G7 allies meet against backdrop of wars in Ukraine and Iran, with unpredictable US - Reuters

G7 allies meet against backdrop of wars in Ukraine and Iran, with unpredictable US  Reuters

Trump cites Pearl Harbor in meeting with Japan PM to defend Iran war decision - AP News

Trump cites Pearl Harbor in meeting with Japan PM to defend Iran war decision  AP News

Is Trump any closer to an Iran exit strategy?

The White House insists the president is dictating events, but even some Republicans are frustrated by mixed messaging about his war aims.

Republicans in Congress Fret Over Trump Administration’s Handling of Iran War 

G.O.P. lawmakers who have given the Trump administration wide latitude to wage war with no congressional input are growing frustrated as officials offer little detail about ground troops, cost or timeline.

By Robert Jimison, Megan Mineiro and Eric Schmitt

Trump Tells Aides He Wants Speedy End to Iran War - WSJ

Trump Tells Aides He Wants Speedy End to Iran War  WSJ

EU parliament to back US trade deal with safeguards on Trump tariffs

Also in this newsletter: Giorgia Meloni’s reshuffle, and new deportation rules

Trump’s trip to meet Xi Jinping in China rescheduled for May due to Iran war

US president says he will host Chinese leader in a reciprocal visit later this year Donald Trump will meet Xi Jinping in May during the US president’s first visit to China in eight years, a closely watched trip that had been postponed due to the Iran war. Trump was initially slated to travel next week, but will now visit Beijing on 14 and 15 May, he wrote in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday. Trump said he would host the Chinese leader in a reciprocal visit in Washington later this year. C...

By Reuters

Oil prices rise higher as Iran denies US talks, dimming deescalation hopes

Brent crude tops $104 a barrel as hopes fade for deescalation in US-Israel war on Iran.

House Budget chairman reveals how Republicans will pay for the Iran campaign

House Republicans will push a second budget reconciliation bill to fund Trump's Iran campaign and cut fraud in social services, House Budget Committee Chair Arrington said.

Trump threatens to ‘unleash hell’ — as it happened - The Times

Trump threatens to ‘unleash hell’ — as it happened  The Times

GOP lawmakers vent frustration over Trump administration’s lack of info on Iran war - CNN

GOP lawmakers vent frustration over Trump administration’s lack of info on Iran war  CNN

Trump wants to squeeze Iran into peace talks with more troops — but it may backfire, analysts say

Trump's threats to ramp up military presence may be to pressure Iran to negotiate but the battle may be harder than he calculated, say analysts.

Russia is supplying Iran with attack drones – FT

According to Western intelligence cited by the Financial Times, Russia is delivering drones and other support to Iran as conflict with the US and Israel intensifies.

By Ivan Diakonov

Iran war deflects attention from Ukraine as Russia starts spring offensive

The Iran war has deflected global attention from Russia’s all-out invasion of its neighbour Ukraine as Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II enters its fifth year and an emboldened Kremlin undertakes a spring offensive. The past week showed that neither side was easing up. Russia on Tuesday fired almost 1,000 drones and 34 missiles at Ukraine in one of the war’s biggest bombardments. The following day Ukraine launched almost 400 drones in the largest reported overnight attack on Russia...

By Associated Press

An Iranian to negotiate with: Who is Mohammad Ghalibaf?

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is one of Iran's most influential politicians and has close ties to the military. But he is also often associated with corruption as well as his role in the suppression of protests.

Iran and US harden positions as Tehran keeps grip on Strait of Hormuz

Iran and the United States hardened their positions as diplomacy aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the war appeared to be faltering

By Jon Gambrell and David Rising

Crude Oil Prices Surge on Talks of US Troop Deployment to the Middle East

India buys first LPG cargo from Iran in years, tanker was initially bound for China

The LPG shipment will be distributed among three state-run fuel retailers: Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.

By TOI BUSINESS DESK

China says ‘glimmer of hope’ on Iran war talks - The Straits Times

China says ‘glimmer of hope’ on Iran war talks  The Straits Times

Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran says ‘no negotiations’; Trump says Tehran ‘afraid’ to admit wanting a deal

Iran US war LIVE updates: At least 1,000 troops from the US's 82nd Airborne Division will reportedly be sent to the Middle East in the coming days amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States. The Pentagon is also sending about 5,000 more Marines trained in amphibious assaults.

Trump plans May visit to China for talks with Xi after Iran war delay

United States President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in May during his first visit to China in eight years, a closely watched trip postponed due to the ongoing Iran war. Trump’s effort to reschedule the trip reflected the Republican president’s eagerness to project confidence in a challenging Middle East war and simultaneously to manage a tense relationship between the world’s biggest economies. Initially slated to travel next week, Trump will now visit Beijing on May 1...

