Day 71: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

This live blog follows updates for Day 71 of the US-Israel war on Iran. For a recap of Day 70, go here.

• Iran FM discusses regional situation with UK foreign secretary 
• Iran, Turkiye FMs discuss latest regional developments
• Moscow urges US, Bahrain to withdraw UN resolution on Iran's actions in Hormuz 
• Israel army issues evacuation warning for nine south Lebanon villages
• Oil prices surge on fresh US-Iran clashes in Strait of Hormuz before easing

 Qatar and Saudi foreign ministers discuss Iran-US ceasefire 

Published: May 9, 2025 | 22:31 GMT | by Web Desk

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Saturday held a phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to discuss regional tensions and efforts to maintain stability.

“The discussions also focused on developments in the region, particularly efforts related to a ceasefire between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the Qatar Foreign Ministry said in a post on X.

Both sides discussed the ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing tensions and reinforcing regional security and stability

“During the call, HE Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of all parties responding positively to mediation efforts in order to address the root causes of the crisis through dialogue and peaceful means,” the statement added.

Global oil stockpiles plunge 4.8 million barrels daily, lowest since 2018
Published: May 9, 2025 | 18:40 GMT | by Web Desk

Worldwide petroleum reserves are being depleted at an unprecedented rate as conflict linked to Iran disrupts shipments through the Gulf region, according to Bloomberg. Available crude and fuel supplies have fallen to some of their weakest levels in roughly seven years.

Data cited by the financial news outlet showed reserves contracted by an estimated 4.8 million barrels per day between early March and late April, marking the steepest quarterly reduction on record in figures tracked by the International Energy Agency. Unprocessed crude represented the majority of the losses, while fuel products made up the rest.

Bloomberg said nations heavily dependent on imported energy, including Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, face heightened exposure to supply strains. Aviation fuel reserves in Europe are also shrinking ahead of the peak summer travel period.

Four vessels disabled in Iran blockade operation: CENTCOM 

Published: May 9, 2025 | 17:18 GMT | by Web Desk

The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) on Saturday said that its forces have redirected 58 commercial vessels and disabled four since April 13 as part of a blockade against Iran.

In a post on X, the US command said the actions were intended to prevent ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports.

Lebanon says Israel kills 8 in south, strikes reported outside Beirut
Published: May 9, 2026 | 15:35 GMT | by AFP

Authorities reported eight people killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, with more raids targeting a highway south of Beirut.

The fresh attacks came in spite of a three-week-old ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that has done little to halt daily exchanges of fire, mostly in south Lebanon.

Iran questions US diplomacy, delays response to proposal
Published: May 9, 2026 | 15:24 GMT | by AFP

Iran questioned the seriousness of US diplomacy after naval clashes in the Gulf, and kept Washington waiting on its response to the latest American proposal for a deal to extend the truce and launch peace talks.

On Saturday, there was no public sign of Iran's reply to the proposal, despite US President Donald Trump saying late Friday he expected to receive it during Friday night.

UK sending warship to Middle East ahead of Hormuz mission
Published: May 9, 2026 | 13:08 GMT | by AFP

The UK will send a destroyer to the Middle East ahead of any international mission to help protect shipping in the key Strait of Hormuz, its defense ministry said Saturday.

"The pre-positioning of HMS Dragon is part of prudent planning that will ensure that the UK is ready, as part of a multinational coalition jointly led by the UK and France, to secure the strait, when conditions allow," a ministry spokesperson told AFP.

Britain and France said last month that military plans to secure the Strait of Hormuz were coming together and would succeed in restoring trade flows through the vital passage.

The MoD said deploying HMS Dragon would strengthen the confidence of commercial shipping and support mine clearance efforts once hostilities end.

Lebanon says Israel kills 8 in south, strikes reported outside Beirut
Published: May 9, 2026 | 15:35 GMT | by AFP

Authorities reported eight people killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, with more raids targeting a highway south of Beirut.

The fresh attacks came in spite of a three-week-old ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that has done little to halt daily exchanges of fire, mostly in south Lebanon.

Lebanon says Israeli strike on south kills seven including girl
Published: May 9, 2026 | 15:07 GMT | by AFP

Lebanon's health ministry said an Israeli strike on the southern town of Saksakiyeh killed at least seven people, including a girl, in the latest attack despite a fragile ceasefire.

In a statement, the ministry said that "the Israeli enemy raid on the town of Saksakiyeh, in the Sidon district, resulted in an initial toll of seven martyrs, including a girl, and 15 wounded, including three children".

US sanctions 10 people, firms over reported ties to Iran defense programs

Published: May 9, 2026 | 13:20 GMT | by Web Desk

US Treasury Department said Saturday it placed sanctions on 10 people and companies accused of helping Iran acquire equipment and materials connected to its military programs.

The department said the people and firms are located in several countries across the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe. The action was announced by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control under “Economic Fury.”

In a post on X, it said the sanctions focus on networks that allegedly helped Iran obtain weapons-related supplies and materials that could be used in drone production and missile development.

Israel to release two Gaza flotilla activists ahead of deportation: rights group
Published: May 9, 2026 | 11:53 GMT | by AFP

Israel will release two foreign activists taken off a Gaza-bound flotilla from detention on Saturday before handing them to immigration authorities ahead of their deportation, the rights group representing them said.

Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian Thiago Avila were among dozens of activists aboard a flotilla intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters off the coast of Greece on April 30.

The pair were seized by Israeli forces and brought to Israel for questioning, while the others were taken to the Greek island of Crete and released.

