Donald Trump has pledged to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as early as Monday morning in a “humanitarian gesture”.
The US president declared that “Project Freedom” was meant to “free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong”, who he called “victims of circumstance”.
It comes after Trump said on Saturday that there was a “possibility” he could order renewed strikes against Iran.
He said in a post on Truth Social on Sunday, that the decision to reopen the waterway came as his representatives were having “very positive discussions” with Iran, who reportedly issued the US president a one-month deadline for negotiations on its proposed deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring an end to the war.
The deal would also see the end of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, two sources brief on the proposal told Axios.
Trump said on Saturday he was reviewing a new peace proposal from Tehran, before once again escalated his threats when he said the regime “not yet paid a big enough price”.
Key Points
- Iran offers US one-month deadline for negotiations on peace deal
- Trump must choose between 'bad deal' or 'impossible military operation', IRGC warns
- Israel procures new fighter jets in £87 billion plan to boost military
- Nato working to 'understand' details of US troop withdrawal from Germany
Iran reviews US response to its latest proposal
05:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIran is reviewing the US response to its latest proposal to end the war, Iran's judiciary Mizan news agency cited foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei as saying.
But "at this stage, we have no nuclear negotiations," Baghaei said. Iran's nuclear program and enriched uranium have long been the central issue in tensions with the US, but Tehran would rather address it later.
Iran's proposal wants other issues resolved within 30 days and aims to end the war rather than extend the ceasefire, according to Iran's state-linked media. Trump on Saturday said he was reviewing the proposal but expressed doubt it would lead to a deal.
Iran's 14-point proposal calls for the US lifting sanctions on Iran, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdrawing forces from the region and ceasing all hostilities, including Israel's operations in Lebanon, according to reports.
Pakistan's prime minister, foreign minister and army chief continue to encourage the US and Iran to speak directly, according to two officials in Pakistan who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Pakistan hosted face-to-face talks last month and has passed messages between the two sides.
New Hormuz Strait initiative won't necessarily involve US Navy - report
04:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe new Hormuz Strait initiative will not necessarily include US Navy ships escorting commercial ships, Axios reported.
US Navy ships will be "in the vicinity" in the event they need to prevent Iran's military from attacking commercial ships moving through strait, according to the report.
Trump's 'Project Freedom' to begin today
04:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe US will launch an effort to "guide" stranded ships from the Iran-gripped Strait of Hormuz, president Donald Trump said, giving few details about what could be a sweeping attempt to help hundreds of vessels and some 20,000 seafarers.
Iran quickly denounced it as a ceasefire violation.Trump said in a social media post that "neutral and innocent" countries have been affected by the Iran war, and "we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business."
"Project Freedom" would begin on Monday morning in the Middle East, Trump said, adding that his representatives are having discussions with Iran that could lead to something "very positive for all."
US Central Command said the initiative would involve guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft and 15,000 service members.
Cargo ship attacked near Strait of Hormuz
04:04 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz said it was attacked by multiple small aircraft, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported.
It was the latest in at least two dozen attacks in and around the strait since the Iran war began, and a reminder of the risks if the new US effort goes forward.
All crew on the unidentified northbound cargo ship were safe after the attack off Sirik, Iran, east of the strait, the British monitor said.
Iranian officials have asserted that they control the strait and that ships not affiliated with the US or Israel can pass if they pay a toll, challenging the freedom of navigation guaranteed by international law.
Iran denied an attack, the semiofficial Iranian outlets Fars and Tabnak reported, and said a passing ship had been stopped for a documents check as part of monitoring.
It was the first reported attack in the area since 22 April.
The Christian villages on the front lines of Israel’s war on Lebanon
04:00 , Bryony Gooch
The Christian villages on the front lines of Israel’s war on Lebanon
Pictured: A memorial depicting a symbolic classroom representing the Minab school children is displayed in a square in Tehran
03:00 , Bryony Gooch
Rubio heading to Italy to speak with Pope Leo amid rising tensions
02:00 , Bryony Gooch
Rubio heading to Italy to speak with Pope Leo amid rising tensions with Trump admin
How the Strait of Hormuz's closure has impacted global markets as it could reopen on Monday
01:00 , Bryony GoochIran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, imposed after the US and Israel launched the war on 28 February has shaken global markets.
Ships and seafarers, many on oil and gas tankers and cargo ships, have been stuck in the Persian Gulf since the war began. Crew members have described to The Associated Press watching intercepted drones and missiles explode over the waters, and running low on drinking water, food and other supplies.
Many sailors come from India and other countries in south and southeast Asia.
Trump said in a statement on Sunday that the sailors “are victims of circumstance.”
Trump's statement was quickly shared by some Iranian outlets, which described his announcement as a "claim."
Britons braced for flight cancellations over fuel shortages as new plans revealed to save summer holidays
Monday 4 May 2026 00:00 , Alex CroftMinisters are attempting to save British families’ summer holidays by allowing airlines to cancel other flights more easily after Donald Trump’s Iran war caused jet fuel costs to soar.
Airlines around the world are already scrapping flights and adding extra charges after prices roughly doubled in the wake of the conflict, prompting fears of travel misery for millions of holidaymakers.
Earlier this week, the prime minister even suggested people may have to change “where they go on holiday” if the crisis in the Middle East continues and the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen.
