Day 73: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

This live blog follows updates for Day 73 of the US-Israel war on Iran. For a recap of Day 72, go here.

• Iran submits ceasefire response through Pakistan amid escalating regional tensions
• Donald Trump rejects Iran’s proposal, calling terms completely unacceptable publicly
• Drone attacks strike Gulf vessels as Hormuz security fears intensify
• United Arab Emirates and Kuwait report intercepting hostile Iranian drones overnight successfully
• Narges Mohammadi receives medical bail while diplomatic mediation efforts continue

New US, UK Sanctions 

Published: May 11, 2026 | 22:55 GMT | by AFP

The United States on Monday slapped 12 individuals and entities with new sanctions, saying they facilitated the sale and shipment of Iranian oil to China.

The move comes hours after the UK issued its own distinct set of sanctions and days before US President Donald Trump was scheduled to visit China.

'Teach a lesson'

Published: May 11, 2026 | 21:40 GMT | by AFP

Iran's parliament speaker said his country's military stood ready to "teach a lesson" to any aggressor after Trump warned that the ceasefire in the Middle East war was hanging by a thread.

"Our armed forces are ready to respond and to teach a lesson for any aggression," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X. "A bad strategy and bad decisions always lead to bad results -- the world already understands this."

Oil rises, stocks mostly higher on US-Iran deadlock

Published: May 11, 2026 | 20:45 GMT | by AFP

Global stock markets mostly rose Monday while oil prices climbed after US President Donald Trump rejected Iran's terms for ending the war in the Middle East.

Following a soft start, Wall Street's three main indices finished a meandering session modestly higher as traders continued to shrug off the war.

"Basically the market has decided that geopolitics are just background noise right now," said Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers, who characterized the market as "very momentum-driven right now."

In Europe, London and Frankfurt rose while Paris fell, pulled down by luxury shares following an analyst report that warned of weak growth opportunities for the sector.

Lebanon urges US ambassador to push Israel to halt bombardments

Published: May 11, 2026 | 18:38 GMT | by AFP

Lebanese leaders urged the US ambassador to Beirut to pressure Israel to halt its attacks as it pounded the country with airstrikes on Monday despite a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war.

Israel's military said one of its soldiers had been killed a day earlier in fighting near the border with Lebanon, bringing its losses to 18 troops and a civilian contractor since the war began.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met separately with US Ambassador Michel Issa in preparation for a third meeting between Lebanese and Israeli representatives set to take place in Washington on Thursday and Friday.

Salam said he asked Issa to "exert pressure on Israel to stop the ongoing attacks and violations, in order to consolidate the ceasefire".

Trump to suspend US gas tax as Iran war spikes prices

Published: May 11, 2026 | 16:38 GMT | by AFP

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he plans to suspend a federal gasoline tax as consumers deal with surging energy prices in the wake of the Iran war.

Responding to a reporter's question at the White House, Trump said he would be taking the step, with the suspension to remain in place "till it's appropriate."

"It's a small percentage, but you know it's still money," he said.

US federal taxes on gasoline amount to 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Trump says diplomatic solution with Iran remains ‘very possible’

Published: May 11, 2026 | 16:25 GMT | by AFP

Despite earlier saying the ceasefire is on “life support”, the US president has told reporters that his administration can still reach a diplomatic solution, AL Jazeera reported.

“I think it’s very possible. I’ve had a deal with them four or five times, they change they mind,” he said, describing Iran’s leadership as “very dishonourable”, according to the AL Jazeera.

As we’ve been reporting, Iran has described the Trump administration’s demands as “unreasonable” while defending its response to the US proposal as “not excessive”.

Trump says US-Iran ceasefire on 'life support'

Published: May 11, 2026 | 16:20 GMT | by AFP

President Donald Trump on Monday said the US-Iran ceasefire was on "massive life support" as the two sides failed to agree terms to start talks on ending their war.

