Day 64: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

 This live blog follows updates for Day 64 of the US-Israel war on Iran. For a recap of Day 63, go here, and for Day 65 updates, click here.

• China rejects US sanctions on refineries over Iran oil links
• Normal air traffic operations resume in UAE airspace: State media
• Hormuz closure will dominate Xi-Trump talks, says China’s UN ambassador 
• Three killed in Israeli strike on Lebanese village
• Pakistan, Kuwait FMs discuss 'evolving regional situation' 

Trump says will soon review new Iran proposal

Published: May 2, 2026 | 22:10 GMT | by AFP

US President Donald Trump said Saturday he would soon review the latest peace proposal from Iran, but cast doubt on its prospects.

"I will soon be reviewing the plan that Iran has just sent to us, but can't imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years," he said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Israel strikes several parts of South Lebanon

Published: May 2, 2026 | 22:10 GMT | by AFP

Israel carried out strikes across southern Lebanon on Saturday, its military saying it hit dozens of Hezbollah targets.

The attacks have become a regular occurrence, despite a fragile ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war that has seen both sides accuse each other of violations.

In a statement, the Israeli military said it had struck Hezbollah targets, adding that "approximately 70 military structures and approximately 50 Hezbollah infrastructure sites were dismantled across several areas" on Saturday.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) also reported a series of Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon, with several killed, including three in the town of Sammaiyeh in the Tyre district.

French Catholic charity condemns destruction of 'place of worship' in Lebanon

Published: May 2, 2026 | 18:31 GMT | by Web Desk

A French Catholic charity, L'Oeuvre d'Orient, condemned the destruction of a "place of worship" in Lebanon.

"This Friday, the Israeli army proceeded to destroy a convent in Yaroun, a village in southern Lebanon," L'Oeuvre d'Orient said in a post on X on Saturday.

"This sanctuary belonged to the Salvatorian Sisters, a Greek-Catholic religious order that L'Oeuvre d'Orient knows and regularly supports, particularly the schools run by the nuns in Lebanon."  

The post said, "L'Oeuvre d'Orient condemns this deliberate act of destruction of a place of worship and the systematic destruction of homes in southern Lebanon aimed at preventing the return of civilian populations." 

"L'Oeuvre d'Orient recalls that other Christian sanctuaries were also destroyed during the war in 2024, such as the Melkite churches in the villages of Yaroun and Derdghaya, both classified as part of Lebanon's heritage," it added.

Iran proposes Hormuz restrictions, targeting Israeli, ‘enemy’ ships

Published: May 2, 2026 | 18:01 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hamidreza Haji-Babaei, stated that a proposed law would bar Israeli vessels from using the strategic maritime route at any time, according to Al Jazeera.

He added that ships from hostile countries would also be denied passage unless their governments pay war reparations, while other vessels could pass only with prior approval from Iran. 

Haji-Babaei further warned that shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war conditions.

Iran says 'ball in US court', but ready for talks or war

Published: May 2, 2026 | 17:17 GMT | by AFP

Iran said Saturday that it was up to the United States whether to pursue a negotiated settlement or to return to open war, but that Tehran was ready for either outcome.

"Now the ball is in the United States' court to choose the path of diplomacy or the continuation of a confrontational approach," deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi told diplomats in Tehran, according to state broadcaster IRIB.

"Iran, with the aim of securing its national interests and security, is prepared for both paths," he said.

Qatari PM backs mediation efforts in call with Iranian FM

Published: May 2, 2026 | 16:33 GMT | by Web Desk

Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has affirmed the State of Qatar's full support for mediation efforts aimed at resolving the crisis through peaceful means, in a call with the Iranian foreign minister.

The Qatari prime minister received a phone call from Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister of  Iran, said a post shared on X on Saturday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar.

During the call, the Iranian foreign minister briefed the Qatari prime minister on the course of the ongoing negotiations and their developments, as well as the diplomatic momentum currently underway.

The Qatari PM affirmed the State of Qatar's full support for mediation efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully, emphasizing the need for all parties to engage in these efforts in ways that create the appropriate conditions for progress in the negotiations and limit the possibility of renewed escalation.

The Qatari PM also stressed that freedom of navigation is a firmly established principle that admits no compromise, and that closing the Strait of Hormuz or using it as a pressure tactic would only deepen the crisis and expose the vital interests of the region's countries to danger, noting the potential negative repercussions this could have on global energy and food supplies, as well as on market stability and supply chains.

The Qatari prime minister reaffirmed the necessity of adhering to the provisions of international law and the United Nations Charter, and of prioritizing the interests of the region and its peoples, in a manner that enhances regional and international security and stability and supports efforts to de-escalate and reduce tensions.

Iran maintains control over Hormuz despite threats: State media 

Published: May 2, 2026 | 16:09 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran maintains its control over the all-important Strait of Hormuz, state-run Press TV reported on Saturday.

A video report shared on Press TV's  X account showed visiting foreign journalists documenting the situation at the strait.

South Korean, Iranian FMs discuss latest regional developments 

Published: May 2, 2026 | 14:46 GMT | by Web Desk

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, have discussed bilateral relations, as well as the latest regional developments and diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the US-Israeli war on Iran, Al Jazeera reported, quoting a statement on the Iranian foreign minister’s Telegram channel.