Now, ministers have announced they will ease restrictive “use it or lose it” flight slots, which they say will help prevent last-minute cancellations for long-anticipated summer holidays.
Whitehall correspondent Kate Devlin reports:
Britons set for flight cancellations over fuel as plans revealed to save holidays
Trump pledges to reopen Strait of Hormuz on Monday
Sunday 3 May 2026 23:04 , Bryony GoochUS president Donald Trump has pledged to free up ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday in his latest Truth Social post.
The US leader said: “This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time. I am fully aware that my Representatives are having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all.
“The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong — They are victims of circumstance. This is a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran.
“Many of these Ships are running low on food, and everything else necessary for largescale crews to stay on board in a healthy and sanitary manner.
“I think it would go a long way in showing Goodwill on behalf of all of those who have been fighting so strenuously over the last number of months.
“If, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Watch: Spirit pilot signs off as airline shuts down after US-Iran war drives up jet fuel costs
Sunday 3 May 2026 23:00 , Alex CroftIran executes man allegedly involved in killing security officer, Iranian media reports
Sunday 3 May 2026 22:15 , Alex CroftIran has executed a man convicted of involvement in the killing of a security officer, the judiciary's news outlet Mizan reported on Sunday.
It comes after the Supreme Court upheld his sentence in late 2025.
The defendant, identified as Mehrab Abdollahzadeh, was described as one of the main individuals responsible for the death of security officer Abbas Fatemiyeh, killed in 2022 during a nationwide protest movement sparked by the death of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, in police custody.
Mizan said the defendant confessed to assaulting the security officer. Rights group HRANA quoted an informed source as saying Abdollahzadeh was subject to torture to extract forced confessions.
Ship attacked west of Sirik, Iran
Sunday 3 May 2026 22:03 , Bryony GoochThe UK Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO) has received a report of an incident 11 nautical metres west of Sirik, Iran.
“The Master of a northbound bulk carrier has reported being attacked by multiple small craft. All crew reported safe and no environmental impact reported.
“Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO, authorities are investigating.”
Trump: US to free up ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz
Sunday 3 May 2026 21:49 , Bryony GoochPresident Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States would begin an effort to free up ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday morning.
Where are US troops stationed in Europe?
Sunday 3 May 2026 21:27 , Alex CroftAs we’ve been reporting, the US has announced it will withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany following a spat between Donald Trump and German chancellor Friedrich Merz.
US troops are stationed in more than a dozen European countries. Germany, Italy and Britain have the biggest presence of personnel. This list comprises some of the largest contingents.
Germany: The largest US base in Europe is the air base near the German city of Ramstein, where troops have been stationed since 1952. According to DMDC data, as of December 2025, 36,436 active service members were stationed in Germany, divided into five garrisons.
Italy: U.S. military personnel have been stationed in Italy since the end of World War Two and comprise Army, Navy and Air Force divisions. Italy hosted 12,662 active-duty soldiers at the end of 2025 across bases in Vicenza, Aviano, Naples and Sicily.
Britain: The US forces in the United Kingdom comprised 10,156 service members as of December last year, garrisoned in three bases, hosting mainly Air Force personnel.
Spain: The country hosts U.S. Navy and Air Force bases near the Strait of Gibraltar. Around 3,814 personnel were permanently assigned to Spain.
Other countries hosting permanently assigned US troops include Poland (369), Romania (153), and Hungary (77).
In pictures: Israel launches fresh attacks on Lebanon
Sunday 3 May 2026 20:43 , Alex Croft
Nearly half of Americans say they are cutting daily expenses to deal with spiking gas prices from Trump’s Iran war
Sunday 3 May 2026 20:00 , Alex CroftMany Americans are cutting back on everyday expenses as gas prices soar due to President Donald Trump’s war in Iran, now approaching the 10-week mark.
About 44 percent of Americans said they’re driving less due to high gas prices, while 42 percent said they’ve slashed household expenses, according to a Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll. In addition, the poll revealed that 34 percent have altered travel or vacation plans.
Americans are changing their behaviors as national average gas prices hit $4.43 per gallon Saturday, according to the AAA motor club. This time last year, the national average was just $3.15 per gallon.
Read the full report:
Nearly half of Americans are cutting daily costs to deal with high gas prices: poll
Rubio to visit Vatican for meetings following spat between Trump and Pope Leo
Sunday 3 May 2026 19:15 , Alex CroftUS secretary of state Marco Rubio will travel to the Vatican and Italy for meetings this week, two Italian newspapers reported on Sunday.
It comes after Donald Trump drew criticism from Christians across the political spectrum by attacking Pope Leo on social media.
Reports in national dailies La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera did not indicate whether Rubio, a Catholic, would meet personally with Leo, but said he was expected to meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's lead diplomatic official.
Rubio last met Leo, the first US pope, in May 2025, alongside vice president JD Vance.
The pope, who maintained a relatively low-profile on the global stage in the first months of his papacy, emerged in recent weeks as an outspoken critic of the US-Israeli led war on Iran and sharply criticized the Trump administration's hard-line anti-immigration policies.
Trump criticized Leo on social media several times in April, at one point calling the pontiff "terrible".
