War, breaking news. Pope retorts to Trump: never supported nuclear weapons, those who criticise me tell the truth

Iran has "always" maintained that it does not want a nuclear weapon, but has always wanted one. Marco Rubio said this at a press briefing at the White House. "It says it doesn't want it but it doesn't mean it," the Secretary of State added.

"It is clear and for everyone to understand that this is not an offensive operation. This is a defensive operation. And the meaning of that is very simple: you don't fire unless they fire first'. This is what US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said, speaking about the Project Freedom mission in Iran. "We are not attacking them. We are not, but if they were to attack a ship, it would be necessary to respond: you don't shoot unless they shoot first. And so far we have been successful in that regard,' Rubio added, speaking at a White House briefing.

The United States has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council to defend freedom of navigation and ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Iran of endangering international maritime traffic. According to the State Department, the proposal - supported jointly with Bahrain and other Gulf partners, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar - calls on Tehran to cease attacks, the laying of mines and attempts to impose tolls on ships in transit. The text also urges Iran to disclose the number and location of mines laid at sea and to cooperate in removal operations, as well as to support the creation of a humanitarian corridor.

"Iran's actions in Hormuz are criminal". This was said Marco Rubio in a briefing with reporters at the White House (the spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, is on maternity leave). Speaking of Project Freedom, the secretary of state emphasised that 'many nations have asked us to intervene. And we are doing it not because they asked us to, but because we are the only ones who can'.

The US reiterates its support for a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, after the latter said yesterday that such a meeting would not be appropriate until an agreement is reached whereby the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) would cease attacks in Lebanon. "President Trump has been clear that a direct dialogue between the two countries is the best way to quickly promote a lasting peace and security agreement," a State Department official said in a statement sent to reporters seeking clarification.

Talks between the Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and the premier in charge of Iraq, Ali Al-Zaidi. The latter reported via X of the phone call in which he offered the Arab country's contribution as a possible mediator between Iran and the United States. The conversation, al-Zaidi wrote in the post, served for "an examination of cooperative relations" and to talk about "ways to sustain and strengthen" relations. Agreed, he announced, 'an exchange of visits in the next phase'. Trump congratulated al-Zaidi, hoping for an 'extraordinary new chapter' in relations between Washington and Baghdad and relations with a 'strong, dynamic and very productive Iraq'.

Iran has established a new authority to regulate the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. This was reported by broadcaster Press Tv, according to which Tehran will introduce a digital authorisation system for maritime traffic. "Ships intending to cross the strait will receive an email (at info@PGSA.ir, ed.) with the transit rules.

They will have to comply with the regulatory framework and obtain a passage permit,' the Iranian media reported. The initiative, described as a system of 'sovereign governance' and which appears to be Tehran's response to the 'Project Freedom' operation announced by Donald Trump, is 'operational' in the Strait of Hormuz, Press TV pointed out.

Iran planted naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire that began on 7 April. This was indicated by the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, who showed a map indicating the presence of ordnance during a press briefing. According to Caine, Tehran placed more mines on 23 April, having already placed some in the early stages of the conflict. US officials, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, believe that the mines would not completely close the strait: commercial ships could still cross it, avoiding the devices. However, their presence makes the passage more complex and slows down traffic in one of the world's most important energy routes.

A draft UN resolution jointly tabled by the US and Gulf countries, obtained today by Associated Press, threatens Iran with sanctions or other measures if it does not stop attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, does not stop imposing "illegal tolls" and does not disclose the location of all mines to ensure freedom of navigation. The text also calls on Iran to "immediately participate in and facilitate" UN efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor in the Strait to allow the delivery of vital aid, fertiliser and other goods. This is the latest diplomatic effort by the US and its Gulf allies after a watered-down resolution to open the Strait was rejected by China and Russia just hours before Washington and Tehran announced a temporary ceasefire in early April. US Ambassador Mike Waltz told reporters that he believes the new, more limited proposal will gain the support needed to be approved by the 15-member UN Council without arousing opposition or a veto from Iran's allies.