"The ceasefire is on massive life support, where the doctor walks in and says, 'Sir, your loved one has approximately a one percent chance of living,'" he told reporters.

Global energy shock may last into 2027: Aramco CEO
Published: May 11, 2026 | 14:38 GMT | by AFP

The Middle East war triggered the world's largest energy shock, with market recovery likely to extend into 2027 even if the Hormuz blockade is lifted soon, Saudi oil giant Aramco's CEO told investors.

"The energy supply shock that began in the first quarter is the largest the world has ever experienced," said Amin H Nasser, adding: "If the Strait of Hormuz opens today, it will still take months for the market to rebalance, and if its opening is delayed by a few more weeks, then normalization will last into 2027."

Israel slams planned EU sanctions on settlers as 'arbitrary and political'
Published: May 11, 2026 | 13:30 GMT | by AFP

Israel on Monday condemned the European Union's move to impose new sanctions on Israeli settlers over violence against Palestinians, asserting that Jews have the right to settle in the occupied West Bank.

"The European Union has chosen, in an arbitrary and political manner, to impose sanctions on Israeli citizens and entities because of their political views and without any basis," Foreign Minister Gideon Saar posted on X.

"Israel has stood, stands, and will continue to stand for the right of Jews to settle in the heart of our homeland."

World has weeks to avert 'humanitarian crisis' over Hormuz fertilizer blockade: UN official
Published: May 11, 2026 | 12:57 GMT | by AFP

Tens of millions of people could face hunger and starvation if fertilizers are not soon allowed through the Strait of Hormuz, the head of a UN task force aimed at averting a looming humanitarian crisis told AFP on Monday.

"We have a few weeks ahead of us to prevent what will likely be a massive humanitarian crisis," Jorge Moreira da Silva, executive director of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and leader of the task force, told AFP in an interview.

"We may witness a crisis that will force 45 million more people into hunger and starvation."

Lebanon urges US ambassador to pressure Israel as it pounds country
Published: May 11, 2026 | 12:47 GMT | by AFP

Lebanese leaders urged the US ambassador to Beirut to pressurize Israel to halt its attacks as it pounded the country from the air on Monday despite a truce in the Israel-Hezbollah war.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met separately with ambassador Michel Issa in preparation for a third direct meeting between Lebanese and Israeli representatives set to take place in Washington on Thursday and Friday.

Salam said he asked Issa to "exert pressure on Israel to stop the ongoing attacks and violations, in order to consolidate the ceasefire".

The appeal followed a weekend of intense Israeli strikes that stretched beyond the country's south and reached as close as 20 kilometers from the capital Beirut.

More than 2,800 Lebanese killed by Israel since March 2: Health ministry
Published: May 11, 2026 | 11:22 GMT | by AFP

Lebanese authorities on Monday reported that the overall death toll from Israeli strikes since March 2 has reached 2,869 people.

The total includes dozens of people killed since a fragile ceasefire took effect on April 17.

Iran, Netherlands foreign ministers hold phone call

Published: May 11, 2026 | 10:54 GMT | by Web Desk

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi and Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Brandsen held a telephone conversation.

According to the country’s state-run IRNA, the two ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations between Iran and the Netherlands.

Footage shows strike on Iranian wrestling facility
Published: May 11, 2026 | 10:39 GMT | by Web Desk 

A surveillance video purportedly showing a strike on a wrestling training facility in Iran has been released, according to local Iranian media.

The footage, shared on X, is said to depict a US-Israeli attack on the facility, which is named after commander Mustafa Sadrzadeh, the report said.

Nun cites attacks on Christians in occupied Palestinian territories
Published: May 11, 2026 | 10:03 GMT | by Web Desk

An American Orthodox nun, Mother Agapia Stephanopoulos, spoke outside the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, DC, during a gathering reported by multiple international media outlets.

She described a “shocking rise” in attacks on Christians and the “slow-motion genocide” of the Christian presence in occupied Palestinian territories by Israel. She said she lived on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem from 1996 to 2006 and ran a school for Muslim and Christian Palestinian children in East Jerusalem, according to her account.