Even if Donald Trump chickens out over Iran, the reckoning is coming
Sunday 3 May 2026 18:31 , Alex CroftAs Charles and Camilla decompress in Bermuda – no doubt with a nice single malt – they can enjoy the rave reviews for their highly successful trip to the United States.
However, the warm amber glow is chilled by an unwelcome reminder that not even the royal touch can cure Donald Trump of his erratic ways. No sooner had the royal couple left his company than the president was reverting to type.
First, he told chancellor Friedrich Merz he was minded to withdraw US forces from Nato bases in Germany. Then he told the world he “might restart” the war in Iran (no one thinks it’s all over, Donald) – and now he’s turned on Italy and Spain, again threatening to bring his troops home.
Sean O’Grady writes:
Even if Donald Trump chickens out over Iran, the reckoning is coming
Iran says it is reviewing US Response to 14-point proposal
Sunday 3 May 2026 18:07 , Bryony GoochIran said on Sunday that the United States had responded to its 14-point proposal via Pakistan and that it was reviewing the response, state media reported."At this stage, we do not have nuclear negotiations," an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said, according to state media.
Merz affirms US remains central to Nato despite differences over Iran
Sunday 3 May 2026 18:06 , Bryony GoochGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz said the United States is central to the NATO alliance despite differences in opinion and downplayed tensions with President Donald Trump, after Washington announced a troop drawdown in Germany.
“I remain convinced that the Americans are the most important partner for us in the North Atlantic Alliance," Merz told public broadcaster ARD in an interview to be televised later on Sunday.
Asked whether US plans to reduce its troop presence in Germany had anything to do with a spat between the two leaders over Trump's strategy in Iran, Merz said, "There is no connection."
Analysis | US and Nato are essential for each other
Sunday 3 May 2026 17:44 , Alex CroftThe Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes:
The US is essential to Europe’s defences.
US bases in Europe are also central to America’s ability to project hard power around the world. US operations in Iran may have been held back by allied reluctance to cooperate as fully as Trump wants – but that is not the only theatre where US troops do, or may, operate.
“The continued attacks on Nato allies are counterproductive, the comments hurt Americans,” wrote Republican Representative Don Bacon on X on Thursday, following Trump’s threat to cut troop levels in Germany.
“The two big airfields in Germany give us great access in three continents. We are shooting ourselves in our own feet.”
The US controls its operations in Africa from bases in Europe. It has run its operations in Libya, Iraq and Syria from Europe. It cannot deploy troops to the roiling Sahel in north Africa without these bases that are part of Nato’s infrastructure.
Up to 90,000 American troops are based in Europe. Most, around 35,000, are in Germany, which is its main logistics and medical hub – especially at the Ramstein base.
The US Navy’s Sixth Fleet is based in Naples. Close to 13,000 US personnel are based in army, navy and air force facilities there. Another 3,800 are based in Spain – a gateway for operations in Europe and beyond.
Kuwait oil production set to reach 2.6million barrels per day
Sunday 3 May 2026 17:00 , Alex CroftKuwait's oil production is expected to reach 2.628 million barrels per day in June, the state news agency quoted the country's oil minister as saying on Sunday.
Seven OPEC+ countries will raise oil output targets by 188,000 barrels per day in June, the third consecutive monthly increase, OPEC+ said in a statement after an online meeting on Sunday.
The output targets are largely symbolic for now, as Gulf countries have had to curtail production while the Strait of Hormuz is shut during the Iran war.
Watch: Simon Calder outlines plan to save summer holidays as airlines allowed to cut flights early to avoid chaos
Sunday 3 May 2026 16:31 , Alex CroftIsraeli fighter jet deal is part of £87 billion plan to boost military
Sunday 3 May 2026 16:01 , Alex CroftAs we earlier reported, Israel has finalised a deal to purchase two new fighter jet squadrons - we can now bring you more.
The deal, approved by Israel's Ministerial Committee on Procurement, is a first step in a 350 billion shekel (£87.3bn) plan to bolster Israel's military and "strengthen readiness ahead of a demanding decade for Israeli security," the defence ministry said.
Under the deal, Israel would buy a fourth F-35 squadron from Lockheed Martin and a second squadron of F-15IA fighter jets from Boeing.
Around 15 per cent of the value of the world’s F-35 fighter jets are British-made parts.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the aircraft “strengthen Israel's overwhelming air superiority”.
In December, Boeing was given an $8.6 billion contract for Israel including 25 new F-15IAs and an option for 25 more.
Baram said the next step would be to move forward with finalizing the agreements with the US government and military counterparts.
The US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28, but a ceasefire has been in place since April 8. The US Navy maintains a blockade of Iranian ports.
In pictures: Israeli soldiers stationed near border with Lebanon
Sunday 3 May 2026 15:29 , Alex Croft
Man killed by Israeli gunfire in northern Gaza strip - report
Sunday 3 May 2026 15:03 , Alex CroftA Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces in the Jabalia refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip, according to Palesitnian news agency Wafa.
Named as Ahmad Ramadan al-Harsh, the man was killed by Israeli gunfire in the al-Hoja Street area.
Gaza’s health ministry say the number of Palestinians killed since a ceasefire was set to begin on 11 October has now risen to 832.
