Donald Trump “doesn’t love” a plan offered by the Iranian regime to stop the war and open the Strait of Hormuz while delaying nuclear negotiations.
"He doesn't love the proposal," a US official said on Monday, explaining that the President wants a peace plan to address Iran’s nuclear programme.
Earlier on Monday, Trump met with his national security team to discuss the proposal.
The White House confirmed that no decision had yet been made, but multiple US media reports suggested Trump was unhappy with the proposal to decouple the conflict from Iran's nuclear programme and leave that issue to be discussed at a later date.
“The president’s red lines with respect to Iran have been made very clear, not just to the American public, but to them as well,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Germany's chancellor Friedrich Merz said the Iranian regime appeared to have the upper hand in the peace talks process, which has stalled after a summit hosted by Pakistan broke down.
“An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards. And so I hope that this ends as quickly as possible,” he said.
Key Points
- Trump 'doesn't love' Iran's peace proposal - report
- Israel orders more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate
- Iran needs 'credible guarantees' against further US-Israeli attacks before peace deal
- Russian offers to store Iran's enriched uranium fall on deaf ears
- Iran slams US tanker seizures as ‘piracy’ and ‘armed robbery’
- BP profits soar as Middle East forces up energy prices
Watch: Badenoch says 'UK should be on the side of US' in Iran war
11:52 , Alex CroftIsrael tells Lebanese villagers they are 'endangering their life' if they remain home
11:31 , Alex CroftAs we reported earlier, Israel has issued an evacuation order for more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon.
The order came from the Israeli military’s Arab media spokesperson, Avichay Adraee.
“In light of the terrorist Hezbollah's violation of the ceasefire agreement, the Defense Army is compelled to act against it forcefully,” he wrote on X, including a map of the evacuation area.
The military said the villages residents are “required to evacuate your homes immediately and move away from the specified area towards the Sidon District”.
The statement also tells Lebanese residents that they are “endangering their life” if they remain “near Hezbollah elements”.
In pictures: Israel launches fresh attacks on southern Lebanon
11:15 , Alex Croft
Sweden warns of potential jet fuel shortage
10:58 , Alex CroftSweden is issuing an early warning of a potential shortage of jet fuel stemming from the war in the Middle East, energy minister Ebba Busch said on Tuesday.
"This is based on the Energy Agency's assessment," Busch told a press conference.
Sweden could in a worst case scenario face rationing of aviation fuel, but the situation going forward depends to a great degree on how the market adapts, said Energy Agency General Director Caroline Asserup.
Breaking: Israel orders more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate
10:27 , Alex CroftIsrael's military issued an urgent warning on Tuesday to residents in more than a dozen villages and towns in southern Lebanon, urging them to evacuate northward immediately and signalling an imminent attack.
The warning said the action was necessary due to the Hezbollah militia's violation of a ceasefire agreement with Israel.
We’ll bring you more as it comes in.
Recap: Trump discussed new Iran proposal with national security aides
10:12 , Alex CroftDonald Trump met with his national security team on Monday to review a new Iranian proposal to end the war, the White House said.
The proposal reportedly includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and delaying discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme, while Trump’s core demand, that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons, remains unchanged.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said: “What I will reiterate is that the president’s red lines with respect to Iran have been made very, very clear, not just to the American public, but also to them as well.
“I wouldn’t say they’re considering it. I would just say that there was a discussion this morning that I don’t want to get ahead of, and you’ll hear directly from the president, I’m sure, on this topic.”
Watch: Starmer tells Britons ‘don’t panic’ over impact of Iran war
09:56 , Alex CroftIran demands 'credible guarantees' against further US-Israeli attacks before peace deal
09:40 , Alex CroftIran has made clear it needs “credible guarantees” against further US-Israeli attacks before it can ensure security in the Gulf, Tehran’s envoy to the UN has said.