"Today, the Shabak Israeli intelligence agency informed Adalah's legal team that Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) activists and leaders Thiago Avila and Saif Abukeshek would be released from Israeli detention today, Saturday," the rights group Adalah said in a statement.

"They will be handed to Israel's immigration authorities later today and kept in custody pending their deportation," it added.

Adalah said it was closely monitoring developments "to make sure that the release from detention goes ahead, followed by their deportation from Israel in the coming days".

Lebanon says at least one killed in Israel strikes on south
Published: May 9, 2026 | 10:49 GMT | by AFP

Lebanon said at least one person was killed in Israeli strikes on the country's south on Saturday despite a fragile ceasefire in place, after Israel's army issued an evacuation warning to several villages.

Israeli forces and Hezbollah have traded fire daily, mostly in southern Lebanon, despite the ceasefire agreement in effect since April 17.

Israel's military had called on residents of nine villages to evacuate, warning that it would act "forcefully" against Hezbollah.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said Israeli warplanes "launched a strike on the town of Zrariyeh" and several other areas included in the notice.

It reported casualties in a strike on a car on a road between two of the locations, and said Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling hit other areas of the south not mentioned in the warning.

The health ministry said an Israeli strike on a motorbike in the town of Nabatieh outside the evacuation areas hit "a Syrian national and his 12-year-old daughter".

Egyptian FM, Qatari PM stress diplomacy to resolve disputes

Published: May 9, 2026 | 10:28 GMT | By Web Desk

Egyptian foreign minister and Qatari prime minister stressed relying fully on the option of diplomacy to resolve disputes. 

"On Saturday, May 9, a call took place between Dr Badr Abdel-Aty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptians Abroad, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the sisterly State of Qatar," said a statement released by Foreign Ministry of Egypt.

"The call addressed the rapidly evolving regional developments and joint efforts aimed at reducing escalation in the region," the statement said. 

"Both sides reiterated their hope that all active parties will adopt responsible and wise positions during this critical stage, and rely fully on the option of diplomacy to resolve disputes, while emphasizing that the sustainability of regional security and stability is based primarily on prioritizing political solutions that preserve the capabilities of the peoples of the region," it said.

Lebanon reports Israeli strikes on south after evacuation warning

Published: May 9, 2026 | 10:28 GMT | By AFP

Lebanese state media reported Israeli strikes on the country's south on Saturday after Israel's army issued an evacuation warning to several villages, as well as in other areas despite a ceasefire with Hezbollah.

Israeli warplanes "launched a strike on the town of Zrariyeh after a morning warning", the state-run National News Agency said, also reporting strikes on several other areas included in the Israeli warning, in which the army said it would act against Hezbollah.

The agency also reported Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling on other areas of the country's south not mentioned in the warning, along with casualties in several locations.

Saudi, Russian FMs review regional developments, economic impact 

Published: May 9, 2026 | 08:25 GMT | By Web Desk

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, according to a post shared on X by Saudi Foreign Ministry on Saturday. 

"During the call, they reviewed regional developments and their security and economic repercussions," the post said.

"They also discussed joint efforts to preserve stability in the region," it added. 

Iran FM discusses regional situation with UK foreign secretary 

Published: May 9, 2026 | 07:50 GMT | By Web Desk

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and UK’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper held a phone conversation, in which they exchanged views on the latest regional developments, according to Iranian Tasnim News Agency.

Iran, Turkiye FMs discuss latest regional developments

Published: May 9, 2026 | 07:41 GMT | By Web Desk

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan spoke by phone on Friday, where they discussed recent regional developments and Iran’s diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing an end to the war, according to Iran's Tasnim News Agency.

Moscow urges US, Bahrain to withdraw UN resolution on Iran's actions in Hormuz 

Published: May 9, 2026 | 06:40 GMT | By Web Desk

Moscow has called on the US and Bahrain to pull back a draft resolution submitted to the UN Security Council that urges Iran to stop its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Al Jazeera.

Quoting Russia’s state-run TASS, it reported that Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov told the Izvestia newspaper that Russia is unable to endorse the proposal, which also has support from several Gulf nations.

Alimov stated that Moscow is asking the US and Bahrain, as co-sponsors of the resolution, to withdraw the draft and avoid moving forward too quickly, adding that Russia currently sees no basis for supporting the document.

Israel army issues evacuation warning for nine south Lebanon villages

Published: May 9, 2026 | 06:27 GMT | By AFP

The Israeli military called on residents of more than half a dozen villages in southern Lebanon to immediately evacuate on Saturday ahead of expected attacks against Hezbollah despite a truce with Lebanon intended to halt the fighting.

"In light of the terrorist Hezbollah's violation of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF is compelled to act against it forcefully," the military's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee posted on X, listing nine villages.

"For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and stay away from the villages and towns by a distance of no less than 1,000 metres to open areas," he added.

Oil prices surge on fresh US-Iran clashes in Strait of Hormuz before easing

Published: May 9, 2026 | 04:14 GMT | By Web Desk

Brent crude oil futures surged by as much as 3% on Friday following tensions between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Al Jazeera. 

However, prices later eased as hopes grew for a near-term agreement between Washington and Tehran to bring the conflict to an end.

Brent crude futures closed at $101.29 per barrel, gaining $1.23, or 1.23%, after climbing as much as 3% earlier in the session.

Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures settled at $95.42 per barrel, rising by $0.61, or 0.64%.

Trump says expecting Iran response to latest proposal 'tonight'

Published: May 8, 2026 | 23:33 GMT | By AFP

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he was expecting Iran's response to Washington's latest proposal on a deal to ending the Middle East war by "tonight."

"I'm getting a letter supposedly tonight, so we'll see how that goes," Trump told reporters outside the White House.