Germany focuses on shared interests after US announces troop drawdown
Sunday 3 May 2026 14:42 , Alex CroftGermany's defense minister on Saturday appeared to take in stride a Pentagon announcement that the United States plans to pull some 5,000 troops out of Germany, saying a drawdown was expected and emphasizing the mutual benefit of the longstanding U.S. deployment in Europe.
Boris Pistorius said Europe recognized and was acting on the necessity of doing more to ensure its own security within the U.S.-led NATO military alliance that counts Germany as a key member, and said it is doing so. He suggested America, too, gains from its military deployment in the continent.
“The presence of American soldiers in Europe, and especially in Germany, is in our interest and in the interest of the U.S.,” Pistorius told the German news agency dpa.
Pistorius called the move “foreseeable,” apparently alluding to President Donald Trump’s recent threat of a drawdown in Germany.
Read more here:
Germany focuses on shared interests after US announces troop drawdown
Iran offers US one-month deadline for negotiations on peace deal
Sunday 3 May 2026 14:26 , Alex CroftTehran has offered the US a one-month deadline for negotiations on its proposed peace deal, according to an Axios reporter.
“According to two sources briefed on the Iranian proposal, it sets a one-month deadline for negotiations on a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, end the U.S. naval blockade and permanently end the war in Iran and in Lebanon,” Barak Ravid reports.
“Per the Iranian proposal, only after such a deal is reached, another month of negotiations would be launched to try and reach a deal on the nuclear program, the two sources said.”
Trump said on Saturday he was reviewing a new peace proposal from Tehran, before once again escalated his threats when he said the regime “not yet paid a big enough price”.
Trump must choose between 'bad deal' or 'impossible military operation', IRGC warns
Sunday 3 May 2026 14:01 , Alex CroftDonald Trump will have to choose between an “impossible” military operation against Iran or making a “bad deal” with Tehran, the country’s Revolutionary Guard Corps have warned.
“The room for US decision-making has narrowed,” the intelligence unit of the Guards wrote on X.
It said Iran had set a deadline for the US military to end its blockade of Iranian ports, without specifying what it was.
The Guards also claimed there had been a shift in tone from Europe, China and Russia towards Washington.
“There is only one way to read this: Trump must choose between an impossible military operation or a bad deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The room for US decision-making has narrowed,” it said in a post on X.
In pictures: Israelis protest against war in Iran and Netanyahu's government
Sunday 3 May 2026 13:39 , Alex Croft
Israel hails deal to procure new F-35 fighter jets
Sunday 3 May 2026 13:17 , Alex CroftWe’ve heard from Israeli defence minister Israel Katz, speaking about the country’s deal to purchase new F-35 and F-15Ia fighter jet squadrons.
Mr Katz said the Iranian conflict demonstrated the air force's power and its decisive role in protecting Israel.
"The lessons of that campaign require us to keep pressing forward on force buildup, to ensure air superiority for decades to come," he said.
The aircraft have been crucial in Israel’s bombardments in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran in recent years. They were used to drop some of the military’s most powerful bombs in the Gaza strip.
Mr Katz said the new aircraft would lead to a significant technological leap in integrating autonomous flight capabilities, next-generation defence systems, and establishing Israeli military dominance in space.
"Our mission is clear: to ensure the IDF has the tools, capabilities, and strength to operate anywhere, at any time," Mr Katz said.
"We will continue to invest, to grow stronger, and to stay ahead of our enemies - to keep Israel secure today and in the future."
Full report: Trump warns Iran has ‘not paid a big enough price’ as he considers new peace plan
Sunday 3 May 2026 12:55 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has said Iran has “not yet paid a big enough price” despite reviewing a new peace proposal offered by Tehran.
The US president has been touting the possibility of carrying out fresh strikes on Iran, with his efforts to pressure the country’s regime into agreeing a deal favourable for the US having so far failed.
“I will soon be reviewing the plan 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 wrote on Truth Social.
He told reporters on Saturday that there was a “possibility” he could order more strikes against Iran, particularly “if they misbehave, if they do something bad”.
Read more here:
Trump says Iran has ‘not paid a big enough price’ as he considers new peace plan
Trump calls US blockade 'very friendly'
Sunday 3 May 2026 12:33 , Alex CroftPresident Donald Trump called the US blockade of Iranian ports “very friendly” while speaking to reporters Saturday evening.
A journalist asked: “In your letter to Congress, you said the hostilities in Iran ... have been terminated. How can you say that given that the naval blockade is still ... in place?”
“Well, it’s a very friendly blockade. Nobody’s even challenging it,” Trump replied.
“Many presidents have been involved in things that are very big. They never had to go through anything with respect to Congress. They considered it to be totally unconstitutional.
“The Democrats in Congress have pushed this, and probably a couple of Republicans. They’re hurting our negotiating ability, which is infinite right now, and they shouldn’t be doing it,” he added.
Three killed in attacks on Lebanon
Sunday 3 May 2026 12:11 , Alex CroftThree people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.
Rescue teams recovered the bodies of two victims from the al-Maaliya area in the Tyre district, the agency reported.
A motorcycle rider was killed in a separate airstrike that targeted the vehicle in the town of Haris in the Bint Jbeil district, he said.
Trump threatens to 'blast the hell' out of Iran - ICYMI
Sunday 3 May 2026 11:48 , Alex CroftAnalysis | Weakened Nato only serves enemies of the West
Sunday 3 May 2026 11:25 , Alex CroftThe Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes:
The US president and the German chancellor have locked horns. Spain has shunned Washington. The Nato alliance is more fragile than it has ever been.
