U.S. President Donald Trump has abruptly suspended the announced 'Project Freedom', which aimed to assist shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The decision followed strong opposition from Gulf allies, particularly Saudi Arabia, which revoked U.S. access to the Prince Sultan Air Base and its airspace. NBC News reported the suspension citing two American officials.

According to the report, Saudi Arabia became disappointed after Trump publicly announced the operation plan on social media and informed Washington that it would not support the initiative. Additionally, a U.S. official confirmed that Kuwait also closed its bases and airspace to American forces.

The suspension of 'Project Freedom' marks a setback for U.S. efforts to reopen the strategic waterway amid regional tensions, reflecting strained cooperation with key Gulf partners.

Ted Turner, the founder of CNN and a pioneering figure in global television news, has died at the age of 87. Turner Enterprises announced that he passed away on Wednesday while surrounded by his family. Turner, who was born in Ohio and later became a prominent businessman in Atlanta, was widely known for his outspoken personality and transformative impact on broadcast journalism through the creation of the 24-hour news channel CNN.

Beyond CNN, Turner built a vast media empire that included popular film and cartoon channels as well as ownership of professional sports teams such as the Atlanta Braves. His innovative approach reshaped how audiences consumed news and entertainment, establishing a model that influenced generations of media organizations worldwide.

The announcement of his death marks the end of an era for modern television and global news broadcasting, as Turner’s legacy continues to define the landscape of real-time journalism and media entrepreneurship.

U.S. President Donald Trump is struggling to find a way out of the prolonged war with Iran, which has entered its tenth week despite initial expectations of lasting only six weeks. The conflict has left Trump caught in both geopolitical and domestic traps, unable to secure a decisive military victory while facing growing political pressure at home. With public approval falling and fuel prices rising, the administration is under increasing strain to end the fighting.

According to CNN, the latest hope for peace lies in a one-page memorandum currently under discussion among the United States, Iran, and mediator Pakistan. The document aims to end hostilities and set a 30-day timeline to resolve outstanding issues. However, the memorandum appears insufficient to address decades-old disputes over nuclear programs, missile development, and regional militias. Iran is also demanding sanctions relief to revive its economy and maintain control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Despite Trump’s repeated claims that a deal is near, U.S. officials’ statements reveal a weakened negotiating position. The uncertainty surrounding Washington’s strategy and the humanitarian toll of the war have intensified calls for a swift resolution.

A total of 1,600 commercial ships remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after the suspension of the US-led military operation 'Project Freedom', announced by Donald Trump. The mission, intended to provide a secure passage for vessels through the strategic waterway, lasted only 48 hours before being halted. During that time, only two ships managed to pass safely, leaving thousands of sailors and shipping companies in renewed uncertainty.

Shipping executives said confidence will not return without a verified peace agreement. Los Angeles port director Gene Seroka stated that no company is willing to risk its cargo or crew despite US military assurances. The 21-mile-long strait, which normally handles about 120 ships daily and supplies 20 percent of global oil, has seen traffic nearly frozen for two months. Insurance firms have refused to cover war-related losses, sharply increasing financial risks.

Iran has announced the creation of the 'Persian Gulf Strait Authority' to regulate tolls and navigation, a move the US rejects as illegal. According to the International Maritime Organization, 32 ships have been hit by missiles since the conflict began, resulting in 10 deaths.

Thirteen countries, including Bangladesh, have jointly condemned an Israeli military attack and the reported abduction of crew members from the 'Global Sumud Flotilla', a ship attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The foreign ministers of these nations issued a joint statement describing Israel’s actions as a severe violation of international law. The incident occurred on April 30 in international waters near the coast of Greece.

The statement, signed by Bangladesh, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, Colombia, Jordan, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, South Africa, and Spain, characterized the assault and abductions as illegal acts against civilians in international waters. It emphasized that the flotilla was a peaceful civilian initiative aimed at highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and delivering aid.

