Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the US will not allow Iran to use America’s economic situation as “leverage” to pressure President Donald Trump into making a “bad deal”.
“What [President Trump] is making clear is if the Iranians think that they are going to use our domestic politics to pressure him into a bad deal, that's not going to happen,” he told NBC News on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon have continued to trade blows as representatives for the countries took part in a day of direct discussions in Washington on Thursday.
A senior US state department official said that talks had been “productive and positive” and will continue on Friday. Lebanon is to demand a ceasefire, according to a senior Lebanese official while Israel will push for Hezbollah to disarm. The militant group has condemned the talks.
Meanwhile, chaos erupted in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday as Trump sought China’s backing in resolving the lingering crisis with peace talks to end the conflict still on hold. Rubio said China had agreed that the vital shipping route should not be militarised.
An unidentified ship was boarded by “unauthorised personnel” off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, the British maritime security agency UKMTO reported.
Key Points
- Netanyahu claims he visited UAE at the height of war in Iran as Emirates’ foreign ministry calls the claim ‘baseless’
- Iran denounces Netanyahu’s visit to UAE
- US Senate rejects latest bid to curb Trump’s Iran war powers
Trump rants about Iran during interview about China
03:40 , Mike BediganDonald Trump went off on a rant about his bombing campaign in Iran during his interview to discuss his visit to China.
“The Iran nuclear deal was the worst deal, one of the worst deals ever made. If I didn't go in and terminate that deal, Iran would have a nuclear weapon, and they would have used it,” he told Fox News’ Sean Hannity in the interview which aired Thursday night from Beijing.
“We wouldn't even, maybe, sitting here right now, they would have used it.”
He added: “If I didn't go in with B2 bombers that day, that week they would right now have a nuclear bomb.”
British army to be equipped with remote-controlled guns in £1bn deal
03:00 , Maira ButtRemote-controlled guns will soon become a part of the British army’s artillery as part of a £1bn investment in defence.
British soldiers will have access to 72 Remote-Controlled Howitzers 155mm (RCH-155), capable of firing eight rounds per minute at targets up to 70km (43.5 miles) away.
The remote-controlled gun will be mounted on a Boxer chassis that can redeploy at speeds of up to 100kmph (62mph), making it harder for adversaries to target, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. The platform can be operated at the push of a button from a crew compartment by just two soldiers.
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British army to be equipped with remote-controlled guns in £1bn deal
Pope decries the rise of AI-directed warfare, saying it leads to a spiral of annihilation
02:00 , Maira ButtPope Leo XIV on Thursday denounced how investments in artificial intelligence and high-tech weaponry were leading the world into a “spiral of annihilation,” as he called for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine during a visit to Europe’s largest university.
Leo’s speech at Rome’s La Sapienza University marked the first time a pope has visited the campus since Pope Benedict XVI called off a planned speech there in 2008 in the face of protests from faculty and students.
The American pope was warmly welcomed on Thursday, including by some of Sapienza’s newest students: Young Palestinians who arrived in Italy this week on a “humanitarian corridor” from Gaza to continue their studies at the university.
Pope decries the rise of AI-directed warfare, saying it leads to a spiral of annihilation
Iraq seeking financial assistance from IMF, World Bank as result of Iran war
01:00 , Maira ButtIraqi officials have approached the International Monetary Fund about securing financial assistance as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a source close to the IMF and an Iraqi government official told Reuters on Thursday.
Initial conversations took place during last month's spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington, and discussions are ongoing about how much funding Iraq would need and how any loan would be structured, the source close to the IMF said.
An Iraqi official advising on financial policy said Iraq is in preliminary discussions with the IMF and World Bank over a loan to finance the country's budget, given a sharp revenue shortfall caused by halted oil exports following the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The official said the talks were expected to be finalised once a new government is in place.
US House narrowly rejects bid to rein in Trump Iran war powers
Friday 15 May 2026 00:01 , Maira ButtThe US House of Representatives has narrowly defeated a Democratic-led resolution aiming to stop the Iran war until hostilities are authorized by Congress.
However, the effort to rein in President Donald Trump's military campaign failed by the closest possible margin.
The House voted 212 to 212 on the war powers resolution, meaning it failed because it needed a simple majority to pass.
It was the third House vote this year on an Iran war powers resolution, and the first since the conflict hit a 60-day deadline on May 1 for Trump to come to Congress about the war. At that time Trump had declared that the conflict had been “terminated”.
Rubio says US will not give in to Iranian 'pressure'
Thursday 14 May 2026 23:41 , Maira ButtSecretary of state Marco Rubio has said that the US will not allow Iran to use America’s domestic politics to “pressure” President Donald Trump into making a “bad deal”.
“What [President Trump] is making clear is if the Iranians think that they are going to use our domestic politics to pressure him into a bad deal, that's not going to happen,” Rubio told NBC News on Thursday.