Amir Saeid Iravani told a security council session: “Lasting stability and security in the Persian Gulf and the wider region can only be achieved through a durable and permanent cessation of aggression against Iran supplemented by credible guarantees of non-recurrence and full respect for the legitimate sovereign rights and interests of Iran.”
It follows a recent round of diplomacy by Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, who visited Pakistani and Omani mediators before travelling to Moscow to meet with the Russian president.
“The US approaches caused the previous round of negotiations, despite progress, to fail to reach its goals because of the excessive demands,” Mr Araghchi told reporters in St Petersburg on Monday.
Starmer warns Iran war could put holidays and food shopping habits under threat
09:11 , Alex CroftSir Keir Starmer said Britons should not panic over the economic impact of the Iran war but acknowledged people might have to change their shopping habits and holiday plans.
The prime minister, who will lead a meeting of the ministerial Iran crisis committee on Tuesday, said “at the moment” the government was confident about supply chains.
He said the UK was doing “everything we can” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the vital oil and gas shipping route which has been effectively closed by Iran since the US-Israeli bombing campaign began.
Sir Keir said the French and the British would lead a “military mission” to provide reassurance to ships passing through the strait, although the initiative, driven by the prime minister and French president Emmanuel Macron, is not expected to begin until hostilities cease.
Read our full report here:
Starmer warns Iran war could put holidays and food shopping habits under threat
Iran war deals devastating blow to malnourished Somalian children
08:55 , Alex CroftMalnourished children in Somalia, already suffering the twin catastrophes of looming famine and radical cuts in foreign aid, are only suffering more after the US-Israeli war on Iran has led to shortages of lifesaving therapeutic foods.
The country was already suffering such shortages, with clinics now forced to turn away severely malnourished children and ration supplies.
Almost half a million children under 5 suffer from "severe acute malnutrition" or "wasting", the most life-threatening form of hunger, and the delays are worsening the effect of the aid reductions.
Here are some images of the worsening food crisis in Somalia.
Russian offers to store Iran's enriched uranium to defuse tensions fall on deaf ears
08:35 , Alex CroftIran has welcomed Russia’s support for diplomacy in the Middle East - but several of its offers have been rejected by the US.
Moscow has repeatedly offered to store Iran’s enriched uranium in its country in order to defuse tensions, a proposal that has been rejected out of hand by Washington.
Russia has offered to mediate to try to help restore calm to the Middle East since the US-Israeli strikes began on 28 February.
But they are unlikely to be called upon, with Pakistan enthusiastically leading mediating efforts as it stands,
Iran foreign minister Abbas Araghchi still praised the strength of ties between the Tehran and Moscow, after meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Monday, saying recent events had demonstrated the depth of their strategic partnership.
Watch: Zelensky blames Iran was for stalled weapon supply as Russia continues to attack Ukraine
08:27 , James ReynoldsRecap: Trump 'unhappy with Iran's omission of nuclear issue in talks'
08:14 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump is reportedly unhappy with the latest Iranian proposal on resolving the two-month war, dampening hopes for a quick resolution.
Iran's latest proposal would set aside discussion of Iran's nuclear program until the war is ended and disputes over shipping from the Gulf are resolved.
But a US official briefed on Trump’s Monday meeting with advisors told Reuters that the president is unhappy with the proposal, as Washington wants nuclear issues to be addressed from the outset.
White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said the US “will not negotiate through the press” and has “been clear about our red lines” as the Trump administration looks to end the war against Iran it began in February alongside Israel.
IDF seizes 'hundreds of Hezbollah weapons' as strikes continue despite ceasefire
08:00 , James ReynoldsThe IDF on Tuesday shared images of what it said were seizures of weapons from Hezbollah infrastructure sites.
One image shows what appears to be mines, mortars, helmets and bags strewn out across the floor, next to a picture of late Hezbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah.
Another image shows a haul of AK-style rifle magazines, helmets, bergens and binoculars.
BP profits soar as Middle East forces up energy prices
07:26 , James ReynoldsBP saw its profits soar in the first quarter of 2026, amid a surge in oil and gas prices driven by the war in the Middle East.
