Massive oil spill off Iran’s Kharg Island? Satellite images show huge slick near key oil export hub

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Satellite imagery revealed a 45-square-kilometre oil slick near Iran’s Kharg Island, a vital export hub. The suspected spill occurs amid ongoing US-Iran maritime clashes and high-stakes ceasefire negotiations.

New satellite imagery has revealed a suspected major oil spill near Iran’s Kharg Island, with analysts estimating that tens of thousands of barrels of oil may have leaked into the Persian Gulf amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel. (Ed note:A  45-square-kilometre oil slick about 28 miles wide.)  (Source)

Massive oil slicks spotted off Iran’s Kharg Island as Trump touts Hormuz clash

Satellite images show new oil slicks off Iran’s main oil export hub, raising leak fears and claims Tehran may be dumping crude at sea amid US blockade and storage shortages.

Some details of the skirmish between the U.S. military and Iran on Thursday night have yet to be released. But President Donald Trump, as is often the case, disclosed several details about the incident. Trump gave a vivid account of the Iranian attack on three U.S. destroyers, which were not damaged. “Missiles were shot at our Destroyers, and were easily knocked down,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Likewise, drones came, and were incinerated while in the air. They dropped ever so beautifully down to the Ocean, very much like a butterfly dropping to its grave!”

Meanwhile, new satellite images from the company Soar appeared to show large, fresh oil slicks off Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub. Tehran confirmed over the past week that oil production had been reduced because of the U.S. blockade, but the circumstances behind the slick remained unclear. It could be the result of a leak. Other claims have suggested oil was pumped into the sea because storage space had run out due to the blockade. In newer images, the oil slick appeared to be moving south. Social media users expressed concern over what appeared to be an oil spill in the satellite images.

“This must be dealt with quickly before the oil reaches the coasts of other Gulf states,” a Saudi influencer wrote on X, where he has more than 750,000 followers. In a statement overnight, the U.S. military said the three destroyers involved in the exchange of fire with Iran and that crossed the Strait of Hormuz “successfully,” as Trump put it, were the USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta and USS Mason. (Read More)

Suspected oil spill seen on satellite images near Iran’s Kharg Island export hub

A suspected oil spill covering dozens of square kilometers of sea near Iran’s main oil hub of Kharg Island has been seen on satellite imagery this week. The likely spill – appearing on images as a grey and white slick – covered waters to the west of the 8-kilometer (5-mile) long island, pictures from Copernicus’s Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 satellites showed on May 6-8. “The slick appears visually consistent with oil,” says Leon Moreland, researcher at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, who estimated that it was covering an area of approximately 45 square km.

Louis Goddard, co-founder of consultancy Data Desk, which focuses on climate and commodities, agreed that the images likely showed an oil slick, which he said was potentially the largest to occur since the start of the US-Israel war against Iran 70 days ago. The cause of the possible spill and the point of origin are currently unknown, Moreland adds, noting that images from May 8 showed no evidence of additional active spills.

Kharg Island, where US forces said they had destroyed military targets earlier in the war, is the hub for 90% of Iran’s ​oil exports, much of which is bound for China. The US Navy has been blockading Iran’s ports in an attempt to stop Tehran’s tankers from entering and exiting, while US and Iranian forces have clashed in the Gulf. The war has also trapped hundreds of ships in the Gulf and caused the world’s biggest disruption to crude oil supply, as well as hitting global supplies of oil products and liquefied natural gas. (Source)

Trump says US will start 'Project Freedom Plus' if Iran talks fail

Earlier on Saturday, a reporter asked Trump if he thought Iran was "slow-rolling" talks, to which the President replied, "We'll find out soon enough."

US President Donald Trump told reporters on Saturday that the United States would initiate renewed operations in the Strait of Hormuz if peace talks with Iran fail to move forward. "We may go back to Project Freedom if things don't happen," said Trump, "but it would be 'Project Freedom Plus,' meaning Project Freedom plus other things." Trump did not elaborate on what elements may be added to Project Freedom. Trump added that Pakistan had asked the US "not to do" Project Freedom. On Tuesday, Trump announced that he would pause Operation Project Freedom, which was initiated to guide ships through the Strait under US military escort. According to an NBC News report on Thursday, pressure from Saudi Arabia also played a role in Trump’s decision to pause the operation.

Also on Saturday, a reporter asked Trump if he thought Iran was "slow-rolling" talks, to which the President replied, "We'll find out soon enough." On Friday, US forces disabled two Iranian-flagged oil tankers attempting to violate the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by firing precision munitions into their smokestacks, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Friday, saying the vessels were "no longer transiting to Iran."

The ships had attempted to enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman when US forces disabled them. On Thursday, the US also carried out retaliatory strikes on Iranian military facilities after Iran launched missile and drone attacks on US ships in the region, CENTCOM confirmed. "US forces intercepted unprovoked Iranian attacks and responded with self-defense strikes as US Navy guided-missile destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman," wrote CENTCOM. (Source)

Iran rejects ultimatums: No response to US proposal until review is complete

Spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry says Iran is still reviewing the US peace proposal and will not be moved by deadlines.

Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated on Friday that Iran's response to the US proposal to end the war is still under review, adding that Tehran will announce its position once a conclusion is reached and that it is not affected by deadlines or ultimatums. Baghaei’s remarks, made on the sidelines of a ceremony in Tehran, were quoted by the ISNA news agency. Responding to a question regarding Iran's answer to the US proposal, Baghaei stated, "This matter is still under review, and we will announce it once we reach a conclusion."

Regarding reports that the Americans have set a deadline for Iran to respond to the plan, the diplomatic spokesperson said, "As I mentioned, this matter is still being examined; we are doing our job and pay no attention to such deadlines." Baghaei also commented on Thursday’s exchange of fire between the US and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and said, "The action taken by the US military was a gross violation of international law and the ceasefire." He stressed, "Although we are nominally in a state of ceasefire, our Armed Forces are in full readiness, closely monitoring the situation, and will respond to any mischief with decisiveness."