The US and the Gulf countries proposed the new draft as the Trump administration seeks to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait, where about 20 per cent of the world's crude oil passed through before the US and Israel started war on 28 February. A fragile ceasefire remains in place. The proposed resolution, drafted under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter and therefore enforceable by military force, threatens "effective measures commensurate with the gravity of the situation, including sanctions" if Iran fails to comply. It reaffirms the right of all countries to defend their ships from attack and provocation and orders all other countries not to assist Iran in closing the strait or imposing tolls. It 'welcomes ongoing efforts to resolve conflicts and coordinate safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, expresses support for ongoing efforts to seek lasting peace in the region, and encourages Member States in the region to strengthen dialogue and consultations in this regard'.

Pakistan's military leadership urges 'restraint' and insists on the need to maintain stability in the Middle East by avoiding further escalation. They do so in a statement, re-launched by Geo News, which came at a conference of army corps commanders in Rawalpindi, chaired by the Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, a key player in the difficult mediation between Iran and the United States. The Pakistani military leadership, the statement said, 'reaffirmed that peace and stability in the region are intrinsically linked to restraint by all, responsibility and respect for sovereignty'. Earlier, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had spoken on X to reiterate Pakistan's 'constructive commitment' to 'promote dialogue and de-escalation in the Gulf region'.

"With regard to the interpretations circulated in recent hours on certain statements regarding a possible deployment of the Navy in the Strait of Hormuz area, it is deemed necessary to provide a precise clarification. In the course of my speech, the reference to the departure of naval units and the involvement of personnel families was exclusively an example, aimed at underlining the level of sacrifice, dedication and operational readiness of our Armed Forces. It was in no way the announcement of an operational decision. Never would I have expected that words spoken with the intention of enhancing the service of our women and men in uniform could be exploited for political ends. All the more so on such a sensitive issue, on which both I and the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, have always made it clear that no decision would be taken without first obtaining the approval of Parliament. It should be firmly reiterated that no navy unit has left or is about to leave for the Strait of Hormuz area''. This was stated by Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. as has already been explained on several occasions, any deployment can only take place following the cessation of hostilities and subject to authorisation by Parliament,'' he added. ''In the meantime, the Navy continues to carry out its planning and preparation activities, maintaining the level of readiness necessary to contribute, if required, to mine clearance operations and to the safety of navigation in a strategic junction of global importance. On issues of this nature, it is essential to maintain a responsible and rigorous approach, avoiding distorted readings that risk generating unwarranted alarm in the public opinion".

The Guardians of the Revolution, the Iranian Pasdaran, reiterate their 'warning' for the Strait of Hormuz and threaten 'incisive' responses. "Repeated warning: we warn all vessels intending to cross the Strait" of Hormuz that "the only safe route for passage is the corridor announced earlier by the Islamic Republic of Iran," they let it be known, according to official media reports in Tehran and relayed by CNN. "The diversion of boats to other routes is dangerous and the response will be decisive action by the Revolutionary Guardians Navy," they add.

Is violence part of politics or the sign of a democracy in crisis? In a world marked by the highest number of armed conflicts since 1946, what still distinguishes political conflict from violence? From Trump's United States to European and Italian dynamics, a snapshot of the health of liberal democracies. At the centre, the weight of inequalities, polarisation and above all the language used by leaders, media and citizens. Because violence does not only arise from acts, but also from the words that make it acceptable. With Andrea Ruggeri, Professor of Political Science at the Università Statale di Milano, in the episode of Macro on Tuesday 5 May.

A draft UN resolution proposed by the United States and the Gulf countries will propose sanctions against Iran if Tehran does not immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz to navigation without demanding 'illegal tolls'.

As reported by the Associated Press, the document also calls on Iran to 'immediately participate in and facilitate UN efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor in the strait' to allow the transit of vital aid, fertilisers and other goods.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are "ready to react with force" to any threat from Iran. This was stated by Israel's Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, during a handover ceremony at the Air Force summit. "Our forces are deployed on all fronts, ready immediately for any scenario, near or far," Zamir said, quoted by the Times of Israel. The Chief of Staff further explained that the Israeli army is "closely monitoring developments in the Persian Gulf" and is ready to react "with force against any attempt to strike Israel".

This was stated by Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, speaking at a press conference on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, in response to a question on the subject. "The ceasefire is certainly holding, but we are watching the situation very, very closely," added Hegseth who then referring to the 'Project Freedom' launched by the US explained: "It is a separate and distinct project."

