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.

Several oil tankers listed under U.S. sanctions have begun entering the Persian Gulf region despite a strict American naval blockade. According to vessel monitoring group TankerTrackers.com, at least two ships managed to breach the U.S. Navy’s perimeter. The group reported on social media platform X that a tanker named ‘Vina/Valley’ (9157478) crossed the blockade boundary on Wednesday. The vessel is known for regularly supplying Iranian liquefied petroleum gas to Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

TankerTrackers.com added that alongside the smaller vessel, a larger Iranian oil tanker also reached the area, though both ships were currently empty. The United States has maintained a tight naval blockade around Iranian ports to pressure Tehran into ending the conflict and returning to negotiations. The arrival of these tankers occurred amid this heightened enforcement.

The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, highlights continued maritime tension in the region as sanctioned Iranian-linked vessels test the limits of U.S. restrictions.

U.S. President Donald Trump told his supporters that he believes the ongoing war with Iran will end soon. He also indicated that efforts are underway to reach an agreement to resolve the stalemate over the Hormuz Strait blockade and Tehran’s nuclear program. The remarks were made during a phone call with party supporters, according to a Reuters report cited by Al Jazeera.

Trump said the United States’ main objective in the conflict is to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He emphasized that most people understand the reasoning behind U.S. actions and that the situation would be resolved quickly. His comments suggest a dual approach of maintaining pressure while pursuing diplomatic engagement to end hostilities.

The report did not specify any timeline or details of the potential agreement, leaving uncertainty about how soon the conflict might conclude or what form a settlement could take.

Hezbollah announced that it carried out 17 targeted attacks on Israeli forces that entered southern Lebanon on Wednesday. In a statement, the group said it used drones and rockets to strike Israeli troops and military vehicles in several areas, including Qantara, Biyada, Taybeh, Naqoura, Rishaf, and Aita al-Shaab. Hezbollah also claimed to have targeted specific military equipment, including a drone strike on a troop transport vehicle in Kawzah and an attack on a newly established command center in Qantara.

According to the report, these ongoing exchanges of fire have further intensified the situation in southern Lebanon. The escalation comes amid continuing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, raising concerns about worsening regional instability.

The report cited Al Jazeera as the source of information but did not provide details on casualties or official responses from either side.

The United Nations has warned that Lebanon’s overall situation remains highly unstable despite the enforcement of a ceasefire. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the conflict has not fully stopped, and ongoing attacks continue to affect civilians across the country.

OCHA reported that more than 2,700 people have been killed in Lebanon since March 2, with the number rising daily due to continued assaults. On Wednesday, Israel carried out an airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburb for the first time since the ceasefire took effect on April 17, reportedly killing at least 13 people nationwide.

Analysts cited in the report warned that the situation could deteriorate further, posing a major threat to regional security if violence escalates.

Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of two Gaza flotilla activists, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, who were detained by Israeli forces after the Global Sumud Flotilla ship was intercepted in international waters last week. The organization warned that the detainees face a serious risk of human rights violations, including possible torture and other mistreatment while in custody.

Amnesty expressed particular concern for Saif Abu Keshek, a Palestinian-Spanish-Swedish citizen, alleging that he was detained on suspicion of links to a terrorist organization under what the group described as Israel’s discriminatory laws and ongoing repression of Palestinians. The organization urged Israel to ensure the safety and humane treatment of both detainees.

Separately, Israeli human rights group Adalah reported that the Beersheba District Court rejected a petition for the activists’ release and extended their detention until Sunday morning.

A Washington Post analysis has reported that Iranian airstrikes across the Middle East caused far greater damage to US military bases than officially acknowledged by Washington. Satellite imagery revealed that at least 228 facilities and military assets were damaged across 15 US bases, including 217 buildings and 11 military resources. The White House has not yet issued any response to the report.

