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Recap for 7th May covering the latest negotiation news between the US and Iran as Pakistan made attempts to keep channels open, as well as the circumstances behind the explosions in Iran on Thursday evening, and all the other news from around the world in relation to the Iranian conflict.
The Love-Tap Between the US and Iran:
Reports began to surface late in the evening of several explosions occurring around Iran, especially in the vicinity of Sirik and Qeshm Island in southern Iran, along with Bandar Abbas, as Iranian ports including Bahman pier came under attack, but confusion initially led to multiple misleading reports from Tasnim News, Fars News, Mehr News, while Israeli media including i24News were quick to report that Israel weren’t involved.
Iranian channel Irib News was told by a senior Iranian official that following the aggression of the US invading Army against an Iranian oil tanker, the ‘enemy’s’ attacking units in the Strait of Hormuz area came under Iranian missile fire and, after sustaining damage, were forced to flee, as 7-8 cruise missiles were reportedly fired from Iran’s Hormozgan province towards the Strait, while Israel Hayom were told by an Israeli source that the fire was an exchange taking place between the US and Iran, and Israeli Army Radio said that Iran attacked US Missile Destroyers.
The picture was becoming clear, as strikes continued to rain down on Iran’s Qeshm Port and Bandar Abbas, but a senior official told Fox News that this was not a restart of the war, just as explosions were reported over Minab as the US targeted the Bandar Kangan naval checkpoint in Minab, Bandar Abbas again, and air defences had become active in western Tehran due to drone activity.
Official Explanations:
An IRGC Navy statement said: “Following the ceasefire violation and the aggression of the US terrorist Army against an Iranian oil tanker near Bandar Jask and the approach of the US terrorist Army Destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz, a very large and precise combined strike operation was carried out using various ballistic and anti-ship cruise missiles along with explosive warhead attack drones fired at the enemy destroyers,” adding that intelligence monitoring indicated significant damage to the American ‘enemy’, and three invading enemy ships quickly fled the Strait of Hormuz area.
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central HQ spokesperson said the US was in violation of a ceasefire when they targeted an Iranian oil tanker moving from the coastal waters of Iran in the Jask region towards the Strait of Hormuz, as well as another vessel entering the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Fujairah.
“At the same time, they carried out air assaults on civilian areas in cooperation with some regional countries on the coasts of Bandar Khamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island,” he said, stating that the Armed Forces of Iran immediately retaliated by attacking American military vessels in the eastern Strait of Hormuz and south of the port of Chabahar, causing ‘significant damage to them.’
The spokesperson added: “The criminal and aggressive America and its supporting countries must know that the Islamic Republic of Iran, as in the past, powerfully and without the slightest hesitation, will deliver a crushing response to any aggression and invasion.”
Central Command published a statement that said the US forces intercepted unprovoked Iranian attacks and responded with self-defence strikes as US Navy guided-missile destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman on May 7: “Iranian forces launched multiple missiles, drones and small boats as USS Truxton, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason transited the international sea passage – no US Assets were struck.”
The statement said that Centcom eliminated inbound threats and targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking US forces including missile and drone launch sites, command and control locations, as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance nodes: “Centcom does not seek escalation but remains positioned and ready to protect American forces,” they said.
President Trump took to Truth Social to say: “Three World Class American Destroyers just transited, very successfully, out of the Strait of Hormuz, under fire,” without pointing to the fact they wouldn’t have been stranded in the Persian Gulf had they not passed through on Monday to aid maritime vessels through the Strait.
Trump claimed: “A normal country would have allowed these destroyers to pass, but Iran is not a normal country, they are led by lunatics, and if they had the chance to use a nuclear weapon, they would do it without question,” adding that they would never get the opportunity and: “Just like we knocked them out today, we’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently in the future, if they don’t get their deal signed, fast!”
Media News Followup:
The USS Truxton and USS Mason came under an intense Iranian attack in what US officials described to CBS News as a fiercer and more sustained Iranian assault than the barrage the warships faced a few days ago when they first passed through, as officials said fast-attack boats approached close enough the destroyers opened fire using naval guns, close-in weapon systems and deck-mounted weapons, while supporting aircraft and Apache helicopters also engaged targets with Hellfire missiles and machine guns, and officials claimed although Iran launched missiles and drones at the US destroyers, no casualties or damage was reported.
Israeli officials told Israeli Army Radio and Israel Hayom that they assessed the recent exchange of attacks between Iran and the US in the Gulf region to be concluded, with both sides halting any further strikes, noting that US forces withdrew their destroyers from the Strait after responding to Iranian fire and carrying out strikes on Iranian targets, and an Israeli source said both sides appeared intent on keeping the confrontation line limited to avoid a wider escalation.
