U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed Iran’s response to a U.S. peace proposal as a “stupid proposal,” saying Tehran failed to commit to abandoning its pursuit of a nuclear weapon, while warning the fragile ceasefire was on “massive life support”.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he supports cutting the federal gasoline tax as fuel prices surge amidst the ongoing Iran conflict, which has disrupted global oil supplies and pushed U.S. pump prices to their highest level in years.
Trump told reporters he is prepared to reduce the 18.4-cent-per-gallon federal tax “until it is appropriate,” but any suspension would require approval from Congress, where Republicans hold a majority.
Senator Josh Hawley has said he will introduce a bill to pause both the federal gas tax and the diesel tax for 90 days. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he is undecided, arguing that stabilising oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz would be more effective and noting that fuel taxes help fund road maintenance.
Gasoline prices in the US have climbed sharply since the war began on 28 February, with averages reaching about $4.52 per gallon, the highest level since 2022. The increase has been driven in part by reduced global oil flows as Iran restricts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for around a fifth of the world’s oil supply.
Rising fuel costs are also feeding into broader inflation, including higher food and transport prices, adding political pressure on Trump and Republicans ahead of the midterm elections.
While some lawmakers have proposed temporary tax relief, analysts warn the impact may be limited if global oil disruptions continue. Energy experts note that even if the tax is suspended, continued instability in the Middle East would likely keep fuel prices elevated.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has said on X that there is “no alternative” but for Iran’s rights as set out in a 14-point proposal to be accepted by the other side.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was “on life support” after Tehran rejected key parts of a U.S. proposal aimed at ending the conflict. Iran demanded a complete halt to fighting across the region, compensation for war damage, an end to the U.S. naval blockade, and guarantees against future attacks, highlighting deep divisions between the two sides.
Tehran also reaffirmed its control over the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping traffic remains heavily disrupted. The near-closure of the vital waterway, which normally carries around one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies, has pushed global oil prices higher and further strained energy markets.
Trump criticised Iran’s response, saying it threatened the fragile ceasefire that has been in place since 7 April. Iranian officials defended their demands, while parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Iran’s armed forces were prepared to respond firmly to any further aggression.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high across the region, including ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon despite a separate U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Trump is expected to discuss the Iran conflict with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Beijing this week, as Washington seeks greater pressure on Tehran to return to negotiations.
The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on individuals and companies accused of helping Iran export oil to China, as Washington increases pressure on Tehran ahead of planned talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions against three individuals and nine companies based in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, alleging they were involved in facilitating Iranian oil shipments linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Officials said the network used shell companies and “shadow fleet” tankers to move oil to Chinese buyers while avoiding existing sanctions.
According to the Treasury Department, the measures are designed to disrupt financial networks used by Iran to fund weapons programmes, nuclear activities and regional proxy groups. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the Trump administration would continue intensifying economic pressure on Tehran by targeting companies, vessels and intermediaries involved in the illicit oil trade.
Among the companies targeted are Hong Kong-based firms accused of arranging oil sales and purchases on behalf of the IRGC, along with shipping and logistics companies in Dubai, Sharjah, and Oman that allegedly coordinated the transport of Iranian crude aboard sanctioned tankers.
The latest sanctions come amid growing tensions between Washington, Beijing and Tehran over Iran’s oil exports and the ongoing instability surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes. Trump is expected to raise the issue during his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The move forms part of the Trump administration’s broader “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at reducing Iran’s oil revenues and limiting its ability to bypass international sanctions through trade with China and regional intermediaries.
The Trump administration said on Monday it will loan 53.3 million barrels of crude oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to energy companies as part of international efforts to stabilise global oil markets.
The move comes as oil prices remain volatile during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Last month, the Department of Energy said it could make up to 92.5 million barrels available from the reserve.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has raised alarm over the humanitarian toll of Israeli attacks on Lebanon after around 100 strikes were reported in 24 hours.
“Civilians killed. Families displaced,” Fletcher wrote on X, calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The UN aid chief said humanitarian agencies were working to support affected communities, but stressed that “what people need most is a genuine ceasefire”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has criticised new EU sanctions targeting Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said “sanctioning Jews for living in Judea and Samaria is unacceptable”, using the biblical term often used by Israeli officials for the West Bank.
