Trump insists US wonāt rush talks with Tehran after rebukes from Republicans, including Ted Cruz and Lindsey GrahamRepublican hawks have issued a rare rebuke of Donald Trump over his planned peace deal with Iran, describing it as a ādisasterā and questioning why the US president launched the war in the first place.Allies of Trump who strongly backed his controversial decision to order war on Iran alongside Israel urged him to āhold the lineā this weekend, despite mounting economic costs and no sign of progress on many of the the initial objectives set out by his administration. Continue reading...
Global prices are approaching a tipping point that could trigger inflation, shortages and, over time, recessionIf a US-Iran deal is about to be reached, three months on from the launch of Donald Trumpās Operation Epic Fury, it will not be a day too soon for oil markets, which are approaching a dangerous tipping point.The cost of a barrel of crude on the spot market ā for immediate purchase, effectively ā has bounced about $100 since Iran predictably responded to the onslaught from the US and Israel by closing the strait of Hormuz. Continue reading...
One or two clauses yet to be clarified, Iran officials tell Pakistani mediators, after US says deal ālargely negotiatedāMiddle East crisis: live updatesIranās supreme leader and national security council still need to approve the proposed peace deal between Tehran and Washington, Iranian officials said on Sunday.One or two clauses in the proposed peace deal between the US and Iran must be clarified to Iranās satisfaction before the memorandum of understanding can be sent to Iranās supreme national security council and the supreme leader Motjaba Khamenei for ratification, Iranian officials said on Sunday, adding this had been conveyed to the Pakistani mediators. Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that a peace deal with Iran āhas been largely negotiatedā, after calls with Pakistan, Gulf allies and Israel. Continue reading...
Proposed framework hinges on a 60-day truce, reopening strait of Hormuz, and revived talks on limiting Iran nuclear programme⢠Middle East crisis: live updatesDonald Trump has said a āmemorandum of understandingā in talks to end the US-Israel war on Iran āhas been largely negotiatedā.Official details of the deal are scant and it remains possible that some aspects of the memo could change. Here is what we know so far about the potential agreement that could bring an end to the war. Continue reading...
US president says strait will be opened as part of the deal, but Iranās influential Fars news agency reports that vital waterway would remain under Iranian controlFull report: Trump says peace deal with Iran ālargely negotiatedā with strait of Hormuz to openHello and welcome to our live coverage of the Iran war and the wider Middle East crisis.Donald Trump has announced that a peace deal with Iran āhas been largely negotiatedā, after calls with a Pakistani mediator, Gulf allies and Israel, potentially paving the way for an end to the war launched by the US and Israel in February. Continue reading...
Remarks by US president potentially mark conclusion of bombing campaign led by US and IsraelDonald Trump announced on Saturday that a peace deal with Iran had largely been reached, after calls with Gulf allies and Israel, potentially paving the way for an end to the war launched by the US and Israel in February.Trump wrote on his social media platform that āfinal aspects and detailsā of a āMemorandum of Understandingā are still being discussed, and āwill be announced shortlyā but said the strait of Hormuz will be opened as part of the deal. Continue reading...
⢠Asia-Pacific markets traded higher, with notable gains including South Korea's Kosdaq (over 3%), Kospi (0.52%), Hong Kong's Hang Seng (0.66%), and China's CSI 300 (0.78%).
⢠Investors are reacting to diplomatic efforts regarding a U.S.-Iran peace deal, though tensions remain as Tehran intends to keep its enriched uranium stockpile domestically.
⢠Economic data showed core inflation dropped to 1.4%, falling below both the previous March reading of 1.8% and the 1.7% forecast by Reuters economists.