President Trump told ABC News that there was no ceasefire violation between the countries, describing what had happened between the US and Iran on Thursday night as nothing more than a ‘love tap.’
Wall Street Journal said strikes reportedly hit military facilities on Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, Garuk and other locations after Iran launched missiles, drones and small-boat attacks against US warships operating in the area, as US officials described the operation ‘defensive,’ while Iranian state media said Iranian forces had acted in retaliation for an earlier US attack on an Iranian oil tanker accused of attempting to breach the blockade.
Tasnim News reported that two drones were downed by Iranian air defences in Bandar Abbas, according to unconfirmed sources, stating the sound of explosions in the city were from the air defences being activated and was separate from the explosion that had occurred near Bahman Port in Qeshm, while later confirming no explosions or impacts had been reported in the city of Sirik, saying it remained completely secure, claiming the sounds were linked to warning shorts or alerts issued by the IRGC Navy to several ships over ‘unauthorised navigation.’
Axios reported that the US had struck targets in the Strait area but the strikes didn’t constitute a return to war; IRIB said the United States struck certain points in an attempt to extract two of its vessels, but immediately faced strong reaction from Iranian forces, adding later that there were no civilian casualties, but were no mention of any military casualties; and Fox News was told by a Pentagon official that the attacks were ‘low level’ and said it didn’t violate the ceasefire.
President Trump told reporters that the ceasefire with Iran was still on despite the exchange of fire between the two: “Yeah it is, they trifled with us today, we blew them away,” he said, stating that he would let everyone know when there’s no ceasefire: “If there’s no ceasefire, you’re not gonna have to know – you’re just gonna have to look at one big glow coming from out of Iran,” he said, adding that Iran had better sign their agreement fast.
Negotiation News:
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said that they expected an agreement between the United States and Iran to be reached sooner rather than later, remaining optimistic about the course of the negotiations and the achievement of final understandings, adding Pakistan were ready to host a new round of negotiations as soon as both delegations were ready.
Switzerland are also looking to see a swift end to the conflict without a resumption of fighting, offering to host the United States and Iranian delegations to mediate a peace plan, according to the Swiss Foreign Ministry.
President Trump demanded an ‘immediate response’ to Washington’s peace proposal and Tehran is likely to respond on Thursday through Islamabad, a knowledgeable Pakistan source told Al Arabiya, saying that communication with officials was ongoing and there was no obstacle to continuing contacts, while the source added that the vital issue of was the Strait of Hormuz, but a potential solution regarding the waterway seemed feasible.
CNN reported that Iran was expected to give a response to the US 14 point proposal through mediators by the end of Thursday, which would then be reviewed by the USA before any formal response would be offered back, as Islamabad continued the mediation process.
Reuters claimed the US and Iran were nearing a temporary agreement to halt the war, as Tehran continued to review a proposal, noting the emerging plan centres on a short-term memorandum rather than a comprehensive peace deal, underscoring deep divisions between the two sides, but it is still hoped that a partial deal could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that Iran were reviewing messages through Pakistan’s mediation, but had not yet reached a conclusion and had not responded to the American side, in an interview broadcast on Thursday evening.
President Trump spoke to reporters about the negotiations to give an update: “The talks are going very well, but they have to understand if it doesn’t get signed, they’re gonna have a lot of pain,” he said.
News from Iran:
President Masoud Pezeshkian said he recently met with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and what stood out must during the meeting was the humble, deeply cordial, and respectful manner in which the discussion was discussed.
Pezeshkian described the atmosphere as one based on trust, calmness and direct dialogue, while adding that the interaction reflected simplicity, mutual respect, and sincerity, which created a sense of closeness and confidence throughout the meeting.
The President added that when the country’s leadership engages with officials and individuals in such an ethical and humble way, it can serve as a natural model for the country’s administrative system.
According to Pezeshkian, the approach demonstrated responsibility, closeness to the people and genuine attentiveness to issues and problems, qualities he said were also embodied in the martyred leader, Ali Khamenei.
Senior member of the IRGC and member of Iran’s Expediency Council, Mohsen Rezaee, said America thinks Iran is a ‘retarded nation’ that would give up its rights under military threat or coercion, which was wishful thinking, because the Iranian people would never accept such a thing, and the word ‘submission’ is not in the dictionary.
