The United States has imposed new sanctions on three individuals and nine companies accused of helping Iran illegally supply oil to China. The U.S. Treasury Department announced the measures on Monday, targeting entities in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. Officials said the sanctions focus on those assisting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in disguising oil sales and shipping operations to China. The move follows earlier sanctions issued last Friday against individuals and firms accused of aiding Iran’s drone and ballistic missile programs.

The sanctioned companies include Hong Kong Blue Ocean Limited, Hong Kong Sunmu Limited, Jiandi HK Limited, Max Honor International Trade Company, Dubai-based Ocean Allianz Shipping, Sharjah-based Atique Energy, and Oman’s Zeus Logistic Group. Treasury Secretary Scott Besent stated that the U.S. will continue using sanctions to curb Iran’s weapons development, nuclear activities, and funding of regional proxy groups. The State Department also announced a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the disruption of the IRGC’s financial network.

The action comes just days before a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Iran-related issues are expected to be discussed.

Australia has announced new sanctions and travel bans on seven Iranian individuals and four entities, citing Iran’s brutal repression of its own citizens and actions that contribute to regional instability. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who said the targeted officials and institutions were involved in violence against women and children, as well as other severe abuses.

Wong stated that the sanctions aim to disrupt Iran’s so-called shadow banking system, which allegedly finances armed groups such as Hamas and supports Iran’s ballistic missile program and other destabilizing activities. The move follows similar actions taken by the United Kingdom and the United States earlier in the week.

According to the source, the United States described its own measures as part of an “Economic Fury” plan designed to cut off funding for Iran’s weapons programs, armed groups, and nuclear ambitions.

The United States government has announced a major step to stabilize the global energy market amid disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran-Israel war and a worldwide supply crisis. As part of an international agreement to control market volatility, the Trump administration is lending 50.33 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to several companies, according to a Reuters report.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) stated that the oil will be supplied to nine major energy firms, including ExxonMobil, Trafigura, and Marathon Petroleum. Last month, the DOE had announced the release of 92.5 million barrels, though companies accepted only 58 percent of that allocation. The current loan is part of a broader DOE plan to release 172 million barrels to address the global oil shortage.

The initiative aims to mitigate the adverse effects of the Iran-Israel conflict on global oil prices and ensure market stability through coordinated international measures.

An investigative report by Al Jazeera’s digital platform AJ Plus has revealed that bodies donated by U.S. citizens for research and education are being used to train Israeli military medical teams. The report, published on May 12, 2026, claims that a U.S. university sold these cadavers to the U.S. Navy, which then facilitated their use in Israeli military surgical training sessions held in Los Angeles. Crucially, the report states that neither the donors nor their families gave consent for such use.

AJ Plus journalist Dena Takruri’s investigation identified two American universities directly involved in the process: the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The report highlights that bodies originally donated for scientific research are now being repurposed for wartime medical training.

The findings raise ethical questions about the handling of donated bodies and the transparency of agreements between academic institutions and military programs, though the report does not include official responses from the parties involved.

Most Americans are holding President Donald Trump responsible for the ongoing war with Iran and the resulting severe economic situation, according to a report from Al Jazeera’s Washington correspondent Mike Hanna. The report states that Trump has denied being under any pressure, saying there is no need for immediate action and that he prefers to proceed cautiously. He has claimed that oil prices will fall and the economy will recover once the war ends.

However, there is no clear indication of when the conflict might conclude, leaving ordinary Americans deeply concerned as living costs continue to surge. Rising fuel and diesel prices have driven up transportation costs, pushing essential goods beyond the reach of many households.

Public opinion increasingly links the economic crisis to the war initiated under Trump’s leadership, creating a significant political risk for him and the Republican Party as most Americans now directly blame the president for both the conflict and the deteriorating economy.

The United States’ ‘Gold Card’ program, launched by President Donald Trump to offer rapid permanent residency for a $1 million fee, is struggling to attract wealthy applicants. According to a CNBC report, the initiative, introduced in December last year, promised record-time residency approvals but has failed to deliver. Court filings reveal that despite the high cost, applicants are not guaranteed faster visa processing, undermining the program’s main appeal.

Data from the Department of Homeland Security show that only 338 people have applied so far, with just 165 paying the $15,000 initial fee. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had earlier projected 80,000 cards and over $100 billion in revenue. Legal experts note that the program’s shaky legal basis—launched by executive order without congressional approval—has led to court challenges. Critics argue it undermines existing EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories.

Immigration consultants say the lack of expedited processing and non-refundable payment make the Gold Card unattractive compared to the EB-5 program, which allows investment-based green cards with potential returns. Despite global demand for relocation among millionaires, the program has yet to gain traction.

U.S. President Donald Trump described the ongoing ceasefire with Iran as extremely fragile, saying it is effectively on life support. Speaking on May 11, 2026, he compared the situation to a patient with only a one percent chance of survival, underscoring his pessimism about the truce’s durability.

Trump also sharply criticized Iran’s response to Washington’s peace plan, calling Tehran’s proposal foolish and laughable. He asserted that no one would accept such a plan, signaling deep dissatisfaction with Iran’s approach to negotiations.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that Trump’s remarks could further heighten tensions between Washington and Tehran. Despite continuing diplomatic efforts to preserve the ceasefire, both sides’ hardened positions have left the situation uncertain and unstable.

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a major military move against Iran as peace talks between Washington and Tehran have stalled. According to reports citing American media, Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in negotiations and is now giving greater weight to military options than before.