The British energy giant on Tuesday posted underlying replacement cost profit, a proxy for net profit, of $3.2bn for the first three months of the year, well ahead of the $2.63bn forecast by analysts.
That’s up from $1.54bn in Q4 of 2025 and more than double the $1.38bn reported this time last year.
“Overall, our business continues to run well. This was another quarter of strong operational and financial delivery, and we made further progress towards our 2027 targets,” BP CEO Meg O’Neill said in a statement.
Looking ahead, BP expects a drop in fossil fuel production in the current quarter, in part due to the war.
Iran war is latest blow to Somalia's malnourished children
07:22 , James ReynoldsThe closure of the Strait of Hormuz has constrained global supplies of energy and fertiliser, with knock-on effects felt worldwide.
Few places have felt that blow stronger than Somalia, where almost half a million children under five are suffering from ‘severe acute malnutrition’ or ‘wasting’, the most life-threatening form of hunger.
The country had already been suffering twin catastrophes of looming famine and radical cuts to foreign aid when the conflict to its east erupted at the end of February.
Health workers in Baidoa and Mogadishu say they have had to stretch out meagre stocks of specialised milk and nutrient-dense peanut-based paste vital to saving these children.
"Since the needs are large and we don't have a lot of supplies, we have had to keep reducing the amount we give children," nurse Hassan Yahye Kheyre said.
Russian superyacht sailed through Strait of Hormuz despite blockade
07:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarA Russian superyacht, Nord, linked to sanctioned billionaire Alexey Mordashov, “sailed through the Strait of Hormuz” despite the ongoing blockade of the key shipping route, according to the BBC.
The 142m vessel, worth “over $500m (£370m)”, travelled from Dubai to Muscat over the weekend and is “one of a few private vessels to transit through the strait in recent months”.
Iran is simultaneously engaged in talks with Russia amid tensions with the US over the waterway.
In Moscow, Putin hosted an Iranian delegation, where Araghchi praised the “strategic relationship”, while Putin said the Iranian people were “courageously fighting” for sovereignty.
Mordashov, a close associate of Putin, is not officially recorded as the yacht’s owner. However, registry details show that in 2022, Nord was registered under a company owned by his wife.
Putin receives message from Iranian Supreme Leader
06:59 , Maroosha MuzaffarRussian president Vladimir Putin met Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in St Petersburg after receiving a message from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei.
“We sincerely hope that, drawing on this courage and desire for independence, the Iranian people will, under the leadership of a new Leader, navigate this difficult period of trials – and peace will come,” he said, according to Iran’s Tasnim News agency.
Putin said Russia will support Iran and do what serves the interests of Iran and regional peace.
US treasury chief says businesses working with Iranian airlines risk sanctions
06:47 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe US treasury secretary Scott Bessent has warned that businesses dealing with Iranian airlines could face US sanctions, as part of Washington’s ongoing effort to increase economic pressure on Tehran.
“Doing business with sanctioned Iranian airlines risks exposure to US sanctions,” Bessent said in a post on X.
“Foreign governments should take all actions necessary to ensure that companies in their jurisdictions do not provide services to those aircraft, including the provision of jet fuel, catering, landing fees or maintenance,” he said.
Oil prices edge higher as Trump weighs Iran’s latest proposal to open Strait of Hormuz
06:45 , Maroosha MuzaffarOil prices jumped on Tuesday as Donald Trump weighed Iran’s latest proposal to end the war.
The US president is unhappy with the latest Iranian proposal, a US official said on Monday. Iranian sources disclosed that Tehran's proposal avoided addressing its nuclear programme until hostilities cease and Gulf shipping disputes are resolved.
Trump's displeasure with the Iranian offer leaves the conflict deadlocked, with Iran shutting shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which typically carries supply equal to about 20 per cent of global oil and gas consumption, and the US keeping in place its blockade of Iranian ports.