Baghaei’s comments came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States is expecting a response from Iran regarding negotiations and warned that any Iranian attempt to control traffic through an international waterway would “unacceptable." Speaking to reporters in Rome following a meeting with Pope Leo, Rubio said, “We should know something today. I mean, we’re expecting a response from them." He added that the administration hoped the response would “put us into a serious process of negotiation." US President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday night that the US is still negotiating with Iran, despite the exchange of fire near the Strait of Hormuz. (WOW. Is that a "in your face, Mr. deal maker?")  (Read more)

UAE Reports More Iranian Drone and Missile Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Holding

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday reported another barrage of missiles and drones from Iran, just hours after Iran attacked three U.S. Navy destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE Defense Ministry said there were three “moderate” injuries from the Iranian attack, which included two ballistic missiles and three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The ministry cautioned civilians to stay away from debris left by intercepted Iranian weapons.

“Since the beginning of the blatant Iranian attacks on the United Arab Emirates, the air defences have engaged a total of 551 ballistic missiles, 29 cruise missiles, and 2,263 UAV’s,” the Defense Ministry said. The UAE noted that ten people have been killed and 230 injured by Iran’s attacks, including citizens of over two dozen countries across the Middle East and Africa. Friday’s strike was the third Iranian attack on the UAE this week. During Operation Epic Fury in March and April, Iran launched thousands of missiles and drones at the UAE and other neighboring countries, including Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. The UAE said on Friday it would establish a committee to document “Iranian acts of aggression, international crimes and the damages resulting from them.”

The committee, chaired by the attorney general of the Emirates, will prepare documentation “in accordance with the highest legal and technical standards,” using “reliable evidence.” These documents will be introduced as evidence when the UAE seeks to recover damages from Iran in international court. The UAE Foreign Ministry rejected Iran’s attempts to justify its attacks based on Emirati cooperation with the United States, stating that the UAE’s international relations are a “purely sovereign matter” and cannot be dictated by Tehran. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was still holding, despite Iran’s attacks on the U.S. destroyers and UAE civilian targets. (Read More)

Ghalibaf pushes for the role many thought he already had

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf appears to be trying to solidify his position inside Iran’s fractured post-war leadership after recent weeks exposed the limits of assumptions that he had effectively emerged as the country’s de facto ruler. In an audio message published on May 6, Ghalibaf laid out five requests directed at Iranians at home and abroad, framing austerity, solidarity and public mobilization as essential to surviving what he described as one of the most critical periods in Iran’s contemporary history.  

The intervention marked Ghalibaf’s clearest political re-emergence after a period in which hardline factions appeared to sideline him despite his elevated wartime profile. Ghalibaf rose to prominence during the 12-day war with Israel and the United States in 2025, when he was widely seen as one of slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei’s most trusted political figures. After Khamenei’s death, he headed Iran’s delegation in the Islamabad talks with the United States — perhaps the clearest sign yet of his standing within the new order. Repeated remarks by President Donald Trump hinting at regime change in Iran and suggesting that a figure from inside the system could ultimately emerge reinforced speculation abroad that Ghalibaf might become the face of a post-Khamenei transition.   

But his position soon appeared less secure. Hardline critics accused him of weakness in negotiations and insufficient resistance to Western pressure, and for a period he largely retreated from public view before gradually re-emerging. In the May 6 message, Ghalibaf urged Iranians to recognize that the country was engaged in “one of the biggest wars in Iran’s contemporary history,” arguing that enduring hardship was necessary to secure a strategic victory. His central appeal focused on austerity, with Ghalibaf calling saving and reduced consumption “the missile the people can fire at the heart of the enemy.” He also called for reviving mutual-aid networks similar to those formed during the COVID-19 pandemic and urged the Basij militia to return to what he described as its historic role as a neighborhood-based problem-solving force helping citizens navigate daily hardships.

The appeal contrasted sharply with the Basij’s prominent role in suppressing protests during the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom movement and the unrest of January 2026. Ghalibaf’s final request targeted Iranians professionals and experts abroad, whom he urged to contribute ideas and resources to help manage wartime economic pressures. He encouraged expatriates not to wait for official outreach but to “force officials” to use their capabilities. The appeal quickly drew criticism from some Iranians overseas, with users on social media arguing authorities could not simultaneously seek help from expatriates while hardliners continued threatening confiscation of assets and punitive measures against critics abroad.    (Read More)

Pentagon releases files on UFOs following Trump’s order

Pentagon releases declassified UFO files after Trump orders "complete transparency" on such sightings.

In a landmark move for government transparency, the Pentagon on Friday launched a public repository of previously restricted files concerning Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). The disclosure follows a direct mandate from President Donald Trump, who earlier this year ordered federal agencies to identify and release all documentation related to unidentified flying objects and potential extraterrestrial life. The new digital archive centralizes decades of military investigations, featuring videos, photographs, and eyewitness accounts. According to the Department of Defense, these materials are now available to the public without security clearance, with further tranches of data expected to be posted every few weeks.

The released documents span over seventy years, ranging from Cold War-era FBI reports to recent military encounters in global conflict zones. Notably, the files include transcripts from NASA’s lunar missions. During the 1969 Apollo 12 mission, astronaut Alan L. Bean described mysterious "flashes of light" that appeared to be "escaping the Moon" and moving toward the stars. Similarly, during Apollo 17 in 1972, Pilot Harrison “Jack" Schmitt likened the appearance of bright particles to "the Fourth of July."

Modern accounts within the archive detail sightings by US troops stationed in Iraq and Syria during operations against ISIS. Internal memos describe "multiple glares" of unknown origin observed in 2024 and small anomalous objects detected in 2022. While these reports reflect the subjective interpretations of the personnel involved, the Pentagon notes they remain "unresolved cases" where the nature of the phenomena cannot be definitively determined. (Read More)

BREAKING: Major War Escalation as Violent explosions rock southern Iran

Violent explosions have rocked southern Iran following a series of naval skirmishes and aerial incursions, as the United States prepares to relaunch its mission to open the Strait of Hormuz.