.@SecRubio: "What @POTUS is making clear is if the Iranians think that they are going to use our domestic politics to pressure him into a bad deal, that's not going to happen." pic.twitter.com/EY2kMWBAuH
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 14, 2026
Defense Department not investigating reports of US bombing schools and hospitals in Iran, military chief say
Thursday 14 May 2026 23:00 , Maira ButtThe Department of Defense is not investigating U.S. bombings that reportedly destroyed 22 Iranian schools and 17 healthcare facilities, according to the commander leading U.S. forces in Iran.
U.S. Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper told members of Congress that there is “no way” and “no indication” that the military can corroborate reports in The New York Times that detailed the alleged destruction using satellite imagery and verified video and social media footage.
“There is no indication that we have that has been corroborated,” Cooper told Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand during Thursday’s Senate Armed Forces Committee hearing. “There is no way we can corroborate that. No indication of that whatsoever, senator.”
Alex Woodward reports:
Pentagon not investigating reports of US bombs on Iranian schools and hospitals
China agrees Strait of Hormuz should not be militarised, says Rubio
Thursday 14 May 2026 22:25 , Maira ButtSecretary of state Marco Rubio has said that China is against a militarisation of the Strait of Hormuz.
Rubio travelled with president Donald Trump on his two-day visit to Beijing and told NBC News: “The Chinese side said they are not in favor of militarizing the Straits of Hormuz, and they’re not in favor of a tolling system, and that’s our position.”
He added: “We will never support an Iranian tolling system in the Straits of Hormuz, nor do we think they have a right to put mines in international waters.”
Iran regime has ‘gun to our head’ over Strait of Hormuz, says former CIA boss
Thursday 14 May 2026 22:00 , Maira ButtFormer CIA director Leon Panetta has said that Iran has “a gun to our head” because of its stranglehold over the Strait of Hormuz and warned that President Donald Trump has bitten off more than he can chew.
Panetta was speaking Thursday as Trump and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping agreed at their summit in Beijing that the Strait must be reopened for the free flow of energy.
“My sense is that it’s very likely this war, which was supposed to end after six to eight weeks, is probably going to continue for a number of months,” the ex-official told The Times.
Joe Sommerlad reports:
Iran regime has ‘gun to our head’ over Strait of Hormuz, says former CIA boss
Watch: Vance says US making progress in Iran talks
Thursday 14 May 2026 21:30 , Maira ButtOver 40 per cent of Sudan's population face high levels of acute food insecurity, monitoring group warns
Thursday 14 May 2026 21:00 , Maira ButtMore than 40% of the population in war-torn Sudan are facing high levels of acute food insecurity through May as the conflict enters its fourth year, a global hunger monitoring group said Thursday.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, said in a new assessment that of the nearly 19.5 million people facing this level of food insecurity, 135,000 people were in Phase 5, which is characterized by “extreme food gaps, starvation, very high levels of malnutrition, and death due to disease or acute malnutrition.”
Last year, famine was confirmed in el-Fasher, a major city in the western Darfur region, and in the town of Kadugli, in South Kordofan.
Farmers in Sudan are bracing for an expensive planting season as costs of fertilizers, gasoline to power farm equipment and diesel for irrigation pumps increase due to the conflict in the Middle East.
The Gulf region, where hundreds of commercial ships have been stranded for weeks because of Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz, provides over half of Sudan’s fertilizer that’s imported by sea. Fuel prices have shot up by around 30%.
Why Trump’s Pentagon wants to rebrand the Iran war
Thursday 14 May 2026 20:30 , Maira ButtThe Pentagon is considering renaming the U.S.’s war with Iran to “Operation Sledgehammer” if hostilities resume, according to a report.
The war began on February 28 under the name “Operation Epic Fury”, but efforts to bring an end to the conflict with a peace deal have stalled as neither side can agree on terms.
Trump is said to be considering further military action if Iran does not agree to a deal and reopen the key shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz.
A White House official told NBC News any fresh military combat action against Iran would be conducted under a new name and operation. Two U.S. officials told the outlet that “Operation Sledgehammer” was not the only name being considered.
The Independent’s US reporter Owen Scott reports:
In pictures: Israeli flares light up Lebanese village as clashes rage on
Thursday 14 May 2026 20:00 , James Reynolds
Saudi Arabia suggests non-aggression pact with Iran: report
Thursday 14 May 2026 19:30 , James ReynoldsSaudi Arabia has discussed the idea of a non-aggression pact between Middle Eastern states and Iran once the war ends, according to a report.
The Saudis are modelling their plans on the Helsinki Process of the 1970s that sought to ease tensions between East and West, two diplomats told the FT.
Gulf States were said to be concerned that Iran could be emboldened once the war ends and the Americans withdraw military assets from the region.
