Iran war live: Trump announces plan to escort ships stuck in Hormuz Strait
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/5/3/iran-war-live-trump-says-reviewing-14-point-plan-israel-pounds-lebanon
Iran war live: Trump announces plan to escort ships stuck in Hormuz Strait
Al Jazeera Live
- US President Donald Trump has announced a plan to escort ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a “humanitarian gesture”. Iran has yet to say if it is involved in this plan.
- Iran’s government spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei says the United States has responded to its 14-point plan to find a permanent end to the war, and that it is reviewing that response.
- 4h ago(18:00 GMT)
What we know about Iran’s 14-point plan to end the war
With Iran receiving Washington’s response to its peace proposal, here’s what we know about the 14-point plan to end the war in 30 days:
- Iran’s new proposal calls for guarantees against future attacks and a withdrawal of US forces from the vicinity of Iran.
- It calls for the lifting of the US blockade on Iran’s ports and the removal of sanctions.
- Tehran wants the release of frozen Iranian assets worth billions of dollars and war reparations.
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The proposal also calls for ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, as well as a “new mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz”.
Read more here.
- 5h ago(17:45 GMT)
Germany’s Merz stresses importance of US for NATO, downplays tensions with Trump
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the United States is central to the NATO alliance, despite differences of opinion. He also downplayed tensions with President Donald Trump after Washington announced troop withdrawals from Germany.
“I remain convinced that the Americans are the most important partner for us in the North Atlantic Alliance,” Merz told public broadcaster ARD in an interview to be televised later on Sunday.
Asked whether US plans to reduce its troop presence in Germany had anything to do with their spat over Trump’s strategy in Iran, Merz said: “There is no connection”.
- 5h ago(17:30 GMT)
Iran experiencing some medicine shortages due to the war, says head of Food and Drug Administration
The head of Iran’s Food and Drug Administration, Mahdi Pirsalehi, explains that drug prices have increased due to the impact of the war on the country’s petrochemical and steel sectors.
“We are certainly following up to ensure that insurance budgets are revised. We are inevitably required to adjust some drug prices,” Pirsalehi said.
“We have held negotiations with Parliament and the Planning and Budget Organisation in order to secure an increase in insurance funding so that out-of-pocket payments by the public can be reduced,” he added.
Alongside the price increase, Pirsalehi said the country is also experiencing shortages of medicines, but added that there are no supply problems with “essential and life-saving drugs”.
“Regarding the supply of certain brand‑name medicines that used to come from Western countries, we are facing difficulties, which we are currently working to resolve,” he said, adding that consumption needed to be “directed towards domestically produced medicines”.
- 5h ago(17:15 GMT)
Hezbollah claims strikes on Israeli soldiers near school in southern Lebanon
Hezbollah announced in a statement that it targeted Israeli army vehicles and soldiers with a rocket salvo near a school in the village of Hula, southern Lebanon.
It also claimed that its fighters struck at Israeli soldiers in the town of Naqoura with a salvo of kamikaze drones in two waves, saying it achieved one hit.
- 5h ago(17:15 GMT)
Photos: Smoke rises as Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue
Smoke rises following an explosion in Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border [Shir Torem/Reuters] 
[Shir Torem/Reuters] 
Smoke billows above the site of Israeli air strikes that targeted the village of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, as seen from the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun [AFP] - 5h ago(17:11 GMT)
Iran ‘reviewing’ US response to 14-point plan
Iran has received the US response to its 14-point plan to end the war, according to the foreign affairs ministry.
Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told Iranian media that the response received through Pakistan is being reviewed.
He added that Iran’s plan was exclusively tied to ending the war, with no nuclear negotiations at this stage.
- 5h ago(17:00 GMT)
Prices surge, jobs disappear as war strains Iran’s economy
Tehran, Iran – Prices are surging in Iran, and millions of jobs have been lost as the war with the US and Israel causes escalating economic damage.
Food and medicine, cars, electrical devices and petrochemical products are among the many items that cost more this Saturday, the first day of the working week, than a week ago.
A toxic mix of mismanagement, the bombardment of Iran’s infrastructure, US sanctions, and the naval blockade is pummelling the country of more than 90 million people. In addition, the government-imposed, near-total internet shutdown is into its third month.
On top of all that, the national currency, the rial, has sunk to a new all-time low of 1.84 million against the US dollar.
Read more here.
