Authorities in Orange County, California, have ordered about 40,000 residents to evacuate due to fears that a tank containing the chemical methyl methacrylate could leak or explode. The tank, located at a GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove, has been overheating, prompting emergency teams to work for two days to prevent an explosion. The evacuation order covers a nine-square-mile area surrounding the site.

The incident began on Thursday, May 21, when gas started leaking from the tank filled with the highly flammable chemical used in resin and plastic production. Initially, a hazardous materials team directed residents to leave, later lifting the order when the situation seemed under control. However, a damaged valve worsened the risk, leading local authorities to reissue the evacuation directive.

Officials warned that the tank could rupture, releasing 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of toxic material, or explode due to rising temperatures, potentially igniting nearby fuel and chemical tanks.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a new policy requiring foreign nationals currently residing in the US to return to their home countries to apply for permanent residency or green cards. The directive was issued in a policy memorandum released on Friday, according to the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees USCIS.

The department stated that the change aims to close loopholes in the immigration system and improve the agency’s capacity to process other applications more efficiently. It added that possible exemptions under special circumstances are still under consideration.

Human rights and refugee assistance organizations have criticized the decision. The nonprofit HIAS warned that the rule could force victims of human trafficking, abused women, and at-risk children to return to countries they fled to save their lives. The policy shift is viewed as part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to tighten US immigration rules, following earlier steps to shorten visa durations and cancel over 100,000 visas since he took office.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that revenue from Venezuelan oil has generated 25 times more money than the cost of the war against Iran. He made the remark while discussing U.S. actions involving Iran and Venezuela, saying the United States had taken so much oil from Venezuela that it covered the war expenses many times over.

Trump’s statement comes amid ongoing international debate about the U.S. military campaign against Iran. According to Pentagon data, by early this month the cost of the war had reached about 29 billion dollars, though analysts and observers suggest the actual figure could be higher. Trump also described Venezuela as a key part of the U.S. energy strategy, indicating that oil production and exports from the country had brought significant economic benefits to the United States.

The remarks highlight the administration’s emphasis on energy-linked economic gains while global scrutiny continues over the financial and humanitarian impacts of the Iran conflict.

Tulsi Gabbard, the United States Director of National Intelligence, resigned from her post on Friday amid the ongoing Iran war. Her resignation came at a time of heightened tension over US military activity and the broader Middle East crisis. Reports from international media indicated that Gabbard had policy disagreements with the Trump administration regarding its approach to Iran.

In a post on social media platform X, Gabbard explained that she decided to step down after her husband, Abraham Williams, was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. In her resignation letter, she expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for allowing her to lead the intelligence office for the past one and a half years. Trump confirmed her resignation on his Truth Social account, praising her performance and saying she would be missed.

Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, served in Congress from 2013 to 2021 before leaving the Democratic Party to support Trump and take the intelligence post. Her resignation had been rumored for some time, though she had previously denied it.

International analysts suggest that U.S. President Donald Trump is stepping back from the Iran conflict, interpreting recent diplomatic efforts and ceasefire initiatives as a form of strategic retreat. According to reports, Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington is discussing a letter of intent with Tehran to formally end hostilities and begin 30 days of talks on Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The crisis began in March when Israel attacked Iran’s Pars gas field, prompting Iranian strikes on Qatari energy facilities. Since then, Iran has demanded war reparations, unrestricted uranium enrichment, control over the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of sanctions. The Institute for the Study of War reported that Iran is consolidating control over the strait, signing transit deals with oil-importing nations and imposing fees on others.

Analysts warn that the international sanctions system could weaken as more countries negotiate with Tehran. Netanyahu reportedly expressed concern that Iran may emerge stronger after the conflict, potentially undermining Israel’s security and regional influence.

The United States reportedly used about half of its advanced missile defense interceptors while defending Israel during its war with Iran, according to a Washington Post report published on May 22, 2026. The report stated that US forces launched more than 200 THAAD interceptors to destroy Iranian missiles targeting Israel, representing nearly half of the Pentagon’s total stockpile. Additionally, over 100 Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6 interceptors were fired from US naval vessels in the eastern Mediterranean.