She reported incidents including clerics being spat upon, the destruction of Christian religious symbols by the military in Jerusalem, and the confiscation of religious icons and crosses from believers. She said land seizures and a violent attack on a nun in Jerusalem were making the region “desecrated” and unlivable for Christians.

She called on US lawmakers to block arms transfers to Israel, restore funding to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, and provide financial support for hospitals in East Jerusalem.

Wafa News Agency reported she described developments in the Palestinian territories as a “serious threat” to the historic Christian presence. While Al-Jazeera reported rising tensions and cited concern from the Greek Orthodox Church following the indictment of a suspect in connection with an April 2026 attack on a nun.

Iran, Egypt foreign ministers discuss regional developments
Published: May 11, 2026 | 9:10 GMT | by Web Desk

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a telephone conversation, according to Tasnim News Agency.

Lebanon reports over 1,700 Israeli violations in just three weeks
Published: May 11, 2026 | 8:48 GMT | by Web Desk

Lebanon recorded over 1,744 Israeli violations, including 818 airstrikes, 641 artillery attacks, 270 demolition operations and 15 phosphorus shelling incidents between April 17 and May 8, Information Minister Paul Morcos said, according to the National News Agency, Lebanon’s state-run news service operated by the Information Ministry.

Speaking to a local news outlet, Morcos said the strikes targeted civilians, journalists and rescue teams. The minister described the incidents as violations of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.

He said the government is documenting the attacks to support ceasefire efforts and legal complaints through official channels.

Israel says soldier killed near border with Lebanon
Published: May 11, 2026 | 8:43 GMT | by AFP

Israel's military said Monday that one of its soldiers had died in fighting near the border with Lebanon, bringing its losses to 18 personnel since it launched attacks on Lebanon in early March.

Sergeant Major Alexander Glovanyov, 47, "fell during combat near the Israel-Lebanon border", the military said. He was killed on Sunday.

Since the war began, one Israeli civilian contractor has also been killed in addition to the 18 soldiers.

Israel is also conducting a ground invasion on Lebanese territory. Its troops are operating behind an Israeli-declared "yellow line" that runs around 10 kilometers north of Lebanon's border.

Iran calls on US to end pressure, release frozen assets
Published: May 11, 2026 | 8:34 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran said Monday the United States must end what Tehran described as “one-sided pressure” and meet Iran’s demands, including lifting blockades and releasing frozen Iranian assets.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman made the remarks at a press conference, according to local Iranian media reports.

The spokesman said Iran’s demands include “ending the war, lifting blockades, halting maritime piracy, freeing frozen assets, and ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz and security in Lebanon and the region.”

Iran says demanded end to war, release of assets in its response to US
Published: May 11, 2026 | 7:50 GMT | by AFP

Iran's foreign ministry said Monday it had called for an end to the war across the region and the release of frozen assets abroad in its response to the latest US proposal.

"We did not demand any concessions. The only thing we demanded was Iran's legitimate rights," said ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing.

He said Iran's demands included "an end to the war in the region", ending the US naval blockade, and the "release of assets belonging to the Iranian people, which have for years been unjustly trapped in foreign banks".

Israel bombs southern Lebanese towns

Published: May 11, 2026 | 05:49 GMT | By Web Desk

Israel has conducted air raids on the towns of Kfar Tebnit and Choukine, according to Al Jazeera.

Soldier killed near Lebanon border, says Israel

Published: May 11, 2026 | 05:47 GMT | By Web Desk

Israel’s military announced that a soldier was killed during combat operations near the Lebanon border.

The military identified him as 47-year-old Alexander Glovanyov, an army vehicle driver, and said he was killed on Sunday.

US plan ‘meant Iran’s surrender to Trump’s greed’: Iranian state media

Published: May 11, 2026 | 04:13 GMT | By Web Desk

Iranian state-run IRIB has responded to Trump’s rejection of Tehran’s response to the US proposal to end the war, according to Al Jazeera.