Iran’s economy has suffered billions of dollars in war damage, US sanctions, naval blockade and internet shutdown [Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters] - 6h ago(16:45 GMT)
Israeli army intercepts Hezbollah rockets in southern Lebanon
The Israeli army has reported intercepting Hezbollah rockets after alerts were activated in the Menara area, northern Israel. The rockets were reportedly targeting Israeli soldiers now stationed in southern Lebanon.
The army said that its Air Force intercepted one launch, while other rockets fell in open areas, with no casualties. It added that it launched interceptors toward several suspected aerial targets identified in the area where Israeli forces are operating.
- 6h ago(16:30 GMT)
Twenty-five loaded oil tankers departed Iran in April: Tracker
An international maritime tracking website, TankerTrackers.com, reports that 25 oil tankers departed Iran loaded with crude oil in April 2026.
It said that “of that lot, seven were quickly redirected back to Iran by the US from the Arabian Sea, two were seized by the US in the Indian Ocean, and one reached the Far East”.
The website added that most of the other 15 oil tankers reached their intended destinations after departing in the first half of April.
- 6h ago(16:15 GMT)
CENTCOM says 49 commercial vessels ‘redirected’ during Iran port blockade
US Central Command (CENTCOM) says its commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, visited the USS Milius yesterday as the guided-missile destroyer “patrolled regional waters” in support of the blockade of Iranian ports.
“While on board, he interacted with Sailors and addressed them on the 1MC while highlighting the importance of the ongoing mission,” CENTCOM wrote on X.
“As of today, 49 commercial vessels have been redirected to comply with blockade. US forces remain fully committed to total enforcement,” it added.
- 6h ago(16:00 GMT)
Estimated 8,000 bodies reportedly still under Gaza debris
About 8,000 Palestinian bodies are believed to be under the rubble in the Gaza Strip, where less than one percent of debris has been cleared after Israel’s two-year genocidal war.
Haaretz newspaper, citing an unnamed official from the UN Development Programme, said the slow pace of removal means the process could take up to seven years to complete.
Palestinian families continue to wait to recover and bury relatives buried beneath collapsed buildings from Israeli bombardment.
The assessment is based on data from Palestinian Civil Defence authorities, who have warned of severe shortages of heavy equipment, slowing efforts to clear vast areas of destruction.
Israel has continued to commit daily violations of a “ceasefire” deal signed last October, killing 828 Palestinians and injuring 2,342, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The ceasefire was meant to end a two-year Israeli onslaught on Gaza, which killed more than 72,000 people and wounded 172,000 others, with 90 percent of civilian infrastructure destroyed. The UN estimates reconstruction costs at about $70bn.
- 7h ago(15:45 GMT)
Kuwait oil production expected to reach 2.6 million bpd in June
Kuwait’s oil minister says production is expected to increase to 2.6 million barrels per day (bpd) in June.
Seven OPEC+ countries will raise oil output targets in June by 188,000 bpd – that’s the third consecutive monthly increase, the group said after an online meeting on Sunday.
The output targets are mostly symbolic as Gulf countries have had to cut production as the Strait of Hormuz remains shut because of the US-Israel war on Iran.
Kuwait did not export any crude oil last month for the first time since the 1991 Gulf War because of the Hormuz blockade.
- 7h ago(15:30 GMT)
Energy prices to decline after war on Iran ends, says US treasury secretary
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says energy prices that have surged because of the US-Israel war on Iran war should decline later this year.
“Oil prices on the other side of this conflict are going to be much lower,” Bessent told US media.
Iran isn’t getting much money in its attempts to put tolls on ships traversing the Strait of Hormuz, Bessent added.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies on Capitol Hill [J Scott Applewhite/AP] - 7h ago(15:24 GMT)
Bulk carrier attacked off Iranian coast: UKMTO
The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency says a north-bound bulk carrier has reported being attacked by multiple small craft off the Iranian coast, about 11 nautical miles (18km) west of Sirik.
All crew are safe, and no environmental impact was reported, the agency added.
- 7h ago(15:15 GMT)
Hezbollah reports drone and rocket strikes on Israeli forces in south Lebanon
Hezbollah says it targeted Israeli army vehicles and soldiers in the town of al-Bayyad, southern Lebanon, confirming one hit.
The attack happened at 11:30am (08:30 GMT) on Sunday, and Israeli forces were hit with a “kamikaze” drone.
At 2:30pm (11:30 GMT), Hezbollah said it also targeted Israeli vehicles and soldiers in the town of al-Qantara, in Marjayoun district, with rocket-propelled weapons with no confirmed hits.
The attacks were carried out “in defence of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the Israeli enemy’s violation of the ceasefire and the attacks that targeted villages in southern Lebanon, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of civilians”, the group said in a statement on Telegram.