The Persian Gulf has descended into a state of chaotic military engagement as a series of powerful explosions shook the city of Bandar Abbas and the strategic Qeshm Island on Thursday evening. Amid reports of heavy gunfire and missile launches, an American official confirmed that U.S. forces conducted strikes in the region, though the Pentagon insisted these actions do not constitute a full renewal of large-scale war. The events have triggered a wave of threats from Tehran, with the regime's air defense systems reportedly activating as far north as the capital city to counter perceived threats.

According to reports from the Iranian news agency Tasnim, U.S. military forces were forced to withdraw from their positions after Iranian units opened fire in the waters near the Strait of Hormuz. Simultaneously, the Fars news agency clarified that the initial sounds of war were warning shots fired by the Revolutionary Guard toward vessels attempting to navigate the narrow waterway without authorization. These "warning shots" quickly devolved into a direct exchange of fire with what the Iranians described as "hostile forces," leading to visible damage to a maritime pier on Qeshm Island.

In addition to the naval battle, Iran claims to have successfully downed two "hostile" drones that violated the airspace over Bandar Abbas and Qeshm. This aerial activity follows the publication of footage just two days ago showing the wreckage of another drone intercepted in the same sector. Iranian state media has begun circulating claims that the United Arab Emirates may have utilized its fighter jets to support the operation. In response, officials in Tehran issued a chilling warning, stating that if the UAE's involvement is confirmed, Abu Dhabi will "pay the price" for its cooperation with the U.S. and Israel. (Ed note: Qeshm Island was considered to have been within the sphere of influence or, at minimum, a strategically monitored territory of the ancient Elamite civilization. (Read More)

Ceasefire in jeopardy? US hits Iranian ports after naval attack on destroyers

US destroyers repel Iranian attack in the Strait of Hormuz. US forces retaliate on port bases. Iran claims US violated the ceasefire.

A senior US official told Fox News on Thursday that the US military struck Iran’s Qeshm Port and Bandar Abbas. The official stressed, however, that the attacks do not signal a renewed war. Later, a senior US official told Fox News that the US military also struck Iran’s Bandar Kargan naval checkpoint in Minab. Meanwhile, the Iranian Tasnim news agency reported that the Iranian Navy attacked three US destroyers near the Strait of Hormuz with missiles and drones. “The destroyers of the terrorist US force are fleeing towards the Sea of ​​Oman. The attack on the hostile American destroyers was carried out by missiles and suicide drones," the report said.

The Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters of the Iranian military claimed in an official statement that the United States violated the ceasefire by attacking Iranian vessels. "We will respond to any attack with force and without any hesitation," the statement read. US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued an official statement, saying, “US forces intercepted unprovoked Iranian attacks and responded with self-defense strikes as US Navy guided-missile destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman, May 7."

“Iranian forces launched multiple missiles, drones and small boats as USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), and USS Mason (DDG 87) transited the international sea passage. No US assets were struck," said CENTCOM. It added that the US Army “eliminated inbound threats and targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking US forces including missile and drone launch sites; command and control locations; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance nodes." “CENTCOM does not seek escalation but remains positioned and ready to protect American forces," the statement concluded. (Read More)

CIA report: Iran can withstand US blockade for months

A confidential CIA assessment presented to administration officials this week concluded that Iran could endure the current US naval blockade for at least three to four months before facing significantly harsher economic conditions, the Washington Post reported citing multiple people familiar with the findings. According to the report, the intelligence analysis also determined Iran continues to maintain substantial ballistic missile capabilities despite weeks of US and Israeli strikes.

According to one US official cited in the report, Iran still possesses roughly 75 percent of its prewar mobile missile launchers and about 70 percent of its missile stockpiles. The official added that Iran has managed to restore access to most of its underground storage facilities, repair some damaged missiles and complete the assembly of additional missiles that were near completion before the conflict began.

President Donald Trump presented a more optimistic assessment on Wednesday, stating that Iran’s missile arsenal had been “mostly decimated." Four current and former US officials confirmed the general conclusions of the intelligence report to the Washington Post while speaking anonymously because of the sensitivity of the matter. A senior US intelligence official emphasized the impact of the blockade in a statement, saying it was severely damaging Iran’s economy, cutting off trade and reducing government revenue. The official also said Iran’s military capabilities had been significantly weakened. (Read More)

UAE says 3 moderately injured by Iranian missile, drone attacks today

Iran has fired two ballistic missiles and three drones at the United Arab Emirates since midnight, says the Emirati Defense Ministry, moderately wounding three people.

Thirteen people have been killed in the country since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran on February 28, and 230 injured.  (Ed note: It seems that Iran is going after the UAE much harder than they are the other Arab countries.)   (Source)

From air and sea, Hamas is rebuilding

IDF officials warn that the quiet from Gaza is "misleading." On the ground, Hamas supplies itself through smuggling from the air, sea and land, rebuilding its strength and rearming. The humanitarian aid it has seized is giving it cash and oxygen. That is why officials believe it is now important for Israel to keep insisting on advancing an agreement to demilitarize the Gaza Strip.

Since the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip went into effect, a perception has taken hold among the Israeli public that is detached from the reality on the ground: that the Strip's borders are closed, the fighting has stopped and Hamas itself is on the verge of collapse. But conversations with IDF officials, some of them senior, paint the opposite picture: Hamas is undergoing a systematic and rapid process of rebuilding its strength. According to officials familiar with the details, the humanitarian aid corridor is one of the channels enabling Hamas to rebuild, with at least two shipments recently uncovered in which banned materials had been hidden under the guise of food and approved humanitarian equipment. Senior officials say these seizures are not isolated incidents, but part of a mechanism intended to ensure Hamas' survival and prevent its collapse.

