The US and Israel on Feb 28 launched what they described as a “pre-emptive” joint strike against Iranian targets, with Trump announcing start of “major combat operations”
Iran, US agreed to a two-week on April 8; the truce was later extended indefinitely and remains in place
Pakistan hosted the first round of face-to-face talks between the US and Iran in 47 years in April; the talks ended without a breakthrough, but also without a breakdown
US and Iran exchanged fire on May 8 despite the ceasefire
Even as hostilities briefly renewed, Washington said it was awaiting Iran’s response to a US proposal that would stop the fighting but leave the most contentious issues unresolved for now
Iran’s state media outlet IRNA says Tehran’s response to the US proposal focused on “ending the war and maritime security” in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reports.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, has discussed the latest status of ongoing peace negotiations between Iran and the US, Turkish media reports.
A Panama-flagged bulk carrier bound for Brazil has passed through the Strait of Hormuz using a route designated by Iran’s armed forces, Al Jazeera reports, citing Iran’s Tasnim news agency.
Tasnim said that the vessel is identified as the Mdl Toofan, adding that it has departed from Saudi Arabia’s Ras al-Khair port and is headed to Rio Grande.
The report said that the ship had previously attempted to transit the strait on May 4 but was turned back by Iran’s forces. It added that this was the second vessel since Saturday to use the Iran-designated route.
Iran has sent its response to a US proposal to end the war in the region via Pakistan, AFP reports, citing Iranian state media.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran sent today through Pakistani mediators its response to the latest text proposed by the United States to end the war,” the official IRNA news agency said, without offering details.
Iran’s Oil Terminals Company has denied reports of an oil leak near Kharg Island, according to state media, after satellite imagery this week appeared to show a large slick west of the country’s main oil export hub in the Gulf, Reuters reports.
The company’s chief executive has said inspections had found no evidence of leaks from storage tanks, pipelines, loading facilities or tankers operating near the island. He added that the Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre (MEMAC), a regional marine pollution body, had also reported no sign of leakage in the area.
The official said Iranian teams had conducted additional field inspections and laboratory testing after the reports emerged and had not identified “even the smallest trace” of leakage.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says negotiations do not mean surrender, reiterating Tehran’s position on defending Iranian national interests and the rights of the Iranian people, Al Jazeera reports.
“The goal is to realise the rights of the Iranian people and defend national interests with authority,” Pezeshkian said at a meeting on post-war reconstruction.
Brigadier General Akrami Nia, the spokesman of the Iranian army, says that “Iran will no longer allow passages that are harmful to its interests,” Iran’s Press TV reports.*
Qatar’s prime minister has told Iran’s foreign minister that using the Strait of Hormuz as “a pressure tool” would only deepen the crisis in the Gulf, the Qatari foreign ministry says, Reuters reports.
Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani also told Iran’s Abbas Araqchi in a phone call that all parties in the conflict should respond to mediation efforts to end the war.
An unidentified aircraft has struck a South Korean cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz this week, the foreign ministry says, days after the fire-damaged HMM Namu arrived at port in Dubai, AFP reports.
“On May 4, two unidentified aircraft struck the outer plate of the port-side ballast tank at the stern of the HMM Namu at roughly one-minute intervals, causing flames and smoke,” ministry spokesman Park Il told a news briefing, without specifying what kind of aircraft had been involved in the attack.
US President Donald Trump has blamed Iran, which has denied responsibility.
Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of Iran’s Central Military Headquarters (Khatam al‑Anbiya HQ), has met with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, IRIB reports.
According to Tasnim News Agency, Abdollahi presented a report on the preparedness of Iran’s armed forces, encompassing the army, the IRGC, the law enforcement, border guard forces, the defence ministry, and the Basij force.
“All the warriors of Islam are highly prepared to confront the hostile actions of the American-Zionist enemies, and in the event of any strategic error, aggression, or aggression on their part, they will deal with it swiftly, intensely, and powerfully,” Tasnim quoted the report as stating.
Khamenei “issued new directives and guidance for the continuation of actions and resolute confrontation against the enemies”, the outlet further said.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has stressed that the mandate of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was “verification, not political messaging about the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s missiles, or how Tehran should conduct itself”.
“When professional impartiality is compromised for political signalling or personal ambition, institutions erode their credibility — and, over time, their effectiveness as well,” the official wrote on X.
Commenting on a post about Israeli attacks killing a woman and her daughter in southern Lebanon, former US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said, “The entire world should condemn Israel murdering innocent people and children.
Qatar has confirmed that a commercial cargo vessel in its territorial waters was targeted by a drone this morning, Al Jazeera reports.
The incident resulted in a limited fire onboard the vessel that was arriving from Abu Dhabi. No injuries were reported.
“The vessel continued its journey toward Mesaieed Port after the fire was brought under control. The necessary measures were taken, and coordination was carried out with the relevant authorities,” a defence ministry statement read.
An Israeli raid on the Islamic Health Authority point in the southern Lebanese town of Qalawiya has wounded several paramedics, one seriously, NNA is reporting according to Al Jazeera.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, in a phone call with his Qatari counterpart, has discussed regional development.
In a post on X, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said the two “discussed developments in the region and the efforts undertaken by the two countries to maintain security and stability”.
“I was delighted to receive a telephone call from my brother,” said PM Shehbaz Sharif on X, sharing the details of his phone call with Qatari PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
“I also conveyed my sincere appreciation to my dear brother, H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, for his wise leadership and for Qatar’s continued support for Pakistan’s sincere efforts to advance regional peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy,” PM Shehbaz wrote.
“I look forward to the visit of my dear brother, the Amir of Qatar, to Pakistan very soon,” he added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call earlier today from his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Jassim Al Thani, the PM’s Office says.
“During their warm and cordial conversation, the two leaders exchanged views on the evolving regional situation and reviewed the progress of ongoing peace efforts in the region,” the PMO statement said.
PM Shehbaz “expressed Pakistan’s sincere appreciation for Qatar’s continued and steadfast support for Pakistan’s peace initiatives, reaffirming the depth of the brotherly bonds between the two countries”.
“Both sides underscored the importance of constructive engagement by all parties to ensure the success of ongoing peace efforts,” PMO added.
In a meeting with the US Secretary of State, Qatar’s prime minister has discussed relations between the two countries, the situation in the region and Pakistan’s mediation efforts to end the war, Al Jazeera reports.
“His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed, during the meeting, the necessity for all parties to respond to the ongoing mediation efforts in a way that opens the door to addressing the roots of the crisis through peaceful means and dialogue, and leads to reaching a comprehensive agreement that achieves lasting peace in the region,” a statement from Qatar said.