Trump says he could strike Iran again as Tehran threatens ānew frontsā in war if an attack takes placeTrump threatens āa big hitā if Tehran does not make deal soonWelcome to our live coverage of events in the Middle East.Donald Trump warned the US may strike Iran again ā a day after he said he had held off a major assault in hopes of a peace deal ā but Tehranās army threatened to open ānew frontsā if he went ahead.The US Senate has advanced a war-powers resolution that would end the Iran war unless Trump obtains Congressā authorisation. The vote on a procedural measure to advance the resolution was 50 to 47, as four of Trumpās fellow Republicans voted with every Democrat but one in favour. Three Republicans missed the vote.The Israeli military launched a series of strikes across Lebanon, killing 19 people, according to the Lebanese health ministry. One strike, in the town of Deir Qanun al-Nahr in the Tyre district, killed 10 people including three children and three women, the ministry said.The Israeli army in turn said that it intercepted a drone fired from Lebanon. Israel and Lebanonās central government have twice extended a US-brokered ceasefire, but Israel says it does not apply to its attacks on Hezbollah.Israeli authorities said 430 activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla were taken to Israel after their vessels were intercepted in international waters near Cyprus. Sailing from Turkey last week, the Global Sumud Flotilla is the latest in a string of attempts by activists to breach Israelās blockade of the Palestinian territory, with the last convoy intercepted by Israeli forces last month.Russiaās deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said Moscow was ready to help with talks between the US and Iran to end the war, according to the Russian Tass news agency. His remarks came as the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, held talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.The United Arab Emirates was rattled by a drone attack on its Barakah nuclear power plant last week. On Tuesday the UAE said it originated from Iraqi territory, where Iran backs groups accused of launching attacks on Gulf nations in the war. The UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned the attack. Russia, which often defends Iran, joined the other members.Two Chinese tankers laden with oil exited the strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, according to shipping data. Continue reading...
President claims planned Tehran attack postponed to allow talks to continue ā but no indication peace plan is imminentAs he seeks an exit from the Iran war, Donald Trump is increasingly outsourcing his policymaking to US allies in the Middle East, while the White House appears unable to find a simple way to end the fighting and reopen global shipping lanes held by Tehran.In Trumpās telling, the ādealmaker-in-chiefā has maintained a consistent policy toward Iran aimed at preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, leveling threats and incentives to reach a new deal that would also open the Strait of Hormuz. Continue reading...
Tehran is said to have made or reiterated some concessions but source in mediator Pakistan appears pessimisticMiddle East crisis ā live updatesIran has made a new proposal for a deal to definitively end the war in the Middle East, officials in the region said on Monday, though there was no sign of any immediate breakthrough in the stalled peace negotiations.A ceasefire has paused most violence after six weeks of US-Israeli airstrikes and Iranian retaliation, but there has been little progress since Donald Trump said the ceasefire was āon life supportā, and reports in Israeli media suggest a resumption of hostilities is imminent. Continue reading...
US president says there āwonāt be anything leftā of country if it does not reach agreement. Plus, how to become emotionally mature at any ageGood morning.Donald Trump has voiced impatience at the deadlock over peace talks with Iran, posting on social media: āFor Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there wonāt be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!āWhat else is happening in the region? The United Arab Emirates has blamed a fire near its nuclear power plant on a drone launched by Iran or one of its proxies, describing the incident as a ādangerous escalationā.Why is Massie Trumpās nemesis? Massie has been a consistent thorn in Trumpās side, voting against his signature tax and spending cuts bill, helping to force the justice department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, and insisting on congressional oversight over the military actions in Venezuela and Iran. Now he faces a bruising primary against his Trump-endorsed challenger, Ed Gallrein. Continue reading...
