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In the US/Israel/Iran recap for 14 May Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a statement to the BRICS summit members that met on Thursday, before addressing the UAE directly; Araghchi also held talks on the sidelines with multiple foreign ministers and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi; More info on the tanker that was seized by Iran off the coast of the UAE; information about Trump’s conversations in China; Israeli media and officials pushing for a resumption to war, and other news.
Hormuz News:
Chinese-linked Fisheries control vessel Hui Chuan was seized off the Iranian coast, reportedly heading towards the Iranian waters, according to the Vanguard shipping company, stating the contact with the vessel had been lost following its seizure, noting that Hui Chang Hai is a Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier, owned by China Shipping Bulk Carrier Co Ltd.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed an Indian-flagged vessel off the coast of Oman was attacked yesterday, condemning the incident as ‘unacceptable’ and expressing concerns over the continued targeting of commercial ships or civilian mariners, adding that the Indian crew members were safe onboard while thanking Omani authorities for carrying out a rescue operation.
Iranian news channel Tasnim claimed that approximately 30 vessels, including Chinese-linked ships, had transited the Strait of Hormuz since Wednesday evening under Iranian approval and IRGC supervision.
However, there wasn’t any independent verification from maritime tracking firms such as Lloyds List, Kpler, or Windward, or any militaries or shipping organisations at the time of reporting.
During the Chinese summit, President Trump and Chinese President Xi agreed on the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons, with Trump describing the meeting as ‘good’ and both sides discussing ways of strengthening economic cooperation, a White House official told Reuters.
US Central Command said their Navy were still turning around ships approaching the Naval blockade of Iranian vessels, stating that over the past day they had redirected another three vessels, bring the total to 70 redirected commercial vessels and 4 were disabled to ensure compliance.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz was suffering due to ‘US aggression’ and the ‘blockade that they imposed on it,’ stating: “As far as we are concerned, the Strait of Hormuz is open for all commercial vessels, but they need to cooperate with our Navy forces,” adding that Iran have not made any obstacles: “It is Americans who have made a blockade,” he said.
BRICS News:
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said at the BRICS Summit in New Deli had been affected by disagreements among members, but stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, stating that emerging countries expected the group to play an effective role in stabilising the global order, and added that the return to normality in the Strait of Hormuz is essential.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attended the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting, telling them in a statement how Iran had been the target of two ‘brutal and illegal’ aggressions by the United States and Israel in less than one year.
The FM said attacks were were justified with ‘false claims that contradict the informed assessments of the International Atomic Energy Agency and even the evaluations of the US intelligence service,’ adding that the truth was that an independent Iran had been ‘a victim of illegal expansionism and warmongering,’ stating these are ‘ugly phenomena that have no place on today’s world.’
Araghchi said: “I speak on behalf of people who choose to stand firm under horrific bombings; of the mothers of Minab who did not bow under the grief of losing their children; of the youth who do not allow the dust of war to erase their bright future; and of a nation that, despite all pressures, still believes in a free, stable, and just world.”
The FM continued, saying it should now be clear to everyone that Iran was invincible, emerging stronger and more united than before when under pressure, and just as Iran were ready to fight with all their might to defend their freedom and land: “We are equally prepared to pursue and uphold diplomacy,” he said.
“As I have repeatedly emphasised, there is no military solution to any issue related to Iran,” Araghchi said, stating that Iranians never bow to pressure or threat, bur respond in the language of respect: “Although our powerful armed forces are ready to deliver a crushing and devastating response to foreign aggressors, our people are peace-loving and do not desire war,” saying that in the shameful situation, Iran are not the aggressors, nor are Iran the party that has been wronged and attacked.
The FM called on BRICS member countries and all responsible members of the international community to explicitly condemn the violations of international law by the US and Israel, including the war; to prevent the politicisation of international institutions; and to take practical measures to stop warmongering while ending the immunity of violators at the UN Charter.
Araghchi said: “We believe that BRICS can become one of the main pillars in shaping a global order that is more just, balanced, and humane; an order in which power never replaces right,” adding that nations that stand for their dignity and independence ‘may endure many hardships, but they will never be defeated.’
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the BRICS foreign ministers would discuss the war in the Middle East within the ‘most effective framework.’
On Thursday, Lavrov said discussed efforts for Russia to provide facilitation services to Iran and the United States to reach mutually acceptable solutions and implement them, in a meeting with Araghchi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said at the BRICS meeting that reducing tensions and diplomatic solutions was essential for helping ensure the region’s security.
Farhan noted that the importance of ensuring the security of maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz and the return of the situation to what it was before in accordance with international laws was essential, adding that efforts aimed at providing a comprehensive and sustainable solution to ending the problems and strengthening security must continue.
Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi urged the UAE to reconsider its policy towards Iran when speaking during a BRICS meeting, saying he did not mention the UAE by name in his earlier speech to preserve unity, but stated that in reality it had taken part directly in aggression with Iran, becoming the first official to confirm the involvement.
Araghchi said that it had been revealed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi during the war and that this indicated possible involvement in the attacks, and even direct action against Iran, adding that the UAE is an active partner in the war against Iran, and stressed there is no doubt about its role.
FM Araghchi later responded to the UAE representative at the BRICS meeting, stating in relation to violations of law: “The UAE representative talks about international law, but please tell me which part of international law allows support in an unprovoked and unjustified aggressive act?” adding that: “It was revealed yesterday that UAE fighter jets participated in attacks against us and even directly acted against us, therefore, the UAE is an active partner in this aggression.”
Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi said that the UAE cannot portray itself as a victim and claim that its soil had been attacked, because Iran only targeted American targets on UAE territory: “I advise the UAE that the Zionist Regime and the United States cannot bring them security,”
Araghchi said the UAE should change their view of Iran: “We and the UAE are neighbours, we have lived together in the past and we must live together in the future,” he said: “So we must change our perspective and see security in cooperation with foreign countries.”
“From now on, we must look at Iran with a different perspective, which has been able to establish itself in the region as a power and actor capable of confronting the greatest powers,” Araghchi added: “We must have a new perspective, think, and take into account the facts that have become clear after this war.”
After the meeting, Araghchi explained the response to the Emiratis: “It was strange for all attendees at the meeting that the UAE representative had no issue except addressing the topic of the war and the responses Iran had given to the US on its soil,” adding that this was truly regrettable, and he was forced to explain to the members and present countries that Iran usually do not raise the issues, but after all, ‘everything has its limits.’
The FM said: “The UAE stood alongside Israel in the war, I said that we did not want to enter these discussions to preserve the unity and cohesion of BRICS, but since the UAE representative raised the topics, we had to reveal the facts to the international community: “In the end, I also advised the UAE representative that the Israel regime and the US couldn’t bring them security,” he added.
Gharibabadi’s reaction to claims of the UAE representative at the BRICS summit stated that before the war, Iran contacted regional countries and issued warning: “You may be uninformed, but your country’s senior officials were definitely aware of this matter,” he said, adding: “Every warplane that took off from the UAE has been documented, with its time, date, and flightpath specified.”
Thailand Foreign Minister Sihasak Puvanatnugool met with FM Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, discussing various topics including the Strait of Hormuz and the current diplomatic process to end the war.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty also met with Araghchi to discuss an end to the war, bilateral relations, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz that allows freedom of navigation to all vessels.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with Malaysian Foreign Minister Haji Mohammad bin Hassan to discuss bilateral issues, the war in the Middle East, along with international developments, as well as with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, and other officials.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the sideline talks at BRICS, in which Araghchi referred to the historical and friendly relations between Tehran and New Delhi, explaining the current situation of the war and its consequences.
Modi responded emphasising the importance of maintaining bilateral relations, pointed to regional stability and security, while also announcing India’s readiness to help establish security in the region.
Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation organisation member countries:
Deputy Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Bagheri told a meeting of National Security Council secretaries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member countries that the person giving the speech, Dr Ali Larijani, had been assassinated in a targeted Israeli strike.
Bagheri said: “During the 40 days of relentless aggression, we witnessed the commission of brutal crimes including the assassination of military and national officials, attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities, industrial, educational, and health infrastructures.”
The Deputy Secretary said the goal of the war was to strike Asian convergence, marking the beginning of an attack on the global south, while considered expansionist and essentially imperialist to create a sphere of influence and absolute control over the energy resources of the Persian Gulf to prevent Asia’s growth and the emergence of Middle Eastern powers.
Secretary of Russia’s Security Council Sergei Shoigu, at a meeting of Security Council Secretaries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member countries, emphasised that the war against Iran destroyed ‘years of efforts to resolve the situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program’ and stressed all efforts must be made to prevent the resumption of the war.
Iran News:
The Iranian Embassy in London rejected the UK’s new sanctions and anti-Iranian accusations, describing them as political, lacking any credible evidence, and an effort to escalate tensions to justify hostilities against Tehran, they claimed, according to a statement seen by IRNA News.
Iran’s Ambassador to Russia wrote on X that Russian television and radio (VGTRK) showed experience and creativity in their reporting of the war, presenting fair narratives to the audience, while always trying to be a clear voice of multilateralism in the face of a ‘one-sided’ media narrative.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X that Kuwait was attempting to sow discord by ‘unlawfully attacking’ an Iranian boat and detaining four Iranian citizens in the Persian Gulf: “This illegal act took place near island used by the US to attack Iran.” he said, adding: “We demand immediate release of our nationals and reserve the right to respond.”