Brent crude rose to $108.13 per barrel, hovering near a three-week high, while US West Texas Intermediate went up to $96.48.
Read more here:
Oil prices edge higher as Trump weighs Iran’s latest proposal to open Hormuz
Iran ‘standing up to the world's greatest superpower’, Aragchi claims
06:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is “standing up to the world's greatest superpower [the US]” and claimed Washington “has not achieved a single one of their goals”.
“That is why they have requested negotiations and we are looking into it,” he told reporters in St Petersburg. “We have not heard from Washington,” he added.
He also said the war demonstrated Iran “has great friends and allies like Russia” and thanked the Kremlin for its support.
Putin praises Iran’s ‘courage’ as Iranian foreign minister Araghchi visits Moscow
06:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi visited Russia for high-level talks with president Vladimir Putin as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation.
Araghchi said he travelled to Russia “with the aim of continuing close consultations between Tehran and Moscow on regional and international issues” and described his meeting as “a good opportunity to discuss developments in the war and review the latest situation”.
“I am confident that these consultations and coordination between the two countries in this regard will be of particular importance,” he added.
During the meeting, Putin expressed support for Iran. “We see how courageously and heroically the Iranian people are fighting for their independence and sovereignty,” Putin told Araghchi. He added that he hoped they could get through a “difficult period” and that peace would prevail.
“For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests, the interests of all the people of the region, so that peace can be achieved as soon as possible,” Putin said, according to Russian state media.
Trump not satisfied with Iran's peace proposal - reports
05:43 , Maroosha MuzaffarPresident Trump is not satisfied with Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, according to officials cited by several reports.
The Iranian proposal would decouple the issues of the Strait and Iran's nuclear programme, leaving the latter to be discussed further at a later date.
"He doesn't love the proposal," one US official told Reuters news agency.
US officials said accepting the deal could deny Trump a political victory while the White House stressed that “the president will only make a deal that’s good for the American people and the world”.
The talks remain deadlocked, with Iran insisting it will not make any immediate concessions on its nuclear programme.
US is being ‘humiliated’ by Iran’s leadership, says Friedrich Merz
05:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarGermany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz has said the US is being “humiliated” by Iran in stalled negotiations, arguing Tehran is outwitting the Trump administration at the bargaining table.
“The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skilful at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result,” he said.
“An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards. And so I hope that this ends as quickly as possible.”
US-Iran talks have stalled, with a recent round in Islamabad ending without progress and Trump cancelling a follow-up negotiation trip.
On Monday, Iran proposed a new ceasefire plan centred on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while postponing talks on nuclear weapons, missiles, sanctions, and other issues, according to regional officials.
The proposal also includes a draft bill in Iran’s parliament that would require shipping companies to pay Tehran for “services” linked to transit through the strait, fees that were not in place before the war.
UK minister warns Tehran is ‘holding the rest of the world to ransom’
05:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe UK does not support the US blockade of Iranian ports, but backs international efforts to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open for global shipping, Stephen Doughty, the UK minister for Europe and North America, has said.
Speaking ahead of a UN Security Council meeting, Doughty said Iran is effectively “holding the rest of the world to ransom”.
Maritime traffic must flow safely and unimpeded through the strait, he said in comments reported by the Associated Press, and “that includes no tolls, no security risk and, of course, adherence to the international laws on freedom of navigation”.
He later said in a statement to the council: “This crisis is not just affecting international shipping, it is driving up costs and sending shockwaves throughout energy markets and supply chains far beyond the region with impact for all of our citizens, our communities and their cost of living.
“So, we must get the strait reopened fully and unconditionally.
“Freedom of navigation must be restored, in line with international law. Shipping and seafarers must not be used as leverage, and there is no place for tolls or permissions in international straits.
“Freedom of navigation means navigation must be free.
“Throughout this crisis, the UK has been clear: Iran must not be able to hold the global economy hostage or indeed threaten regional and international security.”