Sources close to the discussions said that the ongoing blockade in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and internal divisions within Iran’s leadership are key factors behind Trump’s dissatisfaction. He reportedly believes that these internal conflicts have weakened Tehran’s ability to make significant concessions in nuclear or diplomatic talks.

Advisers to the president indicated that the possibility of military action has become more prominent in recent weeks. They believe Iran’s leadership struggles have reduced the government’s decision-making capacity, making it harder to advance negotiations.

U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has accused former President Donald Trump of pushing the country toward an “illegal and costly” war with Iran. Schumer announced that Democrats will call another vote this week on the War Powers Resolution, aiming to withdraw American troops from the Iran conflict. He said Trump is leading the nation into a directionless and consequence-free war, and urged Congress to act to stop it.

In a post on social media platform X, Schumer stated that ending the “illegal war” is the best way to reduce costs and restore order. He warned that if Republicans vote against the resolution, they will share responsibility for Trump’s war. The War Powers Resolution was originally designed to limit a president’s authority to continue military action beyond 60 days without congressional approval.

Democrats have been trying for weeks to end the Iran conflict, but as the minority in Congress, most votes have split along party lines, making passage of the resolution uncertain.

President Donald Trump has reportedly been musing about who might succeed him within the Republican Party, often asking advisers whether they prefer Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio. At times, he has even joked about pairing them on the same 2028 presidential ticket. While aides say Trump is not seriously focused on the next election, the question of succession continues to attract attention.

Rubio has recently gained visibility through his handling of questions on the Iran war and a diplomatic trip to Italy, where he met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and will soon accompany Trump to China. This has fueled speculation that Rubio could challenge Vance, though both men are said to maintain a friendly relationship and may avoid direct competition. Polls show Vance enjoys higher recognition among Republican voters, but Rubio’s growing profile and multilingual communication skills appeal to some supporters.

Analysts note that Vance’s close alignment with Trump’s policies could become a liability if the party performs poorly in upcoming midterms, while Rubio’s expanding diplomatic role may strengthen his standing within the party.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday rejected Iran’s response to a U.S. proposal aimed at halting ongoing conflicts. Tehran had conveyed its reply through Pakistan, which acted as a mediator. Without providing details, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that he had read the response from Iran’s so-called representatives and found it completely unacceptable.

According to Iranian state television, Tehran’s reply emphasized ending fighting on all fronts, with particular focus on the situation in Lebanon and ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the response did not specify how or when the key maritime route might reopen. The U.S. proposal had sought to stop hostilities before beginning discussions on Iran’s nuclear program and other disputes.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran’s proposal included an immediate ceasefire, lifting of the U.S. naval blockade, assurances against further attacks on Iran, and removal of all sanctions, including those on Iranian oil sales.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has rejected Democratic Senator Mark Kelly’s claim that the United States has run out of ammunition and weapons due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Kelly, a retired Navy captain, said in a CBS News interview that Pentagon officials informed him the country had expended a large portion of its munitions. He warned that this shortage could make America less secure if future conflicts arise with China or other nations.

Responding on social media platform X, Hegseth accused Kelly of making false and foolish remarks about a confidential Pentagon briefing. He dismissed the senator’s statements as baseless and said Pentagon legal teams would review whether Kelly violated his confidentiality oath. Kelly also noted that replenishing the stockpile could take several years.

The exchange has sparked debate over transparency and national security readiness, with Pentagon officials emphasizing that Kelly’s claims do not reflect the department’s official position.

U.S. President Donald Trump has directly rejected Iran’s latest proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war, according to a report published on May 11, 2026. The United States has not specified the reasons behind Trump’s decision to turn down the offer.

Iran’s proposal called for the lifting of naval blockades, removal of U.S. and international sanctions, and retention of full control over its nuclear ambitions and foreign policy. Washington had previously identified these same issues as the root causes of the conflict. Officials familiar with the matter indicated that the United States remains unwilling to compromise on any of Iran’s demands.

The report adds that the U.S. is particularly concerned about Iran’s growing nuclear ambitions and its military posture toward Israel. Washington also seeks to end Tehran’s support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah and to reduce its regional influence. It remains uncertain whether Trump’s rejection will advance these objectives or shift the direction of future negotiations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the ongoing war with Ukraine is 'nearing its end' and expressed willingness to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a third country once a peace agreement is finalized. He made the remarks on Saturday after the Victory Day parade at Moscow’s Red Square, where he also pledged Russia’s victory in Ukraine despite a scaled-down celebration this year.

Putin’s comments came as Russia and Ukraine agreed to a three-day ceasefire and a prisoner exchange of 1,000 detainees each, following a request from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump described the truce as a possible beginning of the end of the long and deadly conflict. Zelensky responded with a satirical statement allowing Russia to celebrate Victory Day and pausing Ukrainian attacks on Red Square, which the Kremlin dismissed as a 'bad joke.'

The war, ongoing for more than four years, has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and massive destruction across Ukraine, while also damaging Russia’s $3 trillion economy. Currently, about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory remains under Russian control.

By the end of 2025, a total of 352,000 Russian soldiers had been killed in the war in Ukraine, according to figures released on Saturday by Russian media outlets Meduza and Mediazona. The conflict has become Europe’s deadliest since the Second World War.

The report noted that the figure does not include those killed in 2026, nor does it cover foreign fighters or members of militia groups formed in occupied Ukrainian territories who fought on Russia’s side. Earlier, the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that by the end of 2025, about 325,000 Russian and 140,000 Ukrainian soldiers had died in the conflict.

The report also stated that Russia is continuing efforts to maintain troop levels on the battlefield, including recruiting fighters from Africa and other regions and enlisting university students to strengthen its expanding drone forces.