Donald Trump claimed that the Iranian economy 'has been crushed' and wished it would fail. "Do you know why? Because I want to win," he said speaking to reporters in the Oval Office. "I also thought the price of oil would go up to 200, 250, maybe 300 today I see it's around 102. A very small price to pay to prevent madmen from possessing the nuclear weapon," he added.

'Financial stability is a fundamental prerequisite for growth and national economic security'. So said Economy and Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, speaking at the opening conference of the Salone del Risparmio, which kicked off today, Tuesday 5 May, in Milan. For Giorgetti, moreover, 'the fact that our country has gained more solid fundamentals in the macroeconomic framework has allowed us to gain room for action to contain the impact of the changed global context'.

Donald Trump reiterated this, stating that "what I don't like about Iran is that they talk to me with great respect, and then they go on television and say, 'we haven't talked to the president'". So, he added, "they play games", but "they want to make a deal".

The Iranians "know what they have to do and they know what to do" not to break the ceasefire. Donald Trump said this, responding to a reporter's question in the Oval Office. "Above all, they know what they must not do," the president added

"Today we reached an all-time high in the stock market, despite the fact that we are engaged in a little military skirmish. I call it a skirmish, becauseIran has no chance, it never has. They know it, they tell me when I talk to them. Then they go on television and say how well they are doing'. This was stated by US President Donald Trump during the signing ceremony at the White House of a proclamation enhancing national youth sports.

'They don't have a Navy, it has been completely annihilated,' Trump continued, speaking of the Iranian armed forces. They don't have an Air Force, it's been completely annihilated. They don't have anti-aircraft capabilities, they are completely annihilated, they don't have radar. They don't have leaders, they have also been annihilated. And then I read the newspapers and they say they are doing great. They are not doing great. They have no credibility. The news, the fake news, they have no credibility,' Trump stressed.

Iran 'was two weeks away from having a nuclear weapon', and if it had succeeded, 'maybe we wouldn't all be here right now'. This was stated by US President Donald Trump, speaking from theOval Office. "The Middle East would be gone, Israel would be gone," he continued, "And they would target Europe first and then us. Because they are sick people."

The UAE states that its 'air defences are currently countering missile and drone attacks from Iran'. "The Ministry of Defence confirms that the noises heard in different parts of the country are the result of the interception by the UAE's air defence systems of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones," the ministry wrote on X.

According to the Ministry, Iran launched 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones against the UAE yesterday.

The US played down the possibility of a return to war with Iran after a day of naval clashes in the Strait of Hormuz and missile attacks against the United Arab Emirates.

Tehran's attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf and the United Arab Emirates are not a ceasefire violation, General Dan Caine, chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Pentagon on Tuesday. Alongside him, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the truce, which began just under a month ago, is still in force.

Narges Mohammadi, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2023, dheld in Iran since December, is 'between life and death'. Her lawyer denounces this. Mohammadi was transferred last weekend from prison to hospital because of heart problems. 'We have never been so afraid for Narges' life, she could leave us at any moment,' said Chirinne Ardakani during a press briefing in Paris. 'We are not only fighting for Narges' freedom, we are fighting for her heart to keep beating.

NAIROBI - The Sudanese military government has formally accused Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates of involvement in drone attacks on the country, including those targeting the airport in the capital Khartoum. The lunge is triggering an increasingly heated dialectical escalation between Khartoum, the Horn of Africa and the Gulf, now entangled even more by Donald Trump's diplomatic blitz with the lifting of sanctions on Eritrea.

In a press conference, Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem and army spokesman Asim Awad Abd al-Wahab spoke of 'conclusive evidence' of the launching of four drones from the Ethiopian base in Bahir Dar, blaming Adu Dhabi for the supply of the aircraft.

"Two US merchant ships have become stranded in the rocky southern part of the Strait of Hormuz, near the coast of Oman, and have no way to continue or turn back." This was stated by the Iranian news agency Fars, citing an informed source. According to Fars, the southern part of the coast of the strait, near the two islands of Musandam and Al-Khail, does not have the geographical characteristics to become a maritime corridor and the passage of ships through these rocky and shallow areas is risky. CentCom stated yesterday that two US-flagged merchant ships had passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has since denied the news.

