Iran has asserted that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) now holds complete military control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Reports from the southern 'Red Beach' area of Hormuz Island indicate that security measures in the region have been significantly strengthened. Iranian authorities stated that any movement through this narrow maritime passage must be coordinated with Iran’s military and the IRGC.

According to the IRGC Navy, its authority and operational reach over the strait are being expanded. Iran has declared that no military or warships will be allowed to pass through the strait without permission. Friendly nations’ vessels may be granted passage, but ships from hostile countries will be denied transit. Over the past few days, around 30 to 40 ships, mostly owned by Chinese companies, reportedly crossed the strait, though no new vessel movements were recorded in the last 24 hours.

The announcement underscores Iran’s intent to assert greater control over one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, with potential implications for regional navigation and security.

Mohsen Rezaei, a member of Iran’s Expediency Council and former commander of the Revolutionary Guards, has issued a stern warning to the United States to lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports. Speaking on Iranian state television, Rezaei said the US military should end the blockade before the Oman Sea becomes their graveyard. He described the blockade as a hostile act and asserted that Tehran has the right to resist it.

Rezaei stated that Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared for any conflict, while diplomatic efforts continue. He added that the longer the blockade continues, the greater the global economic damage will be. Rezaei also said the US must prove through actions that it is trustworthy in any peace discussions.

The United States imposed the naval blockade on April 13, with President Donald Trump declaring it would remain until Iran agrees to a peace deal under US terms. Tehran has firmly rejected the pressure, insisting it will not bow to American demands.

Iran has declared that it will not bow to U.S. threats or warnings, asserting that Tehran is fully prepared for any situation. The statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump warned on his social media platform that Iran’s time was running out and urged immediate action, otherwise facing consequences. In response, Iranian officials rejected any notion of compromise and emphasized defiance.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday afternoon, a spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces warned that any new conflict would bring severe and destructive consequences for the United States. He added that any fresh aggression against Iran would trigger unexpected and highly offensive countermeasures targeting U.S. assets and bases in the region.

The tone between the two nations has grown increasingly harsh, with Tehran framing its stance as defensive preparedness rather than escalation. However, the rising rhetoric on both sides is narrowing the space for diplomatic dialogue, according to the report.

Russia’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, has suggested that Iran appoint a special envoy to Moscow, similar to its recent appointment of a special envoy to China. Ulyanov made the suggestion in a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Russian diplomat, known for his outspoken views on X, made the remark while quoting a report about Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf being named as Tehran’s special envoy to China. Referring to that appointment, Ulyanov wrote that it might be equally relevant for Iran to consider a similar arrangement for its relations with Russia.

The comment, reported by Al Jazeera, highlights ongoing diplomatic discussions about strengthening Iran’s bilateral ties with major powers such as China and Russia, though no official Iranian response to Ulyanov’s suggestion was mentioned in the report.

Yemen’s Houthi military leadership has reiterated its support for Palestinian armed groups following the reported death of a senior Hamas commander in Gaza. In a message shared on Telegram, Houthi Chief of Staff Yusuf Hassan al-Madani described the death of Hamas commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad as a major loss for the Palestinian movement and the wider region.

Al-Madani stated that the Houthis’ joint efforts with Hamas and its allied groups would continue, pledging that their support would remain until victory is achieved. The message underscores the Houthis’ ongoing alignment with Palestinian factions amid continuing regional tensions.

The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, reflects the Houthis’ consistent political stance in favor of Palestinian resistance movements and signals their intent to maintain solidarity despite recent developments in Gaza.

A Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) commander and his teenage daughter were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek. The attack occurred around midnight on Monday near the city’s southern entrance, targeting a residential apartment. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that a guided missile struck the building, killing PIJ commander Wael Abdul Hali and his 17-year-old daughter Rima.

Following the strike, panic spread through the area as rescue operations were launched around the damaged building. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incident. The report did not mention any additional casualties or damage beyond the targeted apartment.

In recent months, Israeli attacks along the Lebanon border have intensified. The escalation is linked to the ongoing Gaza war, which has triggered repeated exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and various armed groups operating in the region.

Israeli airstrikes continued across the blockaded Gaza Strip, killing at least eight Palestinians in the latest attacks. Among the dead were three workers from a community kitchen in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, which was directly targeted on Sunday. Local sources said the victims were involved in preparing and distributing food aid for war-affected residents.

Separate strikes were also reported in Khan Younis in the south and Beit Lahia in the north, resulting in additional casualties. Al Jazeera’s correspondent Hind Khoudary reported that the ongoing bombardment has intensified fear and deepened the humanitarian crisis across Gaza, where thousands are struggling with shortages of shelter and food.

Human rights organizations have expressed concern that Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, shelters, and aid facilities, remains at risk amid the prolonged conflict, which has already caused extensive damage.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan to discuss the stalled United States–Iran nuclear negotiations, ongoing regional tensions, and the broader situation in the Middle East. The discussion focused on maintaining regional stability and exploring ways to reduce escalating tensions.

