Trump warns Iran deal could end blockade, or bombing of Iran intensify
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran. If they don't agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" - "The White House Ballroom is going up rapidly on the East... [Continue Reading]
Breaking-360LiveNews | 06 May 2026 13:00 LONDON
Trump pauses US Strait of Hormuz operation amid Iran deal push
US President Donald Trump has paused a United States military operation to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, after saying there had been progress towards a final deal with Iran.The move affects Project Freedom, the escort plan announced only a day earlier, and comes after Trump said the pause would be for a short period.He also cited a request from Pakistan.The decision is significant because the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most sensitive shipping routes, and any change in security arrangements there can quickly affect commercial traffic and energy markets.That was reflected in market reaction... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 06 May 2026 01:00 LONDON
US says offensive operations against Iran are over as Strait of Hormuz tensions rise
The United States says its offensive operations against Iran have ended, even as fresh warnings and reported attacks in the Strait of Hormuz raised concern that the ceasefire could unravel.Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the initial US-Israeli offensive in Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, had reached its objectives.He said Washington preferred a path of peace, while also warning of a strong response to any new threat to shipping.The immediate concern is the waterway itself.Late on Tuesday, UK Maritime Trade Operations said a verified source had reported a cargo vessel struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 06 May 2026 00:00 LONDON
US and UAE report attacks as tensions rise around Strait of Hormuz
US forces have said they sank six small Iranian boats while escorting merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz, as the United Arab Emirates reported missile and drone attacks on its territory.The incidents mark a sharp escalation in a confrontation that has centred on the strategic waterway.The US military said two American-flagged merchant ships successfully transited the strait on Monday as part of a new initiative to reopen the passage.The UAE defence ministry said its air defences engaged 15 missiles and four drones fired by Iran.Authorities in Fujairah said one drone sparked a fire at a key oil facility and... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 05 May 2026 01:00 LONDON
German minehunter heads to Mediterranean for possible Hormuz mission
The German Navy minehunter Fulda has departed from the Kiel-Wik naval base and is heading toward the Mediterranean amid discussions over a possible deployment near the Strait of Hormuz.The vessel sailed on Monday, with crew members seen preparing onboard before it left port.The ship can carry up to 45 personnel and is expected to remain at sea for around two weeks.German officials have said any future mission near Hormuz would need approval from the Bundestag and a secure legal basis, potentially including a United Nations mandate.The comments come as maritime security in the region remains under strain.The movement of the... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 04 May 2026 18:00 LONDON
US vows help for tankers stranded in Persian Gulf as Strait of Hormuz uncertainty continues
Shipping companies remain uncertain whether to try to move tankers out of the Persian Gulf as the United States says it will help vessels navigate dangerous conditions near the Strait of Hormuz.The latest confirmed report says tankers have been stranded in the Gulf, with companies still unsure if they should attempt to leave.The statement from the United States did not say how the assistance would work or which vessels would be covered.The situation matters because the Strait of Hormuz is a major global shipping chokepoint, and any disruption there can affect oil and liquefied natural gas flows.The uncertainty has left... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 03 May 2026 23:30 LONDON
Iran says US has responded to latest peace proposal via Pakistan
Iran says it has received a US response to its latest peace proposal, with the reply delivered via Pakistan and now under review, according to Iranian state-linked media.The reported exchange comes amid continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington, and follows comments by US President Donald Trump that he would soon review the plan but could not imagine it being acceptable.Iranian state media said the 14-point proposal calls for an agreement within 30 days and for hostilities to end, including fighting beyond Iran.It also reportedly seeks the withdrawal of US forces from near Iran's borders and an end to the naval... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 03 May 2026 08:30 LONDON
Trump unsatisfied with Iran peace proposal amid stalled talks
US President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Iran's latest peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between the two countries.The proposal was submitted via Pakistan, which has been mediating between Washington and Tehran.Trump stated that the terms contained in the Iranian offer were unacceptable and that he was "not satisfied" with the deal.He warned that negotiations may fail and that conflict could resume if an agreement is not reached.The ceasefire between the US and Iran has been in place for three weeks, temporarily halting hostilities that began after US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28.Despite this pause, talks... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 01 May 2026 19:30 LONDON
Iran's Supreme Leader Signals Plan to Maintain Control Over Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, announced plans to establish new legal frameworks governing the Strait of Hormuz.This strategic waterway is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.Khamenei also confirmed that Iran intends to retain its nuclear capabilities amid ongoing regional tensions.The announcement was made in a formal statement on April 30, 2026.It underscores Iran's intent to assert and maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime passage.No immediate casualties or disruptions were reported following the statement.However, the declaration has significant implications for regional security and international maritime navigation.This development is particularly important given the ongoing conflict involving... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 30 Apr 2026 18:01 LONDON
