US Iran War Highlights: Iran's Abbas Araghchi calls his Pakistan visit ‘successful’, says ‘We held good consultations’

As per Al Jazeera, on Iran, US President Donald Trump said, “There’s tremendous discord… they’re having a tremendous problem getting along with each other. The leadership is very disjointed, it’s got two to three groups, maybe four… With that being said, they all want to make a deal."

Donald Trump said that Iran has “made strides” toward reaching a deal with the United States, though he expressed uncertainty about whether an agreement will ultimately be reached, as per Al Jazeera.

Referring to possible new in-person negotiations in Pakistan, Trump said the United States holds “great respect” for Pakistan and its leadership, but noted that the travel distance is “very long.”

He added that, at present, all communications between the two sides are being conducted over the phone rather than through face-to-face meetings.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said that he is not satisfied with the latest proposal presented by Iran

Trump's order accuses Cuba of maintaining close ties with Iran and providing safe haven to militant groups such as Hezbollah, two White House officials said

On Friday (local time), the United States imposed new sanctions on three Iranian foreign currency exchange firms, in an effort to target Tehran's "financial lifelines" in the Middle East war.

Asked about Iran’s latest proposal to the United States, which was sent through Pakistani mediators, the White House said it would not comment on private diplomatic exchanges, but reiterated that Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.

White House spokesperson Anna ‌Kelly told Reuters, "We do not detail private diplomatic conversations. President Trump has been ⁠clear that Iran ⁠can never possess a nuclear weapon, and negotiations ⁠continue to ensure ⁠the short- and ⁠long-term national security of the United States.”

Iran’s Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Nikzad said that Iran has a “natural right” to control the Strait of Hormuz and made it clear that the waterway will not revert to its previous state.

As per Al Jazeera citing Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Nikzad mentioned, “The Strait of Hormuz is not an international waterway, it is Iran’s natural right … and we stand firmly and firmly in this rightful position.”

Fresh deadly Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, including strikes on the towns of Burj Qalaouiyah and Ain Baal, reported Al Jazeera citing National News Agency.

According to the agency, the strike in Ain Baal killed a woman and injured four others, while a separate attack in Burj Qalaouiyah resulted in one more fatality.

The US oil benchmark declined by about 5% on Friday after Iranian media reported that Tehran had put forward a fresh proposal for negotiations with Washington through Pakistan, raising hopes of easing tensions, as per AFP.

A barrel of West Texas Intermediate was trading at $99.85, down 4.97% after briefly falling more than 5%, while Brent crude slipped 3.10% to $106.98.

At least two people were killed and two others injured in Israeli airstrikes on the southern town of Deir Qanoun Ras Al Ain, according to National News Agency, as per Al Jazeera.

The agency also reported additional strikes targeting the towns of Haboush, Kfar, and Majdal Zoun, along with areas on the outskirts of Tyre.

The US stock market moved higher on Friday, edging closer to new record levels as major companies like Apple and Estée Lauder reported stronger-than-expected profits for the beginning of the year. Slight declines in oil prices also helped stabilize the limited number of global markets open during the May Day holiday, as per AP.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.6%, building on the record high it set a day earlier. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 226 points, or 0.5%, by 9:35 am Eastern Time, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.7%, reaching a new peak as well.

Iran has submitted a fresh proposal for talks with the United States through Pakistani intermediaries, according to state news agency IRNA, a move that could help break the deadlock in efforts to end the ongoing conflict, as per Reuters.

While details of the proposal were not disclosed, global oil prices fell after the report, reversing some of the sharp gains seen since Tehran imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.

Military and diplomatic analyst Alexandru Hudisteanu told Al Jazeera that both the US and Iranian forces are using the operational pause created by the ceasefire to reassess their strategies and get ready for a potential new phase of fighting.

“At the same time, I think the parties are engaging in proper negotiations which I think are moving along. The diplomatic efforts haven’t stopped but both sides will push for a credible military option in case negotiations fail," he said.

The Israeli army said it carried out strikes on 40 locations across southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours, alleging that the sites were being used by Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire technically remaining in effect, reported Al Jazeera.

It also stated that sirens were triggered in northern Israel after an aerial object was detected and subsequently intercepted.

A team from the French navy monitors screens for signals indicating vessel movement thousands of kilometres away near the Strait of Hormuz, as per AFP.

Since the outbreak of the Iran conflict in late February, personnel at a maritime security centre in western France have been assisting commercial ships stranded in the Gulf, helping them navigate ongoing disruptions.

Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam met US Ambassador Michel Issa at the Grand Serail, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.

“Discussions focused on consolidating the ceasefire and the negotiations related to talks with Israel,” it mentioned on X.

UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said that no unilateral arrangement proposed by Iran can be relied upon to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, following what he described as its “treacherous aggression” against neighbouring countries.

“The collective international will and provisions of international law emerge as the primary guarantor of freedom of navigation through this vital passage, serving the stability of the region and the global economy in the post-war phase,” Gargash wrote on X.

UN chief António Guterres cautioned that the fallout from the war in Iran and the resulting regional instability is intensifying sharply, warning that the situation is becoming “dramatically worse with each passing hour.

“Now is the time for dialogue, for solutions that pull us back from the brink & for measures that can open a pathway to peace,” Guterres said on X.

Abbas Araghchi said upon arriving in Russia on Monday that his recent trip to Islamabad had been “very productive,” involving constructive discussions with Pakistan’s top leadership, as uncertainty continues over the second round of peace talks on the West Asia conflict.

Araghchi reached Russia after making his second visit to Islamabad within three days, where he held talks with Pakistan’s Army Chief, Asim Munir, on Sunday evening.

"We held good consultations with our friends in Pakistan. The trip was successful. We assessed the outcome of our recent (meetings) and discussed in what direction and under what conditions talks can move on," Araghchi mentioned in a video posted on his Telegram channel.

Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday accused the Pentagon of distorting the true cost of the war involving Iran. He claimed that the conflict, which he described as a “gamble,” has already cost the United States around $100 billion, far exceeding official figure.

He stated, "The Pentagon is lying. Netanyahu's gamble has directly cost America $100b so far, four times what is claimed. Indirect costs for U.S. taxpayers are FAR higher. Monthly bill for each American household is $500 and rising fast. Israel First always means America Last."