Rubio doubtful of diplomacy with Cuba as Trump raises new threat of military action

President Donald Trump has renewed threats of new US attacks on Iran if Tehran does not agree to significant concessions for a deal to end the Middle East war. Trump stated he was close to ordering strikes but pulled back, citing a peace proposal from Iran via Pakistan and reluctance from allies. He indicated a limited timeframe, possibly by the weekend or early next week, for a deal before a "big hit" could occur. Iran has remained defiant, calling US demands "excessive" and reiterating its control over the Strait of Hormuz, while also proposing an end to hostilities and withdrawal of US forces. Analysts suggest the conflict is deadlocked, with both sides wanting to avoid war but unwilling to make necessary concessions.

President Trump announced he has paused a planned attack on Iran, scheduled for Tuesday, following a request from Gulf leaders. This decision comes after Iran submitted a new 14-point peace proposal to Washington via Pakistan. Trump stated there is now a "very good chance" of reaching an agreement to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, though other sticking points are expected to remain. Iran's demands for peace reportedly include the lifting of sanctions. This development occurs amidst recent drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE, raising concerns about renewed military escalation in the Gulf as peace negotiations continue. Trump has instructed the US military to be prepared for a large-scale assault if an acceptable deal is not reached.

US President Donald Trump announced he has halted a planned US military attack on Iran, originally scheduled for Tuesday. He stated this decision was made at the request of leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, who indicated that serious negotiations are underway and a deal acceptable to the US, ensuring Iran will not possess nuclear weapons, is anticipated. Trump cautioned that the US military remains prepared for a large-scale assault if negotiations fail. This development follows a period of stalled talks and intermittent exchanges of fire between Iran and US/Israeli forces, despite a ceasefire agreement in April aimed at facilitating discussions. Iran has not yet publicly responded to Trump's statement.

President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have again raised the possibility of U.S. military intervention in Cuba. This comes after the U.S. announced criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro for ordering the 1996 shootdown of civilian planes. Trump stated he might be the president to take action in Cuba, a long-considered option by previous administrations. Rubio expressed doubt about reaching a diplomatic resolution with Cuba's current government, citing its ties to U.S. adversaries as a national security threat, though he maintained a peaceful, negotiated agreement remains the preference. The U.S. has also imposed further sanctions on Cuba and moved naval assets to the Caribbean.

The United Arab Emirates has blamed Iran or its proxies for a drone strike that caused a fire near the Barakah nuclear power plant. The UAE described the incident as a "dangerous escalation," occurring during a tense ceasefire in the Iran war with stalled peace talks. The drone targeted an electrical generator outside the plant's perimeter, causing no injuries or radiation alerts. The UAE's foreign minister informed the International Atomic Energy Agency and stated the country reserves the right to respond. The UAE's defense ministry reported three drones entered from the western border, and investigations are ongoing to determine the source.

The United Arab Emirates reported a drone strike on Sunday that ignited a fire near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi. The UAE's defense ministry stated that three drones entered from the west, with two being intercepted and one striking an electrical generator outside the plant's inner perimeter. Authorities are investigating the source of the strike, which the UAE's foreign ministry condemned as an "unacceptable act of aggression" and a "dangerous escalation" violating international law. No injuries were reported, and radiological safety levels remained unaffected. The UAE has previously accused Iran of similar attacks on its infrastructure.

An analyst suggests Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement of a "secret visit" with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has strained the U.S.-brokered alliance designed to counter Iran. The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied any undisclosed arrangements, stating their relations with Israel are public under the Abraham Accords. This friction arises as tensions with Iran escalate, with the UAE having recently intercepted drones. Analyst Natan Sachs called Netanyahu's announcement a "diplomatic blunder" that embarrassed the UAE and potentially damaged trust, suggesting it may have been motivated by domestic politics. The Abraham Accords, established in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, fostering security cooperation against Iran.

President Donald Trump stated that Chinese leader Xi Jinping assured him that China would not send weapons to Iran. Trump made this announcement following his visit to China, where he had previously touted trade agreements but no major breakthroughs regarding the conflict involving Iran. This statement also coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin's arrival in China for discussions on their strategic partnership. Trump expressed his trust in Xi's promise, noting that Xi also desires the Strait of Hormuz to remain open. The US president also issued a new threat, indicating that the United States might strike Iran again if progress toward a lasting ceasefire is not achieved within days.

President Trump announced that a planned US attack on Iran on Tuesday has been postponed. This decision was made to allow for ongoing peace talks, following a new proposal from Tehran. Iran's proposal reportedly includes a condition that Washington pressure Israel to cease its military actions in Lebanon. The US has expressed reluctance to exert significant pressure on Israel regarding its attacks on southern Lebanon, despite a recent ceasefire extension and upcoming diplomatic talks between Lebanon and Israel in early June.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates during the recent Israeli-US war with Iran, according to his office. The visit, which aimed to further strengthen ties between the two nations, reportedly resulted in a "historic breakthrough." This development follows the recent public acknowledgment of Israel sending Iron Dome air-defense systems and personnel to the UAE. The UAE, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, has faced Iranian attacks and is seeking to reassure investors. The secret visit underscores the deepening relationship between Israel and the UAE, which has been a point of contention for Iran.