In practice, the ceasefire has not only failed to stop Hamas, it has given the organization breathing room to deepen its renewed entrenchment and buildup. The terrorist organization in the Strip is exploiting the delay in implementing the second stage of the agreement as a "window of opportunity" to rebuild and rearm. Not only that, but Hamas is also increasing its open presence on the ground. Its operatives move around in public, strengthen governance, man armed checkpoints and restore government infrastructure. Hamas firmly controls more than two-thirds of the territory in the Strip that is not held by the Israel Defense Forces, doing so through a combination of force, intimidation, distribution of money and the use of part of the humanitarian aid as a tool to strengthen governance.

Since the summer of 2025, weapons and ammunition have been smuggled into the Gaza Strip by drones launched from Egyptian territory. The IDF has managed to thwart a handful of attempts, but the working assumption must be that some smuggling operations were not thwarted. According to officials familiar with the details, Hamas has also developed maritime smuggling capabilities using containers that float to the shores of southern Gaza. But the real risk, the officials say, lies in the humanitarian aid framework, under which hundreds of trucks enter Gaza from Egypt through Israel. The trucks ostensibly contain humanitarian aid and are inspected by Israeli personnel, but the inspection is not airtight, and Hamas is exploiting the ability to prepare goods in Egypt in order to conceal banned materials and products inside the aid in a sophisticated manner. (Read More)

Hamas disarmament talks stuck between Israeli security and Gaza guarantees - exclusive

Hamas has not yet agreed to disarm under the Trump administration’s 20-point Gaza peace plan as negotiations continue over guarantees, Israeli withdrawal, and the role of the ISF.

While attention has focused on Iran and Lebanon, the situation in Gaza and the question of Hamas’s demilitarization have been pushed to the sidelines, even as the second phase of the Gaza peace plan has centered on disarmament, technocratic governance, and reconstruction. In recent weeks, Nickolay Mladenov, director-general of the Board of Peace, and other senior officials have been engaged in intensive negotiations over Hamas’s disarmament and the continuation of the Trump administration’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza.

Two sources told The Jerusalem Post this week that Hamas has not agreed to the plan and that significant gaps remain, although talks are ongoing amid broader debate over the future of Hamas’s weapons and the structure of postwar Gaza. n a conversation with the Post, Dr. Bishara Bahbah, a prominent Palestinian-American scholar, former mediator in the hostage deal talks, and board member of the Gaza Soup Kitchen, discussed the chances of Hamas accepting the plan as international actors continue to examine how Gaza could be stabilized after the war.

According to Bahbah, who maintains regular contact with various stakeholders in the region, the situation on the ground is defined by a near-total lack of trust. Bahbah said Hamas leaders have indicated a willingness to hand over heavy equipment and, eventually, smaller arms, provided that what he described as their “paramount fears” are addressed. (Read More)

Report: Hamas terrorists using Turkish ranges and drone schools for training

Kan 11 News reports that Hamas is using Turkish shooting ranges and drone schools to train for future conflicts with Israel.

Hamas terrorists have been utilizing Turkish territory in recent months for training in small arms use and drone operation, according to a report by Kan 11 News on Thursday evening. The report stated that members of Hamas, under civilian cover, have been regularly participating in training at public shooting ranges. They have also reportedly undergone training and received drone pilot licenses issued by Turkey, a development that expands the circle of Hamas terrorists receiving military-grade instruction.

The Kan 11 News report further noted that upon completing their training, Hamas intends to deploy these operatives to Lebanon, Jordan, and Judea and Samaria, fronts identified as having potential for future conflict with Israel.Turkey has enjoyed close relations with Hamas and has not been shy about boasting about them. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s intelligence chief has several times hosted delegations from the terrorist organization. 

Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Israel’s war in Gaza and has expressed support for Hamas. In April of 2024, he met then-Hamas political bureau leader Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul. Haniyeh was later eliminated by Israel. Erdogan said after the meeting that Palestinian Arab unity was “vital" and added, “The strongest response to Israel and the path to victory lie in unity and integrity.

Weeks later, Erdogan boasted of the fact that more than 1,000 members of Hamas were being treated in hospitals across Turkey and also took issue with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ reference to Hamas as a terrorist organization. Turkey has expressed interest in joining the stabilization force which is to be formed under Trump’s Gaza plan. However, Israel has firmly rejected any Turkish involvement in post-war Gaza.  (Ed note: How many of us still think that the war Israel has with Hamas is not even close to being over?)   (Source)

Hezbollah fires rockets at Haifa area, Nahariya and Acre

Terrorists in Lebanon fired rockets into Israel on Friday, targeting Nahariya, Acre and the Haifa suburbs, two days after Israel killed a senior Hezbollah terrorist in Beirut. At about 2 p.m. on Friday, the IDF Home Front Command instructed residents in the targeted area to seek shelter. Earlier on Friday, an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah penetrated Israel and wounded two soldiers, one severely and the other moderately, near the border, the IDF said.

The soldiers were evacuated to a hospital and their families were notified, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said, adding that this was “an additional violation of the ceasefire understandings by the Hezbollah terrorist organization.” In another incident on Friday, Hezbollah launched several explosive drones that wounded one IDF soldier in Southern Lebanon, the IDF said. Hezbollah forces also fired mortar rounds at Israeli troops. “The Israeli Air Force successfully intercepted one launch, and the mortar shells hit near the soldiers,” wounding none, the statement said. (Source)

Beyond the Brink: Washington’s Secret Fear that Israel’s Nuclear Trigger is Set to "Hair-Trigger"

Trump administration officials are quietly raising alarms about Israel's nuclear weapons program, with one official warning of a "low boil of unease" over what could push Israel to use its nuclear arsenal even absent a direct weapons-of-mass-destruction threat. a disclosure that adds a new and volatile dimension to the ongoing war with Iran. Recent discussions among Trump administration officials have focused on what might trigger an Israeli nuclear response, with concerns emerging that the threshold may be lower than Washington previously assessed, according to U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

One administration official said U.S. officials are worried that Washington does not fully understand Israel's red lines, adding that scenarios involving an overwhelmed Israeli air defense system and an unusually high civilian death toll have been discussed "frequently." A scenario gaining fresh scrutiny involves Israel's air defenses becoming overwhelmed by missile or rocket fire from its neighbors. Those concerns were sharpened after a dramatic episode earlier this year: in March, Iranian missiles struck the cities of Dimona and Arad, near Israel's main nuclear research facilities.