"The Italia government expresses its closeness to the United Arab Emirates for the unjustifiable attacks suffered, which must stop immediately." This was stated by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on social media. "In this difficult scenario, Italia will continue to do its part to foster dialogue and avert the spread of the crisis at regional level," the Prime Minister added. The freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is a fundamental principle of international law and essential for the global economy'.

Emmanuel Macron will have a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian later today. This was announced by the French president himself in a meeting with journalists in Yerevan. "I will speak shortly with the Iranian president," Macron said, recalling that France has long supported "the restoration of freedom of navigation" in the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel is coordinating with the United States on the possible resumption of hostilities with Iran in light of escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz that put the ceasefire at risk. An Israeli source told CNN, pointing out that the coordination includes the preparation of attacks against Iranian energy infrastructure and senior Iranian officials.

"The intention would be to conduct a short campaign aimed at pressuring Iran to make further concessions in the negotiations," the source told CNN, pointing out that it is up to US President Donald Trump to decide whether to resume hostilities.

As of 5 May, gas prices on the Dutch Ttf marketplace were 51% higher than on 27 February, when the conflict with Iran began. This is according to internal data from the European Commission, according to which the price now stands at EUR 48/MWh. The price of oil is USD 114 per barrel, up 57% from 27 February. On 27 February the price of oil stood at USD 72 per barrel and gas at EUR 32/MWh.

Two US Navy destroyers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Persian Gulf after succeeding in dealing with Iranian attacks. US defence officials told CBS on condition of anonymity that the ships USS Truxtun and USS Mason, supported by Apache helicopters and other aircraft, faced a number of threats during the crossing. Iran launched small boats, missiles and drones in what officials described as a continuous bombardment. Despite the intensity of the attacks, neither US ship was hit. Military officials said that defensive measures, reinforced by air support, successfully intercepted or repelled any incoming threats.

The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, stated that Iran's attempts to destabilise British society 'will not be tolerated'. The prime minister was speaking at a summit of industry leaders in Downing Street on how to tackle rising anti-Semitism in the UK, following last week's terrorist attack in north London and a series of other anti-Semitic attacks in recent weeks, Sky News reported. Groups linked to Iran have claimed responsibility for some of the attacks, and police have also warned 'hitmen' against receiving money from shady figures who may be working for foreign states to foment anti-Semitism and instability in the UK. Starmer has repeatedly insisted that the UK will not allow itself to be drawn into the war in the Middle East, operating only in a defensive role in the region, a position that has drawn strong criticism from Donald Trump.

"We cannot but be confident, aware that products and entrepreneurs have very high resilience. But uncertainty is sovereign'. This was emphasised by the president of Confindustria, Emanuele Orsini, in Milan for the opening day of the Salone del Risparmio. According to the leader of the industrialists, in order to tackle the geopolitical crisis in Iran it is necessary 'to create the conditions to be attractive as a country and be competitive. The cost of energy is an issue: if the war were to continue through 2026, and with an average annual oil price of $140, there would be an increase in bills of 21 billion. Unsustainable costs for our companies,' Orsini concluded.

Further reading

Fluorsid, towards production stoppage and staff reduction due to Hormuz crisis

05 May 2026

The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, will visit Beijing, China, today. This was reported by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stating that Araghchi 'will discuss bilateral relations and regional and international developments with his Chinese counterpart'.

Two out of three Americans think that Donald Trump is mishandling the war against Iran: according to the latest Washington Post-Abc News-Ipsos poll, discontent is growing not only among Democrats, but also in the right-wing Maga voter base, and in the so-called independents, who are almost always decisive at the ballot box, but very dubious about US involvement in the conflict.

And the dissatisfaction of US citizens with the president's work is even higher in the dossiers dealing with the direct consequences of the tensions in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz: on the economy in general, the disapproval rate has risen seven points to 65%; on inflation it reaches 72%; on the increase in costs for families, starting with petrol, 76% of Americans accuse the government of not doing enough.

'As entrepreneurs, we are always confident because we are aware that our products have quality and our entrepreneurs have a very high resilience, but we have to look at what is happening around us'. This was said by the president of Confindustria, Emanuele Orsini, speaking during the opening plenary conference of the Salone del Risparmio, currently underway in Milan.