Western powers are determined to see off Russian military “hard” power; they are familiar with “soft power” operations to undermine democracies. But how to deal with the Kremlin’s relationship with Donald Trump is now an emergency.
Working out a response to internal frictions within Nato has become a conundrum, not only for leaders in the alliance but for the military officials who have to figure out how to keep the military machine operational.
A weakened Nato serves only the interests of the enemies and rivals of the West.
Top of the list of beneficiaries is Vladimir Putin, but China will enjoy the latest spats between Trump and Germany’s Friedrich Merz almost as much.
Tanker carrying gas for India crosses Strait of Hormuz
Sunday 3 May 2026 11:01 , Alex CroftMarshall Islands-flagged tanker Sarv Shakti, loaded with 46,313 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas for India, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, India's shipping ministry said.
The vessel with 20 crew members on board, 18 of them Indian, was expected to arrive at the eastern Indian port of Visakhapatnam on 13 May, it said in a statement.
Where are US troops stationed in Europe?
Sunday 3 May 2026 10:39 , Alex CroftAs we’ve been reporting, the US has announced it will withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany following a spat between Donald Trump and German chancellor Friedrich Merz.
US troops are stationed in more than a dozen European countries. Germany, Italy and Britain have the biggest presence of personnel. This list comprises some of the largest contingents.
Germany: The largest US base in Europe is the air base near the German city of Ramstein, where troops have been stationed since 1952. According to DMDC data, as of December 2025, 36,436 active service members were stationed in Germany, divided into five garrisons.
Italy: U.S. military personnel have been stationed in Italy since the end of World War Two and comprise Army, Navy and Air Force divisions. Italy hosted 12,662 active-duty soldiers at the end of 2025 across bases in Vicenza, Aviano, Naples and Sicily.
Britain: The US forces in the United Kingdom comprised 10,156 service members as of December last year, garrisoned in three bases, hosting mainly Air Force personnel.
Spain: The country hosts U.S. Navy and Air Force bases near the Strait of Gibraltar. Around 3,814 personnel were permanently assigned to Spain.
Other countries hosting permanently assigned US troops include Poland (369), Romania (153), and Hungary (77).
Nearly half of Americans say they are cutting daily expenses to deal with spiking gas prices from Trump’s Iran war
Sunday 3 May 2026 10:11 , Alex CroftMany Americans are cutting back on everyday expenses as gas prices soar due to President Donald Trump’s war in Iran, now approaching the 10-week mark.
About 44 percent of Americans said they’re driving less due to high gas prices, while 42 percent said they’ve slashed household expenses, according to a Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll. In addition, the poll revealed that 34 percent have altered travel or vacation plans.
Americans are changing their behaviors as national average gas prices hit $4.43 per gallon Saturday, according to the AAA motor club. This time last year, the national average was just $3.15 per gallon.
Read the full report:
Nearly half of Americans are cutting daily costs to deal with high gas prices: poll
Iran executes man allegedly involved in killing security officer, Iranian media reports
Sunday 3 May 2026 09:49 , Alex CroftIran has executed a man convicted of involvement in the killing of a security officer, the judiciary's news outlet Mizan reported on Sunday.
It comes after the Supreme Court upheld his sentence in late 2025.
The defendant, identified as Mehrab Abdollahzadeh, was described as one of the main individuals responsible for the death of security officer Abbas Fatemiyeh, killed in 2022 during a nationwide protest movement sparked by the death of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, in police custody.
Mizan said the defendant confessed to assaulting the security officer. Rights group HRANA quoted an informed source as saying Abdollahzadeh was subject to torture to extract forced confessions.
Rubio to visit Vatican for meetings following spat between Trump and Pope Leo
Sunday 3 May 2026 09:42 , Alex CroftUS secretary of state Marco Rubio will travel to the Vatican and Italy for meetings this week, two Italian newspapers reported on Sunday.
It comes after Donald Trump drew criticism from Christians across the political spectrum by attacking Pope Leo on social media.
Reports in national dailies La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera did not indicate whether Rubio, a Catholic, would meet personally with Leo, but said he was expected to meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's lead diplomatic official.
Rubio last met Leo, the first US pope, in May 2025, alongside vice president JD Vance.
The pope, who maintained a relatively low-profile on the global stage in the first months of his papacy, emerged in recent weeks as an outspoken critic of the US-Israeli led war on Iran and sharply criticized the Trump administration's hard-line anti-immigration policies.
Trump criticized Leo on social media several times in April, at one point calling the pontiff "terrible".
In pictures: Israel launches fresh attacks on Lebanon
Sunday 3 May 2026 09:27 , Alex CroftIsrael approves plan to purchase two new F-35 and F-15Ia squadrons
Sunday 3 May 2026 09:05 , Alex CroftIsrael gave final approval for a plan to purchase two new combat squadrons of F-35 and F-15Ia aircraft from Lockheed Martin and Boeing, the defence ministry gas said.
The is deal worth tens of billions shekels, it added on Sunday.
British-made parts make up around 16 per cent of the value of F-35 fighter jet parts.
