to strictly follow routes designated by Tehran, cautioning that any deviation would invite a strong response.
'No one else can make us surrender': Iran defies US threats Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “No one can make us surrender” as he responded to US calls for concessions in negotiations to end the war, adding that members of the Shia faith “cannot be coerced by force”. Writing on the social platform X, Pezeshkian said he had spoken with Iraq’s prime minister and urged the United States to remove military threats from the Middle East. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in recent days that a new security plan for the Strait of Hormuz is aimed at preventing weapons and supplies from reaching US military bases in the region, a key sticking point in talks.
US lawmaker says Trump falsely declared Iran war ended US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi has accused President Donald Trump of “falsely” telling Congress that the war with Iran has ended, arguing that US military activity in the region continues. Krishnamoorthi said the United States is still enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports and that US forces “exchange fire with Iranian forces”, contradicting Trump’s assertion that a ceasefire has concluded the conflict. In a letter to the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, the lawmaker said the “underlying ceasefire arrangement remains contested and unstable” and requested classified briefings, including a “comprehensive intelligence assessment” on the war.
Tehran [Iran], May 6 (ANI): Iran on Tuesday (local time) strongly denied allegations by the United Arab Emirates that it carried out missile attacks on civilian sites and facilities after recent drone and missile strikes on the emirate's Fujairah, a strategically vital energy hub on the UAE's eastern seaboard, while warning against any retaliatory measures from Emirati territory.
Germany says Israeli troops needed in southern Lebanon German foreign minister Johannes Wadephul said the presence of Israeli forces in parts of southern Lebanon is necessary, citing security concerns along Israel’s northern border. Speaking alongside Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar during a joint press conference in Berlin on Tuesday, Wadephul said the deployment helps protect Israeli communities from attacks. He argued that the continued presence is aimed at countering threats from Hezbollah, which has been engaged in cross-border hostilities with Israel.
Hezbollah reports drone attack on Israeli forces in Qantara Hezbollah said it targeted a group of Israeli soldiers in the southern Lebanese town of Qantara using an attack drone, claiming a direct hit,, according to a statement released by its media wing. Hezbollah said the attack was carried out in response to Israeli violations of a ceasefire and strikes on villages in southern Lebanon that it said resulted in civilian casualties. The Israeli military has not commented on the claim, which comes amid continued cross-border tensions.
The White House is turning to rhetorical leaps as President Trump tries to put the biggest political crisis of his presidency behind him.
Israeli forces block Bethleham road, deploy gas and sound bombs Israeli forces closed the main road in the town of al-Khader, south of Bethlehem, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. Local sources told the news agency that troops blocked the main road linking the al-Bawaba area and the Old Town with mounds of dirt, restricting movement in and out of the area. Wafa reported that the closure will hinder residents’ access to the Old Town, the school complex and the surrounding countryside, and cut off the only entrance to nearby towns, including Battir and Nahalin, as well as the villages of Husan and Wadi Fukin.
The US president has put his Project Freedom operation on hold after just two days President Donald Trump has temporarily paused a US military operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but said the blockade of Iranian ports would "remain in full force and effect" until a final agreement with Tehran is reached.