By none@none.com (Reuters)

Iran envoy softens stance on Korean vessels after earlier warning over Hormuz transit

Iran’s ambassador to Seoul appeared to soften his stance on South Korean vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, hours after hinting that Korean ships linked to US entities would be barred. Saeed Kouzechi, Iran’s ambassador to South Korea, said in a radio interview that vessels associated with US companies would not be allowed to pass through the strategic waterway. “We have stated that we will not permit passage through the strait for any targets related to the United States or Isr

By The Korea Herald

Iran says it is reviewing a US ceasefire plan but no talks; Trump says Tehran leaders want a deal

President ​Donald Trump said Iran was desperate to make a deal to end nearly four weeks of fighting, contradicting the Iranian foreign minister who said his country was reviewing a U.S. proposal but had ​no intention of holding talks to wind down the conflict. The conflicting statements came as the economic and humanitarian toll of […]

Iran rejects US ceasefire plan, issues its own demands as strikes land across the Mideast - 毎日新聞

Iran rejects US ceasefire plan, issues its own demands as strikes land across the Mideast  毎日新聞

After Hormuz, Iran Threatens To Block Another 'Strategic' Strait

Iranian media also reported that the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen might also join the ongoing fight against the US and Israeli forces to help Tehran take control of the Bab al-Mandeb

US, Israel temporarily remove two Iranian officials from target list - report

Parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are the officials removed from the list as Trump attempts to open the door for peace with Tehran.

U.S.-China summit to take place in Beijing on May 14-15: White House - Yonhap News Agency

U.S.-China summit to take place in Beijing on May 14-15: White House  Yonhap News Agency

Asia equities retreat after Iran rejects Trump's 15-point truce plan

MaIran warns the US: “Don’t test our resolve” as tensions rise

The President of Iran’s Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned the US not to “test” the resolve of Iranians to defend their country, as American media reported the deployment of additional troops to the Middle East. “We are closely monitoring all US movements in the region, especially the deployment of troops,” Ghalibaf stated in a post […]

By newsroom

Iran says it is reviewing US proposal to end war

The comments by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi suggest some willingness by Tehran to negotiate an end to the war if its demands are met

By Reuters

Every nation paying price of Iran's aggression, Dr Sultan Al Jaber tells Trump administration - thenationalnews.com

Every nation paying price of Iran's aggression, Dr Sultan Al Jaber tells Trump administration  thenationalnews.com

Trump’s Beijing trip rescheduled for May, after delay over Iran war

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing in May after delaying an earlier summit because of the war against Iran. Trump said he was looking forward to the “monumental” trip, which was originally due to take place at the end of March, and would host Xi […]

By AFP

6 Arab states renew condemnation of direct, proxy Iranian attacks in the region - Khaleej Times

6 Arab states renew condemnation of direct, proxy Iranian attacks in the region  Khaleej Times

Report Alleges Trump's Daily Military Briefing Scrubs Out Iran War Setbacks

Report Alleges Trump's Daily Military Briefing Scrubs Out Iran War Setbacks A fresh NBC report has alleged that President Trump is being presented with a very incomplete picture of how the Iran war is going, with the conflict now approaching its first month, and as Washington struggles to find an offramp amid global oil market disruptions. The report says that his daily military briefing provided by the Pentagon features a roughly 2-minute long video update for President Trump t...

By Tyler Durden

Trump says Iran ‘afraid’ to admit it wants a deal

US President Donald Trump insisted Wednesday that Iran was taking part in peace talks, suggesting Tehran's denials were because Iranian negotiators fear being killed by their own side. The post Trump says Iran ‘afraid’ to admit it wants a deal appeared first on Vanguard News.

By Akinbayo Wahab

Gulf countries urge Iraq to stop pro-Iran armed group attacks - rudaw.net

Gulf countries urge Iraq to stop pro-Iran armed group attacks  rudaw.net

Trump confirms May meeting with Xi Jinping as Iran war forces postponement

U.S. President Donald Trump says he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in China on 14-15 May, after delaying the landmark trip amid the US-Israel war with Iran.

By Abubakar Ibrahim

Iran warns any regional country aiding enemies to seize its islands will face severe reprisal - PressTV

Iran warns any regional country aiding enemies to seize its islands will face severe reprisal  PressTV

Qatar and five Arab countries condemn Iranian attacks on region, direct or via proxies

They also highlighted attacks carried out by Iran-aligned armed factions operating from Iraq targeting regional countries. Six Arab countries, including Qatar, issued a joint statement on Wednesday renewing their condemnation… (The post Qatar and five Arab countries condemn Iranian attacks on region, direct or via proxies is from Doha News | Qatar.)

By Asmahan Qarjouli

Single chokepoint, global crisis: what Hormuz disruption reveals [ANALYSIS] - AzerNews

Single chokepoint, global crisis: what Hormuz disruption reveals [ANALYSIS]  AzerNews

Faced with Iran, Washington takes a radical decision: Production of THAAD missiles will quadruple - Seneweb

Faced with Iran, Washington takes a radical decision: Production of THAAD missiles will quadruple  Seneweb