Iran has announced the creation of a new administrative body to oversee maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling what it calls a permanent change in the control system of the vital waterway. The newly established entity, named the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, will supervise and authorize all commercial and military vessel movements through the strait. Under the new rules, ships must coordinate in advance with Iran’s armed forces and submit voyage details by email for security clearance before passage.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that Tehran views this as a lasting administrative shift rather than a temporary measure. Iranian authorities have stated that they intend to maintain this new structure and will not withdraw from the revised control system.

Observers note that the decision adds a new dimension to global energy security and geopolitical tensions, given the Strait of Hormuz’s role as one of the world’s most critical oil transport routes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has begun his first visit to China since the start of the war with the United States. The discussions are expected to focus on maintaining the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route affected by recent tensions.

China has been vocal about both the ceasefire and the Hormuz issue. It previously criticized the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and also expressed disapproval of Iran’s role in closing the waterway. Tehran is seeking to confirm what kind of support it might receive from Beijing if it agrees to reopen the strait.

Iran also aims to ensure that China will continue to back it at the United Nations if additional sanctions are imposed. The visit underscores Tehran’s effort to secure diplomatic and economic assurances from Beijing amid ongoing regional instability.

The United States is reportedly planning new attacks in Iran in coordination with Israel, despite an ongoing ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. According to CNN citing Israeli sources, preparations are underway for a new phase of strikes targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure and senior officials. The plan was largely finalized before the ceasefire in April, and the final decision rests with US President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, tensions have escalated in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian and US naval forces clashed earlier this week. Iran claimed that US attacks killed five civilians and destroyed several vessels, while the US Central Command denied the allegation, saying its forces targeted Iranian boats obstructing commercial shipping. Iranian officials accused Washington of aggression and warned against further military actions in the region.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the ceasefire remains in effect but warned that the strategic waterway must remain open. Global oil prices rose sharply amid fears of renewed conflict, with Brent crude reaching over $114 per barrel before easing slightly.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that American forces attacked and sank seven Iranian fast boats in the Strait of Hormuz. He said the action was part of Washington’s effort to secure safe passage for ships stranded in the Gulf region. The US military confirmed using helicopters in the operation, while Iranian state media denied Trump’s account. Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported instead that two Iranian cargo vessels were hit, killing five civilians.

The United Arab Emirates and South Korea also reported attacks on their vessels in the same area, with the UAE confirming a major fire at Fujairah port following Iranian strikes. The UAE said its air defenses intercepted multiple missiles and drones, and three people were injured. French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attacks, calling them unacceptable and pledging support for Gulf partners.

Following the Fujairah incident, global oil prices rose by five percent to $115 per barrel. The situation remains tense as both Iran and the US maintain blockades in the region, and thousands of sailors remain stranded since the February conflict began.

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Iran to make what he called a wise decision, warning that the country’s economy is heading toward failure. Speaking on May 5, 2026, he said U.S. sanctions have played a major role in Iran’s economic decline and described them as the toughest ever imposed. Trump praised Treasury Secretary Scott Besent for effectively implementing the sanctions.

Trump claimed that Iran’s currency has become nearly worthless and that inflation may have reached 150 percent. Despite his harsh economic assessment, he expressed reluctance to pursue military action, saying he does not want to kill people in Iran and calling the issue very difficult.

Expressing sympathy for the Iranian people, Trump said he knows many Iranians in New York and elsewhere and described them as wonderful people. He concluded by emphasizing that Iran should act wisely to avoid further deterioration of the situation.

Tensions have escalated in the Gulf region following accusations from Mohammad Eslami, a researcher at Tehran University, that the United Arab Emirates has decided to act as a proxy for Israel. Eslami stated that Iran will not tolerate such a stance and warned that the UAE is becoming increasingly isolated, not only from Iran but also from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. He argued that this growing estrangement threatens regional stability.

Eslami further commented that the global economy is under pressure and urged the United States to reconsider its military and diplomatic strategies. He criticized Washington’s lack of a clear approach, saying it is worsening the conflict-ridden situation. Despite the rising tension, Eslami emphasized that Iran prefers a diplomatic solution, clarifying that this does not mean surrender but rather a search for political compromise.

Analysts cited in the report warned that the ongoing strain in the Gulf could evolve into a larger geopolitical crisis if the involved parties fail to pursue dialogue and reconciliation soon.

Iran has called on Gulf countries to stop depending on external powers for their regional security. In an interview, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Gulf states should build their own regional security framework instead of 'borrowing security' from others. He argued that the United States’ military presence in the Gulf has become a liability, creating instability rather than ensuring safety. Baghaei accused Washington of using its bases and logistical support in the region to advance aggressive actions against Iran.

He added that Iran harbors no hostility toward neighboring countries but has taken defensive measures in response to aggression from the United States and Israel. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates reported that at least 15 missiles and several drones launched from Iran struck its territory, damaging an oil facility in the Fujairah region.

The statements and reported attacks highlight escalating tensions in the Gulf, with Iran emphasizing regional self-reliance in security matters while neighboring states report direct impacts from Iranian actions.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday unveiled a new map expanding its claimed maritime control beyond the Strait of Hormuz to include parts of the United Arab Emirates’ coastline. The move came as US President Donald Trump launched “Project Freedom,” a naval campaign to reopen the vital waterway, largely closed since the US-Israel war on Iran began on February 28. On the same day, the UAE reported drone and missile attacks, including one that ignited a fire at Fujairah’s energy hub. The UAE blamed Iran, which later appeared to acknowledge responsibility while accusing the US of provoking the conflict.

