US president Donald Trump has announced he will pause his plan to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing “great progress” toward a deal to end the war with Iran.
Trump said the decision to pause “Project Freedom” was “based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran”.
The president wrote on Truth Social Tuesday evening, Washington time, that Project Freedom would be paused by “mutual agreement” and it would be “for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.”
The US naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in effect, according to Trump.
Meanwhile, Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said the US is pursuing “a policy of maximum pressure” while also expecting Iran to submit to “unilateral demands” – a contradiction he said is “impossible” for Tehran.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Ghalibaf, earlier said: “We know well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America, while we are just getting started.”
Key Points
- ‘Project Freedom’ to be paused, Trump says
- Trump claims ‘great progress’ in talks with Iran
- UAE comes under missile and drone attacks for second consecutive day, defence ministry says
- Iranian foreign minister arrives in Beijing on first visit to China since US attacks on Iran began
Israeli military issues evacuation warning for 12 villages and towns in southern Lebanon
08:10 , Maira ButtThe Israeli military issued an urgent warning on Wednesday to residents of 12 towns and villages in southern Lebanon, including some north of the Litani River, telling them to leave their homes, saying Hezbollah had violated the ceasefire agreement.
The military said civilians near Hezbollah fighters or facilities may be at risk.
Trump describes Iran war horrors in Oval Office full of kids: ‘Right between the eyes’
07:49 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump described Iranian protesters being shot “between the eyes” by snipers as he subjected a room full of White House guests made up largely of children to a rant about the Iran war on Tuesday.
Trump gave the group of children, reporters and some pro athletes a stark and somewhat gory look into the Iran war as he did his usual weave with the cameras rolling to repeat his most pressing talking points in graphic terms. He then followed it up by launching into a Q&A session with the media, leaving his young guests standing awkwardly by as he rambled on about unrelated issues.
“They would have had a nuclear weapon,” the president told golfer Gary Player, flanked by several young children, with several more standing on the other side of the president. “And, remember, we sent that beautiful B-2 bomber in ... we blew up their nuclear potential. It was obliterated
Trump describes Iran war horrors in Oval Office full of kids
Watch: Fears over ceasefire as Rubio warns US would respond with ‘lethal efficiency’ if attacked
07:26 , Maira ButtPope rejects Trump's latest allegation that he supports Iran's nuclear ambitions
07:02 , Maroosha MuzaffarPope Leo XIV rejected Donald Trump’s claim that he supports Iran having nuclear weapons.
He said: “For years, the church has spoken out against all nuclear weapons, so there is no doubt on that point.”
He added: “If someone wants to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let him do so truthfully.”
Trump earlier had said that the pontiff was “endangering a lot of Catholics” because “he thinks it’s fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon”.
The remarks come amid rising tensions between Trump and the Pope over the Iran war.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio is expected to meet Leo at the Vatican on Thursday. The Pope said he hopes for “a good dialogue” based on “trust and openness”.
Iran says no damage after drone interception near southern Iran
06:45 , Maroosha MuzaffarA loud noise on Qeshm island in southern Iran was caused by air defences intercepting small and reconnaissance drones, according to local authorities.
Officials said there was no impact, damage, or explosion.
Similar drone interceptions have occurred multiple times in recent weeks, including over Tehran.
These incidents are continuing despite the ceasefire with the US.
US lawmaker accuses Trump of ‘falsely’ telling Congress war with Iran was over
06:27 , Maroosha MuzaffarUS lawmaker Raja Krishnamoorthi has accused US president Donald Trump of “falsely” telling Congress that the war with Iran is over, despite ongoing clashes and a naval blockade.
“The American people do not want a war with Iran, and Trump’s characterisation of the war is simply not true,” he said in a letter to director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that he posted on X.
Krishnamoorthi warned that the “underlying ceasefire arrangement remains contested and unstable”.
He requested classified briefings and a “comprehensive intelligence assessment” on the situation.
President Trump claims the war is “over” even as our servicemembers exchange fire with Iranian forces and enforce a blockade.
— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) May 5, 2026
I’m demanding answers from DNI Tulsi Gabbard on what’s really happening. The American people deserve the truth. pic.twitter.com/Lv3YZtlJT4
“The American people and Congress require clarity on whether current policy is producing a stable end state or whether President Trump’s erratic decision making in the region will lead to more instability and uncertainty for the American people at home,” he wrote in the letter.
The criticism comes as the 60-day limit under the War Powers Act passed last week. Under the 1973 War Powers Act, the US president must either end military operations or secure congressional approval once the 60-day deadline passes.
Trump claims ‘great progress’ in talks with Iran
06:16 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump claimed the US had made “great progress” in talks with Iran and mediating countries as he paused an operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, the US president wrote: “Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.”
Fire at shopping centre near Tehran kills 8
06:08 , Maroosha MuzaffarA fire at a shopping centre near Tehran has killed eight people and injured 36, according to local media reports.
The blaze began at the Arghavan shopping centre in Andisheh town on Tuesday.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Reports suggested that there was no indication that the fire was linked to the ongoing war in the region.
Video footage showed firefighters tackling heavy flames and thick black smoke from the multistory building.
Israel condemns suspected Iranian attacks on UAE
05:57 , Maroosha MuzaffarIsraeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly called UAE president Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed to condemn Tuesday’s alleged Iranian attacks.
Netanyahu “affirmed their countries’ solidarity with the UAE and support for measures it takes to safeguard its security and stability and ensure the safety of its citizens,” state agency WAM reported.
Iran has denied responsibility, with the IRGC saying its forces “have not carried out any missile or drone operations against the UAE in recent days”.
The attacks follow earlier strikes that injured at least three people and caused a fire at a key oil facility in Fujairah.
Iranian foreign minister meets his Chinese counterpart in Beijing
05:44 , Maroosha MuzaffarIranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday, the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported.
They were expected to “discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments”, according to an earlier statement from the Iranian foreign ministry.
China, a key partner and major buyer of Iranian oil, has been pushing for an end to the conflict.
Donald Trump has suggested in recent weeks that Beijing played a role in bringing Iran to the negotiating table.
Marco Rubio earlier urged China to tell Iran its actions were making it “globally isolated”.
The visit comes shortly before Trump’s planned trip to China, where he is expected to meet Chinese president Xi Jinping.
Iran touts ‘US failure’ to achieve objectives of Project Freedom
05:35 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran touted the “US failure to achieve its objectives in the so-called ‘Freedom Project’” in a statement on INSA, a state-run media outlet, after Donald Trump announced he was pausing the effort.
The INSA statement said Trump halted the operation “following firm positions and warnings from Iran”.
State-run Tasnim also welcomed the move in a post on its Farsi-language X account, calling it: “Trump Backs Down”.
In his announcement suspending “Project Freedom”, Trump said the pause was due to progress in diplomatic talks.
Iranian president says ‘no one can make us surrender’
05:18 , Maroosha MuzaffarIranian president Masoud Pezeshkian pushed back against US pressure, saying: “No one can make us surrender” and that they “cannot be coerced by force”.
He posted on X that he had a call with Iraq’s prime minister and he urged the US to remove military threats from the Middle East.
We Muslims have already surrendered to the Almighty; no one else can make us surrender.
— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) May 5, 2026
In my call with Iraq's PM @AliFalihAlzaidy, I urged the US to remove military threats from our region; followers of the Shia school cannot be coerced by force. #Iran #Iraq https://t.co/9Fh1XJyl0F
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says its new security plan in the Strait of Hormuz is aimed at blocking weapons and supplies from reaching US bases.
Rubio says adjustments made to UN Hormuz resolution in bid to avoid veto
05:06 , Maroosha MuzaffarMarco Rubio said the US had made some adjustments to a draft UN resolution on the Strait of Hormuz to try and avoid vetoes by China and Russia.