The countries expressed deep concern for the detained workers’ safety and urged Israel to release them immediately and unconditionally. They also called on the international community to uphold international law, ensure civilian protection, and hold Israel accountable for violations.

The United States has declared an end to its joint military operation with Israel in Iran, known as “Operation Epic Fury.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision at a White House press conference, saying Washington’s objectives had been achieved. President Donald Trump also suspended “Project Freedom” in the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a peace agreement with Tehran. Iran has not yet commented, maintaining that it will withdraw only after securing full control over Hormuz and assurances against future attacks.

According to reports, the two countries are close to signing a one-page memorandum of understanding that would suspend Iran’s uranium enrichment program in exchange for lifting U.S. sanctions and returning frozen funds. The war, which began on February 28, caused heavy losses: the U.S. spent about $31 billion, while Iran suffered damages worth $270 billion. Thousands were killed across the region, including in Iran, Lebanon, and Israel. China has called the U.S.-Israel attacks illegal and urged a comprehensive ceasefire.

Analysts cited war costs, regional pressure, and domestic opposition as key factors behind Washington’s withdrawal. Talks may soon take place in Islamabad or Geneva if Iran responds within 48 hours.

France’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is moving south through the Red Sea toward a possible deployment in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The mission aims to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the waterway, which has been disrupted by reciprocal blockades between Iran and the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron said a multinational mission is ready to maintain normal maritime traffic in the area.

According to France’s defense ministry, the carrier group includes warships from Italy and the Netherlands, which crossed the Suez Canal on Wednesday en route to the southern Red Sea. France and Britain have been working for weeks on a proposal to reopen safe navigation through the strait once conditions stabilize. Macron described the initiative as entirely defensive and separate from the warring parties.

Macron also urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a phone call to seize this opportunity and expressed his intention to discuss the matter with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on 35 individuals and entities, including a Bangladeshi travel company, for alleged involvement in trafficking foreign nationals to Russia to fight in the war against Ukraine. The measures, announced on Tuesday under the UK’s Global Irregular Migration and Human Trafficking Sanctions Regulations 2025, target Dream Home Travels, accused of deceiving Bangladeshi citizens with false promises of high-paying jobs in Russia.

According to a statement published on the UK Foreign Ministry’s website, the company recruited Bangladeshis under fraudulent pretenses and exposed them to severe exploitation. Investigations revealed that once in Russia, the workers were coerced into combat roles in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine. The British government also ordered the seizure of all assets belonging to the company’s owner in the UK.

The Foreign Office emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward human trafficking and irregular migration that endangers lives. The sanctions reinforce international concerns about the use of migrant workers in the Russia-Ukraine war, ongoing since February 2022.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his country is prepared to end its conflict with the United States and Israel through diplomatic means. He emphasized that protecting the rights of the Iranian nation will remain the top priority. Pezeshkian made the remarks during a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to a statement published on his office’s website.

During the call, Pezeshkian expressed deep distrust toward the United States, accusing it of attacking Iran twice even while bilateral talks were ongoing. He described these attacks as a “stab in Iran’s back.” Meanwhile, Axios reported that the United States and Iran are close to finalizing a one-page memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war.

According to the report, the potential agreement would see Iran commit to halting its uranium enrichment program, while the United States would agree to lift sanctions. Both sides would also remove restrictions on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

A photo circulating on social media shows an Israeli soldier appearing to press a lit cigarette to the face of a Virgin Mary statue in the Christian-majority town of Debel, southern Lebanon. The image has drawn attention as it follows a previous incident last month in which Israeli soldiers reportedly smashed a statue of Jesus Christ in the same town.

According to The Times of Israel, the Israeli military stated that if the soldier involved is identified, disciplinary action will be taken. The report also noted that this incident is part of a continuing pattern of footage showing Israeli soldiers destroying or looting property, often shared by the soldiers themselves.

The image has added to growing scrutiny of Israeli military conduct in Lebanon, with the army pledging to investigate the matter once the individual is confirmed.