Nato working to 'understand' details of US troop withdrawal from Germany
Sunday 3 May 2026 08:43 , Alex CroftNato is working with the US to understand the details of the decision for a planned drawdown of American troops from Germany, a spokesperson said on Saturday.
"We are working with the US to understand the details of their decision on force posture in Germany.
“This adjustment underscores the need for Europe to continue to invest more in defence and take on a greater share of the responsibility for our shared security - where we're already seeing progress since Allies agreed to invest 5% of GDP at the Nato Summit in The Hague last year," wrote spokesperson Allison Hart on X.
"We remain confident in our ability to provide for our deterrence and defence as this shift towards a stronger Europe in a stronger Nato continues," she added.
Even if Donald Trump chickens out over Iran, the reckoning is coming
Sunday 3 May 2026 08:25 , Alex CroftAs Charles and Camilla decompress in Bermuda – no doubt with a nice single malt – they can enjoy the rave reviews for their highly successful trip to the United States.
However, the warm amber glow is chilled by an unwelcome reminder that not even the royal touch can cure Donald Trump of his erratic ways. No sooner had the royal couple left his company than the president was reverting to type.
First, he told chancellor Friedrich Merz he was minded to withdraw US forces from Nato bases in Germany. Then he told the world he “might restart” the war in Iran (no one thinks it’s all over, Donald) – and now he’s turned on Italy and Spain, again threatening to bring his troops home.
Sean O’Grady writes:
Even if Donald Trump chickens out over Iran, the reckoning is coming
Trump says Iran can play world cup after Fifa confirmation - ICYMI
Sunday 3 May 2026 08:07 , Alex CroftIran must urgently free Nobel laureate Mohammadi to get medical help, says Nobel body
Sunday 3 May 2026 07:47 , Alex CroftIranian authorities must release Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi to her dedicated medical team so she can urgently receive treatment as her life remains at risk, the head of the Nobel Peace Prize committee told Reuters on Saturday.
The health of Mohammadi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for her campaign for human rights in Iran in 2023, has "deteriorated seriously", said Joergen Watne Frydnes, citing her family and lawyer.
Lebanese commander meets US general in Beirut to discuss Lebanon situation
Sunday 3 May 2026 07:29 , Alex CroftLebanese armed forces commander General Rudolf Haykal and US General Joseph Clearfield met in Beirut to discuss the security situation in Lebanon and regional developments, the army said on Saturday in a statement.
Clearfield heads a committee monitoring a US-backed ceasefire in fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
The participants at the meeting underlined the importance of the Lebanese army's role and the need to support it during the current phase, the statement said.
Lindsey Graham says US should ‘finish the job’ if Iran does not yield
Sunday 3 May 2026 07:08 , Arpan RaiRepublican senator Lindsey Graham has said US president Donald Trump should “finish the job” in Iran and resume military strikes if Tehran continues to be “provocative”.
Talking to the FT, Graham said the US needs to “open up the strait” to break the stalemate, noting it will need harsher military action.
“We have the capability to increase ship flow,” he said in an interview on Thursday.
The US should do “whatever combination of events is necessary to start the flow” of ships and “take the leverage away from Iran”, the close-aide of Trump said.
“Between the blockade, which has been brilliantly executed, and letting Iran know that Kharg Island is in play, hopefully that will create some deterrence,” Graham said, referring to Iran’s oil export hub.
“If it doesn’t, [we need to] just stand up to Iran, don’t let them get away with blackmailing the world.” energy prices.
Israel threatens attack on 12 Lebanon towns, warns residents to flee
Sunday 3 May 2026 06:18 , Arpan RaiThe Israeli military has said it will attack 12 towns and villages in southern Lebanon, ordering residents to flee their homes, in what it claims are operations against Hezbollah.
The towns and villages are al-Duwayr, Arab Salim, al-Sharqiya (Nabatieh), Jibshit, Braashit, Sarafand, Dounin, Briqa, Qaaqaiya al-Jisr, al-Qasiba (Nabatieh) and Kfar Sir, reported Al Jazeera.
The IDF also asked residents to move at least 1,000 metres from their towns and villages to open areas.
Trump’s war with Iran is as unpopular as Vietnam, new poll finds
Sunday 3 May 2026 05:51 , Arpan RaiThe ongoing war in Iran is as unpopular with Americans as the Vietnam War was in the 1970s, according to a new poll – indicating President Donald Trump’s efforts to spin a positive narrative on the military operation have not resonated with people.
Approximately 61 percent of the 2,560 people surveyed by Ipsos, The Washington Post and ABC News said the United States made a mistake in using military force against Iran. Just 36 percent of people said it was the right decision.
That is the same percentage of people who said the U.S. sending troops to Vietnam was a mistake in 1971, according to Gallup, and a similar percentage of people - 59 percent - who said the US made a mistake going to war with Iraq in 2006, according to the Washington Post.
Since the start of the Iran conflict, which began at the end of February, Americans have been skeptical of the president’s motivations in the Middle East and the feasibility of his goals.
Trump’s war with Iran is as unpopular as Vietnam, new poll finds
Spirit Airlines shuts down immediately, cancelling all flights
Sunday 3 May 2026 05:42 , Arpan RaiLow-cost Spirit Airlines announced early Saturday that it would shut down its operations immediately after 34 years in business, leaving thousands of passengers scrambling to rebook their travel on other airlines.
