A senior Iranian official has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of launching a psychological warfare campaign aimed at creating divisions among Iran’s leadership. Hassan Rasouli, a member of Iran’s Reformist Supreme Council for Policymaking, made the remarks in an interview with the state news agency IRNA, according to a report published on May 9, 2026.

Rasouli said that the United States and Israeli forces sought to achieve victory without firing a single shot by spreading discord and disunity among Iranian officials. However, he asserted that Tehran has presented to the world an image of a coherent, united, and defense-ready nation, preventing aggressors from achieving any of their intended goals.

The comments were reported by Al Jazeera and reflect Iran’s official stance that external efforts to destabilize its political leadership have not succeeded.

The United States has proposed an interim agreement to halt ongoing conflict in the Middle East and expects Iran’s response by Friday, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Tehran, however, stated that the proposal remains under review and rejected any American ultimatum. The two sides continue to blame each other for violating last month’s ceasefire, with new clashes erupting near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. US forces reportedly attacked two Iranian tankers on Friday, prompting former President Donald Trump to say he was awaiting a letter from Iran that night.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of resorting to military action whenever diplomatic progress is made, adding that Iran has strengthened its ballistic missile stockpile during the ceasefire pause. Pakistan has delivered a memorandum to Tehran that Washington believes could form the basis of a lasting truce, while Qatar’s prime minister met the US vice president in Washington to discuss the issue.

The US proposal reportedly includes a 60-day formal ceasefire leading to broader talks on Iran’s nuclear program. Global oil prices have risen as the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, though markets briefly rallied on hopes of a temporary deal.

Iran has called on the United Nations to strongly condemn the United States for imposing blockades on Iranian ports and attacking its oil tankers. In a letter sent last Friday to the UN Security Council and Secretary-General António Guterres, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, described the actions as a serious and dangerous escalation threatening international peace and security.

Iravani warned that US military operations in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz could have catastrophic consequences extending beyond the Middle East, holding Washington fully responsible for any fallout. The US military confirmed it had disabled two Iranian tankers that attempted to breach the blockade, which was imposed as part of efforts to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iravani urged the UN leadership to compel the United States to comply with international law and refrain from provocative actions that could further destabilize the region.

Iran has sharply criticized and mocked former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat of a nuclear strike against the country. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described Trump’s comments as a “strange contradiction,” highlighting the inconsistency between calls for peace and threats of massive bombing. Baghaei made the remarks in a post on social media platform X.

In his post, Baghaei attached a clip from the 1964 American film “Dr. Strangelove,” directed by Stanley Kubrick, a satirical anti-war movie about an accidental nuclear strike on the Soviet Union and the United States’ failure to prevent it. Trump had told reporters on Thursday that if a ceasefire with Iran failed, “you will only see large-scale bombings coming out of Iran.”

According to the report, Trump has made halting Tehran’s nuclear program one of the key conditions for ending the conflict with Iran.

An oil spill has been detected off the coast of Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal. According to the Associated Press, satellite images taken early last week showed the slick before new US strikes on Iranian ships and coastal targets on Thursday and Friday. The spill was first identified on Tuesday near the island’s shoreline.

Marine intelligence firm Windward AI reported that by Friday, the oil slick had spread across approximately 71 square kilometers (27.4 square miles). The US Department of Defense has declined to comment on any recent attacks in the area, and the exact source of the spill remains undetermined.

The incident raises environmental and geopolitical concerns, as Kharg Island is central to Iran’s oil export operations, but no official explanation or response has yet been provided regarding the cause or potential impact of the spill.

Iran has taken a firm stance on keeping its enriched uranium, rejecting U.S. demands to surrender its stockpile or dismantle its nuclear program. According to an Al Jazeera report on Friday, Iranian officials stated that they would not make any concessions regarding the country’s highly enriched uranium. Washington has insisted that Tehran must not retain enriched uranium under any circumstances.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told local media that officials seek a permanent end to all wars and want assurances that hostilities will not resume. He emphasized that Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz is non-negotiable, though Tehran may reopen the strait if the United States lifts its sanctions.

The exchange underscores ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington over nuclear and regional issues, with Iran signaling that it will not compromise on its strategic and territorial interests.

Iran is still reviewing the latest proposal from the United States aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei. In remarks published by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Baghaei said Tehran is carefully considering Washington’s new offer and will make its decision based on national interests.

He also accused the United States of violating ceasefire agreements and international law following a recent attack in Iran, claiming that American actions have further endangered regional stability. Baghaei added that Iran’s armed forces are closely monitoring the situation and remain fully prepared to respond to any aggression or reckless moves.

Tehran’s stance has introduced new diplomatic uncertainty in the Middle East, where prospects for negotiation coexist with the persistent risk of military escalation.

An Iranian-flagged commercial vessel was reportedly attacked by the US Navy in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters of the Gulf of Oman, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency. The incident occurred on Tuesday night near the coastal waters of Minab County, where the cargo ship caught fire following the strike. At least ten sailors were injured and taken to a local hospital, while five others remain missing as rescue and search operations continue.

The attack has heightened tensions in one of the world’s most critical energy transport routes. The Strait of Hormuz is a key passage for global oil shipments, and any disruption there often draws international concern. As of the report’s publication, US authorities had not issued any official statement regarding the alleged attack.

The absence of a US response leaves uncertainty about the circumstances and potential diplomatic fallout of the incident, which could further strain regional maritime security.

A US intelligence report submitted to administration officials this week indicates that Iran could withstand the American naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz for three to four months before facing a severe economic crisis. The Washington Post, citing four officials familiar with the matter, reported that the assessment raises new questions about President Donald Trump’s claims regarding the effectiveness of US military and economic pressure on Tehran.

According to the report, despite a week of US and Israeli strikes targeting Iran’s military infrastructure and arsenals, the country retains substantial ballistic missile capability. A US official said Iran still possesses about 75 percent of its pre-war mobile launchers and 70 percent of its missiles. Evidence also suggests that Iran has restored underground arsenals, repaired damaged missiles, and assembled new ones that were nearly ready at the start of the conflict.

Another US official indicated that Iran’s leadership appears more determined and confident in its ability to endure sanctions and military pressure longer than the CIA had previously forecast.

Despite recent military confrontations between Iran and the United States, diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire and peace agreement remain ongoing. According to Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Tehran, neither side has officially declared the ceasefire broken. The U.S. administration maintains that the truce is still in effect, while Iran accuses both Israel and the United States of violating it.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that Tehran is still reviewing the proposal submitted by Washington. Although a response was expected through Pakistani mediators, Iranian officials said they are still examining the matter. Both sides reportedly remain interested in resolving the crisis through diplomatic channels, but significant differences persist at the negotiation table.

Iranian officials have described several U.S. demands as unreasonable and hasty. The situation is expected to become clearer once Tehran issues its formal response. While mediation continues, uncertainty remains over whether a final agreement can be reached. The international community is closely watching the peace proposal, hoping it will ease global energy and trade disruptions.

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.

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.

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.