US Iran War LIVE: Marco Rubio says US should get Iran response today

The US Treasury on Friday announced sanctions against 10 individuals and companies, including several in China and Hong Kong, for aiding efforts by Iran's military to secure weapons and raw materials used to build Tehran's Shahed drones.

An Israeli attack has killed two people in the southern Lebanese town of Zrarieh in Sidon district.

At least one person was killed and four wounded in an Israeli raid on the town of Mefdon in Nabatieh district, reports the National News Agency.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday told his United Arab Emirates counterpart that US-Iran talks needed to be supported to prevent a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East.

"The Russian side emphasised the need to focus on supporting the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the USA," a foreign ministry statement said of Lavrov's telephone conversation with UAE's Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Qatari prime minister called for renewed diplomacy following his meeting with US Vice President JD Vance.

In a post on X, Qatar's foreign ministry said Doha's Premier, “stressed the need for all parties to engage with the ongoing mediation efforts, to pave the way for addressing the root causes of the crisis through peaceful means and dialogue, leading to a comprehensive agreement that achieves lasting peace in the region.”

Washington has revised its proposed UN resolution demanding Iran halt attacks and mining in the Strait of Hormuz but the changes are unlikely to avert Chinese and Russian vetoes, diplomats said on Friday.

On Friday, Netblocks, the internet watchdog, in a post on X, said, “Today marks the 70th day of Iran's internet blackout, with the incident now surpassing 1656 hours. Digital connectivity is vital in times of crisis, and limiting service harms those most in need - people with disabilities, students, small businesses and the general public.”

Lebanon's National News Agency said an Israeli attack targeted a car near the entrance of the southern Lebanese town of Houmin Tahta, killing all three of the vehicle’s passengers.

The agency added that, in addition, the strike killed a motorcyclist in the area while injuring his wife.

Senator Bernie Sanders has called for an immediate end to the US war with Iran saying rising fuel costs are placing an increasing burden on struggling Americans.

The US is set to mediate two days of intensive talks between Israel and Lebanon on May 14-15.

The US State Department said the talks are primarily aimed at establishing a permanent ceasefire, ensuring long-term border security, and creating a comprehensive, lasting peace agreement to prevent further conflict.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his British counterpart Yvette Cooper have discussed the “latest regional developments” in a telephone call, Al Jazeera reported.

On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan to discuss the latest regional developments.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday said that Iran will continue seeking “friendly relations” with countries based on mutual respect and common interests while rejecting any form of “colonialism”.

“The policy of colonialism and exploitation will have no place in the future world,” said Pezeshkian. “Just as tolerance is rooted in our people’s culture, the struggle against oppression shines throughout the history of this land.”

US Central Command on Friday said that US forces have “redirected” a total of 57 commercial vessels and “disabled” three vessels since it began its blockade on Iranian ports.

CENTCOM added that three US destroyers are currently in the Arabian Sea to enforce the blockade – USS Truxton, USS Rafael Peralta, and USS Mason.

Gold on Friday drifted higher and was headed for a weekly gain as optimism over a potential end to the US-Israel war on Iran helped ease concerns about inflation and elevated interest rates.

An adviser to Iran's supreme leader compared control over the Strait of Hormuz to having an "atomic bomb" on Friday, and vowed not to relinquish it, AFP reported.

Yaniv Revach, Consul General of Israel in Mumbai said that Israel is not happy with the fact that Pakistan is mediating the war between the US and Iran.

Iran's Tasnim news agency on Friday, citing an Iranian military source, said that while the situation is currently “calm”, if Washington tries to re-enter the Strait of Hormuz and “disturb” Iranian vessels, "There is still a possibility of re-entering such conflicts in the region.”

Pope Leo asked that God would inspire world leaders to calm global tensions and reduce hatred in an address to mark his first anniversary as head of the Catholic Church, a day after he met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged European allies on Friday to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action against Iran, even as he sought to repair strained ties with Italy and the Vatican during a two-day visit following tensions over the US-Israeli war in Iran.

Senior Iranian MP says from now on, US naval blockade measures will be met with military response from Iran.