Rezaee later told Al Mayadeen that Iran believed the Gulf region should move toward an independent regional order led by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran, without a reliance on foreign powers, stating that Tehran’s vision included creating a regional framework based on the withdrawal of outside forces, adding that despite previous cooperation between some Gulf states and Israel, Iran was not seeking revenge.
The military advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei also stressed that implementing the ceasefire in Lebanon remained a key condition in the negotiations with the US, saying Iran continued to support Hezbollah, the Lebanese people, and the Lebanese Army, adding that Iran viewed allied groups in Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq as part of a defensive front against the ‘Greater Israel’ project, considering the security of those countries inseparable from its own security.
Reconstruction has begun of the B1 bridge in Karaj, Iran, with the first phase which includes the removal of debris taking place, reported the CEO of the Transport Construction and Development Company in Iran, stating the reconstruction would take less than a year but they were striving to deliver it to the citizens as soon as possible.
Iran’s Embassy in South Korea have strongly denied any involvement in the Iranian armed forces incident involving a South Korean ship that was allegedly damaged in the Strait of Hormuz.
Two Iranian tankers passed the Strait of Hormuz recently, reported Tanker Trackers, which included US-sanctioned LPG carrier VINA/VALLEY, described as a regular supplier of Iranian fuel shipments to Yemen, which entered the waterway with its AIS system active, while another empty Iranian supertanker also passed through the blockade perimeter, as Press TV reported the vessels were ‘extending Iran’s oil storage and production capacity.’
A confidential CIA assessment concluded that Iran could have withstood the US naval blockade for around three to four months before facing severe economic strain, according to the Washington Post, stating Iran had been storing oil aboard tankers, reducing output to preserve oil fields and could seek alternate export routes through rail and overland corridors to Central Asia which would ease the blockade’s impact.
Some officials believed the assessment may even underestimate Iran’s ability to endure prolonged pressure, warning that Tehran’s leadership appeared prepared for a long conflict and capable of sustaining internal repression despite economic hardship.
Many of Iran’s missiles and launchers that were reported to have been destroyed or neutralised during the war were only temporarily blocked rather than permanently eliminated, according to Israeli Army Radio, noting that strikes targeted entrances to underground facilities, blocking Iranian forces from accessing and launching systems during the conflict, but it left most of the missiles and launchers intact, and while the operations significantly reduced the number of missiles launched toward Israel during the war, it was clear the strikes were not a permanent disablement of Iran’s missile capabilities.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and members of the UN Security Council criticising a US- and Bahrain-backed draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, saying the proposed resolution ignored what he described as the ‘main cause’ of the crisis, the US and Israeli military actions against Iran, while accusing Washington of attempting to use the Security Council to ‘legitimise illegal actions’ in the Persian Gulf.
Araghchi also warned that adopting the resolution would damage the credibility of the Security Council and create a ‘dangerous precedent’ for unilateral coercive measures, while stressing that normal maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz would resume if the war ends and sanctions on Iran are lifted.
News from the USA:
The Department of Justice and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are investigating a series of suspicious oil-market trades placed shortly before President Trump and Iranian officials related to the war in Iran, ABC News reports, noting that traders made more than two and a half billion dollars betting that oil prices would fall shortly before key developments.
President Trump confirmed a call had taken place with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, where they discussed many topics, including the fact they were united in the opinion that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, agreeing that a regime that kills its own people cannot control a bomb that can kill millions.
Kamala Harris commented on the Iran conflict in an interview on Thursday night, saying: “When you look at this war in Iran, which the American people did not want, which was not authorised by Congress – even if it was, it should not have been initiated – Trump talking about obliterating… It’s all just bullshit,” adding that the biggest winner of the conflict was Russia thanks to the easing of sanctions.
Other News:
Shipping companies said the lack of clear security guarantees and the risk of attacks caused many ships to refuse to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, even with the presence of the US Navy, reported CNN, noting that insurance costs, the threat of mines and concerns about Iran’s reaction led to the failure of Project Freedom, preventing the normal return of maritime trade, while analysts warned the continuation of the situation could deepen the global energy crisis and supply chain disruptions.
Meanwhile, shipping companies were still not sure of the procedures to pass the Strait, despite messages from the IRGC, with a source knowledgeable of the matter denying allegations from media outlets regarding the movement of vessels, because no official source has announced the details of the mechanism intended to allow passage, and ships wishing to transit are required to comply with the new system and obtain a permit, Iran In Arabic reported.
Asian countries are rushing to coal consumption as a substitute to oil, Reuters reported, stating that coal is not dependent on the Strait of Hormuz like oil and gas, and can be supplied through safer routes such as Australia or domestic mines, quickly becoming the ‘fuel of survival.’
