Trump says expecting Iran response to latest proposal 'tonight'

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

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.