Diplomatic sources indicated that the talks between the United States and Iran have effectively reached a standstill in recent times. Against this backdrop, both foreign ministers exchanged views on measures to preserve stability in the region. Turkey has been actively working behind the scenes to help end ongoing conflicts while also strengthening security along its border with Iran.

Ankara fears that further deterioration of the situation could trigger a large-scale refugee influx across the border. Observers note that Turkey’s diplomatic engagement amid rising instability in the Middle East could play a significant role in maintaining regional balance.

Saudi Arabia has officially confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah 1447. According to an announcement shared on social media platform X by the website Inside the Haramain, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated in the kingdom on May 27, 2026. The Day of Arafah will therefore fall on May 26, corresponding to the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah.

Before the announcement, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and several other Middle Eastern and Muslim-majority countries had prepared to observe the sky on Sunday evening to determine the start of Dhul-Hijjah. It was stated that if the moon was sighted, these countries would also celebrate Eid al-Adha on May 27. Following the confirmed sighting, authorities in these nations were expected to make official announcements.

Separately, Malaysia and Indonesia had already declared May 27 as the date for Eid al-Adha celebrations, aligning with the Saudi announcement.

Iran will not relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz without a conflict, according to Emma Salisbury, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. In an analysis given to Al Jazeera, she said Iran’s new maritime protocol signals the country’s firm stance on maintaining authority over the strategically vital waterway.

Salisbury explained that Iran views control of the Strait as a major bargaining tool, given its influence on the global economy and international trade in oil, fertilizer, and gas. She noted that if Iran implements its proposed toll system, ships paying the toll could face sanctions, creating what she described as a significant commercial risk.

She further warned that threats such as sea mines and missile attacks from Iran remain possible, though enhanced naval security could reduce some of these risks.

Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Tunisia and Turkey have officially announced the start of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah and the dates for Eid al-Adha celebrations. According to Indonesia and Malaysia, Dhul Hijjah will begin on May 18, making May 27 the day of Eid al-Adha in both countries. Tunisia and Turkey have also confirmed May 27 as the date for Eid celebrations.

Brunei, however, reported that the moon for Dhul Hijjah was not sighted, meaning May 18 will be the last day of the previous month, Dhu al-Qa'dah. As a result, Dhul Hijjah will begin there on May 19, and Eid al-Adha will be observed on May 28.

The report also noted that several other Gulf countries are expected to announce their moon-sighting results soon, which will determine their own Eid al-Adha dates.

The United States has presented five main conditions to Iran for reaching a potential agreement to end ongoing hostilities, according to a report by Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency published on Sunday. One of Washington’s central demands is that Iran be allowed to operate only one nuclear facility. Other conditions include refusing to pay any compensation or penalties, transferring 400 kilograms of Iranian uranium to the United States, keeping 25 percent of Iran’s frozen assets unreleased, and making ceasefire implementation across all battlefronts contingent on negotiation outcomes.

On the other hand, Iran’s main conditions reportedly include ending conflicts in all battle zones including Lebanon, lifting sanctions, releasing frozen Iranian assets, compensating for war damages, and recognizing Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. The report noted that regional tensions escalated after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran in February, prompting Tehran to retaliate against Israel and U.S. allies in the Gulf and to close the Strait of Hormuz.

A ceasefire was brokered through Pakistan on April 8, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. U.S. President Donald Trump later extended the ceasefire indefinitely.

Two Bangladeshi expatriates from Cumilla were killed in a road accident in Saudi Arabia on Friday evening. The victims were identified as Nure Alam, 42, from Basudai village in Nangalkot upazila, and Idris Mia, 43, from Chauddagram municipality area. The accident occurred in the Afif area on the Jeddah-Riyadh highway when their vehicle lost control while they were transporting goods from Jeddah to Riyadh.

According to family sources, the two men jointly ran a business in Riyadh. Nure Alam’s wife, Sumi Akter, said her family has lost its only breadwinner and appealed to the government for help in bringing her husband’s body home. Nangalkot Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Abu Raihan confirmed awareness of the incident and said assistance would be provided once the family contacts the administration.

Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md. Reza Hasan stated that the administration will extend full cooperation through official procedures to repatriate the bodies once the families reach out.

The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) has reportedly issued secret arrest warrants for five Israeli officials, according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The report, published on Sunday, stated that the accused include three politicians and two military officers, though their names have not been disclosed. The ICC has not yet released any official statement on the matter. If confirmed, the total number of Israeli officials facing ICC arrest warrants would rise to seven.

In November 2024, the ICC had previously issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Since October 2023, over 72,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, most of them women and children, while more than 172,000 have been injured.

Despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that Israeli strikes have continued, causing over 870 additional deaths and more than 2,540 injuries.

Three people were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack near Moscow, Russia, according to the region’s governor. The incident occurred early Sunday, and Governor Andrei Vorobyov described it as a large-scale assault targeting areas surrounding the capital. He reported that one woman died when a drone struck a house, while another person was trapped under debris.

Vorobyov added that two men were also killed during the early-morning attack. The information was shared through his Telegram post and cited by AFP. No further details on the extent of the damage or response measures were provided in the report.

The attack marks another escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with drone strikes increasingly reaching deeper into Russian territory, according to the governor’s statement.