“It all depends who is in it - in the current climate you are not going to be able to get Iran and Israel ... without Israel it could be counter-productive because after Iran, they are seen as the biggest source of conflict,” one diplomat told the newspaper.
“But Iran is not going anywhere and this is why the Saudis are pushing it.”
Diplomats raised concerns that the UAE, pulled more into the orbit of the US and Israel after weathering harsh strikes from Iran, may not be open to joining any such arrangement.
Lebanon to press Israel to cease fire as latest Washington talks begin
Thursday 14 May 2026 19:10 , Maira ButtLebanon will demand Israel agree to a ceasefire at face-to-face talks that began in Washington on Thursday, a senior Lebanese official said.
A State Department official confirmed that a meeting of Lebanese and Israeli envoys, along with US officials, had started at about 9am EDT (1300 GMT).
Meanwhile, Hezbollah and Israel continued to trade blows despite a US-backed truce declared last month.
The talks, which are expected to continue on Friday, are the sides' third meeting since hostilities reignited between Hezbollah and Israel on March 2. Beirut is attending despite strong objections from Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah.
An Israeli government spokesperson said the talks were taking place with the goal of disarming Hezbollah and reaching a peace agreement.
Iran's ability to threaten neighbors dramatically degraded, says US admiral
Thursday 14 May 2026 18:50 , Maira ButtIran’s defence industry has been set back by 90 per cent and its ability to threaten neighbours has been “significantly degraded”, according to a senior US admiral.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command declined to address Reuters reports corroborated by several news organisations that Iran has retained significant missile and done capabilities. US intelligence sources have previously suggested that Tehran stockpiled arms in underground facilities that have been largely unaffected by US-Israeli bombings.
Iran's ability to threaten its neighbors and U.S. interests has been dramatically reduced by U.S. bombings, and Tehran's defense industry has been set back by 90%, a senior U.S. admiral said on Thursday.
“Iran has a significantly degraded threat, and they no longer threaten regional partners, or the United States, in ways that they were able to do before, across every domain,” Cooper told a US Senate committee on Thursday.
“They've been significantly degraded.”
Iraq 'sought financial assistance from IMF' as result of Iran war
Thursday 14 May 2026 18:31 , James ReynoldsIraqi officials have approached the International Monetary Fund about securing financial assistance as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, a source close to the IMF said on Thursday.
Initial conversations took place last month during the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington, and discussions are ongoing about how much funding Iraq would need and how any loan would be structured, the source said.
Iraq has been hard hit by the war, with most of its oil exports - which represent nearly all government income - cut off by the closure of the critical waterway, which previously carried about one-fifth of the world's crude oil.
Iraqi parliament approves partial government led by PM Zaidi
Thursday 14 May 2026 18:17 , Maira ButtIraq's new prime minister Ali al-Zaidi was sworn in on Thursday with only a partial cabinet after lawmakers failed to reach a consensus on key postings, including interior and defence.
Basim Mohammed was appointed as the country's new oil minister while Fuad Hussein was kept on as the foreign minister in the new government, lawmakers told Reuters.
Parliament approved 14 ministers in the new government but failed to reach consensus on several remaining posts, including the interior and defence portfolios.
The session witnessed heated exchanges among lawmakers after some objected to the approval of the nominee for interior minister, lawmakers said.
In pictures: Israeli military patrols border with Lebanon
Thursday 14 May 2026 18:00 , Maira Butt
Chinese companies 'discussed selling weapons to Iran' amid war with US
Thursday 14 May 2026 17:31 , James ReynoldsChinese companies have been discussing selling weapons to Iran with the conflict with the United States still held to an uneasy stalemate, according to a report.
US intelligence suggests that Chinese companies and Iranian officials have talked through possible arms transfers, although it was unclear whether any had been sold, US officials told the New York Times.
The sources said they had discussed sending the weapons through other countries in order to mask their origin. The officials said they do not believe that the Chinese government has formally approved the plan - but said the talks were unlikely to have gone ahead without the state knowing.
Donald Trump said previously he had received assurances from Chinese premier Xi Jinping that China would not transfer shoulder-fired missiles to Iran.
The report emerged as Trump headed to China for talks with Xi including on the conflict. The pair agreed on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz should be open and that Iran should never obtain nuclear weapons, a White House official said.
US has not investigated reports of civilian casualties, says CENTCOM commander
Thursday 14 May 2026 17:07 , Maira ButtAdmiral Brad Cooper told the Senate Armed Forces Committee on Thursday that the US has not investigated reports of civilian casualties.
The CENTCOM commander insisted that there is “no way” and “no indication” that the US can confirm reports of schools and hospitals that have been destroyed in the conflict.
“There is indication. Have you investigated those claims?” Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand hit back.
“Why have you not investigated those claims when they’re on the cover of The New York Times?”
