Iraq, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan have sent large consignments of humanitarian aid to Iran, which is struggling with war and economic hardship. According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the shipments entered the country through official land routes this week. Iraq delivered about 180 tons of relief goods in nine trucks, including food items such as rice, flour, tea, lentils, and canned food, along with medicines and medical supplies. Uzbekistan sent around 300 tons of medical and health-related consumables in 15 trucks, while Kazakhstan dispatched more than 1,700 tons of aid in 30 rail wagons containing food and medical materials.

The Iranian Red Crescent stated that these supplies will strengthen its relief and medical operations. The aid comes as Iran faces severe inflation exceeding 40 percent due to ongoing war and sanctions-related economic pressures. Prices of food and medicine have surged, leaving millions of people in distress.

The coordinated assistance from neighboring and regional countries highlights growing humanitarian concern over Iran’s worsening economic and social conditions.

Ten people were killed and 38 others injured in a Ukrainian attack on a college located in a Russian-occupied city in eastern Ukraine, according to local Russian-backed authorities. The incident occurred on Friday, and officials reported that 11 students remain missing following the strike.

Leonid Pasechnik, the governor of the occupied Luhansk region, said that rescue workers worked through the night in Starobilsk to clear debris from the damaged site. He confirmed that the death toll had risen to ten, with a total of 48 casualties reported.

Authorities continue search and rescue operations to locate the missing students as recovery efforts proceed in the affected area.

In late February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of joint attacks on Iran, predicting the Islamic Republic’s collapse. However, within weeks, the situation reversed. Israeli defense officials said the Trump administration sidelined Israel from U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks, leaving it dependent on regional contacts and intelligence sources for information. The shift marked a sharp decline in Israel’s influence over wartime decisions.

Netanyahu, who had long portrayed himself as uniquely capable of managing Trump, now faces political and strategic fallout. His initial war goals—toppling Iran’s regime, destroying its nuclear program, and eliminating its missile capabilities—remain unfulfilled. Instead, Washington proposed a 20-year moratorium on Iran’s nuclear activities, excluding Israel from key negotiations. U.S. officials also pressured Israel to halt further strikes after disagreements over bombing Iranian energy sites.

The episode has left Israel appearing more as a subordinate than an equal ally. With elections approaching, Netanyahu confronts domestic frustration over unmet war objectives and diminished autonomy in dealing with Washington.

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran on Friday as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict in the Middle East. Iran confirmed it is considering a new peace proposal from the United States but warned that major differences remain before any agreement can be reached. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the visit should not be viewed as a turning point, citing deep and extensive divisions between Washington and Tehran.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope for progress in ending the conflict through dialogue, though the situation became more complicated after US and Israeli attacks on February 28. Pakistan had previously hosted direct talks between the US and Iran in April, but those discussions failed to produce a lasting agreement. President Donald Trump described the current situation as a “borderline stalemate,” balancing between peace prospects and renewed conflict risks.

During the Tehran visit, Asim Munir met with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, while a Qatari delegation also held talks with Iran’s foreign minister. Iran stated that although multiple countries are engaged in peace diplomacy, Pakistan has not yet assumed an official mediating role.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed disappointment after the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons ended without any consensus. He described the outcome as a missed opportunity to strengthen global security. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said Guterres appreciated the participation of member states but regretted that the conference failed to deliver results at a time of serious threats to international security.

Guterres urged all nations to use diplomacy and dialogue to reduce tensions and nuclear risks. He reiterated that achieving a world free of nuclear weapons remains the United Nations’ highest disarmament priority.

According to analysts cited in the report, growing global tensions, regional conflicts, and a lack of trust among nuclear-armed states have made it increasingly difficult to reach consensus at such conferences.

The United Arab Emirates has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to refrain from launching new military action against Iran, amid fears of renewed conflict in the Middle East. According to Bloomberg, the UAE is coordinating diplomatic efforts with Saudi Arabia and Qatar to prevent escalation. Leaders from the three countries reportedly told Trump in separate phone calls that military strikes would not achieve long-term U.S. goals and that dialogue should be prioritized.