Confindustria, through its Centro Studi, 'first presented three possible scenarios and this already means that uncertainty is sovereign,' said Orsini, recalling that 'the first scenario envisaged 0.5 per cent growth if the conflict ended in one month, but this did not happen, in the second scenario we said that if it lasted four months, and there are three months to go, we would be in stagnation, and in the third scenario, if the conflict comes to an end this year, we will go into recession, this is our forecast.

Further reading

Orsini: 'If conflicts come at the end of the year we will go into recession'. Giorgetti: 'Financial stability presupposes growth and security'

05 May 2026

Two US Navy destroyers crossed the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Persian Gulf after facing an Iranian attack with small boats, missiles and drones. This was reported by US defence officials to CBS, giving details of the incident which still has unclear contours.

According to sources, the USS Truxtun and USS Mason, supported by Apache helicopters and other aircraft, were exposed to a series of coordinated threats during the passage. Iran reportedly launched small boats, missiles and drones at the US units in what officials described as a sustained attack.

The Iranian authorities have accused the United States of killing five civilians following their attack on two merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The Tasnim news agency writes this, citing a military source. According to the source, the ships carrying civilian goods were on their way from the Omani port of Khasab to the Iranian coast.

The Strait of Hormuz remains 'entirely in Iranian hands' and the US Project Freedom has failed. This was claimed today by the Iranian Tasnim agency, citing verifications based on official international maritime tracking data.

According to Tasnim, no ships have transited the strait in the past 24 hours as part of the US operation, announced by Washington as an initiative to create a new route of safe passage for vessels.

The Israeli army has issued further evacuation orders for the population of southern Lebanon, this time for residents of the towns of Jabsheet and Sarafand. In a statement on social media relayed by the Guardian, the IDF's Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, said that residents must leave their homes "immediately and move away from the villages and towns for at least 1 km, reaching open areas". Heralding imminent air raids, Adraee stated that the IDF is "forced to act forcefully against" Hezbollah, which he said had violated the ceasefire agreement.

Iranian parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the US and its allies of jeopardising the security of shipping and energy transit in the Strait of Hormuz by violating the ceasefire and imposing the blockade. "The new Hormuz Strait equation is being consolidated," Ghalibaf wrote in X, in response to the US launch of Project Freedom. "The security of navigation and energy transit has been put at risk by the US and its allies with the violation of the ceasefire and the imposition of the blockade; of course their evil will diminish," he added.

"We know that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America, while we have not even started yet," Ghalibaf wrote again.

In the last few hours, Hezbollah fired several mortar shells at Israeli troops stationed in South Lebanon in two separate incidents, according to the Israeli army, as reported by the Times of Israel. According to the Israel Defence Forces, no casualties were reported.

Danish freight giant Maersk announced that one of its ships successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz under US escort yesterday. The ship, the US-flagged Alliance Fairfax, had been stranded in the Gulf since the outbreak of war in February and was 'offered the opportunity' to leave escorted by the US military. "The ship then left the Persian Gulf escorted by US military assets" on 4 May, the company said in a statement. "The transit was concluded without incident and all crew members are safe and sound."

Tension in Hormuz, where the US Operation Project Freedom is being launched to restore freedom of navigation. The US claims to have opened 'a corridor' to ensure safe passage through the Strait. Tehran denies this and announces that it has fired missiles at US units.

"Iran's attacks against the civilian infrastructure of the Emirates are unjustified and unacceptable. As it has done since the beginning of the conflict, France will continue to support its allies in the Emirates and the region in the defence of their territory," French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X. "A lasting solution to the ongoing conflict can only be achieved through the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to free navigation and a solid agreement that provides the necessary security guarantees to the countries in the region, in particular, against the threats posed by Iran in the nuclear, ballistic and regional destabilisation sectors," Macron added.

"The events in Hormuz make it clear that there is no military solution to a political crisis. Since the talks are making progress thanks to Pakistan's gracious efforts, the US should guard against being dragged back into a quagmire by ill-intentioned parties. The UAE should do the same'. This was written on X by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, after Tehran denied targeting the country in the Gulf . 'Project Freedom is a dead project,' he concluded referring to the US operation to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait.

The news of 4 May