- 7h ago(15:10 GMT)
Lebanon death toll from Israeli attacks reaches 2,679
Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health has provided the latest casualty figures since the start of Israeli attacks on Lebanon just over two months ago.
Between March 2 and May 3, Israeli attacks across Lebanon have killed 2,679 people and wounded 8,229, the ministry said.
- 7h ago(15:00 GMT)
Was the Iran war the final blow in the collapse of Spirit Airlines?
The war on Iran has disrupted global oil and gas prices, with Brent crude rising above $111 a barrel on Friday. High crude oil prices have also caused aviation turbine fuel (ATF) costs to rise.
Across the globe, airlines have been increasing ticket prices to reflect high ATF costs and some have also reduced their schedules.
German airline Lufthansa said last month that it had cancelled 20,000 flights in a bid to protect itself from soaring ATF costs.
On Friday, Air India said it has increased fuel surcharges on all flights, and will cut 100 flights a day on domestic and international routes.
Budget airlines are particularly exposed, with many facing high debt, fuel cost volatility, labour and ticket cost pressures.
Read more here.
Iraqi oil convoys reroute through Syria as Hormuz blockade disrupts Gulf shipping - 8h ago(14:45 GMT)
German FM calls on Iran to open Strait of Hormuz
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul spoke to his Iranian counterpart and called for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened and for Tehran to end its nuclear programme.
“As a close US ally we share the same goal: Iran must completely and verifiably renounce nuclear weapons and immediately release the Strait of Hormuz as [US] Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio also demands,” Wadephul wrote on X.
US President Donald Trump is seething at European allies over their unwillingness to join his war with Israel against Iran. He has lashed out at leaders such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Merz last week criticised the war in Iran, saying the US is being “humiliated” by the Iranian leadership and calling out Washington’s lack of strategy.
- 8h ago(14:30 GMT)
Israel systematically destroying critical health services in south Lebanon
Five medics were bombed by Israel’s military earlier. This is a pattern we continue to see day in, day out – Israel carrying out attacks on these very critical members of the medical response teams in Lebanon’s south.
Hospitals have been a specific target for Israeli attacks as well. Israel says some of the paramedics are affiliated with Hezbollah, or affiliated with the Amal movement, giving them pretexts to carry out these attacks, saying ambulances are carrying fighters and weapons.
What we’re seeing on the ground is Israel systematically destroying these critical services and infrastructure related to sustaining life in the south.
Overnight, there was a series of intense explosions here in Tyre near the coastline in the southwest sector. There’s no sign of a ceasefire here. Most people are expecting the situation to continue to intensify, especially after Israel issued another threat to people in 11 towns and villages to leave.
- 8h ago(14:20 GMT)
More details on Iran peace plan
Here are more details on Iran’s plan to end the war with the US:
- The second phase of the proposal stipulates Iran’s return to enrichment after the time limit at 3.6 percent in accordance with the “zero-storage principle”.
- The plan includes the US and Israel refraining from attacking Iran and its allies in exchange for Iran refraining from launching strikes.
- The proposal rejects dismantling nuclear infrastructure or destroying Iran’s facilities.
- Lifting sanctions includes the gradual release of frozen funds.
- In the third phase, Tehran proposed entering into a strategic dialogue with Arab neighbours and building a security system that includes the entire Middle East.
- 8h ago(14:10 GMT)
New details emerge on Iran’s peace plan sent to the US
Al Jazeera has new details about Iran’s latest peace proposal that it submitted to the US via Pakistan.
Sources said the Iranian plan has three main stages and aims to transform the ceasefire into an end to the war within 30 days.
It envisions a pledge of nonaggression, including from Israel, to ensure there’s no return to war and an end to fighting throughout the Middle East.
The first phase would gradually open the Strait of Hormuz and lift the US siege on Iranian ports. Tehran would take charge of dealing with sea mines.
- 8h ago(14:00 GMT)
Israeli forces locate more than 100 Hezbollah weapons in southern Lebanon: Army
The Israeli army says it has discovered more than 100 weapons used by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon over 24 hours.
The arms include Kalashnikov-type rifles, 20 rockets, sniper rifles and other combat equipment.
These weapons were reportedly located in the Rashaf area in southern Lebanon by forces of the 401st Brigade. That is the Israeli brigade accused of killing the Palestinian girl Hind Rajab and her family in Gaza in January 2024.