Analysts noted that the UAE’s stance marks a significant shift from its previously hardline position toward Tehran. The Gulf states fear that another conflict could devastate the region’s economy, as seen during the February–April clashes when U.S. and Israeli forces attacked Iran, prompting widespread Iranian retaliation. Thousands of drone and missile strikes damaged ports and energy infrastructure across the Gulf.

Although a ceasefire was reached in April, tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high. Pakistan is mediating indirect communications, and recent visits by senior officials suggest cautious progress toward a possible settlement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for a 'Plan B' to address possible complications in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with NATO allies in Helsingborg, Sweden, Rubio said that if anyone fires in the strait, there must be an alternative plan. Referring to Iran, he noted that ideally, Tehran would reopen the passage, but contingency measures are needed if it refuses.

Rubio added that in such a scenario, the United States and other concerned nations might have to take action, though he did not clarify whether NATO would be directly involved. He also commented on ongoing diplomatic talks, saying US negotiators are engaging with tough counterparts and that some progress has been made, though the desired outcome has not yet been reached.

His remarks come amid renewed global attention on the strategic waterway, which is vital for international energy trade, and have sparked fresh discussion in diplomatic circles.

Pakistan is playing an active role in facilitating a potential understanding between Iran and the United States amid ongoing diplomatic tensions. Iranian officials confirmed that while some progress has been made, several key issues remain unresolved. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has been in Tehran for the third consecutive day, holding high-level meetings with Iran’s president and foreign minister. Sources indicate that Pakistan is working to develop a basic framework that could later be presented to the United States in Islamabad.

Diplomatic circles suggest that if the talks advance further, Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir may visit Tehran, which would signal a major step forward in the Iran-U.S. negotiation process. Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit China tomorrow and may convey important messages from Tehran to Beijing. Analysts believe Pakistan’s current diplomatic efforts reflect a strategy to balance relations among the United States, Iran, regional powers, and China.

Experts note that Pakistan’s active diplomacy under current Middle Eastern geopolitical conditions could reshape regional alignments.

A Japanese-managed oil tanker named Idemitsu Maru has successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since a blockade, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. The Panama-flagged vessel is carrying about two million barrels of crude oil from Saudi Arabia and is expected to arrive at a refinery in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture next Monday. NHK reported that three crew members holding Japanese citizenship on board are safe and in good condition.

The successful passage marks a significant development for Japan’s energy transport operations following the disruption caused by the blockade. The tanker’s journey underscores Japan’s continued reliance on Middle Eastern crude oil and the importance of secure maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

The report did not specify details about the blockade’s duration or the conditions that allowed the tanker to resume passage, leaving some uncertainty about the broader regional situation.

A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China’s Shanxi province has killed 90 people, marking the country’s deadliest mining accident in more than a decade. The incident occurred at the Liusheniu coal mine in Changzhi city on Friday evening around 7:30 p.m. local time. At the time of the explosion, 247 workers were inside the mine. By Saturday morning, at least 201 workers had been rescued, while nine others remained missing.

According to state broadcaster CCTV, rescue operations are still underway, and the number of casualties is being verified. The state news agency Xinhua reported that carbon monoxide levels inside the mine had dangerously exceeded safety limits before the explosion. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered a full-scale rescue effort and called for a thorough investigation into the incident, instructing that those responsible be held legally accountable.

Ten people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon on Friday near the Syrian border, according to the country's National News Agency. The attacks targeted the mountainous Nabi Sraj area on the outskirts of Brital, marking the first strikes there since a ceasefire with Hezbollah was declared on April 17. Israel continued its air operations into Saturday.

An AFP correspondent in the southern city of Tyre reported hearing two explosions, one hitting a building on the city's outskirts and another inside the city, sending plumes of smoke into the sky. Lebanon's Health Ministry confirmed that the victims included six rescue workers and a child.