US president says there āwonāt be anything leftā of country if it doesnāt come to an agreementUAE blames Iran or its proxies for drone strike fire near nuclear plantWe are restarting our coverage of the US-Israeli war on Iran and Israelās war on Lebanon. Donald Trump has issued an extreme warning to Iran to quickly agree to a peace deal with the US or face devastation.As Washington struggles to break an impasse on ending the war, the US president said on his Truth Social platform on Sunday: āFor Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there wonāt be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!āIranian media said the US had failed to make any concrete concessions in its latest response to Iranās proposed agenda for negotiations to end the war. The Fars news agency said on Sunday that Washington had presented a five-point list that included a demand for Iran to keep only one nuclear site in operation and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the US.Islamic Jihad commander Wael Abdel Halim and his 17-year-old daughter were killed in an Israeli missile strike on an apartment in eastern Lebanon on Sunday, Lebanese state media said. Israeli strikes on towns in southern Lebanon earlier killed five people, including two children, and left at least 15 people injured, the Lebanese health ministry said, despite Israel and Lebanon agreeing to extend their ceasefire by 45 days.Hezbollah had fired about 200 projectiles at Israel and its troops over the weekend, an Israeli military official said on Sunday.Israelās cabinet approved a plan to build a defence compound on the site of the recently demolished premises of the UN Palestinian refugee agency (Unrwa) in East Jerusalem. Israel seized the site last year in an act the agency condemned as a violation of international law. Continue reading...
⢠President Trump announced on May 5 that military operations against Iran would be paused as negotiations advance toward a broader agreement, marking a significant shift in the months-long conflict initiated on February 28, 2026.
⢠The pause follows diplomatic engagement including a high-level Israel-Lebanon meeting on April 14 and a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah announced on April 16, signaling momentum in regional peace talks.
⢠The operational pause suggests the Trump administration believes negotiated settlement is achievable despite initial military intervention, though specific terms of the proposed Iran deal remain undisclosed.
Diplomatic efforts continuing despite fighting in and around contested strait of Hormuz in recent daysMiddle East crisis ā live updatesThe US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has said that Washington is expecting a response from Iran on Friday to its proposals for an interim deal to end the conflict in the Middle East, as Iran accused the US of breaching the increasingly fragile ceasefire announced last month.In recent days there have been the biggest flare-ups in fighting in and around the contested strait of Hormuz since the informal truce began. The rise in violence followed Donald Trumpās announcement ā then rapid pause ā of a new naval mission aimed at opening the strategic waterway. Continue reading...
⢠President Trump stated on Wednesday he is 'cautiously optimistic' about a potential U.S.-Iran deal following 'very good talks over the last 24 hours,' potentially involving Iran surrendering uranium, lifting U.S. sanctions, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
⢠Trump issued a one-week ultimatum on X, warning 'if they don't agree, the bombing starts' at a 'much higher level and intensity than before.'
⢠Iran is reviewing the U.S. peace proposal, as reported in ongoing diplomatic efforts amid claims the U.S. has already won the war with Iran.
The US and Iran have offered conflicting messages over the likelihood of a deal being reached imminentlyMorning and welcome to the Guardianās continuing coverage of the crisis in the Middle East.The US and Iran have offered conflicting messages over the state of negotiations to end the war, with Donald Trump signalling the talks were āvery goodā and a deal āvery possibleā.News of a possible deal followed Trumpās abrupt U-turn on a US military operation to guide ships out of the strait of Hormuz, dubbed āProject Freedomā. Trump said the decision to pause the mission on Tuesday ā two days after it was launched ā was to give peace a chance, but NBC reported that it was suspended after Saudi Arabia refused to allow the US military to use its bases and airspace to carry out the operation. US officials told the American broadcaster that Gulf allies were caught off guard by the sudden announcement of Project Freedom, and that it had angered the leadership in Saudi Arabia.The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, told his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, that the USās behaviour had ādeviated the path of diplomacy towards threats, pressure and sanctionsā and that Tehran could not trust Washington. In a statement carried by the Iranian state-run Press TV, Pezeshkian said Iran had entered into dialogue with the US twice and āon both occasions, military aggression against Iran took place concurrently with the negotiations. Such behaviour is effectively like āstabbing from behindāā.Iran has denied any involvement in damage to a South Korean-operated vessel in the strait of Hormuz, which suffered an explosion and fire on Monday. Trump blamed the incident on an Iranian attack, while South Koreaās foreign ministry said the cause of the fire would only be confirmed after the vessel is inspected. The Iran embassy in Seoul issued a statement this morning rejecting the allegations, saying safe passage through the waterway requires strict adherence to Iranian regulations.The damage and destruction inflicted on US military sites across the Middle East during the war is far larger than what has been publicly acknowledged by the Trump administration or previously reported, according to analysis by the Washington Post. Reviewing satellite imagery, the newspaper found Iranian airstrikes have damaged or destroyed at least 228 US structures or pieces of equipment, including hangars, barracks, fuel depots, aircraft and key radar, communications and air defence equipment. The US Central Command declined to comment on the report.In Lebanon, where a ceasefire has demonstrably failed to stop the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, three people were killed this morning in Israeli strikes on Nabatieh south of the country, according to the official Lebanese National News Agency. The Israeli military said one of its soldiers was seriously injured by an explosive-laden Hezbollah drone in southern Lebanon yesterday. It did not say where the attack took place.In Gaza, where another ceasefire appears to be fraying, an Israeli airstrike has killed Azzam Khalil al-Hayya, the son of Hamas political bureau leader and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, according to senior Hamas official Basim Naim. Azzam succumbed to his injuries this morning after being struck in an Israeli attack last night, Reuters reported. He is the fourth son of Hamasās exiled Gaza chief to have been killed in Israeli attacks. Continue reading...