Deaths in Lebanon from two months of Israeli strikes reach 2,659

Published: May 2, 2026 | 14:46 GMT | by Web Desk

Deaths in Lebanon from two months of Israeli strikes have reached 2,659, Al Jazeera reported, quoting the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

Between March 2 and May 2, Israeli attacks across Lebanon killed 2,659 people and wounded 8,183, the ministry said.

China rejects US sanctions on refineries over Iran oil links

Published: May 2, 2026 | 13:50 GMT | by AFP

China will not comply with US sanctions against five firms targeted for purchasing Iranian oil, Beijing's commerce ministry said on Saturday.

The commerce ministry's injunction, relating to sanctions announced separately since last year, states that the US measures "shall not be recognized, implemented, or complied with".

The sanctions "improperly prohibit or restrict Chinese enterprises from conducting normal economic, trade and related activities with third countries... and violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations," the ministry said in a statement.

"The Chinese government has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions lacking UN authorization and a basis in international law."

The injunction applies to three companies in Shandong province -- Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group, Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical and Shandong Shengxing Chemical -- and two others based elsewhere in China, Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery and Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group.

Normal air traffic operations resume in UAE airspace: State media

Published: May 2, 2026 | 13:25 GMT | by Web Desk

The General Civil Aviation Authority has announced the full resumption of normal air navigation operations within UAE airspace and the lifting of temporary precautionary measures, according to Emirates News Agency.

"General Civil Aviation Authority announces full resumption of normal air navigation operations within UAE airspace and lifting of temporary precautionary measures, with continuous real-time monitoring in place to ensure highest levels of aviation safety," said a post on X on Saturday by WAM English.

Hormuz closure will dominate Xi-Trump talks, says China’s UN ambassador 

Published: May 2, 2026 | 13:08 GMT | by Web Desk

China’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Fu Cong, says maintaining the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz are “urgent” priorities, according to Al Jazeera. 

Ambassador Cong said the issue of closing the key strait will be high on the agenda if it remains closed during US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Beijing.

Three killed in Israeli strike on Lebanese village

Published: May 2, 2026 | 13:07 GMT | by Web Desk

At least three people have been killed in an Israeli air strike on the southern Lebanese village of Louaizeh, Al Jazeera reported, citing NNA.

France FM flays ‘anti-Christian acts’ in Israel

Published: May 2, 2026 | 13:06 GMT | by Web Desk

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot says his country “cannot in any way tolerate” recent “anti-Christian acts multiplying in the Holy Land”, according to Al Jazeera.

The French foreign minister specifically referred to an attack on a French Catholic nun in West Jerusalem. 

On Thursday, Israeli police released a video showing the attack. Footage showed a man following the nun, forcibly pushing her to the ground, causing an injury to her head, then briefly walking away before returning to kick her as she lay on the ground.

Pakistan, Kuwait FMs discuss 'evolving regional situation' 

Published: May 2, 2026 | 12:16 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke on Saturday with the Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

The two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation and exchanged views on its broader economic implications, a post shared on X by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The DPM/FM underscored Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote constructive engagement and diplomacy in support of peace and stability in the region and beyond, the post said.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah commended Pakistan’s sincere efforts to foster lasting peace and security for the Ummah and the wider international community.

Both sides reaffirmed the strong fraternal ties between Pakistan and Kuwait and agreed to remain in close contact.

Lebanon says 13 killed in Israeli strikes in south

 Published: May 2, 2026 | 04:16 GMT | by AFP

Lebanon's health ministry said 13 people were killed on Friday in Israeli strikes in the south, including in a town where Israel's army had issued an evacuation order despite a ceasefire.

The strikes in Habboush killed eight people, including a child and two women, and wounded 21 others, the ministry said, raising an earlier toll.

Other strikes in Zrariyeh killed four people, two of them women, and wounded four more, it said.

The ministry also reported a strike in Ain Baal near the coastal city of Tyre killed one person and wounded seven others.

In Habboush, where the Israeli evacuation warning was issued, an AFP photographer saw clouds of smoke rising after the raids.

US approves $4 bn Patriot missile sale to Qatar

 Published: May 2, 2026 | 02:45 GMT | by AFP

The United States said Friday it had approved a $4 billion sale of Patriot missiles to Gulf ally Qatar, as well as the sale of precision weapons systems to Israel for nearly $1 billion.

Both sales were deemed to support US "foreign policy and national security" objectives, the State Department said in a series of notices to Congress, amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Trump says 'great respect for Pakistan', not satisfied with Iran's proposals

 Published: May 1, 2026 | 16:45 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump told reporters outside the White House on Friday that he has ‘great respect for Pakistan’ when asked about the latest developments in negotiations with Iran through Islamabad.

"We have great respect for Pakistan, Islamabad and tremendous respect for the prime minister and the field marshal,” he further stated that negotiations are still taking place, but via telephone.

"Iran wants to make a deal, but I’m not satisfied with it, so we’ll see what happens,” Trump added.