US urges Israel-Lebanon talks as oil prices hit four-year high

This live blog follows updates for Day 63 of the US-Israel war on Iran. For a recap of Day 62, go here.

• US maintains a naval blockade on Iran, escalating regional tensions
• Israel intercepts a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, detaining over 175 people
• Iran condemns US actions, calling the blockade an extension of military operations
• Oil prices surge globally as the Strait of Hormuz faces major disruptions
• Diplomatic efforts stall while leaders exchange warnings and assert conflicting positions

Iran FM says 'the Pentagon is lying'

Published: May 1, 2026 | 10:00 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Pentagon is misleading the public over the cost of US involvement, claiming the financial impact has reached $100 billion.

"Indirect costs for US taxpayers are FAR higher," Araghchi said in a post on X. "Monthly bill for each American household is $500 and rising fast."

Iran rejects US self-defence claim, calls war an 'act of aggression'

Published: May 1, 2026 | 8:17 GMT | by Web Desk

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, in a post on X, rejected claims that recent military action against Iran could be justified as self-defence.

“‘Self-defense’ against what? Was there any ‘armed attack’ by Iran to justify ‘self defense’? Definitely not,” he said, adding that the action “was absolutely NOT ‘self-defense’ — it was an act of AGGRESSION against the nation of Iran.”

US's Hormuz coalition 'not in competition' with France, UK-led bid: French FM

Published: May 1, 2026 | 07:20 GMT | by AFP

France's top diplomat on Friday said a new US-led coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz would complement and not compete with a similar mission spearheaded by France and Britain.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, speaking in Abu Dhabi following a regional tour, said he briefed Gulf allies on the UK-France initiative which was now at an "advanced" stage.

The US mission is "not of the same nature as the one we established... it comes as a sort of complement", Barrot said in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, following visits to Saudi Arabia and Oman.

"It is not in competition with the initiative we have launched and on which we are focused," he added.

Lebanon PM: We will reclaim every inch of our occupied land 

Published: May 1, 2026 | 06:50 GMT | by Web Desk

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, in a post on X marking Labour Day, paid tribute to workers facing mounting economic hardship, saying many continue to work "despite the anxiety and distress" under unprecedented conditions.

“We will continue the hard work to improve your living conditions… complete the path of reform, and revive the economy in a way that creates new job opportunities, restores stability, and sets the country on the path to genuine recovery,” he said.

US military leaders brief President Trump on potential new Iran plans

Published: May 1, 2026 | 06:30 GMT | by Web Desk

Al Jazeera, citing Axios, reported that two senior US officials held a high-level military briefing Thursday evening with President Donald Trump.

The report said US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine outlined a range of options for potential courses of action against Iran during the 45-minute session.

Citing sources, Al Jazeera said the proposed strategies centered around possible strike scenarios as the administration considers its next steps in the conflict.

Trump says Iran 'dying to make a deal'

Published: May 1, 2026 | 02:30 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran was dying to make a deal, terming the conflict between the two countries as a “military operation” 

“I don't call it a war,” Trump said. 

“Iran is dying to make a deal. I can only tell you that,” he said, adding that the terms were that “they cannot be nuclear.” 

US military says navy ships are being replenished in Middle East

Published: May 1, 2026 | 02:15GMT | by Web Desk

The US military’s regional command responsible for the Iran war has said that US Navy ships are restocking with “fuel, food, munitions, and essential supplies,” Al Jazeera reported.

Central Command (CENTCOM) shared photographs on social media said to show supplies being loaded onto the guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D Black, which is said to be supporting the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group in the region.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth this week told the US Senate that the Iran war has so far cost the US military some $25bn. However, some estimates put the cost far higher.

Mahmoud Khalil calls out ongoing threats against him

Published: May 1, 2026 | 02:30GMT | by Web Desk

Months after his release from US immigration detention over his involvement in peaceful campus protests against the Gaza genocide, Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil has said he is still facing threats, Al Jazeera reported. 

In a post on X, Khalil responded to New York City councilwoman Vickie Paladino, a Republican, saying that he should be loaded into a military plane, handed a parachute and pushed “out the back over Syria”.

“A New York City councilwoman is publicly fantasizing about killing me, and somehow I’m the threat,” Khalil said.

Iranian embassy rejects being linked to ‘violent activities, incidents’ in the UK

Published: May 1, 2026 | 01:45GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s embassy in London has issued a statement castigating “the fabricated negative media environment” in the United Kingdom and rejected allegations linking Iran to violent incidents in the UK, Al Jazeera reported. 

“Such baseless accusations against [the] Islamic Republic of Iran, lack credible evidence and appear to serve narrow political agendas and to mislead public opinion and distract from the real root causes of terrorism and violent extremism,” the embassy said in a lengthy post on X.

Noting that Iran has been a “primary victim of terrorism for decades” amid the killing of large numbers of “innocent civilians, high-ranking officials and scientists”, the embassy said that Tehran “remains at the forefront of the global struggle against terrorism and violent extremism”.

“The Embassy also notes that, in previous official communications and discussions, it had raised concerns with relevant authorities about certain suspicious activities and the potential exploitation of ‘false flag’ operations on UK soil,” it added.

US urges meeting of Israel, Lebanon leaders 

Published: April 30, 2026 | 20:26GMT | by AFP

The US embassy in Lebanon called for a meeting between Lebanese and Israeli leaders as the health ministry said Israeli strikes on the country's south killed at least 15 people despite an ongoing ceasefire.

"Lebanon stands at a crossroads. Its people have a historic opportunity to reclaim their country and shape their future as a truly sovereign, independent nation," the embassy said, adding that "the time for hesitation is over".

Trump has said he hopes to host Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "over the next couple of weeks" as the two countries prepare for direct negotiations.

Oil at four-year high 

Published: April 30, 2026 | 23:22GMT | by AFP

Oil prices soared to four-year highs, with the US crude benchmark Brent for June delivery spiking more than seven percent to $126.41, while West Texas Intermediate was up 3.4 percent to $110.31, before later paring gains.

UN says Hormuz 'strangling' economy 

Published: April 30, 2026 | 22:31GMT | by AFP

UN chief Antonio Guterres sounded the alarm over the worsening global economic impacts of the Strait of Hormuz remaining effectively closed due to the Iran war.

The closure of the vital waterway is "strangling the global economy," the secretary-general warned in remarks to the media.