Cooper had said earlier in the hearing that the military had gone “above and beyond” to warn Iranians of threats to civilians.
Watch: Vance says US making progress in Iran talks
Thursday 14 May 2026 17:00 , James ReynoldsIndia condemns sinking of cargo vessel off Oman
Thursday 14 May 2026 16:32 , James ReynoldsIndia said on Thursday that an Indian-flagged wooden cargo vessel had sunk while sailing through Omani waters following a fire from a suspected drone or missile strike.
The vessel is the second to have been sunk in the region since the Iran conflict began on February 28. The war has left hundreds of ships stranded and 20,000 seafarers unable to leave the Strait of Hormuz waterway that leads out into the Gulf of Oman.
The attack on the dhow – a vessel built of wood – happened while it was sailing to the United Arab Emirates from Somalia in the early hours of Wednesday, India's shipping ministry said in a statement. That caused a fire on board and eventually led to its sinking, the statement said.
All 14 crew were rescued by the Omani coast guard and moved to Diba port, the ministry added.
India did not specify the nature of the attack or who was behind it, but British maritime risk management group Vanguard said it involved a suspected explosion believed to have been caused by a drone or missile strike. The vessel was carrying a cargo of livestock, it said.
Chinese companies 'discussed selling weapons to Iran' amid war with US
Thursday 14 May 2026 16:00 , James ReynoldsChinese companies have been discussing selling weapons to Iran with the conflict with the United States still held to an uneasy stalemate, according to a report.
US intelligence suggests that Chinese companies and Iranian officials have talked through possible arms transfers, although it was unclear whether any had been sold, US officials told the New York Times.
The sources said they had discussed sending the weapons through other countries in order to mask their origin. The officials said they do not believe that the Chinese government has formally approved the plan - but said the talks were unlikely to have gone ahead without the state knowing.
Donald Trump said previously he had received assurances from Chinese premier Xi Jinping that China would not transfer shoulder-fired missiles to Iran.
The report emerged as Trump headed to China for talks with Xi including on the conflict. The pair agreed on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz should be open and that Iran should never obtain nuclear weapons, a White House official said.
Trump 'does not have a credible strategy to win' in Iran, says Dem senator
Thursday 14 May 2026 15:30 , Alex WoodwardCentral Command Admiral Brad Cooper is testifying to the Senate Armed Services Committee this morning on the Pentagon’s budget but is facing questions about the war in Iran.
In an opening statement, the committee’s top Democrat Jack Reed, a former Army officer, said Trump “does not have a credible strategy to win.”
“Every member of this committee shares the goal of preventing Iran from having a nuclear weapon. But there is no purely military solution to this problem,” he said.
Trump “tore up” the Iran Nuclear Deal and “unilaterally took our nation to war,” he said.
“More than a dozen servicemembers have lost their lives and hundreds more have been wounded. We have suffered significant damage to our bases, dramatically expended our munitions stockpile, and sustained billions of dollars of damaged equipment. The Strait of Hormuz is still closed, despite brief attempts to escort commercial ships,” Reed told the committee.
It remains “unclear” what the U.S. is still doing despite Pete Hegseth’s claim that the operation is over.
“Iran’s regime is intact. Its nuclear material remains in place. The majority of its missiles and launchers have reportedly been recovered. Iran has demonstrated its ability to shut down the Strait. And most importantly, American families are bearing real costs — at the gas pump and the grocery store — for a war they did not want and Congress has not authorized,” Reed said.
Recap: Ship seized off UAE coast by ‘unauthorised personnel’ and sailed towards Iran
Thursday 14 May 2026 15:00 , James ReynoldsA ship anchored off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was boarded by “unauthorised personnel” and is being sailed towards Iranian waters, the UK Maritime Trading Organisation (UKMTO) has said.
The UKMTO said it received a report that the unnamed vessel near the southern entry of the Strait of Hormuz was boarded at 5.45am local time. It had been anchored 38 nautical miles (61 kilometres) northeast of the UAE port of Fujairah.
It came hours after Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi threatened action over the UAE’s “collusion” with Israel after Benjamin Netanyahu made claims that he secretly visited the Emirates.
Araghchi warned that it was “unforgivable” and said those involved would be “held to account”. He said countries that engage with Israel in hostilities toward Tehran are making “a foolish gamble”.
Saudi Arabia suggests non-aggression pact with Iran: report
Thursday 14 May 2026 14:58 , James ReynoldsSaudi Arabia has discussed the idea of a non-aggression pact between Middle Eastern states and Iran once the war ends, according to a report.
The Saudis are modelling their plans on the Helsinki Process of the 1970s that sought to ease tensions between East and West, two diplomats told the FT.
Gulf States were said to be concerned that Iran could be emboldened once the war ends and the Americans withdraw military assets from the region.