The report added that Israel relied less on its own defense systems during the conflict. Israeli forces launched fewer than 100 Arrow interceptors and around 90 David’s Sling missiles. A US official, speaking anonymously, told the Washington Post that if another war with Iran breaks out, the United States may need to deploy even more interceptors because Israel has decided to withdraw some of its missile defense batteries for maintenance.

The information was originally cited by Middle East Eye, which referenced the Washington Post’s findings.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group, stationed in the Arabian Sea, is maintaining peak combat readiness amid the ongoing war with Iran. CENTCOM shared images on social media showing F-35 stealth fighter jets taking off from the carrier’s deck, underscoring the high operational alert of US forces in the region.

According to CENTCOM, US forces are fully prepared while enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports. The statement came as Pakistan continues mediation efforts aimed at ending the conflict between the United States and Iran. The timing of the announcement highlights the heightened military posture despite diplomatic initiatives.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned that Iran would face severe consequences if it refused to hand over its uranium stockpile to the United States, further intensifying tensions between the two nations.

The United States has temporarily suspended a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan in order to conserve ammunition for its ongoing conflict with Iran. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao informed lawmakers of the decision during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing on Thursday. The suspension follows a recent meeting in Beijing between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where the arms deal was a key topic of discussion.

Cao stated that the pause is intended to ensure sufficient ammunition for Operation Epic Fury, adding that the sale could resume when the administration deems appropriate. The final decision will rest with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Although the U.S. Congress approved the package in January, it still requires President Trump’s signature to take effect. Taiwan’s Prime Minister Cho Jung-tai said the island will continue efforts to purchase the weapons.

Analyst William Yang warned that the suspension could heighten doubts about U.S. support for Taiwan and complicate future defense budget requests. Trump also suggested the deal might serve as a bargaining tool in talks with Beijing.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described Cuba as a 'national security threat' to the United States, saying the likelihood of reaching a peaceful agreement with Havana is low. His remarks came a day after Washington formally charged former Cuban President Raul Castro over the 1996 downing of two planes that killed US citizens. Rubio said the US prefers a diplomatic solution but warned that President Donald Trump has both the right and duty to defend the country against any threat.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez rejected Rubio’s comments as false, asserting that Cuba has never posed a threat to the US. He accused Washington of orchestrating attacks and provoking military aggression against Cuba. The island nation is currently facing severe fuel shortages, prolonged blackouts, and food scarcity, worsened by US oil sanctions. Despite tensions, Cuba has accepted $100 million in US humanitarian aid, according to Rubio.

Rubio declined to reveal how Raul Castro would be brought before a US court, while Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said they expect Castro to appear voluntarily or by other means. President Trump described Cuba as a 'failed state' and said his administration is trying to help on humanitarian grounds.

The United States has temporarily lifted sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian territories, following a recent court ruling. The State Department said the Trump administration removed her name from the sanctions list after a federal judge ordered a suspension of enforcement. However, the department emphasized that Washington’s policy position regarding Albanese remains unchanged and that it has appealed the court’s decision.

The sanctions were originally imposed in July 2025 after Albanese recommended that the International Criminal Court issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials. The Italian human rights expert has long criticized Israel’s policies toward Palestinians and described the situation in Gaza as genocide. Her family filed a lawsuit in Washington, D.C., arguing that the sanctions violated her constitutional rights, including freedom of expression.

Judge Richard Leon ruled in Albanese’s favor on May 13, stating that the government acted against her because of her opinions. The State Department indicated that if the court’s order is overturned, Albanese’s name will be reinstated on the Specially Designated Nationals list.

A new Fox News poll shows growing opposition among Americans to the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. According to the survey, 60 percent of respondents now oppose the war, up from 55 percent last month. The poll also found that 91 percent believe the conflict has worsened the country’s economic situation, adding political pressure on President Donald Trump.

