Iran 'received US views' and is reviewing them Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that they have received Washington's outlook, amid ongoing US-Iran negotiations. "We have received U. S.
Trump says he 'could run for Prime Minister' in Israel Trump claims that he has an approval rating of 99% in Israel, and that he “could run for Prime Minister”. A poll done in February by the Israeli think tank, the Jewish People Policy Institute, found that 73% of Israelis rate Trump as a better-than-average US president. Trump claims that he has an approval rating of 99% in Israel, and that he “could run for Prime Minister”.
Report: 137 countries back draft resolution on Hormuz Strait at the UN In the most most widely backed proposal before the UN Security Council, 137 countries are supporting a draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reported. According to Al Jazeera, the resolution - introduced by the US and Bahrain - seeks to "protect international waterways, commercial shipping and energy supplies, maintain global economic and trade stability, as well as ensure the safety and security of seafarers".
US-Iran talks frustrate Israel's Netanyahu: Report Ongoing US-Iran negotiations have frustrated Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as he argues that the delay in attacking Tehran only benefits Iranians, US officials and Israeli sources told CNN. According to one source, US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu had a tense conversation on Tuesday that reflected difference views on how to approach the war on Iran. During their hour-long talk, Netanyahu pushed for a resumption of attacks on Iran.
Trump administration charges Cuba's Raul Castro with murder Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Wed, 05/20/2026 - 19:15 This sets the stage for Castro to potentially be brought to the US to face trial in the way President Nicolas Maduro was abducted from Venezuela Cuba's President Raul Castro, centre, talks to Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, left, and Ortega's wife Rosario Murillo during a wreath-laying ceremony at the mausoleum of 19th-century Cuban independence hero Jose Marti in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, on 26 July 2013 (Alejandro Ernesto/Reuters) Off The US has unsealed an indictment against Cuba's former president, Raul Castro, charging him with conspiracy to kill US nationals, destruction of aircraft, and four counts of murder related to the 1996 shootdown of two American aid planes close to the island. Five other defendants are named: Lorenzo Alberto Perez‑Perez, Emilio Jose Palacio Blanco, Jose Fidel Gual Barzaga, Raul Simanca Cardenas, and Luis Raul Gonzalez‑Pardo Rodriguez. The move sets the stage for 94-year-old Castro to be brought to the US to face trial, potentially via the same "law enforcement operation" that the Trump administration employed to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
UK signs trade agreement with Gulf states The UK has reached a trade agreement with the six Gulf Cooperation Council states, becoming the first Group of Seven country to secure such a deal with the bloc. The agreement includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, and is expected to bring relatively limited economic gains for the UK. “At a time of increased instability, today’s announcement sends a clear signal of confidence,” UK Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said.
Saudi foreign minister urges Iran to respond to negotiations Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said Riyadh welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to allow more time for negotiations with Iran. In a post on X, he said the move would “give diplomacy a chance to reach an acceptable agreement to end the war, restore the security and freedom of maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz”. He also urged Iran to “urgently respond to the efforts to advance the negotiations leading up to a comprehensive agreement”.
Initial vote in Israel brings parliament closer to dissolution The Israeli parliament passed a preliminary reading on Wednesday of a bill to dissolve itself, paving the way for early elections. Of the 120 members of the Knesset, 110 approved the bill introduced by members of the ruling coalition.
Pakistani interior minister heads to Iran for talks: state media Pakistan's interior minister is heading to Tehran for talks with Iranian officials on Wednesday, according to Iranian state media, to continue negotiations over the conflict with the US. Iran’s Tasnim news agency said Mohsin Naqvi would meet with officials in his second trip to the country in a week.
Sources say Egypt pressing Al-Azhar 'to back UAE' against Iran Submitted by MEE correspondent on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 15:45 The Sunni world’s top Islamic body shifted its line after a presidential warning that Egyptian jobs in the Gulf were at stake UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right) receiving Ahmed al-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar, at al-Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi on 12 July 2024 (AFP/UAE Presidency/file photo) Off Egypt ’s presidency has pressed Al-Azhar, the leading authority in Sunni Islam, to publicly back the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states in their confrontation with Iran , security sources and sources close to the institution’s grand imam said. The Cairo-based seat of Sunni learning has issued four statements since the start of the current war, including one that condemned Iranian strikes on the UAE as “the aggression of the Islamic Republic of Iran against its Muslim neighbour, the United Arab Emirates”. Al-Azhar has not condemned American or Israeli strikes on Iran in any of its statements, a shift from its position during last year’s war, when it described that conflict as “the aggression of the occupying entity against the Islamic Republic of Iran”.