The company, which operated hundreds of daily flights across the U.S. and employed 17,000 people, had been in discussions with the Trump administration about a $500m rescue package, but no deal was reached.
But the effort has stalled because Spirit has been unable to secure the necessary backing from bondholders and government stakeholders, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal on Friday.
The airline said on its website that all flights have been canceled and customer service is no longer available.
Spirit Airlines shuts down immediately, cancelling all flights
Tanker carrying gas for India crosses Strait of Hormuz
Sunday 3 May 2026 05:36 , Arpan RaiMarshall Islands-flagged tanker Sarv Shakti, loaded with 46,313 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas for India, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, India's shipping ministry said.
The vessel with 20 crew members on board, 18 of them Indian, was expected to arrive at the eastern Indian port of Visakhapatnam on 13 May, it said in a statement.
Trump says US will reduce number of troops in Germany 'a lot further' after withdrawing 5,000
Sunday 3 May 2026 05:02 , Arpan RaiPresident Donald Trump said on Saturday that the US would significantly reduce its troop presence in Germany, escalating a dispute with chancellor Friedrich Merz as he sought to scale back America's commitment to European security.
The Pentagon on Friday had announced it would pull some 5,000 troops out of Germany, but when asked Saturday about the reason for the move, Trump didn't offer an explanation and said an even bigger reduction was coming.
“We're going to cut way down. And we're cutting a lot further than 5,000," he told reporters in Florida.
Earlier on Saturday, Germany's defence minister appeared to take in stride the news that 5,000 US troops would be leaving his country.
Boris Pistorius said the drawdown, which Trump had threatened for years, was expected, and that European nations needed to take on more responsibility for their own defence.
He emphasized, however, that security cooperation benefited both sides of the trans-Atlantic partnership.
“The presence of American soldiers in Europe, and especially in Germany, is in our interest and in the interest of the US," Pistorius told the German news agency dpa.
Iran must urgently free Nobel laureate Mohammadi to get medical help, says Nobel body
Sunday 3 May 2026 04:53 , Arpan RaiIranian authorities must release Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi to her dedicated medical team so she can urgently receive treatment as her life remains at risk, the head of the Nobel Peace Prize committee told Reuters on Saturday.
The health of Mohammadi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for her campaign for human rights in Iran in 2023, has "deteriorated seriously", said Joergen Watne Frydnes, citing her family and lawyer.
China issues injunction to block US sanctions on refiners accused of buying Iranian oil
Sunday 3 May 2026 04:53 , Arpan RaiChina has issued an injunction to block US sanctions imposed on five Chinese refiners accused of buying Iranian oil, according to Xinhua, Beijing’s state news agency.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce named the five as Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery, and so called 'teapot' refineries Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group, Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group, Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical and Shandong Shengxing Chemical.
In April, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Hengli Petrochemical, accusing it of buying billions of dollars in Iranian oil, in an escalation of Washington's long-running effort to curb Tehran's oil revenue.
The Trump administration last year imposed sanctions on the other four refineries named by the ministry, among others.
The US sanctions violate "international law and the basic norms of international relations," the ministry said, announcing that it had imposed the injunction.
Donald Tusk: 'Nato is disintegrating, we must reverse it'
Sunday 3 May 2026 04:51 , Arpan RaiPoland’s prime minister has said Nato is “disintegrating” in a post on X.
Donald Tusk wrote on social media: “The greatest threat to the transatlantic community are not its external enemies, but the ongoing disintegration of our alliance. We must all do what it takes to reverse this disastrous trend.”
Nato is ‘disintegrating’, Donald Tusk says in urgent call to action
Renewed conflict with US 'likely' warns Iranian official
Sunday 3 May 2026 04:51 , Arpan RaiA renewed conflict between Iran and the US is “likely”, a senior Iranian official has warned that
Mohammad Jafar Asadi, a senior figure in the Iranian military's central command, told Iran’s Fars news agency that "a renewed conflict between Iran and the United States is likely"
"Evidence has shown that the United States is not committed to any promises or agreements,” he added.
It comes amid growing fears the truce could collapse imminently.
Donald Trump has declared he is “not satisfied” by the peace deals offered by Iran.
The Iranians are “trying to make a good deal [for them] and we’re not going to let that happen,” he added.
“They've got to make a bad deal. Maybe we're better off not making a deal at all”.
UAE says air traffic has returned to normal
Sunday 3 May 2026 04:34 , Arpan RaiThe UAE's aviation authority said air traffic in the country has returned to normal, the state news agency reported on Saturday.
It comes after precautionary measures implemented on February 28 at the start of the Iran war were lifted.
The decision followed a comprehensive assessment of operational and security conditions in coordination with relevant entities, the General Civil Aviation Authority added.
Where are US troops stationed in Europe?
Sunday 3 May 2026 04:32 , Arpan RaiAs we’ve been reporting, the US has announced it will withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany following a spat between Donald Trump and German chancellor Friedrich Merz.
US troops are stationed in more than a dozen European countries. Germany, Italy and Britain have the biggest presence of personnel. This list comprises some of the largest contingents.
Germany: The largest US base in Europe is the air base near the German city of Ramstein, where troops have been stationed since 1952. According to DMDC data, as of December 2025, 36,436 active service members were stationed in Germany, divided into five garrisons.