The resolution threatens Iran with sanctions or other measures if it doesn’t halt attacks on ships in Hormuz, stop imposing “illegal tolls,” and disclose the placement of all mines to allow freedom of navigation.
It also demands that Iran “immediately participate in and enable” United Nations efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor in the strait to enable the delivery of vital aid, fertiliser and other goods.
US general responds to reports of Iran deploying mine-carrying dolphins
04:50 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Dan Caine, was asked whether concerns remain about Iranian mines in the Strait of Hormuz and about US media reports suggesting Tehran may be considering mine-carrying dolphins.
He responded jokingly: “I haven’t heard the Dolphin thing. Is that like sharks with laser beams?”
Caine added: “Their command and control structure remains very fractured and I think they’re struggling to maintain control.”
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth, who was at the press conference, added: “I can't confirm or deny whether we have kamikaze dolphins.
“But I can confirm they don’t.”
CNN reported, citing a source, that the US Navy does, in fact, have a decades-old program to train dolphins to help detect mines.
US, Gulf states draft UN resolution to ensure safe passage of vessels through Hormuz
04:40 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe US and Gulf states have drafted a UN resolution to ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with a Security Council vote expected soon.
The resolution calls on Iran to stop attacking ships, laying sea mines, and charging transit fees.
Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, were involved in the preparation of the draft.
It also urges Iran to disclose the locations of sea mines and help remove them. The draft also proposes setting up a humanitarian corridor in the strait.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio said: “The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to hold the world’s economy hostage.”
The resolution has been revised to avoid vetoes by Russia and China.
Cargo vessel struck by projectile at Strait of Hormuz, British maritime authority says
04:35 , Maroosha MuzaffarA cargo vessel has been struck by an unknown projectile within the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Tuesday.
The British maritime authority said the environmental impact from the incident was unknown.
A statement said: “UKMTO has received a report of an incident within the Strait of Hormuz.
“A verified source reported a cargo vessel has been struck by an unknown projectile. Environmental impact is unknown at time of report.
“Vessels are advised to report any suspicious activity to UKMTO, whilst authorities investigate.”
Iranian foreign minister arrives in Beijing on first visit to China since US attacks on Iran began
04:26 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is visiting China for the first time since the US-Israel attacks on Iran began.
The main focus of the trip is maintaining the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
China has criticised the US blockade of Iranian ports but is also increasingly critical of Iran’s role in closing the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran is seeking clarity on what support China will offer if Tehran agrees to reopen the waterway. A key concern is whether China will continue backing Iran at the UN, especially if new sanctions are proposed.
UAE comes under missile and drone attacks for second consecutive day, defence ministry says
04:16 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe UAE came under missile and drone attacks for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, according to its defence ministry.
Iran has denied responsibility, with the IRGC saying its forces saying late on Tuesday that they “have not carried out any missile or drone operations against the UAE in recent days”.
“If any action had been taken, we would have announced it firmly and clearly. Therefore, the report of that country’s ministry of defence is absolutely denied and is devoid of any truth,” the IRGC statement carried by the Fars news agency said.
The attacks follow earlier strikes that injured at least three people and caused a fire at a key oil facility in Fujairah.
‘Project Freedom’ to be paused, Trump says
04:11 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump has said “Project Freedom” – the US effort to safely escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz – “will be paused for a short period of time”.
The US president said the move was taken “to see whether or not” an agreement with Iran “can be finalised”.
He added that the decision followed “a request of Pakistan and other countries”.
Briefing: What we know on the 68th day of the US-Israel war on Iran
03:52 , Maroosha Muzaffar- Donald Trump has paused “Project Freedom”, the US operation aimed at guiding stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, to allow space for negotiations with Iran.
- The US naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in effect, according to Trump.
- Marco Rubio said the US had made some adjustments to a draft UN resolution on the Strait of Hormuz to try and avoid vetoes by China and Russia.
- A cargo vessel has been struck by an unknown projectile within the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Tuesday.
- Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has “no chance” and “never did” as he boasted about wiping out the country’s military capabilities.
