People walk past a billboard with a graphic design about the Strait of Hormuz on a building, amid a ceasefire between US and Iran, in Tehran on April 27, 2026. Image credit/Reuters
The Trump administration contends the conflict with Iran has effectively ended because of a ceasefire that began in early April, a position aimed at avoiding the requirement to seek congressional approval under a 1973 law for military action extending beyond 60 days. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate the ceasefire paused the war. A senior administration official, speaking anonymously, said, “the hostilities that began on Saturday, Feb 28 have terminated,” noting no exchanges between US forces and Iran since the two-week ceasefire that began April 7. While the ceasefire has been extended, Iran continues to control the Strait of Hormuz and the US Navy maintains a blockade to prevent Iranian oil tankers from reaching open sea. (Agencies)
‘Mojtaba Khamenei in perfect health despite injuries’: Iran supreme leader’s key aide
May 1, 2026 12:49 pm
Ayatollah Mohsen Qomi, a member of the Assembly of Experts and deputy for international affairs in the Supreme Leader’s office, denied US claims about Mojtaba Khamenei’s health, saying the leader is healthy and dismissing Western reports as rumor-mongering, Fars News Agency reported.
Trump’s upcoming China visit influences strategic options on Iran
May 1, 2026 10:51 am
US media report President Trump’s planned trip to China is shaping his strategic deliberations on Iran. An anonymous White House official told NBC the visit is among factors the President is weighing as he assesses military and diplomatic options.
Iran accuses Arab nations of complicity in ‘aggression’ over hosting US-Israeli bases
May 1, 2026 10:47 am
Iran’s UN envoy Amir Saeid Iravani responded to a joint letter from six Arab states, accusing them of complicity by hosting US-Israeli bases used to launch strikes against Iran. He defended Tehran’s military responses as lawful self-defense under the UN Charter.
Fighting continues in southern Lebanon
May 1, 2026 9:18 am
Despite a ceasefire with Hezbollah, the group claims continued attacks on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. Israel reported one soldier killed Thursday, bringing troop casualties to 17 since the Iran war began. Israeli strikes reportedly killed nine in Lebanon, including civilians. Air raid sirens sounded in northern Israeli border communities. The UAE issued a travel ban to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq and urged its citizens to return.
Crackdown intensifies in Iran
May 1, 2026 9:14 am
Iran’s judiciary reported the execution of 21-year-old Sasan Azadvar of Isfahan for allegedly attacking police during January protests. Activists and rights groups say a harsher crackdown, including more executions, has followed the US-Israel war with Iran.
Khamenei signals Strait will remain shut
May 1, 2026 9:13 am
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei indicated Iran will maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, which lies in Iranian and Omani territorial waters. Iran had been charging some ships reportedly up to $2 million to transit the strait, and Khamenei said Tehran’s “legal rules and new management” would benefit the region.
Ceasefire shaken as Strait remains shut
May 1, 2026 9:12 am
The US blockade has turned back about 44 commercial vessels, US Central Command said, aiming to deny Iran oil revenue and potentially force production cuts if storage runs out. Iran proposed delaying nuclear talks; Trump has said denying Iran nuclear weapons ability was a major reason for the war. Iran has enriched uranium to about 60% purity.
Iran’s supreme leader vows to protect nuclear, missile capabilities
May 1, 2026 9:07 am
State television read a statement from Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei vowing to defend Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. He said Americans “belong at the bottom” of the Persian Gulf and declared a “new chapter” in regional history. Khamenei has not appeared publicly since becoming supreme leader after his father’s death in initial strikes.
Iran dying to make a deal, says Trump
May 1, 2026 9:00 am
President Trump told reporters Iran was “dying to make a deal” to end the paused war and largely ruled out resuming airstrikes, after Tehran warned of fresh strikes if the US restarted hostilities.
CENTCOM briefs Trump on new plan of strikes on Iran
May 1, 2026 8:59 am
Axios reported Trump was briefed by CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper and the Joint Chiefs on a new options package, including a “short and powerful” wave of strikes on infrastructure, an operation to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz to reopen it to commercial shipping, and a special-forces mission to secure Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
US reaches out to Maldives after Muizzu slams Iran war
May 1, 2026 8:37 am
The US sought clarification from the Maldives after President Mohammad Muizzu criticized Washington’s war with Iran. Special envoy Sergio Gor and Deputy Assistant Secretary Bethany Morrison spoke with Maldivian Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam about the bilateral relationship.
