At least 12 people, including a child, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA). The attacks targeted areas near the towns of Al-Mansouri and Bayyut al-Sayyad, extending to the Al-Mansouri-Hamra coastal zone. The strikes occurred early Friday as Israeli forces attempted to advance toward Bayyut al-Sayyad, supported by heavy helicopter fire.

NNA reported that a Red Cross and Lebanese Army medical team came under fire while traveling toward the Jibkin municipality to recover bodies and evacuate the injured from a previous attack. The team was forced to retreat due to Israeli shelling. The agency also said a large explosion occurred inside the city of Al-Khiyam.

Since early March, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed 2,727 people and injured 8,438 others, according to the same report.

US President Donald Trump described recent American strikes on Iranian facilities as a 'gentle touch of love' and insisted that the ceasefire between the two countries remains in effect despite reciprocal attacks. In a phone interview with ABC News reporter Rachel Scott, Trump said US forces easily destroyed Iranian missiles and drones, warning Iran’s leadership of harsher actions if they fail to sign an agreement soon.

According to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Iran launched missiles, drones, and small boats targeting three US destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military responded by striking Iranian missile and drone launch sites, command centers, and intelligence surveillance facilities. Iran, however, blamed the United States for initiating the conflict, alleging that US forces first violated the ceasefire by firing on an Iranian oil tanker heading toward the Strait of Hormuz.

The exchange of accusations underscores the fragile state of the ceasefire and the continuing tension in the strategic waterway, with both sides claiming defensive actions.

The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of launching missile and drone attacks on its territory, according to a statement from the UAE Ministry of Defense. The ministry said its air defense systems were active to counter the threats. The announcement was made on Friday morning, and authorities urged residents to remain calm and follow official safety instructions shared on social media.

The UAE had previously declared its airspace free from threats on April 9. However, the report notes that Iran has carried out more attacks on the UAE than any other country in the past two months. The UAE government’s latest advisory emphasized public safety and adherence to official guidance during the ongoing security situation.

The incident adds to ongoing regional tensions, with the UAE’s defense posture reflecting heightened alertness following repeated cross-border threats. The situation remains under observation as authorities continue to monitor potential risks.

The United States announced a new round of sanctions against Cuba on Thursday, targeting the military-controlled conglomerate Grupo de Administración Empresarial SA (GAESA) and its executive president Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera. The measures also affect Moa Nickel SA, a joint venture between Toronto-based Sherritt International Corporation and Cuba’s state-owned nickel company. The United Nations expressed concern that Washington’s actions amount to an energy blockade pushing Cuba toward a deeper energy crisis.

According to the report, GAESA has links to nearly all sectors of Cuba’s economy, making the sanctions potentially far-reaching. Sherritt stated on its website that it has temporarily suspended direct participation in the joint venture due to the new restrictions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on X that the Trump administration would continue to act until Cuba implements necessary political and economic reforms.

Cuba’s government has not yet issued an official response to the new sanctions, while the UN’s warning highlights growing international concern over the humanitarian and economic impact of the measures.

Amid a month-long fragile ceasefire, the United States and Iran launched major attacks against each other on Thursday. The confrontation occurred while both sides were negotiating an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift naval blockades. According to the US Central Command, Iran targeted three American destroyers with missiles, drones, and small boats. In response, US forces struck Iranian missile and drone launch sites, command centers, and intelligence facilities.

Iran blamed the United States for initiating the clash, claiming that US forces had fired on an Iranian oil tanker near the Strait a day earlier, violating the ceasefire. President Donald Trump stated that the destroyers suffered no damage and warned Iran of harsher retaliation if it refused to sign an agreement. Iranian media reported explosions in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, and Tehran following the strikes.

Officials from both countries are discussing a 30-day truce proposal to end hostilities and lift the blockade, but disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program and uranium stockpiles remain major obstacles. The conflict has disrupted global oil supplies and caused a sharp rise in prices.