The private anxiety within the executive branch is now colliding with a public push from Capitol Hill. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio obtained by The Washington Post, more than two dozen lawmakers led by Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) argued that Washington's silence on Israel's nuclear program is indefensible amid the war with Iran and the acute threat of military escalation. The lawmakers argued that the U.S. policy of ambiguity no longer reflects current realities and undermines congressional oversight during a period of heightened regional tensions. They also asked whether Israel had conveyed to the United States its "red lines" for using nuclear weapons in the current conflict.

"We cannot develop coherent nonproliferation policy for the Middle East while maintaining a policy of official silence about the nuclear weapons capabilities of one party central to the ongoing conflict," the lawmakers wrote. The letter challenges a policy with roots stretching back more than half a century. The origin of U.S.-Israeli silence on the nuclear issue dates back to an informal agreement between President Richard Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in 1969, when Washington effectively accepted Israel's policy of nuclear ambiguity and agreed to shield it from international scrutiny.

Israel has never publicly acknowledged possessing a nuclear arsenal. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, independent estimates suggest Israel holds roughly 90 plutonium-based nuclear warheads. (Ed note: President Jimmy Carter, in April 1977 officially terminated federal support for commercial nuclear fuel reprocessing and deferred the breeder reactor program to curb nuclear proliferation. It is known that some of the unemployed scientists went to France and some went to Israel.  In September 1979, the Vela incident that happened in the South African territory of Prince Edward Islands in the Indian Ocean,is thought to have been done by Israel.)  (Read More)

US-Iran deal won't meet Isael's war goals on nukes, missiles and proxies

Israeli officials warn the proposed agreement may leave Iran’s missile arsenal intact, ease financial pressure on Tehran and limit the IDF’s freedom of action in Lebanon; They support continuing siege on Iran and say Iran likely will cheat from the outset. 

  

Israel fears the emerging agreement between the United States and Iran will not restrict Tehran’s development of ballistic missiles. Israeli officials are also concerned it could undermine the IDF’s freedom of action in Lebanon, and perhaps even lead to a demand for withdrawal. Some diplomatic officials are warning that the IDF could be handcuffed and paralyzed in Lebanon. Added to that are a series of objectives cited at the start of the war as goals Israel sought to achieve — and the emerging agreement does not necessarily address them.

Another concern raised in Israel is that the agreement will unfreeze billions of dollars for Iran, funds that could ultimately be directed toward rearmament and strengthening Tehran’s proxies across the region. Israeli officials said Wednesday night that most of the Israeli defense establishment supports continuing the siege on Iran, arguing that the Islamic Republic is collapsing from within — and that an agreement would be harmful because Iran is expected to cheat from the outset.

“It is terrible for Israel,” said an Israeli official familiar with the details. “This is a bad agreement that only perpetuates the ayatollahs’ rule. It is a lifeline for them, when every day that passes brings them closer to collapse.” Israel is also disappointed that the emerging agreement would limit uranium enrichment for only 15 years, even though U.S. President Donald Trump declared that “Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.” “How is this much different from Obama’s nuclear deal?” one Israeli official asked. “That deal had a sunset clause, and so does this one. Iran cheated anyway and will have to wait in any case, then break out to a bomb when Trump is no longer here.” (Read More)

Trump reportedly paused Hormuz naval escorts after Saudi Arabia denied use of its airspace

US President Donald Trump halted the naval operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Saudi Arabia told the United States it wouldn’t allow American aircraft taking part involved in the effort to take off from or fly through the Gulf kingdom’s skies, NBC News reports. Citing US officials, the report says the Saudis and other Gulf states were surprised by Trump’s announcement of Project Freedom on Sunday, adding that the US president later spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the matter but was unable to reach a resolution.

Asked by the network if the operation caught Saudi leaders off guard, a source from the kingdom tells NBC that “the problem with that premise is that things are happening quickly in real time.” The source also says Saudi Arabia is “very supportive of the diplomatic efforts” by Pakistan to broker an agreement between the US and Iran.

A White House spokesperson says “regional allies were notified in advance,” though a Middle Eastern diplomat quoted by NBC says the US didn’t coordinate with Oman until after Trump’s announcement. “The US made an announcement and then coordinated with us,” the diplomat says, adding, “we were not upset or angry.”  (Source)

"Absurd War": Saudi Royals Slam Trump’s Strategy Against Iran

Senior members of the Saudi royal family have characterized President Trump’s military campaign as absurd, warning that the pressure is actually pushing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons in secret.

A senior official within the Saudi royal house has delivered a blunt critique of American strategy, suggesting that the current war against Iran is achieving the exact opposite of its intended goals. In a conversation with N12, the source argued that rather than weakening the Iranian regime, the intense military and economic pressure is forcing Tehran to accelerate its efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon through sophisticated and indirect means.

The Saudi source labeled the campaign an "absurd war," suggesting that unless the administration is prepared to completely topple the regime, the current strategy serves little purpose. The official compared the situation to the 2003 fall of Baghdad, noting that a halfway measure only leaves the region more dangerous. Riyadh believes that Tehran’s recent attacks in the Gulf were merely a pressure tactic to stop the war, rather than a desire for a wider conflict.

"Trump went to an absurd war," the Saudi royal source remarked, "he either overthrows the Iranian regime as his predecessor Bush did in Baghdad, or he shouldn't have gone to this war in the first place." The official expressed deep concern that the fear of a surprise American or Israeli strike will lead Iran to seek a nuclear deterrent at any cost. This assessment highlights a growing rift in how the Gulf states view the effectiveness of Washington's "maximum pressure" model. (Read More)

IDF targets top Hezbollah commander in first strike in Beirut in almost a month

Israel on Wednesday evening carried out its first airstrike in Beirut since before the ceasefire in Lebanon entered into effect last month, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz saying the Air Force targeted the commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. Hezbollah and Israel have continued to attack each other since US President Donald Trump first announced a ceasefire on April 16, which has now largely unraveled, though fighting remains at a lower level than before. After the Israeli Air Force struck the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, a Hezbollah stronghold, Netanyahu and Katz issued a joint statement saying, “The IDF has just struck in Beirut the commander of the Radwan Force in the Hezbollah terror organization to eliminate him.”