Public dissatisfaction with the economy has also intensified. Seventy-seven percent of respondents described the current economic condition as poor, compared with 73 percent last month and 71 percent a year earlier. Criticism of Trump’s handling of the economy has risen sharply, with 71 percent now disapproving of his economic policies, up from 56 percent a year ago.

Overall, Trump’s popularity continues to decline, as 61 percent of Americans expressed disapproval of his performance in the latest poll.

US President Donald Trump has expressed deep dissatisfaction with NATO members’ response to the ongoing military activities surrounding Iran, according to senior US diplomat Marco Rubio. Speaking to reporters, Rubio said frustration within the Trump administration over NATO’s stance is growing, particularly after Spain refused to allow the US to use its military bases. He noted that such cooperation is central to NATO’s purpose, enabling rapid military deployment in crisis regions like the Middle East.

Rubio questioned the logic of NATO membership for countries that restrict such cooperation, emphasizing that the alliance’s strength lies in shared military access and readiness. He added that NATO members’ support for US efforts related to the Iran conflict has been far below expectations, which has intensified Trump’s disappointment with the alliance.

The remarks highlight ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and NATO, continuing a pattern of US criticism over European allies’ defense spending and military collaboration.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has issued a stern warning to Iran amid stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Speaking to Fox News, Miller said that Iran’s current leadership now faces a final deadline from the United States after talks failed to make progress. He stated that Tehran must choose between signing an agreement acceptable to Washington or facing a military response unlike anything seen in modern history.

The warning comes as diplomatic discussions between the two nations remain deadlocked, with no breakthrough reported. Miller emphasized that the Iranian administration has only two options left—either comply with the terms favored by the United States or face severe military consequences. His remarks underscore the growing tension surrounding the unresolved negotiations.

The statement signals a hardening U.S. stance toward Iran, suggesting that Washington may be preparing to escalate pressure if Tehran refuses to meet its conditions.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in a tense phone conversation on Tuesday over their differing approaches to advancing the conflict with Iran, according to a U.S. official cited by CNN. The exchange followed Trump’s earlier decision to delay a planned targeted strike on Iran, reportedly named “Operation Sledgehammer,” after requests from Gulf allies including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The White House and Pakistani mediators have since been in close contact with Gulf states to outline a diplomatic path forward.

The delay frustrated Netanyahu, who has long favored a more aggressive stance against Tehran. Israeli officials said the prime minister pressed Trump during the hour-long call to resume military action, arguing that postponement only benefits Iran. Trump, however, maintained that diplomacy should continue, emphasizing that the situation was at a “final stage.”

Meanwhile, Iran confirmed through state-linked media that it continues indirect message exchanges with Washington via Pakistan. Pakistan’s army chief is expected to visit Tehran as part of ongoing mediation efforts, though key differences over Iran’s nuclear program and frozen funds remain unresolved.

The United States announced sanctions on Tuesday against four activists involved in flotilla missions attempting to break Israel’s 19-year blockade of Gaza. The US Treasury Department accused the organisers of supporting Hamas but did not publicly provide evidence. The sanctions target members of the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) and Samidoun, including Mohammed Khatib, Jaldia Abubakra, Saif Abu Keshek, and Hisham Abu Mahfouz. The measures freeze any US-based assets and prohibit Americans from conducting business with them, potentially restricting their access to global financial systems.

Activists and rights advocates condemned the sanctions as an effort to criminalise humanitarian solidarity with Gaza. Organisers said the flotillas were peaceful missions to deliver aid and protest what they described as Israel’s collective punishment of Palestinians. They also reported that Israeli forces intercepted the latest flotilla in international waters, detaining hundreds of activists from more than 46 countries. Several governments, including Turkiye, Spain, and Brazil, criticised the interceptions, while UN officials warned of escalating risks to civilians at sea.

The sanctions come as Gaza faces severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel under Israel’s blockade, which has been in place since 2007. Activists vowed to continue their efforts through alternative strategies despite the restrictions.