US President Donald Trump stated that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in effect, even after both sides exchanged attacks late Thursday night. The sequence of events remains unclear, with no confirmation on which side initiated the strikes. Iran’s top military command accused the US of targeting an Iranian oil tanker and another vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, along with airstrikes on several coastal areas.

The US, however, said its forces carried out ‘defensive strikes’ in response to an Iranian attack on a guided-missile destroyer in the strait. Trump remarked that Iran had ‘gone too far today.’ The escalation came a day after Iran’s foreign ministry said it was considering a US proposal to end the conflict. Iranian state media initially reported explosions in the Hormuz Strait, describing them as clashes with an ‘enemy,’ and local outlets reported hearing blasts in Tehran.

Iran’s military later claimed that US airstrikes targeted coastal areas near Bandar Khamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island, and that Iranian forces retaliated by damaging a US warship while accusing Washington of violating the ceasefire.

Germany’s top political leadership and intelligence agencies are at odds over how to address potential Iran-backed attacks within the country. According to a New York Times report, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt have acknowledged the threat but described it as theoretical or speculative. In contrast, regional intelligence chiefs consider the threat specific and urgent, warning that public awareness remains low due to political hesitation.

European intelligence services have reportedly identified at least 50 plots targeting Jewish and Israeli institutions and critics of the Iranian government in Germany. Investigators are examining possible Iranian proxy involvement in a recent attack on an Israeli restaurant in Munich, claimed by a group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which allegedly has financial ties to Tehran. The same group has claimed similar attacks in other European countries.

Germany’s Interior Ministry confirmed ongoing investigations into Iranian activities, while the Chancellor’s Office declined to discuss specific threats or targets publicly.

Iran has introduced a new policy to tighten control over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime routes. Under the ‘Vessel Information Declaration’ system, every ship passing through the strait must now obtain clearance from the newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA). According to a document obtained by CNN, vessels are required to complete a form answering 42 questions, including details about ownership, crew nationality, and cargo. The PGSA stated that approvals will be issued via email upon verification of accurate information, while applicants will bear responsibility for any errors.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on his Telegram account that the move aligns with the “Strong Iran” strategy, emphasizing that foreign powers have no place in the region. He urged the use of the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic tool to shape a new regional and global order.

The policy has already affected global energy markets, with oil prices in the United States reaching a four-year high. Lloyd’s List reported that ship traffic through the strait dropped from an average of 120 vessels per day before the conflict to only 40 in the week ending May 3. Analysts suggest Iran may impose tolls of up to $2 million per ship, though the U.S. Treasury has warned that any American entity paying such tolls would violate sanctions.

Explosions were reported in Tehran late Thursday night as Iran’s air defense systems were activated amid a fragile ceasefire. The state news agency IRNA confirmed two powerful blasts in the capital, while Reuters and Al Jazeera reported major attacks in southern Iran. The governor of Minab confirmed an assault on a naval base, and explosions were also heard in Bandar Abbas. Iran’s joint military headquarters said strikes occurred in Bandar Khamir and Sirik, damaging two Iranian ships, including an oil tanker.

In response, Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have launched retaliatory attacks targeting three US destroyers. Although Iranian sources described the situation as “normal,” concerns are rising over how long tensions can be contained. Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that American destroyers had successfully intercepted Iranian drones and missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran asserted that US vessels sustained damage.

The escalating exchanges in the Persian Gulf have raised fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East, with regional observers closely monitoring developments.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that recent attacks on Iran-backed forces were entirely self-defensive actions. In a statement issued from its headquarters in Tampa, Florida, CENTCOM said the measures were taken to protect US interests amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The command’s position aligns with recent remarks from senior Washington officials.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this week that the United States would take necessary steps in the interest of self-defense. The US President also echoed this stance on the social media platform Truth Social, asserting that American forces were performing their duties successfully in the Strait of Hormuz. He blamed Iran for the escalating situation and said the US was compelled to respond to protect its interests.

Disagreement has emerged between the two countries over the extent of damage from the clashes. Iran claimed that a US ship was damaged, but Washington denied the allegation, stating that no American vessel had been harmed.