The Israeli leaders said Radwan Force operatives “were responsible for firing [rockets] at Israeli communities and harming IDF soldiers.” “No terrorist has immunity, Israel’s long arm will reach every enemy and murderer. We promised to bring security to the residents of the north. This is how we act, and this is how we will continue to act,” they added. A source close to Hezbollah told AFP that “Malek Ballout, the operations commander in the Radwan Force,” was killed in the Israeli strike. The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately comment on the rare strike in the Lebanese capital, the first in almost a month, with the last having been on April 8 — after Trump asked Israel to stop targeting Beirut.

Earlier on Wednesday, three Israeli soldiers were injured in Hezbollah explosive drone attacks in southern Lebanon, as the Iran-backed terror group continued to launch attacks on troops and on northern communities. According to the IDF, Hezbollah launched several explosive drones and rockets at Israeli troops stationed in southern Lebanon throughout the day. In one incident, a soldier was severely wounded by an explosive drone. In another incident, two drones exploded near Israeli forces, injuring one soldier moderately and another lightly. All three were taken to hospitals and their families were notified, the army said. (Read More)

Gaza rebuild priced at $71 billion, with most homes and nearly all businesses destroyed

Rebuilding Gaza to its prewar state will cost upwards of $71 billion over five years, according to a recent report by the World Bank, United Nations and European Union, the first such assessment of the damage caused to the enclave afteran October ceasefire halted two years of war there. The sweeping report, which is more highly detailed than previous assessments conducted during the war, found that the war caused $35.2 billion in physical damage, and it put economic losses — including lost income, displacement-induced costs and more — at an estimated at $22.7 billion. The total is some $5 billion higher than the last Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, or RDNA, reported by the World Bank, UN and EU as of October 2024.

Reconstruction in the Strip is largely at a standstill due to the lack of progress toward phase two of the US peace plan, which envisioned the ceasefire reached on October 9, 2025, leading to a transition that will end the Hamas terror group’s rule of the Strip. The Israel Defense Forces continues to hold over 50 percent of the enclave’s territory, and has refused to allow most heavy equipment into the part of the Strip outside of its control — where nearly all Gazans now live — without Hamas first disarming under the plan.

“Economically, the situation in Gaza has not changed since the ceasefire until now,” said Saif al-Din Odeh, an economist based in Gaza who previously worked for the Palestinian Monetary Authority, on the stagnation in the Strip over the past six months. The study, published April 20, outlines a three-phase reconstruction plan aimed not only at restoring prewar conditions but also at improving governance and service delivery, starting with a focus on food assistance, temporary housing, temporary learning spaces, and field hospitals over the first year and a half. It envisions large-scale rebuilding of housing, healthcare, and education systems over the next 18 months, followed by a two-year process centered on modernization of housing, the health system and education. (Ed note: Who wants to be a construction worker in Gaza with Hamas taking shots at you all day long as you are trying to clean up the mess they created?)    (Read More)

Hamas disarmament 'almost impossible to bridge' as gaps with BoP grow, source tells ‘Post’

The gaps between Hamas and the Board of Peace on the issue of Gaza’s disarmament are very wide, according to several sources who spoke to The Jerusalem Post. “Hamas didn’t say no, but essentially it is almost impossible to bridge the gaps,” the sources told the Post. In recent weeks, a number of meetings have taken place between senior Board of Peace officials, including the council’s director-general Nickolay Mladenov, and senior Hamas figures, in an attempt to reach an agreement on Hamas disarmament.

According to sources familiar with the details of the talks, the negotiations have not produced an agreement. Hamas’s response has effectively been “yes, but” with the “but” reflecting extensive demands and conditions. An Israeli source told the Post that Israel is coordinating with the Board of Peace and the US administration to plan the next steps following Hamas’s refusal.“No one was surprised six months ago, and no one is surprised today that Hamas refuses to disarm – including the US and the mediators,” the official said.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Mladenov, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and other senior Board of Peace officials, including Aryeh Lightstone, the chief director of the Trump administration’s Gaza reconstruction project. According to two sources, the meeting was described as positive. One source said that “there is no gap between Israel and the Board of Peace regarding the ultimate goal for the situation in Gaza – namely, the disarmament of Hamas – and that only this can lead to the reconstruction of the Strip.” The Board of Peace’s plan envisions that, in the first phase, Hamas would give up its heavy offensive weapons, and its tunnels would be destroyed. In a later phase, Hamas operatives, or members of any other organization, would not be permitted to possess even light weapons. (Read More)

Board of Peace won’t hold Israel to truce terms if Hamas doesn’t okay disarmament offer

The US-led Board of Peace tasked with overseeing the postwar management of Gaza does not intend to hold Israel to the terms of the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire if Hamas does not accept the international panel’s framework for the terror group’s disarmament, a document obtained by The Times of Israel shows. While the Board of Peace’s High Representative for Gaza Nickolay Mladenov has warned that refusal from Hamas to disarm could lead to the resumption of the war, he goes much further in the document, saying that Israel will not be expected to halt attacks in Gaza or ensure humanitarian aid enters the Strip.

“Failure by Hamas to accept the framework within a reasonable timeframe, as determined by the Board of Peace and after consultation with the parties, shall render such commitments null and void,” Mladenov writes in the document — a letter that he and senior US official Aryeh Lightstone sent to the head of the Palestinian technocratic government that is meant to replace Hamas in Gaza.

The Board of Peace has been engaged in negotiations with Hamas for several months, conditioning major reconstruction projects for the war-flattened Gaza on the decommissioning of the group’s weapons. Hamas has refused to comply, arguing that Israel must first adhere to the terms of the ceasefire’s first phase, which included a hostage-prisoner exchange along with the scale-up of humanitarian aid into the Strip and the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces.