Trump discusses new Iran proposal with national security aides, White House says
04:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump met with his national security team to review a new Iranian proposal to end the war, the White House said.
The proposal reportedly includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and delaying discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme, while Trump’s core demand, that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons, remains unchanged.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said: “What I will reiterate is that the president’s red lines with respect to Iran have been made very, very clear, not just to the American public, but also to them as well.
“I wouldn’t say they’re considering it. I would just say that there was a discussion this morning that I don’t want to get ahead of, and you’ll hear directly from the president, I’m sure, on this topic.”
Iran slams US tanker seizures as ‘piracy’ and ‘armed robbery’
03:58 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran has criticised the United States over its seizure of tankers allegedly linked to Tehran, calling the move a blatant breach of international law.
The foreign ministry described the action as the “outright legalisation of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas”.
In a post on X, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said: “Welcome to the return of the pirates – only now, they operate with government-issued warrants, sail under official flags, and call their plunder ‘law enforcement.’
“The United States must be held fully accountable for this brazenly lawless behaviour, which strikes at the heart of international law & international free trade, and threatens the basic principles of maritime security.”
This is the outright legalization of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas.
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) April 27, 2026
Welcome to the return of the pirates — only now, they operate with government-issued warrants, sail under official flags, and call their plunder “law enforcement.”
The United States must be held fully… pic.twitter.com/5xACMKs45M
Watch: Trump has met with team over Iran proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz
03:00 , Rebecca WhittakerIran proposes to reopen Strait of Hormuz without nuclear agreement
02:30 , Rebecca WhittakerIran offered to end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz without addressing its nuclear program, officials with knowledge of the proposal said Monday.
Iran also wants the United States to ends its blockade of the country as part of its proposal, according to the two regional officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations.
The Latest: Iran proposes to reopen Strait of Hormuz without nuclear agreement
Recap: Trump met with national security team to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz
01:30 , Rebecca WhittakerPresident Donald Trump has met with his national security team this morning to discuss a proposal with Iran to mutually reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at the White House press briefing following the dinner shooting, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The proposal was being discussed.”
Answering questions at a briefing, Ms Leavitt did not offer an opinion of the proposal, in which the Strait of Hormuz would be opened and Iran's nuclear program discussed at a later date. But she said Trump's bottom line demands remain the same.
"I wouldn't say they're considering it. I would just say that there was a discussion this morning that I don't want to get ahead of, and you'll hear directly from the president, I'm sure, on this topic," she said.
“The president’s red lines with respect to Iran have been made very clear, not just to the American public, but to them as well,” she added.
Merz derides ‘humiliating’ US peace process with Iran as Europe’s rift with Trump widens
Tuesday 28 April 2026 00:30 , Rebecca Whittaker
Merz derides ‘humiliating’ US peace process with Iran as European rift widens
Watch: Starmer tells Britons ‘don’t panic’ over impact of Iran war
Monday 27 April 2026 23:30 , Rebecca WhittakerRecap: Bahrain revokes citizenship of 69 over 'support for Iranian attacks'
Monday 27 April 2026 22:30 , Rebecca WhittakerBahrain revoked the citizenship of 69 people and their families for "expressing support for Iranian attacks", the interior ministry said on Monday.
Bahrain has been among Gulf countries that were subject to attacks by Iran in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran that began on February 28.
Watch: Iranian foreign minister visits Russia for Putin talks
Monday 27 April 2026 21:45 , Rebecca WhittakerIran says seizures of tankers is 'armed robbery on the high seas'
Monday 27 April 2026 21:15 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Iranian Foreign Ministry has condemned US seizures of Iran-linked tankers as an “outright legalization of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas.”
In a post on X, Esmaeil Baqaei spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “This is the outright legalization of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas.
“Welcome to the return of the pirates — only now, they operate with government-issued warrants, sail under official flags, and call their plunder ‘law enforcement.’
“The United States must be held fully accountable for this brazenly lawless behavior, which strikes at the heart of international law & international free trade, and threatens the basic principles of maritime security.”