US economy grows 2% in Q1 2026 amid Iran war clouds
The United States economy expanded at a 2 percent annual rate in the first quarter of 2026 despite emerging uncertainties linked to the ongoing war in Iran.Official data released by the Commerce Department showed a rebound from the previous quarter's modest 0.5 percent growth.Government spending and investment surged by 9.3 percent, contributing significantly to the overall growth.Business investment also rose sharply by 8.7 percent, likely driven by increased spending on artificial intelligence technologies.Consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of US economic activity, slowed to 1.6 percent growth compared to 1.9 percent in the last quarter of 2025.The housing... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 30 Apr 2026 15:33 LONDON
US President Trump Maintains Naval Blockade on Iran as Rial Hits Record Low
The United States has intensified its naval blockade of Iran, with President Donald Trump confirming no plans to lift the siege amid ongoing economic turmoil.The blockade, in place since late February, aims to exert maximum economic pressure on the Iranian regime.On April 30, the Iranian rial plummeted to a historic low of 1.8 million rials per US dollar, marking a significant depreciation since the conflict began.The euro also traded at 2.1 million rials, reflecting the accelerated collapse of the currency.This currency freefall has exacerbated Iran's inflation crisis, with annual inflation reaching 53.7% in the first month of the Iranian calendar... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 30 Apr 2026 15:31 LONDON
United Arab Emirates Announces Exit from OPEC Effective May 1
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced it will leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on May 1, 2026.This decision marks a significant shift in the UAE's energy policy and its role within the global oil market.The UAE's Ministry of Infrastructure stated that the withdrawal is driven by national interests and a commitment to meeting global market demand.The move is also linked to the Gulf nation's desire to expand its oil production capacity.The announcement follows disruptions caused by the ongoing war in Iran, which has affected shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 30 Apr 2026 00:01 LONDON
US Defense Secretary Hegseth Testifies on Iran War Costs and Budget Request
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testified before Congress on April 29 regarding the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran.This marked his first public hearing on the war since it began on February 28.During the testimony, Pentagon officials revealed that the war has cost the United States approximately $25 billion so far.The majority of these expenses have been attributed to munitions, deployment of additional assets to the Middle East, and equipment losses.Hegseth defended the Trump administration's war policy and the Pentagon's request for a $1.45 trillion defense budget, representing a 40% increase from the previous year.The hearing included tense exchanges with... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 29 Apr 2026 23:32 LONDON
The Mirage of the Umbrella: The Shifting Sands of the U.S.-Israel-GCC Alliance
As I sat in a recent debate at the historic Carlton Club in London, listening to Faisal Abbas, the Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, I felt a tangible shift in the room, not because a new fact had been revealed, but because an old illusion had finally lost its last breath. The old-world order has not merely changed, it has evaporated, leaving the Gulf to realize it is no longer watching a distant fire from the safety of marble towers and air-conditioned ministries, but is instead standing directly inside the smoke. The GCC today is caught in a lethal crossfire between... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews-Opinion | 29 Apr 2026 21:40 LONDON
Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth Testifies on Iran War Costs and Strategy
The United States Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, testified publicly before Congress on April 29 regarding the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran, which began on February 28, 2026.This marked Hegseth's first public appearance since the conflict started.During the hearing, the Pentagon officially disclosed that the war has cost approximately $25 billion so far.This figure was detailed by Jules Hurst III, the Pentagon's acting comptroller, who noted that most of the expenditure was on munitions, deployment of assets to the Middle East, and equipment lost in the fighting.Hegseth faced intense questioning from lawmakers about the war's long-term goals and timeline.He defended... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 29 Apr 2026 18:01 LONDON
EU Faces €27bn Energy Bill Amid US-Israeli Conflict with Iran, von der Leyen Warns
The European Union is confronting an additional €27 billion energy bill after two months of conflict stemming from the US-Israeli war against Iran, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on 29 April.Speaking to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, von der Leyen highlighted the disruption to oil and gas supplies as the primary cause of the increased costs.She urged member states to diversify their energy sources to mitigate risks associated with prolonged conflict and potential blockades of the Strait of Hormuz.Von der Leyen emphasized that this marks the second energy crisis within four years, underscoring the EU's vulnerability due... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 29 Apr 2026 14:33 LONDON
Shadows of Fire: The Long Arc of Iran–United States Tensions
A Region on Edge: The Latest Escalation In recent months, tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified once again, fueled by disputes over regional security, nuclear development, maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf, and the broader strategic balance in the Middle East. Officials in Washington have expressed renewed concern over Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, while leaders in Tehran have accused the United States of economic warfare through sanctions and diplomatic isolation. The fragile equilibrium that followed earlier rounds of indirect negotiations appears increasingly strained, with both sides engaging in sharp rhetoric at the United Nations, reinforcing military postures... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews-Opinion | 19 Feb 2026 08:49 LONDON