In an apparent effort to meet Hamas halfway, Mladenov and Lighstone state in the letter that they approached Israel in early April to secure guarantees that it would fully implement US President Donald Trump’s 20-point planfor ending the war. While the Board of Peace has preferred using the 20-point plan as the foundation of its work, the ceasefire document that Israel and Hamas actually signed last year only focused on the first phase. Hamas has argued that progressing to the second phase’s defining issue of disarmament cannot take place before phase one is fully implemented. (Ed note: If the US Presidents would keep their noses out of Israel's business, maybe the IDF could take care of both Hamas and Hezbollah.)  (Read More)

IDF: Eight Gaza tunnels destroyed, dozens of terrorists killed

Israeli troops in Gaza dismantled eight tunnel routes and killed dozens of terrorists, the military said on Sunday, as reservists from the 205th Brigade completed a two-month operation in the northern Strip. The brigade, operating under the 252nd Division east of the Yellow Line, worked alongside the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit to locate and destroy tunnel infrastructure, including through drilling operations, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The Yellow Line demarcates areas held by the IDF from those under Hamas control under the terms of the U.S.-brokered Oct. 10, 2025, ceasefire.

The deployment marked the brigade’s sixth since the start of the war, following previous operations in southern Gaza and Southern Lebanon. Troops from the 14th Brigade are set to replace them in the area.
The IDF said forces under Southern Command remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire framework and will continue operations to eliminate immediate threats. Israeli troops killed several Hamas terrorists in separate incidents near the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip over the past few days, according to the military.

On Sunday, forces killed a member of Hamas’s Beit Lahia Battalion who, according to IDF intelligence, had launched rockets at Israeli territory during the war. The suspect was identified moving toward troops and was deemed an “immediate threat,” the military said. In a separate incident earlier Monday, Israeli forces killed another terrorist who approached troops in the Yellow Line area of the southern Gaza Strip.

Additionally, ground troops killed a Palestinian terrorist during operations in southern Gaza on Sunday after he advanced toward soldiers, also posing an immediate threat, the IDF said. On Saturday, ground troops killed at least three terrorists in southern Gaza after they crossed the ceasefire line and approached Israeli soldiers, the military said. The truce ended the two-year war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas, other Palestinian terrorist groups and civilians from Gaza invaded the northwestern Negev. (Source)

IDF issues unusual evacuation order

IDF Arabic spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee issued an urgent evacuation warning to about ten villages in southern Lebanon. In an unusual move, the warning also included villages north of the Litani River, amid continued operations against Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in the area. "In light of the terrorist Hezbollah party's violation of the ceasefire agreement, the Defense Army is compelled to act against it forcefully," Adraee wrote on X. "The Defense Army does not intend to harm you.

"To ensure your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move away from the villages and towns by a distance of at least 1000 meters to open areas. Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, their facilities, and combat means exposes their life to danger!" On Tuesday, the Israeli Air Force, guided by IDF soldiers of the 226th Brigade, struck several structures used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization for military purposes.

The structures were struck while Hezbollah terrorists were operating inside, advancing and carrying out terror attacks against IDF soldiers and the State of Israel. During the strikes, several terrorists were eliminated. Over the past 24 hours, the IDF struck approximately 25 Hezbollah targets, including a weapons storage facility, structures used for military purposes, and additional terrorist infrastructure. In addition, in several incidents over the past few hours, the Hezbollah terrorist organization launched several rockets, explosive drones, and mortar shells that fell adjacent to the soldiers. No IDF injuries were reported. (Source)

Hezbollah rockets, drones target Israeli forces in Southern Lebanon

Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists launched several rockets and drones at Israeli soldiers on Sunday, according to the Israel Defense Forces. No injuries were reported. “A short while ago, an interceptor was launched toward a suspicious aerial target that was identified in the area in which IDF soldiers are operating in Southern Lebanon,” the military stated. “The results of the interception are under review." In additional incidents throughout the day on Sunday, several projectiles and explosive drones fired by Hezbollah struck near IDF soldiers, the army said. The terrorist group overnight on Saturday also launched several rockets and drones at Israeli soldiers, with no injuries reported.

Hezbollah began firing rockets and drones at Israel on March 2, after the Jewish state’s targeted killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Feb. 28. In response to the terrorist organization’s violation of the U.S.-brokered Nov. 27, 2024, truce agreement, Jerusalem launched an aerial campaign against Hezbollah and ordered the IDF to advance and take control of additional areas in Southern Lebanon to halt cross-border attacks. Jerusalem and Beirut on April 16 agreed to a 10-day ceasefire following mediation by U.S. President Donald Trump. The two countries on April 23 agreed to extend the truce for three more weeks following historic direct talks in Washington, D.C. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 26 accused Hezbollah of “essentially disintegrating” the ceasefire through its incessant terrorist attacks.

“Therefore, as far as we are concerned, what obligates us is the security of Israel, the security of our soldiers, and the security of our communities,” the premier said. “We are acting vigorously according to the rules we agreed upon with the United States, and incidentally, with Lebanon as well.” On Sunday morning, the IDF ordered tens and thousands of noncombatants to evacuate their homes ahead of airstrikes in the Southern Lebanese villages of Al-Duwayr, Arab Salim, Al-Sharqiya, Jibshit, Braashit, Sarafand, Dounin, Briqa, Qaaqaiya Al-Jisr, Al-Qasiba and Kafra Sir. “Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire is compelling the IDF to act against Hezbollah infrastructure,” tweeted IDF Col. Avichay Adraee, from the Arab Media Branch in the Israeli army’s Spokesperson’s Unit. (Read More)

Dr. Bill Salus comments: This article informs, “the IDF ordered tens and thousands of noncombatants to evacuate their homes ahead of airstrikes in Zarafand.” Modern-day Zarafand is historic Zarephath, which shows up in Bible prophecy.