The United States’ planned naval mission ‘Project Freedom,’ aimed at securing shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, faced a major setback when Saudi Arabia and Kuwait refused to allow the use of their airspace and military facilities. As a result, U.S. President Donald Trump was compelled to temporarily suspend the operation. According to NBC News, Saudi Arabia denied access to the Prince Sultan Air Base and prohibited U.S. military flights over its territory.

U.S. officials said Trump’s sudden announcement of the project on Sunday caught Gulf allies off guard. Despite a phone call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, no agreement was reached. A Saudi official told NBC News that the situation was changing too quickly for a decision, but Riyadh viewed Pakistan’s mediation between the U.S. and Iran positively. The White House maintained that regional partners had been informed in advance, though a Middle Eastern diplomat claimed coordination occurred only with Oman after Trump’s public statement.

Following the suspension, Iran’s ports and maritime authority declared readiness to assist commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, offering fuel, food, and medical support if needed.

More than 1,600 ships have been stranded near the Strait of Hormuz for over two months, creating deep uncertainty and major financial risks for the global shipping industry. The vessels remain stuck amid ongoing conflict, and operators are struggling to determine when it will be safe to move through the strategic waterway. A U.S.-led escort mission initiated by President Donald Trump lasted only 48 hours, successfully guiding just two ships before ending, leaving companies to manage the crisis on their own.

Most shipping firms are now unwilling to risk passage through the strait due to the threat of attacks that could endanger both valuable cargo and crew lives. Insurance complications have worsened the situation, as wartime clauses often exempt insurers from covering losses in conflict zones. Los Angeles port executive director Gene Seroka said companies must conduct precise security assessments before deciding to move.

According to the International Maritime Organization, 32 ships have been hit by missile attacks since the conflict began, resulting in at least 10 deaths and 12 injuries. The IMO urged maximum vigilance and warned that naval escorts are not a sustainable long-term solution.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, Tahir Andarabi, said Islamabad is hopeful about a possible agreement between the United States and Iran to end the ongoing war. Speaking at a weekly briefing, he stated that Pakistan would welcome any resolution reached between the two nations and added that if such a deal were signed in Pakistan, it would be a matter of honor. He noted that he was unsure about the length of the draft agreement but remained optimistic that it would be finalized soon.

US President Donald Trump reportedly expects a deal with Iran within a week, according to Fox News journalist Bret Baier, who said the president expressed optimism about the memorandum of understanding during a phone conversation. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told French President Emmanuel Macron that Iran is ready to pursue diplomacy to end the war with the United States and Israel, while prioritizing the protection of Iranian national rights.

The statements from all sides indicate cautious optimism about a diplomatic breakthrough, though the exact terms and timing of any agreement remain uncertain.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has welcomed reports of a potential agreement between Iran and the United States, according to a statement cited by Al Jazeera Arabic on May 7, 2026. The ministry said Islamabad supports the development but will not disclose any information at this stage to maintain the trust of both parties involved in the mediation process.

The statement clarified that Pakistan would not comment on the terms or progress of the possible deal and that it has no confirmed information on where the next round of talks or meetings between the two delegations will take place. However, Pakistan expressed that hosting such discussions in Islamabad would be considered a great honor.

Pakistan has been acting as a mediator to ease tensions between Iran and the United States. On the same day, Iran was expected to deliver an official response to a U.S. proposal through Pakistan, underscoring Islamabad’s continuing role in facilitating communication between the two sides.

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, in Abu Dhabi. During the meeting, both leaders expressed solidarity and support for all measures taken to protect the Emirati population from Iranian attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The discussions also covered regional developments, as well as issues of regional and international security and stability. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani strongly condemned the Iranian attacks on the UAE and reaffirmed Qatar’s support for the UAE’s sovereignty, security, and the protection of its people.

The meeting underscored a shared commitment by both Gulf states to maintain unity in the face of regional threats and to coordinate efforts for broader regional stability.