Italy: U.S. military personnel have been stationed in Italy since the end of World War Two and comprise Army, Navy and Air Force divisions. Italy hosted 12,662 active-duty soldiers at the end of 2025 across bases in Vicenza, Aviano, Naples and Sicily.
Britain: The US forces in the United Kingdom comprised 10,156 service members as of December last year, garrisoned in three bases, hosting mainly Air Force personnel.
Spain: The country hosts U.S. Navy and Air Force bases near the Strait of Gibraltar. Around 3,814 personnel were permanently assigned to Spain.
Other countries hosting permanently assigned US troops include Poland (369), Romania (153), and Hungary (77).
Trump spends day at golf club as Iran negotiations plod on
Sunday 3 May 2026 04:31 , Arpan RaiTrump spent Saturday in Florida - at his Mar-a-Lago resort and the Trump National Golf Club in nearby Jupiter.
In the evening he was due to visit another of his golf resorts, Trump National Doral outside Miami, which is hosting the PGA Cadillac Championship.
The United States and Israel suspended their bombing campaign against Iran four weeks ago, but appear no closer to a deal to end a war that has caused the biggest disruption ever to global energy supplies, roiled global markets and raised worries about the possibility of a wider global economic downturn.
Iran has been blocking nearly all shipping from the Gulf apart from its own for more than two months. Last month the US imposed its own blockade of ships from Iranian ports.
Washington has repeatedly said it will not end the war, which has led to the deaths of thousands of people, without a deal that prevents Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon, the primary aim Trump cited when he launched strikes in February in the midst of nuclear talks. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful.
Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential diplomacy, the senior Iranian official said Tehran believed its latest proposal to shelve nuclear talks for a later stage was a significant shift aimed at facilitating an agreement.
Under the proposal, the war would end with a guarantee that Israel and the United States would not attack again. Iran would open the strait, and the United States would lift its blockade.
Future talks would then be held on curbs to Iran's nuclear program in return for the lifting of sanctions, with Iran demanding Washington recognize its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, even if it agrees to suspend it.
"Under this framework, negotiations over the more complicated nuclear issue have been moved to the final stage to create a more conducive atmosphere," the official said.
Reuters and other news organizations already reported over the past week that Tehran was proposing to reopen the strait before nuclear issues were resolved. The official confirmed that this new timeline had now been spelled out in a formal proposal conveyed to the United States through mediators.
Watch: Trump says he thinks it’s 'treasonous' to say US is not winning war in Iran
Sunday 3 May 2026 04:29 , Arpan RaiTrump calls U.S. blockade 'very friendly'
Sunday 3 May 2026 04:27 , Arpan RaiPresident Donald Trump called the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports “very friendly” while speaking to reporters Saturday evening.
A journalist asked: “In your letter to Congress, you said the hostilities in Iran ... have been terminated. How can you say that given that the naval blockade is still ... in place?”
“Well, it’s a very friendly blockade. Nobody’s even challenging it,” Trump replied.
“Many presidents have been involved in things that are very big. They never had to go through anything with respect to Congress. They considered it to be totally unconstitutional. The Democrats in Congress have pushed this, and probably a couple of Republicans. They’re hurting our negotiating ability, which is infinite right now, and they shouldn’t be doing it,” he added.
Three killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanese town
Sunday 3 May 2026 04:25 , Arpan RaiThree more people have been killed in Israel in airstrikes on a southern Lebanese town, as Israeli bombardment continues despite a temporary ceasefire agreed weeks ago.
According to Lebanon’s state media, at least three were killed in an Israeli attack on the town of Choukine, in the Nabatieh district.
Al Jazeera reports that this brings the death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon to 10.
Trump threatens to restart Iran strikes 'if they misbehave'
Sunday 3 May 2026 04:21 , Arpan RaiUS president Donald Trump said he had been told about the concept of a deal with Iran, but was waiting for the exact wording, while warning there was still the possibility of restarting strikes on the country if Tehran misbehaves.
A senior Iranian official said on Saturday that an Iranian proposal so far rejected by Trump would open shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and end the US blockade of Iran while leaving talks on Iran's nuclear programme for later.
When asked about Iran's proposal before boarding a flight to Miami at West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump replied: "They told me about the concept of the deal. They're going to give me the exact wording now."
He added on his social media channel that he could not imagine the proposals would be acceptable and that Iran had not paid a big enough price for what it had done.
Asked if he might restart strikes on Iran, Trump replied: "I don't want to say that. I mean, I can’t tell that to a reporter. If they misbehave, if they do something bad, right now we’ll see. But it’s a possibility that could happen."
Briefing: What we know on the 65th day of the war
Sunday 3 May 2026 04:08 , Arpan Rai- US president Donald Trump threatens new strikes if Iran “misbehaves". "If they misbehave, if they do something bad – but right now, we'll see. It's a possibility that could happen, certainly," he told reporters at the Palm Beach airport.
- A senior Iranian official said Tehran's proposal to end the war that was rejected by Trump would open shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and end the US blockade of Iran while leaving talks on its nuclear programme for later.
- Two top Republican lawmakers expressed concern about the Pentagon's decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Nato ally Germany.
- The withdrawal announcement from the Trump administration led to Poland’s prime minister remarking that Nato was “disintegrating”.