⢠President Trump warned Iran on Wednesday of 'higher level' military strikes if it refuses a peace deal, while deeming direct talks in Pakistan 'too soon' amid reported negotiation progress to end the war.
⢠The U.S. paused the brief Project Freedom mission to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian attacks on vessels and U.S. Gulf allies resumed, marking the first in nearly a month.
⢠Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Iran of holding the global economy hostage by threatening ships, laying sea mines, and imposing tolls on the vital waterway, calling the upcoming U.N. resolution a key test.
President issues fresh ultimatum despite US claims that progress has been made in stalled negotiations with TehranMiddle East crisis ā live updatesThe US president, Donald Trump, has issued a fresh ultimatum, telling Iran to accept a deal to end the war in the Middle East or face a new wave of US bombing āat a much higher level and intensity than it was beforeā.The social media announcement on Wednesday was the latest in a rapid series of dramatic and often contradictory changes in policy and came amid reports the US was claiming progress in stalled negotiations between Tehran and Washington. Continue reading...
⢠Indian equity indices surged sharply on May 6, 2026, with Sensex gaining 940.73 points (1.22%) to close at 77,958.52 and Nifty rising 298.15 points (1.24%) to 24,330.95, driven by optimism over potential US-Iran peace negotiations and declining crude oil prices.
⢠Banking stocks led the rally following the Union Cabinet's approval of an emergency credit guarantee programme worth Rs 15,800 crore to support businesses facing liquidity stress, with Hero MotoCorp climbing 2.6% and Mahindra & Mahindra advancing 3.1% on strong quarterly earnings.
⢠Broader market indices also gained traction, with Nifty smallcap100 and midcap100 rising 0.9% and 1.1% respectively, though FMCG stocks declined amid easing geopolitical tensions in West Asia that had previously pushed Brent crude to $115 per barrel.
US president briefly pauses āProject Freedomā operation escorting ships through strait of HormuzBusiness live ā latest updatesOil prices have eased and stock markets rallied as Donald Trump touted āgreat progressā towards a āfinal agreementā with Iran, while momentum in AI-driven trading accelerated.The US president said he would briefly pause his āProject Freedomā operation escorting ships through the strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the global oil supplies and has been blockaded by Iran since late February, triggering an energy crisis. Continue reading...
US president pauses āProject Freedomā to work on āfinal agreementā with Tehran; stocks also ride high on AI euphoriaGood morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.Asian stock markets hit record highs, following in Wall Streetās footsteps, and oil prices retreated after Donald Trump hailed āgreat progressā towards a āfinal agreementā with Tehran.on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iranā.Investors bought and continue to add to positioning in the 2026 winners. There has been some buying in S&P 500 materials stocks, but itās tech that continues to attract the bulk of flows, notably in Apple and the memory plays.9am BST: Eurozone services and composite PMIs for April9.30am BST: UK services and composite PMIs for April1.15pm BST: US ADP employment change for April Continue reading...
