(2026-05-07). Malaysian king's visit to Russia expected to smooth path for oil deal. scmp.com Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar arrived in Moscow on Thursday for a high-profile visit that comes as Kuala Lumpur looks for alternative oil sources amid the Iran war-linked fuel crisis. | Sultan Ibrahim landed at Vnukovo-2 International Airport at 4.20pm local time on Thursday, according to Malaysian reports, and was received by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, senior protocol officials and Malaysia's ambassador to Russia, Cheong Loon Lai.
(2026-05-07). Crisis in New Zealand government over Iran war. wsws.org Foreign Minister Winston Peters, leader of the right-wing nationalist NZ First Party, released emails sent in early March which indicate that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wanted the government to express stronger support for the criminal US-Israeli war.
(2026-05-07). The Folly of the US-Israeli Myth of a Quick Iranian Collapse. juancole.com
(2026-05-06). Trump says U.S. had 'very good' talks with Iran in past 24 hours. ecns.cn U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the United States has had very good talks over the past 24 hours with Iran on ending the war that has lasted more than two months.
(2026-05-07). Days before Xi-Trump meet, Iran-China emergency huddle forms as US waves white flag on Hormuz. hindustantimes.com The very moment the United States paused its Hormuz mission, Iran's top diplomat landed in China. And suddenly, the timing doesn't look accidental. An anti-Trump alignment, or just strategic diplomacy? Iran calls China a "close friend." China asks for Hormuz to reopen. And in between, a quiet negotiation begins to take shape just days before Trump sits across from Xi Jinping. But here's where it gets uncomfortable. The U.S. launches "Project Freedom" to secure shipping lanes and pauses it within 24 hours. Iran is accused of striking Fujairah. China steps in, but stays officially "neutral." So who is actually driv…
(2026-05-07). How America's Addiction to War led to Self-Harm. juancole.com Orono, Maine (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) — In a recent interview on CBC, Timothy Snyder, an historian at the University of Toronto, noted that the U.S. is in "a catastrophic self-destructive mode". The war of aggression against Iran is the latest evidence of this since it is "wildly counter-productive". | He also commented on PM Mark Carney's initial support for the Iran War which Carney later retracted as it became more evident that this was a war of choice, rather than a war of necessity and would bring suffering upon many innocent people. | When asked about Alberta's separatist movement Snyder…
(2026-05-07). For rank-and-file control of the National Steel Car contract struggle! International class unity, not a nationalist corporate/union partnership! wsws.org Under conditions of the ongoing war on Iran that is disrupting the world economy and the Canada-US trade war that has hit our facility here in Hamilton, Ontario, for over a year now, Management aims to offload the crisis onto our backs through real wage cuts and continued job insecurity.
(2026-05-06). Iran scares UAE more after 'bombing Fujairah': 'Even after war…' | Abu Dhabi's OPEC exit backfires. hindustantimes.com After Iran's strike on Fujairah and cargo ships, a top adviser to Iran's parliament speaker warns that Iran‚ÄëUAE ties will "not return" to pre‚Äëwar days and calls "time" Tehran's most powerful weapon. With the UAE out of OPEC and backing Trump, critics say Abu Dhabi has made itself the Gulf's biggest target.
(2026-05-06). 'Project Freedom': Trump pauses Hormuz escort mission at Pakistan, others' request. geo.tv 
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near Bandar Abbas, Iran, May 4, 2026. — Reuters Trump says great progress made towards deal with Iran. Rubio says operations in Strait of Hormuz are defensive. Iran denies attacking United Arab Emirates in recent days.
(2026-05-06). Lebanon: Israeli strikes kill four in Bekaa despite ceasefire. newarab.com 
An Israeli strike in Lebanon's Israel has violated the April 17 ceasefire on almost-daily basis, striking the south and other parts of Lebanon, while the Iran-backed group has also attacked Israeli forces stationed in the country, as wel…
(2026-05-06). Democrats Demand Answers From Rubio on Number of Nuclear Bombs Owned by Israel. truthout.org A group of Democrats in the House is demanding that the Trump administration provide critical information about the scope and size of Israel's nuclear weapons capability in the midst of a war over nuclear weapons in which only Iran's civilian nuclear program has been under scrutiny. The lawmakers, led by Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), say that the U.S. should hold Israel to the "same standard… |
(2026-05-06). Wall Street freaks: Traders believe Iran over US & UAE as oil blasts higher on Hormuz claims. hindustantimes.com What if the global oil market is no longer reacting to supply, but to power? Because right now, the Strait of Hormuz is no longer just a shipping route. It is a pressure point. And every signal coming out of it is shaking markets far beyond the Gulf. Oil is back above $100. Stocks are slipping. Investors are watching every move, every claim, every denial. But the real story may not be the price spike. It may be the question behind it. Who actually controls Hormuz when tensions peak? Iran says it blocked a U.S. warship. The U.S. pushes back. The UAE reports incoming missiles and drones, then Iran denies it and fli…
(2026-05-06). Macron says he discussed Hormuz situation with president. al-monitor.com PARIS, May 6 (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that he had held further talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which Macron had reaffirmed the importance of freeing up shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.Macron added he had encouraged Iran's president to look at the plans by France and Britain to set up an international mission to lay the groundwork for safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
(2026-05-06). After the Ceasefire: Power, Limits and the Future of Global Order. fairobserver.com The recent war in Iran is likely to leave a lasting mark on global politics, even if the diplomatic picture continues to evolve. Its effects have been felt far beyond the battlefield, including renewed disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, increased pressure on energy markets, attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure and threats to…
(2026-05-06). France moves aircraft carrier to Red Sea with eye on Hormuz mission. al-monitor.com By John Irish and Elizabeth PineauPARIS, May 6 (Reuters) – France on Wednesday deployed its carrier strike group to the Red Sea as part of planning for a potential mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, urging Washington and Tehran to consider the proposal given the global economic impact of their competing blockades.Fresh exchanges of fire on Monday underscored the stakes as the U.S. and Iran struggle for control of the narrow waterway, a vital artery for global energy and trade, shaking a fragile four-week-old truce and reinforcing rival maritime blockades.