Analysts cited in the report said Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz has become its key strategic leverage in the ongoing war with the US and Israel. The narrow passage handles about a quarter of global seaborne oil trade, and Iran’s disruptions have slowed tanker traffic to a standstill, raising energy and shipping costs worldwide. Experts described this control as a “strategic equaliser,” allowing Iran to impose economic pressure without direct confrontation.

The fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran appeared under renewed strain following the Fujairah attack, with regional analysts warning that Gulf states may soon view Iran’s actions as an existential threat.

Iran’s national football team, known as Team Melli, has signaled its readiness for the upcoming FIFA World Cup through social media posts showing players in a new home kit and training at an undisclosed location. Videos shared on Monday revealed a photo shoot featuring key players such as goalkeeper Alireza Safar Beiranvand and winger Milad Mohammadi. The team is currently training in Iran and will soon travel to Turkiye for three friendly matches before heading to the United States, where all their Group G matches will be played.

Iran’s participation had been uncertain following the outbreak of war between the US, Israel, and Iran on February 28, raising safety concerns and questions about the US’s role as host. However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed at the FIFA Congress in Canada that Iran will compete and play its matches in the US, a position later supported by former President Donald Trump. Assistant coach Saeed Alhoei outlined the team’s preparation schedule, including an intra-squad match using VAR technology to simulate tournament conditions.

Iran will open its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by matches against Belgium and Egypt. The team suffered a setback as winger Ali Gholizadeh sustained a season-ending knee injury while playing for his Polish club.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is traveling to Beijing today for an official visit, where he will hold an important meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. According to a brief statement from Iran’s Foreign Ministry, the discussions will cover bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments.

The meeting comes at a time when negotiations between Washington and Tehran over ending the war initiated by Israel and the United States on February 28 remain stalled. China, which has long adhered to a policy of non-interference in other nations’ internal affairs, has positioned itself as a diplomatic force in this crisis.

Beijing’s ability to maintain relations with all parties involved in the conflict has strengthened its role in ongoing discussions, highlighting China’s growing influence in regional diplomacy.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on social media platform X that discussions mediated by Pakistan are progressing, emphasizing that recent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz demonstrate there is no military solution to the ongoing political crisis. He cautioned Washington to remain alert so that hostile actors do not draw the United States into another conflict, and offered similar advice to the United Arab Emirates.

Araghchi described the U.S.-led ‘Project Freedom’ as a deadlock initiative. The operation, launched under the direction of President Donald Trump, deployed over a hundred aircraft and several destroyers to ensure free commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The move has further heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, with both sides exchanging claims of targeting each other’s vessels.

Commercial shipping in the strait remains limited, though shipping company Maersk reported one of its vessels crossed under U.S. protection. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps denied reports that its boats were destroyed, while Trump warned that any Iranian attack on U.S. ships would provoke severe retaliation.

Iran’s state television reported on Monday that the country had no preplanned operation to carry out a drone attack on an energy facility in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. The UAE had earlier accused Iran of launching the strike, which injured three Indian nationals who were hospitalized. The UAE described the incident as a dangerous escalation during a regional ceasefire.

An Iranian military official stated that the Islamic Republic did not plan any such attack and blamed the United States for creating instability in the region. He claimed that U.S. military actions in the Strait of Hormuz had provoked the situation and urged Washington to stop its aggressive behavior, warning that such actions could affect the global economy.

The report also noted that after the U.S. deployed a destroyer to the Persian Gulf, Iran’s navy fired warning shots at an American warship. U.S. President Donald Trump announced a plan to assist stranded civilian vessels in the area, while both sides rejected each other’s claims about destroyed naval vessels.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that the dominance of the United States and its allies in the Strait of Hormuz is coming to an end. In a social media post, he accused Washington of endangering regional maritime and energy transport security by violating ceasefire terms and imposing blockades. Ghalibaf warned that a new balance of power is emerging in the strait and suggested that the current situation is becoming intolerable for the U.S.

His remarks came after the United States imposed a naval blockade on all Iranian ports and maritime routes on April 13. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new naval mission called “Project Freedom” aimed at reopening the strategically vital waterway, which is largely under Iranian control. Under the plan, U.S. warships will escort commercial vessels through the passage.

According to Ghalibaf, such actions by Washington could further destabilize the region, though he indicated that Iran would remain firm in its stance.

Several commercial ships caught fire at a dock in the southern Iranian port of Dayyer, according to the country’s state media. The incident was reported on May 5, 2026, with local fire department chief Majid Omrani confirming that firefighting teams were working to bring the blaze under control.

Reports from the Mehr News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that the cause of the fire had not yet been determined. Authorities have not released further details about possible damage or casualties. Officials said additional updates would be provided once more information becomes available.

The situation remains under investigation as emergency services continue efforts to contain the fire and assess its impact on port operations.

Iran has warned that any U.S. attempt to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz will face a 'severe' response. The warning came from Yadollah Javani, deputy head of the political branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Speaking to Iran’s ISNA news agency, Javani said U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to keep the waterway open have created new problems for him, adding that previous military actions brought no success.

Javani accused the U.S. of trying to pressure Iran to ensure the passage remains open. Reiterating the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s stance, he said the United States is no longer a global superpower and now faces another power on equal footing. He claimed that in any conflict, U.S. losses have been greater than Iran’s.

Javani concluded that the United States would test its strength, use all its power, and ultimately be defeated if it continues its current course.