Iran began the construction of 17 new solar power plants in Tehran, coming after threats and damage to other energy infrastructure in the capital, the head of the Evaluation and Climate Change Department of Tehran’s Environmental Protection announced, stating they will have a capacity of 270 megawatts in Tehran, adding that another five smaller-scale power plants with a total capacity of 54 megawatts had already been carried out since the beginning of the year, in a project aimed at reducing air pollution.
Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin said that the US and Israel had made a miscalculation against Iran, expecting a relatively easy victory which didn’t happen in reality.
Iranian households were asked to reduce gasoline consumption by one litre per day by Ali-Akbar Vaiskarami, the CEO of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company, in a move emphasised to reduce gasoline consumption to help compatriots across the country, adding: “approximately 20 million litres of gasoline will be saved daily.
US News:
Centcom Commander Admiral Cooper alleged on Thursday that in the last 30 months prior to the commencement of Epic Fury, Iranian-supported terror groups had attacked US troops and diplomats more than 350 times, the equivalent of an attack every third day, killing four US service members and wounding almost 200 more: “We honour the memories of the 14 service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice during Operation Epic Fury, and the two Soldiers and one civilian killed in Palmyra, Syria – they represent the very best of all of us.”
President Trump told Fox News that President Xi would like to see a deal made with Iran, offering to help in any way he could, while adding: “Anybody that buys that much oil obviously has some kind of relationship, and he’d like to see the Hormuz Strait open.”
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X that the US were funding Hegseth the failed TV host at rates unheard of since 2007, so he could cosplay as ‘Secretary of War in our backyard in Hormuz?’
Former President Barack Obama said about his Iran deal: “Without firing a missile, we got 97% of their enriched uranium out,” adding there’s no dispute that it worked, and ‘we didn’t have to kill a whole bunch of people or shut down the Strait of Hormuz,’ he added.
Obama suggested that President Trump only withdrew from his Iran nuclear deal, not because it was failing, but because it was Obama who had negotiated it, adding that there appeared to be a pattern, while also stating both Israel and US intelligence agencies believed the agreement was working at the time it was implemented.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth released a video claiming that the American media publish a narrative that America is in decline, stating that the US had the strongest military power in the world, and with global threats that are constantly evolving,
Hegseth urged the viewers that it’s time to make a $1.5 trillion investment, calling it a generational down payment, claiming the money would guarantee the US maintained overwhelming strength and ‘unmatched deterrence’ against any adversary for generations to come.
President Trump is in a self-inflicted trap, the Washington Post reported on Thursday, stating its the result of the presidents haste to reach an agreement that could be called a victory while fearing the repeat of a similar JCPOA-style agreement, adding that Iran rightly understood Trump’s domestic problems bothered him more than Iran’s military threat, because Tehran would waste time in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
India requested the United States to extend Russia’s exemption for sale of oil, reported Bloomberg, stating that with no end in sight for the Middle East conflict, Delhi officials warned Washington securing oil remained a priority, as continued volatility in the oil market have widespread consequences.
US Senator Tim Kaine said that stories repeatedly told by President Trump and Secretary of War Hegseth are about Iran’s bad actions since 1979, but noted there was a larger part of the story that people weren’t talking about.
In 1953, (the year of the 28 Mordad coup), the US led a coup to overthrow Iran’s democratic government, he said, stating that the US kept the Shah of Iran dictatorship in power, while also training the SAVAK secret police service, an organisation that went on to torture, exile, imprison or kill thousands of Iranians.
Around 26 years later, the 1979 revolution occurred, and yes, that was when the slogan ‘Death to America’ was chanted, but US support for a dictatorship and the overthrow of a democratically elected government led to the creation of an Iran that has behaved very hostilely (towards the United States).
Middle East News:
Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi congratulated the formation of the new Iraqi government using the X platform, along with the retention of Fouad Hussein as Minister of Foreign Affairs: “Expanding he brotherly and friendly relations between Tehran and Baghdad will always remain at the top of our foreign policy priorities,” he added.
Iraq’s government has approached the IMF to secure emergency financial assistance following the total collapse of its oil revenue, sources close to the IMF confirmed to Reuters, stating that initial negotiations began with Washington last month, while ongoing discussions were focused on the specific loan structure and the massive amount of funding that would be required to stabilise a state budget gutted by regional conflict.
Baghdad was pushed to the bring of insolvency due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, meaning the vast majority of Iraqi crude exports were trapped and this cut off almost all government income, causing an economic strangulation which left Iraq unable to fund essential services or maintain infrastructure.
The National Contract Bloc withdrew from the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, following ‘poor conduct’ during Thursday’s Iraqi parliament session, which came after the parliament had approved the government of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi and its ministerial programme, the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported.