(2026-05-06). Five shameless moments of Iran war opportunism & grifting. responsiblestatecraft.org As the U.S. blockade on the Strait of Hormuz Late last month, Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet
(2026-05-06). Alexander Zevin: Trump's Gulf War. newleftreview.org Asymmetries of the US-Israeli assault on Iran, as an uneasy balance holds between Tehran's tourniquet on the Strait of Hormuz—and the world economy—and the enormous firepower of the aggressors, at the end of the first round.
(2026-05-06). Trump's New Iran Negotiator Is Israel Lobbyist Who Denounced Negotiations With Iran. scheerpost.com Max Blumenthal The Grayzone Tapped to advise Steve Witkoff on Iran, Nick Stewart previously condemned dealing with any of Iran's elected leaders. His presence consolidates military conflict as the Trump administration's only option. The latest addition to the Trump administration's Iran negotiation team, Nick Stewart, has declared his absolute opposition to negotiating with the Islamic Republic of …
(2026-05-06). UAE is using oil to reshape its position inside the Gulf hierarchy. ummid.com With its exit from OPEC and OPEC+, the UAE is challenging the authority of Riyadh, strengthening its own strategic autonomy, and moving closer to a regional make-up where the US and Israel remain central actors in the pressure campaign against Iran.
(2026-05-06). Did Hegseth just invite Iran to target US ships instead of Israel, insists Netanyahu not in charge. hindustantimes.com At a tense Pentagon briefing in Arlington, Pete Hegseth pushed back on claims that Donald Trump is being influenced by Benjamin Netanyahu, insisting U.S. actions are driven solely by "America First" interests. However, the remarks come amid intensifying conflict with Iran, raising questions over whether Washington's positioning could shift Tehran's focus toward U.S. bases instead of Israel.
(2026-05-06). How the US-led war in the region created an Arab poverty crisis. newarab.com 
The costs of the current US-Israel war on Iran are often measured in cold, macroeconomic abstractions. We hear of "supply disruptions," "energy shocks," and "inflationary pressures". But behind the fluctuating price of a Brent crude barrel, there is a far more devastating and silent reality: the systematic destruction of human lives and the rapid descent of millions of our neighbours into poverty. | As researchers and policymakers, we have a moral and professional duty to re-centre the discourse on the people of this region. While some economies may benefit from military investments, the direct victims of this co…
(2026-05-06). Rubio says U.S. military campaign against Iran is 'over'. ecns.cn U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday the U.S. military campaign against Iran, which was jointly launched with Israel on Feb. 28, is "over."
(2026-05-06). Iran forces UAE into military show in NATO country? Emiratis flex at SAHA 2026 amid Hormuz crisis. hindustantimes.com Amid escalating tensions with Iran, the United Arab Emirates put its military strength on full display at the SAHA Expo 2026 in Istanbul. Emirati defense and aerospace firms showcased advanced FPV drones, naval systems, armored vehicles, mine-hunting technology, and next-generation battlefield platforms. The military showcase comes just days after missile and drone attacks linked to the ongoing Hormuz crisis, signaling Abu Dhabi's push to project strength and readiness amid growing regional instability.
(2026-05-06). 'Christmas bombings' worked in Vietnam but won't drag Iran to table. responsiblestatecraft.org Facing an impasse in negotiations to end the Vietnam War, President Richard Nixon ordered an 11-day air campaign in December 1972 to bring North Vietnam back to the negotiating table. "I don't want any more crap about the fact that we couldn't hit this target or that one," Nixon
(2026-05-06). Iranian FM Warns US, UAE Of 'Quagmire' After Strikes On Oil Site. popularresistance.org Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi warned the US and the UAE against being "dragged back into a quagmire" in a statement on 5 May, a day after several missile attacks targeted energy infrastructure at the Gulf state's Fujairah port. | "Events in Hormuz make clear that there's no military solution to a political crisis," Araghchi said early on Tuesday. | "As talks are making progress with Pakistan's gracious effort, the US should be wary of being dragged back into a quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE," the foreign minister went on to warn.