The ministry further stated that in Deir Kanoun al-Nahr village near Tyre, an Israeli strike killed two members of the Risala Scouts Association and a Syrian girl among six total casualties. Despite the ceasefire, exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah remain ongoing.

Organizers of the 'Global Sumud Flotilla' have accused Israeli forces of torturing and sexually assaulting detained activists after intercepting their aid mission to Gaza. The flotilla, comprising 50 ships and 430 volunteers, was stopped in international waters last Tuesday. At least 15 participants alleged sexual abuse, and several were hospitalized. Israel’s prison authority denied the allegations, calling them false and baseless, while Reuters said it could not independently verify the claims.

Germany confirmed that some of its citizens were injured and described the allegations as serious. Italy’s prosecutors have opened an investigation into possible crimes including abduction and sexual assault. French and German participants reported severe injuries, and some were hospitalized in Turkey. A video showing Israel’s national security minister mocking detainees has intensified international outrage and pressure on Israeli authorities to explain their treatment of prisoners.

Italy stated that European Union members are discussing potential sanctions against Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Several European activists expelled from Israel are expected to return home via Turkey by Friday.

Israel carried out new airstrikes in Lebanon, killing at least 10 people on Friday, followed by additional attacks early Saturday in the country's eastern and southern regions, according to Lebanese authorities and local media. The state news agency reported five strikes near Nabi Serij, a mountainous area close to the Syrian border that had remained relatively calm since the April 17 ceasefire. Explosions were also heard in the southern city of Tyre, where Israeli forces struck two locations.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the Friday attacks killed six rescue workers and a child, including members of the Hezbollah-linked Amal Movement’s Risala Scouts and the Islamic Health Committee. The Israeli military claimed it targeted two armed individuals near the border, while Hezbollah said it launched retaliatory strikes on Israeli positions in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. Hezbollah parliamentary leader Mohammad Raad accused Israel of destroying villages and displacing civilians.

The United States recently imposed sanctions on nine individuals linked to Hezbollah, accusing them of obstructing Lebanon’s peace process. Despite the April ceasefire, Israeli strikes and evacuation orders have continued in southern Lebanon, with over 3,111 Lebanese and 22 Israeli soldiers reported killed since the conflict began.

Mediators have stepped up efforts to prevent the collapse of the month-long ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. Pakistani military chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Friday with a delegation, signaling heightened diplomatic activity as fears of renewed conflict grow. Qatar has also sent officials to Iran to support negotiations, though the timing of their visit remains unclear.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said deep differences persist between the two sides, emphasizing that the current focus is solely on halting hostilities. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Sweden, acknowledged some progress but noted that diplomats have yet to reach a final agreement. The talks remain stalled over Iran’s nuclear program and control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

US officials maintain cautious optimism but warn that the situation is fragile. President Trump has delayed a major strike on Iran at the request of Gulf leaders seeking more time for diplomacy. Any deal is expected to hinge on issues including enriched uranium stockpiles and freedom of navigation through the Hormuz Strait.

Negotiations to reopen the Hormuz Strait in exchange for lifting US sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets have reached a decisive stage, according to reports. A Qatari mediation team has urgently arrived in Tehran to finalize a memorandum of understanding that could pave the way for 30 days of nuclear-related discussions. The United States has maintained that Iran will not be allowed to impose tolls on commercial vessels passing through the strait.

Qatar, long regarded as a skilled regional mediator, had not previously taken a direct role in the US-Iran standoff, which was earlier handled by Oman and more recently Pakistan. Pakistan’s army chief is also expected in Tehran, while Iran remains cautious about the prospects of major progress. Meanwhile, US media have reported that Washington is considering new military action against Iran, though no final decision has been made.

Iran has formed the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to regulate maritime routes and tolls, a move opposed by the US and several Gulf states. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have urged ships to avoid contact with the Iranian authority, warning that Tehran’s plan could set a dangerous precedent for regional maritime control.