The statement added that Israel would continue to “protect the rights of Jews to live in the heart of our ancestral homeland” and described the EU measures as “a sign of weakness”.
The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on 12 individuals and entities accused of helping transport Iranian oil to China, the Treasury Department said.
The sanctions target companies based in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates as part of Washington’s efforts to disrupt Tehran’s oil trade and financial networks.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. would continue working to cut the Iranian government off from global financial systems.
Two-thirds of Americans believe President Donald Trump has not clearly explained the goals of U.S. involvement in the Iran war, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The survey found 66% of respondents said Trump had failed to explain the conflict, including one-third of Republicans and nearly all Democrats.
The poll also showed rising concern over fuel costs, with 63% saying recent gas price increases have hurt their household finances.
Trump’s approval rating rose slightly to 36%, up from 34% in late April.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir slammed the European Union after it imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers accused of violence against Palestinians.
In a post on X, Ben Gvir called the bloc “antisemitic” and accused it of ignoring attacks against Israelis.
“The settlement enterprise will not be deterred,” he said, vowing to continue expanding settlements across the occupied territories.
President Donald Trump said Monday (11 May) he plans to reduce the 18-cent federal gasoline tax as fuel prices rise during the Iran war.
“Yeah, I’m going to reduce,” Trump told reporters, adding the suspension would last “till it’s appropriate.”
Any tax holiday would need approval from Congress. Senator Josh Hawley said he will introduce legislation Monday to suspend the gas tax.
U.S. gas prices averaged $4.52 a gallon Monday, according to AAA motor club.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday (11 May) dismissed Iran’s response to a U.S. peace proposal as a “stupid proposal,” adding that Tehran’s letter failed to mention abandoning its pursuit of a nuclear weapon.
Trump’s rejection, which came a day after he called Iran’s response unacceptable, has heightened concerns that the 10-week-old conflict could continue and further disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, the U.S. president reiterates Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.
“A lot of people said, ‘Well, does he have a plan?’ Yeah, of course I have a plan. I have the best plan ever,” Trump said.
“Iran has been defeated militarily, totally. They have a little left, they probably built up during this period of time. We’ll knock that out in about a day. But I have a plan – it’s a very simple plan, I don’t know why you don’t say it like it is: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.”
He has also described the ceasefire with Iran as “unbelievably weak”.
“I would say the ceasefire is on massive life support, where the doctor walks in and says, ‘Sir, your loved-one has approximately a one-percent chance of living’,” Trump said.
Oil prices climbed on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s response to a U.S. peace proposal, fuelling concerns that disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could persist and further strain global energy supplies. Brent crude rose nearly 2% to around 103 dollars a barrel as markets reacted to the growing uncertainty.
The diplomatic deadlock has reinforced fears that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz will remain largely closed. Before the conflict erupted in late February, the narrow waterway carried around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Since then, maritime traffic has fallen sharply, with only a limited number of tankers able to pass through safely.
Shipping data showed several crude carriers switched off tracking systems while transiting the strait to reduce the risk of attack. The disruption has already forced some producers to scale back exports, contributing to a steep decline in OPEC output, which has fallen to its lowest level in more than two decades.
Market anxiety deepened after Trump dismissed Tehran’s response as “totally unacceptable”. Iran had demanded compensation for war damage, an end to the U.S. naval blockade, guarantees against future attacks and recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts warn that a prolonged disruption in Hormuz could keep oil prices elevated for months, adding pressure to global markets already facing supply concerns and rising shipping costs.
Amnesty International has urged Eurovision organisers to suspend Israel from this year’s song contest, citing allegations of apartheid against Palestinians.
The annual competition is scheduled to take place in Vienna on Saturday.
Lithuania’s State Defence Council has proposed sending up to 40 soldiers and personnel to support the United States mission in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the president’s office.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has urged the United States to pressure Israel to halt attacks and stop home demolitions in southern Lebanon, according to the presidency.
Britain has imposed sanctions on 12 individuals and entities linked to Iran over alleged hostile activities, including plotting attacks and supporting groups accused of destabilising the UK and other countries.