“It all depends who is in it - in the current climate you are not going to be able to get Iran and Israel ... without Israel it could be counter-productive because after Iran, they are seen as the biggest source of conflict,” one diplomat told the newspaper.
“But Iran is not going anywhere and this is why the Saudis are pushing it.”
Diplomats raised concerns that the UAE, pulled more into the orbit of the US and Israel after weathering harsh strikes from Iran, may not be open to joining any such arrangement.
Rubio says Iran built missile stockpile to protect nuclear ambitions
Thursday 14 May 2026 14:30 , Alex CroftMarco Rubio has defended the war on Iran, claiming Tehran was building a massive missile and drone arsenal to eventually protect a nuclear weapons programme.
“Iran was building up a conventional capability, where they would have so many missiles and so many drones, that they could overwhelm anyone’s defences,” Rubio told Fox News.
“They were going to have so many drones and missiles that no one could attack Iran, because the result would be catastrophic for the region – and once they had that immunity, then they would break out towards a weapon,” he said.
Iran urges BRICS nations to condemn US-Israeli violations of international
Thursday 14 May 2026 13:57 , Alex CroftIran’s foreign minister urged BRICS nations to condemn what he called violations of international law by the US and Israel, as diplomats from emerging economies met for talks in Delhi in the shadow of war in the Middle East.
Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi also accused US ally the United Arab Emirates of direct involvement in military operations against Iran.
It marked a rare moment when Iranian and Emirati officials have been in the same room since the US-Israeli war against Iran began on February 28.
Araghchi said Iran was a "victim of illegal expansionism and warmongering". He asked the BRICS+ grouping - comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE - to resist "Western hegemony and the sense of impunity that the US believes it is entitled to".
"Iran therefore calls upon BRICS member states and all responsible members of the international community to explicitly condemn violations of international law by the United States and Israel," he said.
Watch: Jimmy Kimmel skewers Trump's China visit with dig over Iran war parallels
Thursday 14 May 2026 13:27 , James ReynoldsIndian-flagged ship had been attacked off the coast of Oman
Thursday 14 May 2026 13:00 , James ReynoldsIndia's foreign ministry said on Thursday that an Indian-flagged ship had been attacked off the coast of Oman on Wednesday.
"The attack ... is unacceptable and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted."
Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar struck a cautious tone during a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in New Delhi, avoiding direct criticism while stressing the importance of stability.
He said unimpeded maritime flows through international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, were vital for global economic well-being.
"The conflict in West Asia merits particular attention," Jaishankar said, without naming specific countries.
He also flagged concerns over the growing use of unilateral sanctions, a longstanding point of contention among BRICS members.
Iran calls on BRICS to condemn US and Israel - but UAE rift remains an obstacle
Thursday 14 May 2026 12:30 , James ReynoldsIran's foreign minister urged BRICS nations on Thursday to condemn what he called violations of international law by the United States and Israel, including "their illegal aggression against Iran".
Abbas Araghchi’s remarks at a two-day meeting in New Delhi underscore divisions within the expanded BRICS bloc. The group now includes regional rivals Iran and the United Arab Emirates, complicating efforts to forge a unified position on the conflict.
Araghchi criticised Washington, describing the war as "illegal expansionism and warmongering," and said Iran remained open to diplomacy while being ready to defend itself "with all available means."
"Iran therefore calls upon BRICS member states and all responsible members of the international community to explicitly condemn violations of international law by the United States and Israel," he said.
Iran's stance could make it difficult for BRICS — which operates by consensus — to agree on a joint statement, given the UAE’s presence on the opposing side. Iran has launched numerous attacks on the UAE and other neighbouring countries.
Iran regime has ‘gun to our head’ over Strait of Hormuz, says former CIA boss
Thursday 14 May 2026 11:58 , James ReynoldsFormer CIA director Leon Panetta has said that Iran has “a gun to our head” because of its stranglehold over the Strait of Hormuz and warned that President Donald Trump has bitten off more than he can chew.
“My sense is that it’s very likely this war, which was supposed to end after six to eight weeks, is probably going to continue for a number of months,” Panetta told The Times.
“This is because we have not found the key to how we achieve, not just a continuing ceasefire, but a resolution to some of the crucial issues which will then allow us to end the war. The president, frankly, has very few options.”
Iran regime has ‘gun to our head’ over Strait of Hormuz, says former CIA boss
Dozens of ships pass Strait with Tehran's permission: IRGC
Thursday 14 May 2026 11:55 , James ReynoldsIran's revolutionary guards say about 30 vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz with Tehran's permission since Wednesday evening.
Iran 'allowing transit of Chinese vessels' in Strait of Hormuz
Thursday 14 May 2026 11:39 , James ReynoldsIran has begun allowing some Chinese vessels to transit through the Strait of Hormuz following an understanding over Iranian management protocols for the waterway, the semi-official Fars news agency said on Thursday, citing an informed source.