Following the vote, al-Zaydi and the ministers who secured parliamentary confidence took the constitutional oath to formally assume their duties, as parliament granted confidence in 14 ministers during the session.
Lawmakers told Reuters that the session witnessed heated exchanges among some lawmakers after objections to the approval of the nominee for interior minister.
Iraq’s government has approached the IMF to secure emergency financial assistance following the total collapse of its oil revenue, sources close to the IMF confirmed to Reuters, stating that initial negotiations began with Washington last month, while ongoing discussions were focused on the specific loan structure and the massive amount of funding that would be required to stabilise a state budget gutted by regional conflict.
Baghdad was pushed to the bring of insolvency due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, meaning the vast majority of Iraqi crude exports were trapped and this cut off almost all government income, causing an economic strangulation which left Iraq unable to fund essential services or maintain infrastructure.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that the coalition forces had inflicted painful blows on Iran and now had an historic opportunity to change the situation in the Middle East: “Our mission in Iran is not yet complete and we must fulfil our objectives there” he said, adding: “And we may soon resume war in Iran to achieve these goals.”
Wizz Air are resuming flights to Tel Aviv on May 28 in a move described as an important step toward reconnecting Israel with major European destinations, with the decision coming after the latest EASA update which was made in coordination with international and local authorities, including aviation and security agencies, alongside its overriding commitment to ensuring safe eoperations.
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said on Wednesday that the IDF was operating in all arenas of determination and the operation wasn’t over: “The IDF is prepared to renew fighting if required and remains in a state of constant readiness both defensively and offensively, from Judea and Samaria (West Bank) to Tehran.
Israeli Member of the Knesset Nissim Vaturi warned on Thursday that ‘Israel is closer than ever to returning to fighting against Iran, I would think twice about flying next week,” reported i24News.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said in a podcast interview that he has heard people say they don’t want anything to do with Israel, advising those people to give up their mobile phones, car navigation, or some innovations that may have saved someone’s life, because they likely had Israeli involvement.
Huckabee said: “Be sure to give up some conveniences like cherry tomatoes and seedless watermelons while you’re at it, and let’s just go ahead and don’t buy anything that has an Nvidia or an Intel chip, let’s get rid of most of your computers and a whole lot of software because it was innovated here,” adding: “And I’m sorry to break it to you, but if you hate Israel that much, you’re going to be living a very different kind of life.”
Israeli Channel 12 and Axios began their usual fearmongering on Thursday, stating Israel had raised its alert status to its highest level in anticipation of a potential resumption of the war with Iran when President Trump returned from China, adding that the military was reported to be preparing both offensively and defensively for the possibility of immediate renewed hostilities with Iran.
Kan News soon jumped on the war bandwagon, claiming Israel believed Trump would decide whether to renew military action after he returned from his trip to China, claiming senior IDF and Centcom officials had been holding talks over the past week regarding potential renewed action, including the possibility of targeting Iranian fuel and energy infrastructure aimed at pressuring Tehran into giving concessions in negotiations.
Axios reporter Barak Ravid echoed around 20 previous reports that President Trump was weighing military escalation against Iran after Tehran rejected key US nuclear demands, claiming officials told them no major action was expected during the China trip, but decisions could come immediately afterwards.
Options were allegedly discussed including the resumption of Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz, launching new strikes on Iranian infrastructure, or the continuation of a pressure campaign and blockade in hopes Iran buckled economically without renewed warfare.
Ravid also claimed that Trump’s advisers were fearing an escalation could trigger a major oil price rise, inflation, and market volatility ahead of elections, while Iranian officials have faith that time is on their side and that Trump is more sensitive to the economic pressure.
Israeli officials allegedly said they were on high alert ahead of the weekend over the possibility of renewed military action against Iran as Washington believed hopes for a new deal were allegedly sharply declining following Tehran’s response last week.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog by phone, condemning the attacks on UNIFIL forces and emphasising the necessity of ending ‘chronic tensions in the Middle East’ while respecting freedom of navigation in international waters in the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Arabia are exploring a regional ‘non-aggression’ agreement involving Middle Eastern states and Iran following the recent conflict, which draws up comparisons to the Helsinki Accords in the 1970s, aimed to reduce tensions during the cold war.
An Arab diplomat quoted in the report said the plan’s visibility would depend on the parties involved, warning that leaving Israel out could be ‘counterproductive.’
UAE officials denied Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent trip to the UAE out of fear, because Abu Dhabi didn’t want to be appearing as a party in the anti-Iran axis, reported Israel Channel 12.
The outlet referred to the UAE’s fear of escalating regional tensions, reporting that Abu Dhabi was concerned that due to its relations with Israel, it could become a direct target of Iran, so the UAE was trying to keep its level of involvement low key, and with the denial, the UAE also sent a message to Israeli media that the narrative regarding Israel must be controlled.