- 9h ago(13:45 GMT)
One killed, others injured in Israeli incursion into Nablus
A young Palestinian man has been killed and four people have been wounded when Israeli forces opened fire during a raid on the city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Nayef Feras Samaro, 26, was killed after sustaining gunshot wounds to the head.
The four who were injured, including two children, were targeted by live ammunition with one shot in the pelvis and another in the chest.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society also reported about 40 people suffered tear gas inhalation during the Israeli incursion with 10 cases requiring hospitalisation.
- 9h ago(13:30 GMT)
Iran presses for end to war with US within 30 days
Iran’s latest 14-point proposal calls for issues between it and the US to be resolved within 30 days and aims to end the war rather than extend the ceasefire.
The proposal, a rebuttal to the US nine-point plan, also calls for the US to lift sanctions on Iran, end its naval blockade, withdraw its forces from the region and cease all hostilities, including Israel’s war in Lebanon, according to the semiofficial Nour News agency, which has close ties to Iran’s security organisations.
Trump rejected an Iranian proposal last week; however, conversations have continued, and the fragile three-week ceasefire appears to be holding.
Also today, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who oversaw previous rounds of talks between the US and Iran before the war.
- 9h ago(13:15 GMT)
‘She personally feels more powerful than any soldier, tank’
Before her wedding, Huwaida Arraf was on a hunger strike in an Israeli prison. She made it to the altar and married fellow activist Adam Shapiro.
They spent their youth on the front lines of activism for Palestinian rights, standing in front of tanks and being shot at by the Israeli military.
Huwaida helped launch the Gaza flotilla movement and has been detained more times than she can count. Two decades later, she is still attempting to sail to Gaza to break Israel’s siege.
- 9h ago(13:00 GMT)EXPLAINER
Strait of Hormuz blockade and other major naval sieges
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway once carrying roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas, remains effectively closed after the United States and Iran imposed competing blockades.
Naval blockades are one of the oldest weapons in warfare, requiring no ground troops or invasion, just the ability to cut off what an enemy needs to survive.
These blockades have reshaped economies, societies, and alliances across generations, sometimes with instant shock waves, sometimes with effects only seen later.
From Israel’s ongoing siege of the Gaza Strip to such efforts during World War I, read more about notable naval blockades here.
The French steamer Herault was sunk by a German vessel in the Mediterranean Sea off Spain in 1916 [Halftone/Courtesy of the Library of Congress] - 10h ago(12:45 GMT)
US is making war decisions for Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, at the beginning of the war with Iran, really rode high on the idea that Israel is partnering with the US, waging a major war against a regional powerhouse in Iran.
But now the debate really is focused on the fact that all the decisions come from Washington. In Lebanon, the ceasefire wasn’t decided by Netanyahu. It’s not something he wanted, but Trump decided on it and Israel had to oblige.
The discussions focus on the reality that it may be turning into an extremely costly war of attrition.
While all this waiting is happening and losses keep piling up, the Israeli prime minister is feeling the cost in the poll numbers, and he really has no choice but to wait for a signal from Washington.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [Ronen Zvulun via Reuters] - 10h ago(12:30 GMT)
WATCH: Hospitals in Lebanon overwhelmed with patients injured by Israeli attacks
- 10h ago(12:15 GMT)
If you’re just joining us
Here are the latest developments:
- The intelligence unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says US President Donald “Trump must choose between an impossible military operation or a bad deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran”.
- Mohsen Rezaee, former IRGC commander and secretary of Tehran’s Expediency Council, compares the US forces blockading the Strait of Hormuz to “pirates” and threatens to turn the waterway into “a graveyard” of US aircraft carriers and troops.
- The Israeli military says it has killed two Hezbollah fighters who posed “an imminent threat” to its soldiers in southern Lebanon.
- An Israeli court has approved a two-day extension to the detention of two foreign activists from a captured vessel in a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla who were brought to Israel for questioning.
- Israeli police have detained 21 suspects who are accused of trying to carry out a Passover sacrifice in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports.
- 10h ago(12:05 GMT)
Spain demands ‘immediate release’ of Spanish-Palestinian activist abducted by Israel
Spain’s foreign ministry has called for the “immediate release” of a Spanish-Palestinian activist, who was abducted on Thursday by the Israeli army from a captured vessel in the Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla.
“The government of Spain demands his immediate release,” the ministry said in a comment sent to the AFP news agency shortly after an Israeli court extended his detention by two days.
The ministry said that the Spanish consul in Tel Aviv accompanied Saif Abu Keshek, who is being “illegally detained”, to the hearing.
A rights group at the hearing said the court extended the detention of Keshek and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila by two days.