According to the analysis, more than half of the damage occurred at the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and three bases in Kuwait. The strikes destroyed Patriot missile defense systems in Bahrain and Kuwait, satellite dishes at Bahrain’s naval support base, and THAAD radar systems in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. In Saudi Arabia, an E-3 Sentry command and control aircraft and a fuel transport plane were also damaged.

The report added that the destruction in Bahrain was so extensive that the Fifth Fleet headquarters was relocated to MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. Some officials fear that US forces may not return to regional bases on a large scale in the near future.

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the UAE’s state news agency. Both leaders condemned recent Iranian attacks and expressed solidarity with each other. Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s support for the UAE’s efforts to ensure national security, stability, and the safety of its citizens.

Israel’s Arabic-language X account stated that Netanyahu described the attacks as a clear violation of sovereignty and a threat to regional stability. The statement also noted that Israel, in coordination with the United States, had carried out strikes against Iran on February 28, reaffirming its unwavering solidarity with the UAE and full support for all measures to protect its security.

The UAE normalized relations with Israel in 2020 under a U.S.-brokered agreement, becoming the first Gulf nation to do so. Since then, economic and defense cooperation between the two countries has steadily expanded.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that China believes Iran’s international position has strengthened following the recent war. He made the remarks after meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, according to Iranian state media. Araghchi said both sides discussed key issues including the war, ways to end it, Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, sanctions, the Strait of Hormuz, and ongoing negotiations.

He added that a “new era” is emerging in Iran’s relations with other countries. The meeting highlighted continued diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Beijing amid regional and international tensions.

Araghchi’s comments suggest that Iran sees growing diplomatic opportunities in the aftermath of the conflict, with China recognizing its enhanced role on the global stage.

Ted Turner, the legendary media entrepreneur who founded CNN and revolutionized global television news, has died at the age of 87. According to a statement from Turner Enterprises, he passed away on Wednesday at his home in Atlanta, surrounded by close family members.

Born in Ohio, Turner launched the world’s first 24-hour news channel, CNN, on June 1, 1980, transforming the way news was delivered and consumed. Initially dismissed by many as unrealistic, CNN went on to become a trusted global news source, particularly after its live coverage of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, which earned Turner Time magazine’s ‘Man of the Year’ recognition.

Known as the “Mouth of the South” for his outspoken personality, Turner built a vast media empire after inheriting his family’s billboard business at age 24. He revealed in 2018 that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a neurological disorder, and battled the illness for years. His death marks not only the passing of a pioneering entrepreneur but also the close of a defining chapter in global media history.

New fiber-optic drones used by Hezbollah are reshaping the conflict along Israel’s northern border, according to a report published on May 6, 2026. These small, inexpensive drones are capable of precise strikes and are difficult to jam, creating new tactical pressure on Israeli forces. In southern Lebanon, they have already increased operational costs and psychological strain during Israeli ground operations.

The drones are controlled through ultra-thin fiber-optic cables extending up to 30 kilometers, making them immune to radio jamming and radar detection. Each unit costs roughly 300 to 400 US dollars and can be locally produced using 3D printing and common components. Hezbollah claims to have used FPV drones in 16 of 22 attacks in April and has released footage of its own production facilities. Experts say the group aims to slow Israeli troop movements and undermine the sense of security in border areas.

Analysts note that while these drones reveal vulnerabilities in Israel’s low-altitude defenses, their range and durability remain limited. Israel is expected to respond with integrated defense measures combining early detection, camouflage, and tactical adaptation.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy stated that maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could return to normal once what it called “aggressors’ threats” come to an end. The statement, issued on May 6, 2026, also thanked ship owners who have been following Iran’s regulations while crossing the strategic waterway.

The IRGC noted that under a new arrangement, safe and permanent navigation through the strait would be possible once the current threats subside. The announcement came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump declared a temporary suspension of “Project Freedom,” an American initiative aimed at ensuring the security of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC’s remarks indicate a conditional openness to restoring normal maritime operations, contingent on the removal of perceived external threats and adherence to Iranian rules in the region.