The measures include asset freezes, travel bans, and director disqualification orders, according to a government sanctions notice.
Israel has rejected a decision by EU ministers to impose sanctions on West Bank settlers, according to a statement posted by Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar on X.
Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser says the global energy supply shock that began in Q1 is “the largest the world has ever experienced,” underscoring mounting pressure on global markets as supply disruptions and demand volatility continue to reshape the energy landscape.
Nasser warns that even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens today, global energy markets could take months to rebalance. He also added that if disruptions persist for several more weeks, market normalisation may not occur until 2027, highlighting the severity of ongoing supply concerns.
According to Nasser, the oil market could lose around 100 million barrels of crude every week the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and that ongoing disruptions are rapidly tightening global supply and deepening risks to market stability.
Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said the country’s oil sector has faced challenges since the start of a U.S. maritime blockade on Iranian ports, but authorities have implemented countermeasures to maintain exports.
Speaking to state television, Paknejad said Iran’s oil production did not decline during the “40 days of war” and described the export process as “favourable,” while acknowledging difficulties following the blockade.
He did not specify the measures taken, but said “this process continues,” adding that “the enemy is full of delusions.”
Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system has been nearly 99% effective against missiles launched by Hamas and Hezbollah and has intercepted most missiles fired by Iran. This was announced by Yuval Steinitz, chairman of state-owned defence company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
Speaking at a conference hosted by the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, Steinitz said Hamas and Hezbollah had fired around 40,000 rockets at Israel since October 2023, with Iron Dome intercepting “around 98%, even 99%” of them.
He also said Iran had launched about 1,500 ballistic missiles at Israel in two rounds of fighting since 2024, with “only several dozens” not intercepted, adding that there was no shortage of interceptor missiles.
Israeli air attacks in southern Lebanon killed at least four people and wounded five others, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency, as strikes hit multiple towns across the Nabatieh region.
An air raid on the village of Abba killed 78-year-old Najia Hassan Rammal and her 11-year-old grandson Fadl Wahab Tarhini, reportedly destroying their home and injuring four others.
In a separate strike on Jarjouaa, the agency said brothers Ali and Nidal Naeem Moussa were killed and another person was wounded.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit Qatar on Tuesday for talks focused on the Iran war, regional security and navigational safety in the Strait of Hormuz, a Turkish diplomatic source said.
The source said Fidan will reaffirm Ankara’s support for Qatar following Iranian attacks and stress the importance of ensuring safe navigation through Hormuz for regional stability and the global economy.
He is also expected to discuss diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a lasting resolution to the Gulf conflict.
Türkiye, which borders Iran, has remained in close contact with the United States, Iran and mediator Pakistan since the start of the conflict, while maintaining strong political and military ties with Qatar.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said China is “fully aware” that the war was “imposed” on Iran, adding that Tehran conveyed its position during Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Beijing last week.
Baghaei said the conflict was “a continuation of unilateral actions of the United States” and accused Washington of violating international law.
He added that China views stability in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and broader Asian region as a top priority and would warn against any “incalculable measures or unlawful acts” by the U.S. that could threaten regional and global economic security.
China voiced strong opposition on Monday to U.S. sanctions imposed on three China-based companies accused by Washington of supporting Iran’s military operations, calling the measures “illegal and unilateral.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Chinese firms are required to operate in line with laws and regulations, adding that Beijing will “firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests” of its companies.
He also said the “pressing priority” should be preventing a return to fighting, rather than using the conflict to “maliciously associate and smear other countries”.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said regional stability and security have been “undermined”.
"Our demand is legitimate: demanding an end to the war, lifting the (U.S.) blockade and piracy, and releasing Iranian assets that have been unjustly frozen in banks due to U.S. pressure," Baghaei said.
"Safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and establishing security in the region and Lebanon were other demands of Iran, which are considered a generous and responsible offer for regional security," he concluded.
Baghaei's comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s response to Washington’s latest proposal to end the war, calling it “totally unacceptable.”
An Israeli airstrike on the town of Abba in southern Lebanon killed two people and wounded five others this morning, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).