China will do what it can to reopen Strait of Hormuz, says Bessent
Thursday 14 May 2026 11:38 , James ReynoldsUS Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he believes China will act to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, as he and Donald Trump embarked on an historic visit to Beijing.
“I think they're going to do what they can,” he told CNBC.
“China, it's very much in their interest to get the Strait reopened, and I think they will be working with behind the scenes to the extent anyone has any say over the Iranian leadership."
Iran condemns 'Kuwaiti attack on Iranian boat'
Thursday 14 May 2026 11:27 , James ReynoldsIranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday condemned Kuwait’s detention of four Iranian nationals in the Persian Gulf.
He said the Arab state had “unlawfully attacked an Iranian boat” in a “clear attempt to sow discord”, demanding the immediate release of those detained.
On Tuesday, Kuwait said it had arrested four people affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards who attempted to infiltrate the Gulf state by sea.
Iran and UAE 'clash at BRICS meeting'
Thursday 14 May 2026 11:00 , James ReynoldsIran's foreign minister accused the United Arab Emirates of direct involvement in military operations against his country during a BRICS meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.
"I didn't name the UAE in my statement for the sake of unity,” the foreign minister wrote on Telegram.
“But the truth is that the UAE was directly involved in the aggression against my country. When the attacks started, they didn't even issue a condemnation.”
Araghchi issued a firm warning to the Abu Dhabi that “your alliance with the Israelis did not protect you either”, urging them to rethink their approach to Iran.
“Just yesterday it was revealed that Netanyahu had traveled to the Emirates and Abu Dhabi during the war. It was also revealed that they participated in these attacks and may have even acted directly against us. So the Emirates is an active partner in this aggression, and there is no doubt about it.”
Trump and Xi agree Strait of Hormuz must stay open to international trade: WH
Thursday 14 May 2026 10:45 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed in a meeting that the Strait of Hormuz must be open for the free flow of energy, according to a White House readout of the summit on Thursday.
Trump is expected to ask China to help end the costly and unpopular Iran war in discussions on Thursday, with peace talks stalled and the global economic cost of the conflict increasing.
The war with Iran looms large over the visit to China, the first by a US president since Trump’s last trip there in 2017, although analysts say he is unlikely to get the support he wants.
Follow the China summit latest with our live blog:
Trump-China visit live: Xi warns of potential for ‘dangerous situation’ over Taiwan
Ship near Strait of Hormuz taken by 'unauthorised personnel': report
Thursday 14 May 2026 10:25 , James ReynoldsA ship off the coast of the UAE, near the Strait of Hormuz, has been taken by “unauthorised personnel” and is now heading for Iranian waters, according to a maritime agency.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said on Thursday it received a report of an incident 38 nautical miles (70 km) northeast of the United Arab Emirates port of Fujairah.
It said the vessel was boarded by unauthorized personnel while at anchor and is now heading toward Iranian territorial waters.
Israeli civilians injured after Hezbollah drone falls near border, military says
Thursday 14 May 2026 10:17 , James ReynoldsSeveral Israeli civilians were injured and evacuated to hospital for treatment after an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah fell within Israeli territory near the Israel-Lebanon border, the Israeli military said on Thursday.
Netanyahu says he ‘secretly visited’ UAE during war with Iran
Thursday 14 May 2026 09:58 , James ReynoldsBenjamin Netanyahu has claimed he made a secret trip to the United Arab Emirates at the height of the conflict with Iran, shoring up relations with the Gulf state as Tehran singled it out for strikes.
The Israeli prime minister’s office said late on Wednesday that a covert meeting with Emirati president Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had led to “a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE”.
A source familiar with the talks said Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed met in Al-Ain, an oasis city by the Oman border, on March 26 and that their meeting lasted several hours.
The source familiar said Mossad chief Dedi Barnea also made at least two visits during the war to coordinate military actions.
But in a twist, the UAE’s foreign ministry denied the meeting took place, saying relations with Israel “are public” and “not based on non-transparent or unofficial arrangements”.
Trump’s remarkable military failure shows abject fiasco of his Iran war
Thursday 14 May 2026 09:20 , Maroosha MuzaffarSources tell The Independent that at least 60 per cent of Iran’s missiles have survived the Israeli-US attacks while its nuclear facilities remain largely undamaged amid delusion in the White House, reports world affairs editor Sam Kiley:
Trump’s remarkable military failure shows abject fiasco of his Iran war
Ship seized near UAE and sailed towards Iranian waters
Thursday 14 May 2026 09:12 , Daniel KeaneA ship anchored off the coast of the United Arab Emirates was boarded by “unauthorised personnel” and is being sailed towards Iranian waters, the UK Maritime Trading Organisation (UKMTO) has said.
The UKMTO said it received a report that the unnamed vessel near the southern entry of the Strait of Hormuz was boarded at 5.45am local time. It had been anchored 38 nautical miles (61 kilometres) northeast of the UAE port of Fujairah.