This is the outright legalization of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas.
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) April 27, 2026
Welcome to the return of the pirates — only now, they operate with government-issued warrants, sail under official flags, and call their plunder “law enforcement.”
The United States must be held fully… pic.twitter.com/5xACMKs45M
Russian-linked superyacht slips through blockaded Strait of Hormuz
Monday 27 April 2026 21:00 , Rebecca WhittakerA superyacht linked to sanctioned Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov has navigated the Strait of Hormuz, a highly sensitive shipping lane at the epicentre of the US-Iran conflict, shipping data has revealed.
The passage marks a rare transit through a waterway that has seen severe restrictions since February.
The 142-meter (465-foot) vessel, named Nord and valued at over $500 million, departed a Dubai marina on Friday afternoon, crossed the strait on Saturday morning, and reached Muscat early on Sunday, according to MarineTraffic platform data.
Russian-linked superyacht slips through blockaded Strait of Hormuz
Inaction in the Strait of Hormuz could have 'grave consequences', Bahrain's foreign minister says
Monday 27 April 2026 20:30 , Rebecca WhittakerComplacency and inaction will have “grave consequences for international peace and security", Bahrain's foreign minister warned.
Abdullatif Bin Rashid al Zayani stressed safeguarding maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz is a "shared and urgent responsibility that must not be overlooked".
He told the UN Security Council meeting in New York: "The international community must act collectively to prevent a dangerous downward spiral in which threats to maritime corridors become a common occurrence and violations are treated as normal, despite representing a breach of international law.”
Price hikes due to Iran war will be felt for at least eight months after conflict ends, minister warns
Monday 27 April 2026 20:00 , Rebecca WhittakerPrice hikes as a result of the Iran war will be felt for at least eight months after the conflict ends, a government minister has warned.
The chief secretary to the prime minister, Darren Jones, warned people will see higher energy, food and flight prices “as a consequence of what Donald Trump has done in the Middle East” and said there will be a “long tail from this”.
The government has stepped up planning for how to offset potential shortages sparked by the conflict, following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane crucial for the supply of a fifth of global oil and gas, which sent oil prices soaring.
Read more here by Political Correspondent Millie Cooke:
Price hikes due to Iran war will be felt for at least eight months, minister warns
Watch: Trump says Iran can call US to negotiate an end to the war after cancelling Witkoff and Kushner visit
Monday 27 April 2026 19:30 , Rebecca WhittakerEurope should reassess its reliance on the Middle East for fuel, says Wizz Air's CEO
Monday 27 April 2026 19:00 , Rebecca WhittakerWizz Air's CEO Jozsef Varadi said the budget airline is looking at a larger summer schedule this year, despite concerns over jet fuel supply and costs tied to the Iran war.
"We are much stronger on summer bookings this year than last year," Jozsef Varadi said.
He also does not think the European budget airline will run out of jet fuel, amid concerns over shortages if the Iran war continues for a longer period.
However, he does think prices could remain high even for months after the war ends.
It comes after airlines including easyJet and TUI announced drops in forward bookings and issued profit warnings in recent weeks.
Mr Varadi said Europe should reassess its reliance on the Middle East for fuel, especially as the crisis could lead to broader capacity cuts across the industry intensifying in the autumn.
"If you look at the very nature how Europe is accessing jet fuel, I mean, we are far over-dependent on the Middle East. I mean, that's kind of crazy," he said.
Watch: Trump has met with team over Iran proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Monday 27 April 2026 18:52 , Rebecca WhittakerNATO is considering holding less annual summits
Monday 27 April 2026 18:30 , Rebecca WhittakerNATO is considering not holding six annual summits, according to reporting by Reuters.
The move could avoid a potentially tense encounter with US President Donald Trump in his final year in office.
Trump's administration has engaged repeatedly in scathing criticism of many of the defence alliance's 31 other members, most recently berating some for not providing more assistance to US military operations against Iran.