Former US presidential adviser Amos Hochstein has said that Iran will maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely, regardless of any peace agreement between the United States and Iran. Speaking to Bloomberg, Hochstein, who previously advised President Joe Biden on energy and Middle East affairs, stated that Gulf countries would be compelled to build new pipelines to bypass Iran’s control of the key waterway.

Hochstein emphasized that the final wording of any peace deal should not determine decisions about the strait, asserting that Tehran will continue to dominate the strategic passage. The Strait of Hormuz has become a central issue in ongoing discussions between Washington and Tehran, with both nations reportedly imposing blockades in the area as part of their efforts to assert control.

The remarks highlight the enduring geopolitical tension surrounding the strait, a vital route for global energy shipments, and suggest that regional infrastructure adjustments may follow if Iran’s dominance persists.

The United States is expected to turn its full attention to the Gaza situation once the Iran issue is resolved, according to a senior Egyptian diplomat quoted by Al Jazeera Arabic. The unnamed official stated that ongoing tensions with Iran had overshadowed Washington’s work on Gaza. He predicted that if a final agreement with Iran is completed within the next few days, the US will renew pressure for Gaza negotiations.

The diplomat explained that this renewed focus would align with demands from mediators seeking to ensure Israel’s commitment to implementing the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The statement suggests that Washington’s next diplomatic steps in the region will depend on the conclusion of the Iran deal.

The report indicates that the US initiative will primarily respond to mediator concerns about maintaining progress in the Gaza ceasefire process once the Iran matter is settled.

Iran is expected to deliver its response on Thursday to a United States proposal intended to end the ongoing war, according to a CNN report citing a regional source. The response will be handed to Pakistani mediators. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that discussions with Iran were progressing well.

The report said Iran is reviewing the US proposal as both sides move toward a possible agreement to end the conflict. US media outlet Axios reported that the White House believes it is close to finalizing a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran. However, a senior Iranian parliament member dismissed the proposal as a “wish list,” while a foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed that Tehran would convey its views through Pakistan.

Pakistan’s foreign minister stated that his country is working to turn the ceasefire into lasting peace, underscoring Islamabad’s mediating role in the process.

Iran has confirmed it is still reviewing a United States proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, according to statements from Tehran’s foreign ministry. The US-based outlet Axios reported that Washington believes it is close to finalizing a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran. The proposal reportedly includes provisions for halting nuclear enrichment, lifting sanctions, and reopening navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials said their response will be conveyed to Pakistani mediators, who are working to turn the current ceasefire into a permanent peace.

Iranian parliamentary figures dismissed the US plan as a mere wish list, while President Donald Trump said recent talks with Iran were positive and that a deal was possible. Trump warned that if Iran refuses the agreement, stronger airstrikes could resume, but if Tehran complies, the joint US-Israel operation “Epic Fury” would be halted. Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed full coordination with Trump, emphasizing the goal of dismantling Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity.

The proposal remains undisclosed to the public, and both sides continue to accuse each other of ceasefire violations in Lebanon and the Gulf region.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit began on the Philippine island of Cebu, with global energy shortages and the Middle East conflict taking center stage. The two-day meeting, held on Thursday and Friday, brings together heads of state, foreign ministers, and economic ministers from the bloc’s 11 member countries. According to Reuters, ensuring energy and food security for the region’s 700 million people has become ASEAN’s top priority.

Analysts note that the ongoing energy crisis poses a major leadership test for the Philippines, which currently holds the ASEAN chairmanship. The country must balance efforts to coordinate regional responses to the energy challenge while addressing internal issues within the bloc, including Myanmar’s civil war and unresolved border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia. Don McClain Gill, a geopolitical analyst at De La Salle University in Manila, told Reuters that economic shock management may ultimately take precedence over other regional concerns.

The summit’s focus on energy and food security underscores ASEAN’s attempt to strengthen regional resilience amid global instability and internal divisions.