UAE has secretly been carrying out military strikes on Iran, report says
Thursday 14 May 2026 08:45 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe United Arab Emirates has carried out secret strikes on Iran during the war started by the US and Israel earlier this year, according to a report, in what would mark the first involvement of a Gulf nation in the conflict.
The Gulf monarchy was Iran’s number one target since it began its retaliatory attacks across the region, targeting states that are allied with the US.
The UAE has not publicly acknowledged the strikes, which included an attack on a refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf in early April, around the time Donald Trump announced a temporary truce.
Read more here:
UAE has secretly been carrying out military strikes on Iran, report says
Iran denounces Netanyahu’s secret visit to UAE
Thursday 14 May 2026 08:15 , Maroosha MuzaffarIranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Benjamin Netanyahu had confirmed what Iranian intelligence already knew about regional cooperation with Israel.
Araghchi warned that “collusion” with Israel against Iran was “unforgivable” and said those involved would be “held to account”.
He said countries that engage with Israel in hostilities toward Tehran are making “a foolish gamble”.
Earlier, the Israeli leader claimed that he secretly visited the UAE during the height of the war on Iran and met with president Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Rubio says Iran built missile stockpile to protect nuclear ambitions
Thursday 14 May 2026 07:43 , Maroosha MuzaffarMarco Rubio has defended the war on Iran, claiming Tehran was building a massive missile and drone arsenal to eventually protect a nuclear weapons programme.
“Iran was building up a conventional capability, where they would have so many missiles and so many drones, that they could overwhelm anyone’s defences,” Rubio told Fox News.
“They were going to have so many drones and missiles that no one could attack Iran, because the result would be catastrophic for the region – and once they had that immunity, then they would break out towards a weapon,” he said.
Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh released from prison
Thursday 14 May 2026 06:58 , Maroosha MuzaffarProminent Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been released from Evin Prison more than a month after being detained in Tehran.
Sotoudeh is known for defending activists, opposition figures and women prosecuted over compulsory headscarf laws.
Rights groups said she was released on bail or temporary custody.
Her release came as Donald Trump arrived in China for talks expected to include the Iran war.
Sotoudeh has been jailed multiple times, and her husband Reza Khandan has also been imprisoned.
Netanyahu claims he visited UAE at the height of war in Iran as Emirates’ foreign ministry calls the claim ‘baseless’
Thursday 14 May 2026 06:42 , Maroosha MuzaffarBenjamin Netanyahu claimed he secretly visited the UAE during the Iran war and met UAE president Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.“This visit has led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE,” the Israeli prime minister’s office said on Wednesday night.
However, the UAE foreign ministry denied the visit, calling the claims “baseless” and insisting ties with Israel are conducted openly under the Abraham Accords.
Reuters reported the alleged meeting took place in the UAE city of Al-Ain and lasted several hours.
Israeli strikes injure civilians in south Lebanon as Hezbollah attacks troops
Thursday 14 May 2026 06:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarIsraeli strikes overnight targeted several towns in southern Lebanon, injuring at least nine people in the Zibqin area, including four women, according to the Middle East Eye.
The attacks reportedly hit residential neighbourhoods, and the injured were taken to hospitals for treatment.
More Israeli raids were reported in Aitit, while strikes and shelling also hit al-Mansouri, al-Haniya, al-Qulayla and areas along the Litani River.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed three separate attacks targeting Israeli troops and military vehicles in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon and Israel are expected to begin new peace talks in Washington as a fragile ceasefire approaches its expiry. Despite the ceasefire that began on 17 April, Israel has continued near-daily attacks in Lebanon, the outlet reported.
Lebanese authorities say more than 2,800 people, including at least 200 children, have been killed since March, while aid groups estimate even higher casualties.
Seoul says it will take ‘diplomatic retribution’ over Hormuz ship attack
Thursday 14 May 2026 06:02 , Maroosha MuzaffarSouth Korea has warned that it will take unspecified diplomatic retaliatory measures once responsibility for the attack on a South Korean-operated cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz is officially confirmed.
A senior official told Yonhap that it was highly unlikely that anyone other than Iran was behind the attack.
“There may still be a possibility of another actor besides Iran, but common sense suggests it is not high. There were no pirates nearby,” the foreign ministry official said, according to the outlet.
South Korea has sent a technical investigation team to Dubai to examine the 4 May explosion and fire aboard the Panama-flagged and South Korean-operated vessel HMM Namu.
Iran says 'no place for retreat' as it tightens grip over Strait of Hormuz
Thursday 14 May 2026 05:44 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran has further tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz by cutting deals with Iraq and Pakistan to ship oil and liquefied natural gas from the region, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.
An army spokesperson said that supervision of the vital shipping route could generate twice as much revenue as Iran’s oil income.