In a statement on its Telegram channel, IRIB said the US plan “meant Iran’s surrender to Trump’s greed”, and Tehran’s reply “emphasises the fundamental rights of the Iranian nation”.

It said the latest Iranian offer also “emphasises the necessity of war reparations by the US and Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz”, as well as the “need to end sanctions and release the country’s seized funds and assets”.

Iranian and Dutch FMs discuss regional developments in phone call

Published: May 11, 2026 | 02:24 GMT | By Web Desk

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has spoken to his Dutch counterpart, Tom Berendsen, over the phone, IRIB reported according to Al Jazeera.

In a post on its Telegram channel, Iran’s state media outlet said the two “exchanged views on issues related to bilateral relations and the latest ongoing regional and diplomatic developments.”

Pentagon chief denies senator’s claims that US munitions are running low

Published: May 11, 2026 | 02:08 GMT | By AFP

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has denied claims by Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, who said US munitions have been “depleted” by the war on Iran.

“‘Captain’ Mark Kelly strikes again,” Hegseth wrote on X.

“Now he’s blabbing on TV (falsely and dumbly) about a *CLASSIFIED* Pentagon briefing he received.”

The remarks came in response to Kelly’s interview with CBS, in which he said he had been briefed by the Pentagon that the US has “expended a lot of munitions”, and warned that this left the US “less safe”.

Kelly added that it would take “years” to replenish the stockpile, and that the shortages threaten the ability to handle a potential conflict with China.

China confirms Trump's visit May 13 to 15

Published: May 11, 2026 | 01:57 GMT | By AFP

President Donald Trump will visit China from May 13 to 15, Beijing confirmed on Monday, with the US leader expected to discuss Iran and trade with his Chinese counterpart.

"At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President of the United States of America Donald J. Trump will pay a state visit to China from May 13 to 15," a foreign ministry spokesperson said.

Trump rejects 'unacceptable' Iranian terms for ending war

Published: May 10, 2026 | 20:31 GMT | By AFP

President Donald Trump said he has rejected Iran's response to a US proposal for ending the Middle East war, deeming it "totally unacceptable."

"I have just read the response from Iran's so-called 'Representatives.' I don't like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, without describing elements of Tehran's response.

Iran war 'not over,' uranium must be removed: Netanyahu

Published: May 10, 2026 | 20:31 GMT | By AFP

Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium must be "taken out" before the US-Israeli war against Iran can be considered over, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told an American broadcaster Sunday.

"It's not over, because there's still nuclear material -- enriched uranium -- that has to be taken out of Iran. There's still enrichment sites that have to be dismantled," Netanyahu said in an interview that aired Sunday on the CBS News program "60 Minutes."

"You go in and you take it out," the Israeli leader said when asked how the uranium could be removed.

Netanyahu said US President Donald Trump had a similar position.

"I'm not going to talk about military means, but the president, what President Trump has said to me -- 'I want to go in there.'"

Oil prices climb as US-Iran talks break down

Published: May 10, 2026 | 20:31GMT | By AFP

Oil prices opened sharply higher on Monday shortly after US President Donald Trump said he rejected Tehran's response to Washington's peace proposal, and Iran renewed threats of violence in the Strait of Hormuz.

The international benchmark for oil, Brent crude that is being prepared for July delivery, was up 2.69 percent to $104.01 a barrel.

Its US counterpart, West Texas Intermediate, rose 2.54 percent to $97.84 a barrel.

UK, France ministers to hold Hormuz meeting 

Published: May 10, 2026 | 20:31 GMT | By AFP

The United Kingdom and France will host a multinational meeting of defence ministers Tuesday on military plans to restore trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz, the British government said.

"The Defence Secretary John Healey will co-chair a meeting of over 40 nations, alongside his French counterpart, Minister Catherine Vautrin, for the multinational mission’s first Defence Minister’s meeting," a defence ministry statement said Sunday.