The frequency of NATO summits has varied over the alliance's 77-year history but its leaders have met every summer since 2021 and will gather this year in the Turkish capital Ankara on July 7 and 8.
But a senior European official and five diplomats, all from NATO member countries, told Reuters that some want to hold less summits.
Trump met with national security team to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz
Monday 27 April 2026 18:30 , Rebecca WhittakerUS President Donald Trump met with his national security team this morning to discuss a proposal with Iran to mutually reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at the White House press briefing Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The proposal was being discussed.”
“The president’s red lines with respect to Iran have been made very clear, not just to the American public, but to them as well,” she added.
Watch: White House press briefing after WHCD shooting and ahead of King's visit
Monday 27 April 2026 18:06 , Rebecca WhittakerWatch: ‘Entire nation is being humiliated’ by Iran says German chancellor in swipe at Trump
Monday 27 April 2026 18:00 , Alex CroftMacron to talk with Iranian authorities again
Monday 27 April 2026 17:29 , Alex CroftFrench president Emmanuel Macron has said he will talk to Iranian authorities after his two-day trip to Andorra and would insist for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
"We have established a coalition whose purpose is precisely to ensure security, to secure and stabilise, to demonstrate that the international community supports an opening (of the Strait of Hormuz), and so I hope that we will be able to convince the stakeholders in the coming days," he told reporters in Andorra.
Sam Kiley | Trump's attacks on Nato over Iran only benefits Putin
Monday 27 April 2026 17:05 , Alex CroftThe Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes:
Russian support to Iran is real. Moscow has transferred or agreed to transfer advanced air‑defence systems, including variants of the S‑300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems to Tehran. Its excerpts have provided advice on improved accuracy of missiles and how to evade American defences. Russia has also been working with Iran on space launch and satellite technology.
The two nations also collaborate on developing live battlefield surveillance technology, which could be used to kill Americans.
Rather than try to stop this, Trump has turned on America’s Nato allies who have not joined his attacks on Iran alongside Israel, because it is an illegal war of aggression and choice – not an act of self-defence. His administration, which believes it owns the alliance of 31 other member states, is considering expelling Spain and suggested that the Falklands won’t get Nato protection.
Spain cannot be expelled by the US. The only attack on a Nato member by a foreign state has been by Argentina when it invaded the Falklands in 1982. The US gave almost no help to the UK then, and London did not invoke the mutual defence agreement between Nato members.
The US did that on 9/11 – and Nato members came to Washington’s aid.
The only beneficiary of divisions inside Nato is Putin. The US will suffer long-term as a consequence of it. Yet Trump has delivered just that.
Bahrain revokes citizenship of 69 people for 'expressing support for Iranian attacks'
Monday 27 April 2026 16:46 , Alex CroftBahrain revoked the citizenship of 69 people and their families for "expressing support for Iranian attacks", the interior ministry said on Monday.
Bahrain has been among Gulf countries that were subject to attacks by Iran in retaliation for US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran that began on February 28.
CEO of Wizz Air says company will not run out of jet fuel
Monday 27 April 2026 16:28 , Alex CroftCEO of Wizz Air Jozsef Varadi has said he does not think the European budget airline will run out of jet fuel, amid concerns over shortages if the Iran war continues for a longer period.
Mr Varadi told reporters that at the $1,500 metric ton level for jet fuel, the price was so high that tankers were incentivised to head to the U.S. to collect it.
This made up for any shortfalls from the Middle East, a major source of jet fuel for European carriers.
Iran looking into Trump's request for further negotiations, says Araghchi
Monday 27 April 2026 16:20 , Alex CroftIran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran was looking into US president Donald Trump's request for negotiations, according to a post on the minister's Telegram account.
He told reporters in Russia that Trump requested negotiations because the US has not achieved any of its objectives.
Trump scrapped a visit to Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for talks on ending the conflict, and said Iran could telephone if it wanted to negotiate.
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