“After this war ends, there will be no place for retreat,” the spokesperson said, according to comments carried by ISNA news agency.
Iran denounces Netanyahu’s visit to UAE
Thursday 14 May 2026 05:25 , Maroosha MuzaffarIranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Benjamin Netanyahu had confirmed what Iranian intelligence already knew about regional cooperation with Israel.
Araghchi warned that “collusion” with Israel against Iran was “unforgivable” and said those involved would be “held to account”.
He said countries that engage with Israel in hostilities toward Tehran are making “a foolish gamble”.
Netanyahu has now publicly revealed what Iran's security services long ago conveyed to our leadership.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 13, 2026
Enmity with the Great People of Iran is a foolish gamble. Collusion with Israel in doing so: unforgivable.
Those colluding with Israel to sow division will be held to account.
Earlier, the Israeli leader claimed that he secretly visited the UAE during the height of the war on Iran and met with president Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
US Senate rejects latest bid to curb Trump’s Iran war powers
Thursday 14 May 2026 04:57 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe US Senate has rejected a resolution aimed at ending the American involvement in the Iran war, with a 49-50 vote.
It was the seventh failed Democratic attempt to limit or end the war powers being used by Donald Trump. Democrats have repeatedly tried to pass resolutions limiting US involvement in the war on Iran since it began in late February, but none have succeeded.
Most Republicans opposed the measure, but three – Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Susan Collins – voted in favour.
Murkowski argued that US military involvement continues without proper congressional authorisation, citing the War Powers Act.
Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, accused Republicans of enabling Trump’s actions and avoiding accountability.
The Trump administration defended its position, saying a ceasefire means the legal requirement for congressional approval no longer applies.
Trump reiterates that US ‘cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon’
Thursday 14 May 2026 04:40 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump has said his top priority is stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, calling it “the only thing that matters”.
He made the comment at the White House before leaving for a trip to China.
“I think about one thing: we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all,” he added.
Meanwhile, Trump also claimed that he is “not even a little bit” motivated by rising costs affecting the US economy, including inflation and fuel prices.
He added that the economic pressure on Americans from the Iran war was not influencing his push for a peace deal with Tehran.
“I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody,” he said.
Family of British couple in detention in Iran fear for their safety
Thursday 14 May 2026 04:20 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe family of British couple Lindsay Foreman and Craig Foreman say they have lost all contact with them and fear for their safety.
The couple, both 53 and from East Sussex, were arrested in Iran in January 2025 during a round-the-world motorcycle trip.
They are being held in Evin Prison after being sentenced to 10 years on espionage charges, which they deny.
Their family believes Iranian authorities cut off their phone access after the couple publicly criticised their detention and said they felt abandoned.
Their son, Joe Bennett, said the family is “terrified” and has not heard from Lindsay for more than a week. “We simply do not know if my mum and Craig are safe.
“Craig told us that they might have to stop eating if their calls were taken away.
“I have not spoken to my mum for over a week now. Every day of silence makes it worse. We don’t know what is happening to them and we are terrified for them.”
The British government previously described the couple’s sentences as “completely appalling and totally unjustifiable”.
The couple’s phone access was reportedly cut off after they gave a media interview saying they felt abandoned in detention.
Netanyahu claims he visited UAE at the height of war in Iran as Emirates’ foreign ministry calls the claim ‘baseless’
Thursday 14 May 2026 04:06 , Maroosha MuzaffarBenjamin Netanyahu claimed he secretly visited the UAE during the Iran war and met UAE president Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.“This visit has led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE,” the Israeli prime minister’s office said on Wednesday night.
However, the UAE foreign ministry denied the visit, calling the claims “baseless” and insisting ties with Israel are conducted openly under the Abraham Accords.
Reuters reported the alleged meeting took place in the UAE city of Al-Ain and lasted several hours.
Briefing: What we know on the 76th day of US-Israel war on Iran
Thursday 14 May 2026 03:50 , Maroosha Muzaffar- Iran has strengthened its control over the Strait of Hormuz by making oil and LNG shipping deals with Iraq and Pakistan, according to Reuters.
- US vice president JD Vance said negotiations with Iran were making progress. He said the key US demand is ensuring Iran can “never have a nuclear weapon”.
- Donald Trump is currently in Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping amid the crisis.
- Israel reportedly fears Trump could eventually agree to a “bad deal” with Iran if diplomacy remains stalled.
- The EU said it does not expect a major short-term jet fuel supply crisis from the conflict, though longer-term risks remain.
- Iran accused Kuwait of unlawfully attacking and detaining four Iranian citizens near a Gulf island reportedly used by US forces.
- Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon killed civilians, including children, as tensions with Hezbollah continue.
- The UAE publicly called for diplomacy with Iran, despite reports alleging it secretly carried out strikes during the conflict.