Bahraini’s Council of Representatives revoked the membership of three members due to their opposition to actions taken against individuals accused of ‘aligning with Iran,’ including Abdulnabi Salman (the former Deputy Speaker of the Parliament); Mamdouh Al-Saleh (Chairman of the Services Committee); and Dr Mahdi Al-Shuwakh (Member of the Services Committee).
Following a meeting with President Trump at the White House on Thursday, Brazilian President Lula said that Trump thought the Iran war was over, but that is not a real thing: “But he believes it, and I’m not going to keep arguing with him because of his view of the war,’ Lula said.
Chinese media reported on Thursday that an attack on an oil tanker owned by a Chinese company in the Strait of Hormuz this week resulted in a fire on the deck of the vessel.
Beijing officials are uneasy about holding next week’s summit with President Trump before the war with Iran is settled, according to Bloomberg, noting that China remained cautious about moving ahead with the visit while tensions persist, though it has not publicly requested for a delay, nor have any schedule changes been announced, but Chinese officials told European counterparts they at least hope the blockade would be lifted before the trip takes place.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan jointly inspected a squadron of Egyptian Air Force Rafale jets stationed in the United Arab Emirates, with the inspection focused on reviewing operational readiness and efforts to strengthen preparedness along with their capabilities in response to regional challenges.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that Merz’s statement about the US being humiliated was a big misunderstanding: “We are absolutely behind the US in preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear-weaponised power,” he said.
Iraq’s oil sector is experiencing the largest collapse in modern history due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with production falling from more than four million barrels per day before the war to just over one and a half million barrels per day in March, and exports averaged just 310,000 barrels per day in April, while noting the oil revenues plunged to $950 million in April despite Iraq requiring almost $6 billion monthly just to cover salaries, pensions and welfare payments, Rudaw reported.
Sanctions were imposed on Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Oil, Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly, for facilitating the diversion of Iraqi oil to Iran-backed militias and smuggler Salim Ahmed Said, reported the US Treasury Department, stating the action targets three senior leaders of Iran-aligned militant groups Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada and Asa’ib Al-Haq, as well as four Iraqi companies linked to militia economic official Mustafa Hashim Lazim Al-Behadili: “Treasury will not stand idly by as Iran’s military exploits Iraqi oil to fund terrorism against the United States,’ Secretary Scott Bessent said.
Baghdad’s government have reached the final stages of purchasing 20 air defence systems from Turkey, especially aimed at securing oil fields and diplomatic missions in Iraq, in a deal that is estimated to cost around 300 million dollars, Tasnim News reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs a major victory against Iran to stand a chance in the elections, senior Likud officials told Yediot Ahronot, stating that Iran had succeeded in resisting without losing its nuclear weapons or ballistic missile program.
Netanyahu held a phone conversation with President Trump in the early hours of Thursday morning following the conclusion of a political-security cabinet meeting, according to Yediot Ahronot, claiming the conversation took place amid reports of progress in negotiations between the US and Iran regarding an agreement to the end of the war.
Saudi Arabia closed its airspace and bases to the United States, reported Fars News and i24News, citing informed sources in the Gulf Region, claiming Riyadh was disappointed with the lack of security guarantees from Washington against any Iranian missile response, and would continue to keep airspace and bases closed until such guarantees are provided, as the report confirmed Saudi Arabia would extend the limit imposed for Project Freedom until they had adequate protection against attacks, although Al Jazeera and the WSJ were later told that the published plans to resume Project Freedom were inaccurate.
However, late in the evening, the Wall Street Journal reported that both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait had lifted restrictions placed previously on the US using air space and military bases that were imposed after the launch of Project Freedom, claiming the Trump administration was now considering restarting the naval mission to guide commercial ships, with Pentagon officials saying the operation could resume as early as next week.
UAE are looking to establish a leadership to document aggression and international crimes following incidents that arose during the US/Israel Iran war, which will be under the leadership of the State Attorney General.
The UAE’s ADNOC exported at least 4 million barrels of Upper Zakum Crude and 2 million barrels of Das crude on four tankers from Gulf terminals that passed through the Strait of Hormuz in April, with their vessel tracking systems turned off to reduce the risk of attacks, reported Reuters.
Reuters claimed the shipments were either transferred ship-to-ship onto vessels bound for refineries in Asia, unloaded into storage facilities in Oman, or directly delivered to refineries in South Kora, which were part of efforts to move oil stranded by the regional conflict, though volumes continue to remain far below the UAE’s normal export levels before the war with Iran.