Trump went to Beijing to talk Iran. He came back empty-handed Submitted by Marco Carnelos on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 18:20 While Washington doubles down on military force, Beijing is quietly weaving the Middle East together through infrastructure and diplomacy - on its own terms US President Donald Trump gestures towards Chinese President Xi Jinping while leaving after a visit to the Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing, China on 15 May, 2026 (Reuters) On On the eve of the 14 May Beijing summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, there were understandably high expectations that the two great powers would find common ground on key issues. As Shanghai-based analyst Nelson Wong recently remarked in these pages : "Beneath the polished schedule lies a striking paradox...
Putin and Xi hold bilateral talks after ceremony in Beijing Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin in a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday before the two leaders began bilateral talks. The meeting comes amid heightened global tensions linked to the wars in Ukraine and Iran. The discussions are expected to cover energy security, trade and geopolitical developments, including the war in Iran.
Trump says Iran eager to make deal as conflict continues US President Donald Trump said the war involving Iran would end “very quickly”, adding that Tehran was eager to reach a deal and that the United States would ensure Iran could not obtain a nuclear weapon. Trump said Washington had done “an amazing job in Iran”, adding that he hoped for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Trump also predicted that oil prices would soon fall sharply due to an expected oversupply in global markets.
US: Anti-Aipac congressman unseated in most expensive House primary ever Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 21:26 Thomas Massie lost to the Trump-endorsed former Navy Seal, Ed Gallrein Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massie is pictured at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on 29 April 2026 (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters) Off Thomas Massie, the Republican congressman who voted down foreign aid packages and heavily criticised pro-Israel lobbying groups' influence in US politics, lost his primary race in Kentucky on Tuesday. It was the most expensive US primary race of all time as outside groups - namely pro-Israel political action committees - poured millions of dollars into anti-Massie ad campaigns to oust him from Washington. "Congratulations to US Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein for defeating anti-Israel incumbent Thomas Massie!
Russia says ready to assist Iran-US negotiations if requested Russian deputy foreign minister Sergey Ryabkov said Moscow is prepared to assist negotiations between Iran and the United States if requested, but does not intend to impose its mediation services. In an interview with Russia’s TASS state news agency, Ryabkov said Russia was ready to provide “all possible assistance” in resolving the conflict. Ryabkov said Russia remained committed to resolving tensions through “political and diplomatic channels” and welcomed efforts by Washington and Tehran to resume negotiations.
Iran's UN mission accuses US of spreading 'lies and disinformation' Iran’s mission to the United Nations accused the United States of “spreading lies, false accusations, and disinformation” about Tehran and its nuclear programme during discussions at the Security Council. In a post on X, the mission also accused Washington of violating international law through maritime blockades and continued support for Israeli actions across the region. “In fact, the culprit and the thief are now playing the role of prosecutor and judge, trying to whitewash his own crimes,” the Iranian mission said.
UAE and France sign new defence cooperation agreement The UAE and France have signed a new defence cooperation agreement during an official visit by UAE Minister of State for Defence Mubarak bin Fadhel al-Mazrouei. “The two sides also witnessed the signing of a Defence Cooperation Agreement, reflecting the depth of bilateral relations and the shared commitment to advancing military and defence collaboration between the UAE and France,” the UAE Ministry of Defence said in a statement posted on X. “They discussed ways to strengthen defence and strategic relations between the two friendly nations,” it added.
JD Vance says US seeks to ‘reset’ relations with Iran US Vice President JD Vance said Washington sees an opportunity to reshape relations with Iran after decades of hostility. “We have an opportunity here, I think, to reset the relationship that has existed between Iran and the United States for 47 years,” Vance told reporters. “That’s what the president has asked us to do, and that’s what we’re going to keep on working at.
US lobbied Saudi Arabia to release funds for Gaza 'Board of Peace' amid cash crunch Submitted by Sean Mathews on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 21:26 Israeli attacks and concerns about Palestinian representation have complicated Gulf funding for the board Youssef Rayyan mourns over the body of his son Ibrahim, killed in an Israeli strike, inside the morgue of Al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on 17 May 2026 (Eyad Baba/AFP) Off A senior US official visited Saudi Arabia in April to shore up the kingdom’s $1bn pledge for President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” in Gaza , amid concerns that funding is not materialising, one Arab official and a US official familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye. Aryeh Lightstone, one of the key US officials overseeing the US’s post-war planning for Gaza, visited the kingdom, where he met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan to discuss the financial pledge Saudi Arabia made to the Board of Peace in February. The board includes a committee of Palestinian technocrats approved by Israel to manage daily affairs in Gaza.
Lebanese army chief discusses post-UNIFIL phase with UN official Lebanese army commander Rudolf Heikel met UN Undersecretary-General for Safety and Security Gilles Michaud at army headquarters in Yarzeh to discuss “the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, as well as the post-UNIFIL phase”, according to a military statement. The Lebanese army said the talks focused on the security situation and future cooperation. During the meeting, Michaud “commended the efforts of the Lebanese Armed Forces” and praised the army’s role in maintaining stability in the country.