⢠President Trump announced Tuesday evening that he is pausing 'Project Freedom,' the operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing 'great progress' toward a complete agreement with Iran and requests from Pakistan and other countries.
⢠Trump stated the pause would last 'for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed,' while maintaining the US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect.
⢠The move represents a significant shift in Trump's confrontational posture toward Iran after months of military escalation, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio continued criticizing Iran for effectively closing the strategic oil passageway.
Islamabad has reportedly switched to lower-profile role but believes peace can make progress without face-to-face meetingsPakistan is passing proposals between Iran and the US to keep talks alive behind the scenes and inch towards a peace agreement, officials and experts say.Pakistani officials say that they are conscious of the fact that at stake is not only regional peace, but the health of the global economy and the livelihoods of millions of the poorest people in the world ā including in Pakistan, whose monthly energy import bill has almost tripled as a result of the war. Continue reading...
Washington facing long economic war or risky military action to reopen strait of Hormuz ā which may now be more valuable to Iran than a nuclear weaponDonald Trump is learning first-hand about the perils of mission creep.The US-Israel war in Iran has just passed its eighth week ā twice as long as the president predicted it would take when US warplanes launched their joint attack with Israeli forces to decapitate the Iranian leadership and paralyse its military. The military attacks were successful. The predictions about the political cause-and-effect to follow were not. Continue reading...
⢠U.S. stock futures fell 0.46% Monday morning as Iran declined to engage in peace talks with the Trump administration, escalating geopolitical tensions.
⢠Oil prices climbed to $95 per barrel, up from $86 three days prior, reflecting market concerns over potential supply disruptions from the Iran conflict.
⢠Despite the geopolitical headwinds, markets have shown resilience with strong corporate earnings growth at 17% annually offsetting valuation pressures.
FTSE 100 slides and UK gas prices up amid fears strait of Hormuz will be closed for extended periodBusiness live ā latest updatesOil prices rose sharply and European stock markets fell on Monday, after the US seizure of an Iranian vessel hit hopes for a peace deal.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose by as much as 5% on Monday to $95.50 (Ā£70.75) a barrel. Continue reading...
⢠US President Donald Trump warned Iran of 'no more Mr Nice Guy' and threatened new strikes if no deal is agreed by Wednesday, following stalled talks over nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz.
⢠Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz until the US lifts its blockade, with Revolutionary Guard navy confirming the move amid risks to global oil shipments; 13 US service members killed in related conflict.
⢠Negotiations in Islamabad saw US propose 20-year Iranian nuclear suspension, countered by Iran's 3-5 year halt offer; Tehran reports progress but fundamental gaps remain per speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
⢠President Trump signals he will not extend Iran's ceasefire deadline if a comprehensive deal is not reached by Wednesday, warning of renewed military action including 'dropping bombs' if negotiations fail.
⢠Trump declares the Strait of Hormuz now open due to a U.S. Navy blockade and pointedly rejects NATO's offer of assistance, highlighting America's unilateral stance in Middle East tensions.
⢠The escalating pressure on Iran represents a significant shift in Trump administration foreign policy and challenges traditional alliance structures in addressing regional security threats.
⢠President Trump expressed optimism that an Iran peace deal is 'looking very good,' signaling potential near-term resolution to the US-Iran conflict that has destabilized financial markets.
⢠Investors are actively weighing the likelihood and terms of a potential Iran truce as a key variable influencing near-term market direction and energy price trajectories.
⢠Geopolitical risk premiums embedded in oil prices and equity valuations could face significant repricing if a comprehensive ceasefire agreement is formally announced.
⢠S&P 500 futures rose 0.2% and the benchmark notched back-to-back record highs as growing speculation that a deal to end the US-Iran war is nearing prompts traders to take on more risk.
⢠The index is on course for a third week of gains exceeding 3%, with the S&P up nearly 8% month to date, marking a stunning reversal following mounting signs of US-Iran deescalation.
⢠The market rally reflects relief over potential resolution of the conflict that has roiled energy markets, with traders increasingly positioning for a ceasefire outcome.