(2026-05-06). Trump says US had very good talks with Iran in last 24 hours. al-monitor.com WASHINGTON, May 6 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday told reporters that the U.S. has had very good talks with Iran in the last 24 hours, adding that it was very possible that Washington and Tehran would make a deal. (Reporting by Jacob Bogage and Katharine Jackson; Writing by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Jasper Ward)…
(2026-05-06). Chinese FM holds talks with Iranian counterpart. ecns.cn Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi in Beijing on Wednesday.
(2026-05-06). Exclusive: Iran-US talks not yet at stage for agreement. newarab.com 
Negotiations between The sources stressed that reports in US media about the details of negotiations and elements of a proposed agreement "do not reflect the reality of what is happening". | They added that the talks still faced "an intransigent American approach and…
(2026-05-06). China calls for immediate full ceasefire, opposes renewed conflict, stresses priority of talks on Iran situation: Chinese FM. ecns.cn China calls for an immediate and full ceasefire, opposes renewed conflict, and stresses the priority of talks on the Iran situation, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday.
(2026-05-06). Iran economy deteriorating amid sanctions, continuing blockade. newarab.com 
Iran's The US Treasury has imposed a series of economic, trade, and military As negotiations between Washington and…
(2026-05-06). Trump's War May Cost $72 Billion — Nearly 3 Times Higher Than the Admin Said. truthout.org The Pentagon's official estimate of the direct financial cost of the U.S. war on Iran is a nearly threefold undercount of the actual price tag of the war, according to an expert analysis published Wednesday. Stephen Semler, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, produced the new cost estimate for the Popular Information newsletter. Accounting for armament use… |
(2026-05-06). U.S., Iran closing in on one-page memo to end war ⚪ Axios. ecns.cn The United States and Iran are closing in on a one-page memo to end their war, Axios reported on Wednesday.
(2026-05-06). Iran Damaged or Destroyed Hundreds of Targets in US Bases, Reporting Reveals. truthout.org Iranian forces have damaged or destroyed hundreds of targets in U.S. bases amid the war, causing far more extensive damage than previously reported by the U.S. government, new reporting based on satellite images reveals. Analysis of the imagery by The Washington Post finds that at least 228 assets have been struck by Iran since the start of the war, including "hangars, barracks, fuel depots… |
(2026-05-06). Beijing to play 'greater role' in ending Mideast fighting, China tells Iran. geo.tv 
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi shake hands in Beijing, China, in this handout image released by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 6, 2026. — Reuters FM Wang says China will work harder to ease Middle East tensions.Chinese FM says…
(2026-05-06). US' "sanctions threats" in a de-Dollarizing world. unitedworldint.com Under the current circumstances, the US' sanction threats amount to empty rhetoric only. A new system has been built, and it will grow even stronger with the participation of numerous countries following the war in Iran. By Serhat Latifoƒülu The threat by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent by sending letters to 2 Chinese banks threatening …
(2026-05-06). Saudi FM in Turkey as Ankara, Riyadh step up coordination amid Iran war. al-monitor.com Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan's visit to Ankara comes amid rapidly expanding Turkish-Saudi coordination as the fallout from the Iran war reshapes Gulf security dynamics.
(2006-05-26). Iran and the Western left. links.org.au 
Anti-imperialism has become a key priority for the global left. Cihan Tuğal looks at how we can best mobilise a mass anti-imperialist movement.
(2026-05-06). Iran conflict may have motivated Trump dinner shooting suspect: report. geo.tv 
Cole Tomas Allen, a suspect in the White House Correspondents' Association dinner shooting, sits in the courtroom during a hearing after being charged with attempting to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump, in Washington DC, US, April 30, 2026, in this courtroom sketch. —…
(2026-05-06). Mojtaba mocks Trump with '1980 US army op failure in Iran' reminder as US ends new Hormuz mission. hindustantimes.com Mojtaba Khamenei's aide mocks Trump after "Project Freedom" is halted just one day in, saying a fearful U.S. Navy has backed away from Hormuz after Iran's strikes on the UAE. Citing the failed 1980 Tabas rescue, he warns future battles "won't be Normandy or Sicily" for American forces.
(2026-05-06). China's position on situation of Hormuz quite clear: spokesperson. ecns.cn China's position on the situation of the Strait of Hormuz is quite clear, and the Chinese side will continue to make efforts to promote the deescalation of the situation and safeguard the safety and security of Chinese ships and crews, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday.
(2026-05-06). US pauses Hormuz escorts in bid for deal, as threats continue. newarab.com 
The Despite an uptick in military activity in recent days,