During President Trump's visit to Beijing, he stated that the US and China share similar views on resolving the situation with Iran, emphasizing a desire for Iran to cease nuclear weapon development and ensure open shipping lanes. While Trump claimed a shared sentiment, no specific breakthroughs were announced. The US has reportedly sought China's leverage as Iran's largest oil buyer to influence its actions, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz. China, which relies heavily on the waterway for its oil imports, has called for a ceasefire and the opening of the strait, though some in Beijing view the crisis as not solely China's responsibility. The US has also expressed differing views on whether they are seeking China's direct assistance.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates for a meeting with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Netanyahu's office described the trip as a "historic breakthrough" in relations between the two nations, though the exact date was not disclosed. The visit occurred during the US-Israel military campaign against Iran and amid expanding cooperation between Israel and the UAE, particularly on security matters related to Iran. This cooperation includes Israel deploying Iron Dome air defense systems to the UAE to counter potential Iranian attacks. The meeting follows recent Iranian missile and drone attacks on the UAE in May, after which Netanyahu reportedly expressed solidarity and support to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Relations between Israel and the UAE have strengthened since the 2020 Abraham Accords.

On day 76 of the war, US Vice President JD Vance stated progress is being made in talks with Iran, despite President Trump deeming Tehran's proposal unacceptable. These negotiations aim to prevent a ceasefire collapse. Iran's military, according to Brigadier-General Mohammad Akrami Nia, remains on high alert, signaling readiness to respond to escalation. Meanwhile, Israel claims Prime Minister Netanyahu made a secret visit to the UAE during the war, a trip the UAE denies. Iran's Foreign Minister warned countries colluding with Israel would be held accountable. Separately, Iran celebrated its national football team's send-off for the 2026 World Cup amidst the ongoing conflict.

Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated that ships entering the Strait of Hormuz must cooperate with the Iranian navy, following reports of a vessel being seized near the UAE port of Fujairah and taken towards Iranian waters. The UK Maritime Trading Organisation confirmed the seizure by "unauthorised personnel." Araghchi, speaking at a BRICS meeting, described Iran as "invincible" and claimed America's blockade, not Iran, has created obstacles. He urged BRICS nations to condemn alleged US and Israeli violations of international law. The incident occurs amidst heightened regional tensions and Iran's efforts to counter US sanctions.

An Indian-flagged vessel, the Hui Chuan, has reportedly been hijacked by Iran off the coast of Oman. This incident follows an attack on the same vessel on Wednesday, which Indian officials state was a suspected explosion from a drone or missile. The ship, carrying livestock, was en route from Berbera Port in Somalia to Sharjah in the UAE when the fire broke out, forcing the crew to abandon ship before it sank. Omani authorities rescued the 14 Indian crew members and brought them to Diba Port. India's Ministry of External Affairs has condemned the attack as "unacceptable."

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced that Israel has deployed Iron Dome anti-missile batteries and operating personnel to the United Arab Emirates. This deployment is intended to defend the UAE during the ongoing Iran war. Huckabee made these remarks at an event in Tel Aviv, highlighting the strengthening defense ties between Israel and the UAE, both of whom are concerned about Iran. The UAE and Israel established diplomatic relations in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords. The deployment underscores regional security concerns amid a fragile ceasefire and ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump stated that a 20-year suspension of Iran's nuclear program would be sufficient, provided it is a "real" commitment. Speaking after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump emphasized that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons and must reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This marks the first time Trump himself has publicly mentioned a 20-year timeframe, though US media previously reported Vice President Vance insisting on this duration during talks. Trump previously withdrew the US from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, citing opposition to "sunset clauses" that allowed restrictions to expire. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has advocated for Iran's enriched uranium stockpile to be removed entirely.

A ship was seized off the coast of the United Arab Emirates near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday morning, according to the British military. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the vessel was boarded by unauthorized personnel approximately 38 nautical miles northeast of Fujairah. The ship, identified by the BBC as the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan, was observed heading towards Iranian territorial waters after the incident. Citing a risk-management company, the BBC also reported that the ship's operators claimed it was functioning as a "floating armory" for vessels to defend against pirates. This seizure follows at least two other ship seizures in the Strait of Hormuz since February, including two by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in April.

President Donald Trump has escalated his criticism of European allies, threatening to withdraw U.S. troops from Italy and Spain. This comes after Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the U.S. was being "humiliated" by Iran. Trump has also expressed dissatisfaction with NATO allies for not contributing naval forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Separately, a U.S. Senator questioned the Secretary of Defense regarding the accuracy of war assessments on Iran. In unrelated news, footage was released showing an individual attempting to breach security at a White House dinner event.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock in Beijing on Wednesday, urging global unity to safeguard international justice against powers prioritizing "might over right." Wang criticized unnamed countries for challenging the UN's role and promoting the "law of the jungle." The meeting occurred amidst the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran and a global energy crisis caused by blockades of the Strait of Hormuz. Wang reaffirmed China's commitment to the UN-centered international system and pledged support for Baerbock's efforts to unite member states around sovereign equality.

Russia's political support for Iran and its stance against military escalation are more significant than military aid in the current conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel. This position, solidified by a 2025 treaty, prioritizes peace over short-term gains like rising oil prices, which Russia recognizes as insufficient for economic restructuring amid Western sanctions. Moscow's strategic focus is on conflict resolution and mitigating negative consequences such as humanitarian crises, global economic slowdowns, and financial instability. Iran views Russia's stance as beneficial, having successfully withstood attacks and secured a favorable diplomatic position with limited international support for the US and Israel. European allies have shown reluctance to engage militarily, perceiving little benefit in the conflict.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Monday that the United States is being "humiliated" in its conflict with Iran, warning of a potential quagmire similar to Iraq and Afghanistan. Speaking to students in Marsberg, Merz argued that Iran is demonstrating superior negotiation skills and appears "clearly stronger than one thought." He expressed concern that the US lacks a clear exit strategy from the war, which he believes is impacting Germany's economy. Merz also indicated Germany's readiness to deploy minesweepers to secure the Strait of Hormuz, contingent on a ceasefire. The comments highlight growing European concerns about the conflict's economic and energy ramifications.