The agency also reported renewed Israeli air raids on the town of Kfar Remman, which was struck for a second time in less than an hour, as Israeli warplanes continued operations in the area.
South Korea’s presidential Blue House on Monday strongly condemned an attack on a cargo ship operated by a Korean shipping company earlier this month in the Strait of Hormuz.
South Korean officials vowed to respond once the source of the attack is identified.
A senior Blue House official said South Korean experts have carried out an initial forensic assessment of damage to the vessel’s stern, adding that the strike caused a fire in the ship’s engine room.
An Iraqi-bound very large crude carrier (VLCC), Agios Fanourios I, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday using Iran’s designated transit route, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said on Monday.
It had reportedly switched off its tracking systems amid heightened security risks.
Tasnim said the vessel was carrying Iraqi crude and bound for Vietnam, adding that it completed its passage through a route coordinated with Iranian authorities.
Iran has executed a man convicted of spying for U.S. and Israeli intelligence services, according to the judiciary-linked Mizan news agency.
Mizan identified the man as Erfan Shakourzadeh, saying he worked at a scientific organisation involved in satellite activity and was accused of sharing classified information with foreign intelligence services.
However, the Iran Human Rights Society said Shakourzadeh, a 29-year-old aerospace engineering graduate, was arrested in 2025 and alleged that his confession was coerced.
Israel’s military said a soldier was killed in combat near the border with Lebanon, identifying the victim as Alexander Glovanyov, 47, who served as a vehicle driver.
The army said he was killed on Sunday (10 May) amid ongoing cross-border hostilities.
Oil prices extended gains on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump described Iran’s response to a U.S. proposal as “unacceptable,” reinforcing market concerns over prolonged instability in Gulf energy flows.
Brent crude futures rose $4.16, or 4.11%, to $105.45 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate climbed $4.38, or 4.59%, to $99.80 a barrel.
An Iranian proposal sent to the United States through mediator Pakistan calls for an end to the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon, and the lifting of sanctions on Tehran, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
According to Tasnim, the proposal also demands the suspension of U.S. sanctions enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control on Iranian oil sales for a 30-day period, alongside an end to the naval blockade on Iran.
Donald Trump said he is “in no hurry” to reach a deal with Iran, insisting the U.S. is slowly getting what it wants. He warned military action rem...
The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) football team retained its Champions League title at Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Saturday night, after overcoming A...
The World Health Organisation’s designation of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) is ...
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) travelled to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday (30 May), urging communities to seek med...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 31 May, covering the latest developments you need to know....
Donald Trump said he is “in no hurry” to reach a deal with Iran, insisting the U.S. is slowly getting what it wants. He warned military action remains an option if talks fail. Meanwhile, U.S. forces said they fired a missile at a vessel trying to breach Washington’s blockade of Iran.
The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) football team retained its Champions League title at Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Saturday night, after overcoming Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw following extra time.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) travelled to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday (30 May), urging communities to seek medical care quickly and follow safe burial practices as authorities work to contain a rapidly growing Ebola outbreak.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 31 May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the longtime allies ahead of Armenia's parliamentary election on 7 June.
Iran has strongly condemned U.S. threats to impose sanctions on and bomb Oman following reported talks between Muscat and Tehran on jointly overseeing the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating that the Islamic Republic’s actions in the strategic waterway are “lawful”.
The United States has warned Oman against supporting any effort to impose tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, saying Washington would penalise any parties involved in facilitating such a system.
The Islamic Revolution’s Guards Corps of Iran (IRGC) said it carried out a retaliatory attack on a U.S. airbase in the early hours of Thursday. The airbase was used to target a ground control station on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas Airport in Hormuzgan Province, which faces the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. and Iran have reportedly reached a preliminary 60-day ceasefire and nuclear talks deal, pending Donald Trump’s approval, Axios reports. Meanwhile, the GCC condemned Iran’s missile strike on a U.S. airbase in Kuwait, which Tehran said was retaliation for a U.S. strike near Bandar Abbas.
The U.N. human rights office said Israeli forces may be committing unlawful killings near the military armistice line in Gaza, after data showed that roughly a third of verified Palestinian deaths since the October truce occurred close to the boundary area.
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