“The exiles of Israel will return to their land and occupy the Phoenician coast as far north as Zarephath.” (Obadiah 1:20)

Israel is ordering evacuations in a town that the Bible predicts Israel will possess in the future. It’s possible these evacuees from Zarafand may never return to their homes!

Iran Bombs UAE Oil Facility, Announces Plans to Take Control of Emirati Ports

Iran ramped up its missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday night, setting a major oil port known as the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone ablaze. Three Indian nationals were injured, prompting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to denounce Iran’s actions. Oil prices jumped about six percent on news of the fire at Fujairah, which was attacked by a dozen Iranian ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones, according to Emirati defense officials. Iranian state media claimed the attack was a justified response to “U.S. military adventurism.”

Fujairah is one of the seven emirates that comprise the UAE, which was founded in 1971. The Fujairah Oil Industry Zone is located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman, about 80 miles from the Strait of Hormuz. The facility receives huge quantities of oil from a pipeline called the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP), which runs about 235 miles to the gas fields in the south of another emirate, Abu Dhabi. The port is also a significant hub for refueling ships, storing oil, and loading other forms of cargo. The Fujairah Anchorage Area is large enough to accommodate 174 ships and provide necessary services for their crews while they await new sailing orders.

The ADCOP pipeline is one of the major oil arteries of the Middle East, and it figures prominently in discussions of how global oil flows might be adjusted to reduce the importance of the Strait of Hormuz. This is probably why Iran attacked it, using a much more intensive bombardment than the offhanded drone strikes it launched at Fujairah during Operation Epic Fury in April. Civil defense officials in Fujairah said the port fire was “under control” on Tuesday, but they would conduct a “cooling exercise” to prevent the fire from reigniting. (Read More)

Iran launches fresh wave of drones, missiles at UAE, Defense Ministry says

United Arab Emirates air defenses were engaged against Iranian missiles and drones, the UAE Defense Ministry said on Tuesday in an X/Twitter post.The post noted that the incident involved several areas of the country and involved both ballistic and cruise missiles. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, with the UAE Foreign Ministry saying the country reserves its "full and legitimate right" to respond.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry denied launching missiles and drones at the UAE, claiming that they were conducting “defense measures” aimed at US assets in a statement released later on Tuesday. The Foreign Ministry accused the UAE of “collaboration with hostile parties” by hosting US military bases, warning that such collaboration could have “dangerous consequences.”

Shortly after the UAE statement, Iranian opposition media reported a huge explosion and a plume of smoke in western Tehran, with an Iranian fire department chief saying a seven-story building had been evacuated. On Monday, three indian citizens were moderately wounded in an Iranian drone attack on the UAE's Fujairah oil industry complex, Fujairah's media office said. Later on Monday, Iranian state television reported, citing a military official, that Iran had no premeditated plan to attack oil facilities in Fujairah.

What happened at the port was a result of the "US military's adventurism to create passage for illegal ship transit" through the Strait of Hormuz, added the official, according to Iranian state media. The UAE Defense Ministry confirmed that it confronted 12 Iranian ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones on Monday. Also on Monday, a South Korean ship sailing near the Strait of Hormuz was attacked, according to the Korean media outlet Chosun Daily, citing a government official. US President Donald Trump acknowledged the attack later on Monday, urging South Korea to join the American effort in the Strait. (Source)

Range of 6,000 KM: Turkey Unveils "Yildirim" Missile Capable of Hitting Europe

Turkey has shocked the international defense community by unveiling an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 6,000 kilometers at the SAHA 2026 expo. The Turkish Ministry of National Defense Research and Development Center has officially unveiled the "Yildirim" intercontinental ballistic missile at the SAHA 2026 defense exhibition in Istanbul. This public debut marks a significant milestone in Ankara's military capabilities, representing one of its most advanced long-range weapon systems to date. The missile’s introduction signals Turkey’s growing ambition to be recognized as a major independent player in global defense and aerospace technology.

According to technical specifications released by the Ministry of Defense, the Yildirim is capable of reaching a staggering speed of Mach 25. It boasts a reported operational range of 6,000 kilometers, or roughly 3,728 miles, putting large swaths of Europe, Asia, and Africa within its reach. The missile is powered by four rocket propulsion engines and utilizes liquid nitrogen tetroxide as its primary fuel source, highlighting a sophisticated leap in Turkish aerospace engineering.

The unveiling took place during the International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition, an event organized by SAHA Istanbul that draws military delegations and procurement officials from around the world. The Yildirim was the centerpiece of a massive display of Turkish ingenuity, which also included new high-tech air defense systems. The fair serves as a platform for Turkish defense firms to showcase platforms that were once considered beyond their technical reach. (Read More)

Iran Infuriates Pakistan

Tehran faces a heavy diplomatic price as its last major ally, Pakistan, breaks ranks. Following a breach of the ceasefire, Islamabad issued a blistering condemnation of the attacks on the UAE, signaling a collapse in the diplomatic chanel between Iran and the West. The Pakistani government has issued a rare and exceptionally harsh condemnation of the Iranian regime's actions following missile and drone launches from southern Iran toward Gulf nations last night. The incident marks the first major violation of the regional ceasefire since it was established. In an official statement released in response to the escalation, Pakistani officials expressed outrage, stating they "firmly reject and abhor the unjustified attacks on sovereign nations and civilian infrastructure."

For months, Pakistan has been viewed as Iran's last true ally on the international stage. More importantly, Islamabad has served as the primary intermediary, coordinating sensitive diplomatic talks between the Iranian regime and the United States. However, the latest barrage appears to have exhausted Pakistan's patience with Iranian "stubbornness." By publicly siding with the Gulf states, Pakistan has effectively signaled that Iran is now more isolated than ever.

While the strongly worded statement avoided mentioning Iran by name, the target of the message was unmistakable. Pakistan directly addressed the strikes against the United Arab Emirates: The timing of this rift is critical. With Pakistan distancing itself, Iran loses its most credible bridge to the West. Diplomatic analysts suggest that without Islamabad's mediation, the chances of maintaining the current ceasefire or progressing in negotiations with the U.S. have diminished significantly. (Source)