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The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a vessel was boarded by unauthorized personnel while anchored northeast of Fujairah, UAE, and is heading toward Iranian territorial waters. The vessel is believed to be the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan fishery research vessel, and communication with it has been lost.
At the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi, Iran's foreign minister called on the bloc to condemn US and Israeli attacks, and accused the UAE of direct involvement in military operations against Iran. The meeting highlighted divisions within the expanded BRICS group over the ongoing conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed a BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi, urging member states to condemn US-Israeli 'international law violations' and to help build a more just, balanced world order. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister separately framed Tehran's BRICS membership as a strategic choice for multilateralism.
A ship was boarded by unauthorized personnel off the UAE coast and is heading toward Iranian territorial waters, the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported. Media reports identify the vessel as the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan, a suspected floating armoury, though details remain unconfirmed.
Lebanon and Israel are set to resume peace negotiations in Washington on Thursday, even as the latest ceasefire remains fragile with hundreds killed in Israeli strikes. The talks come as the truce, effective since April 17 and extended through Sunday, approaches its expiration amid renewed violence that killed 22 people, including eight children, on Wednesday.
South Korean officials say the possibility of a non-Iranian actor being behind the May 4 attack on a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz appears low, though the investigation is ongoing. A technical team has been dispatched, and the foreign minister has said the findings will be disclosed once completed.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping began a two-day summit in Beijing, covering trade, the war on Iran and Taiwan. The White House said the two leaders agreed the Strait of Hormuz must remain open, while China opposed its militarisation and any tolls, and expressed interest in buying more American oil.
Russia's State Duma has ratified agreements on economic partnership between the Eurasian Economic Union and the UAE, and on trade in services and investment between Moscow and Abu Dhabi. The deals aim to liberalize trade, enhance market access, and deepen bilateral economic ties.
Iran has expanded its declared control zone in the Strait of Hormuz to a 'vast operational area' stretching up to 300 miles, according to a senior IRGC Navy officer. The move follows a US naval blockade imposed in April and a short-lived US effort to assist shipping. The expansion could affect global oil and LNG transit through one of the world's most critical chokepoints.
Conflicting reports from OPEC and the IEA indicate OPEC+ oil production fell significantly short of targets in April 2026, with Russia and several Middle Eastern producers lagging while Kazakhstan exceeded its quota. The shortfall is attributed to regional conflict and ongoing voluntary cuts.
A UN Security Council draft resolution, co-drafted by Gulf states and the US, has gained 112 co-sponsors, demanding Iran halt attacks and ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The move underscores global concern, though China and Russia have reservations.
US President Donald Trump has publicly backed Pakistan’s continued role mediating between Washington and Tehran, praising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir. The endorsement came hours after Senator Lindsey Graham voiced distrust of Islamabad over a CBS News report alleging Iranian military aircraft may be parked on Pakistani airfields.
The U.S. Department of Defense has told Congress the war with Iran has cost nearly $29 billion, but independent trackers and Iranian officials put the figure much higher. The conflict, which began in late February and saw a ceasefire in April, has left Iran seeking compensation for what it says are hundreds of billions in damages.
In Q1 2026, Russian tourist trips abroad increased by 15.4% year-on-year, with Thailand, China, and Turkey as top destinations, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia. Serbia also reported growth in Russian arrivals, with 174,000 visitors in 2025 and continued increases in early 2026, according to Serbian officials.
TASS reports that 2,743 US citizens visited Russia in Q1 2026, up from 2,556 a year earlier, while total foreign tourist arrivals grew by 28.1% to 293,200, driven largely by China, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, and India.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resisted mounting pressure from Labour MPs to resign following heavy local election losses, telling his cabinet he will continue governing. More than 80 Labour MPs have called for his resignation, while some allies dismiss the speculation as 'froth and nonsense'.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the UAE conducted strikes on Iranian territory, including an oil refinery on Lavan Island, during the recent US-Iran conflict. The report suggests the US quietly welcomed the Emirati involvement, while Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on the UAE and Kuwait. The revelations have raised concerns about Gulf states being drawn into a wider war.
Britain and France are hosting a multinational defence ministers' meeting on Tuesday to turn diplomatic efforts over the Strait of Hormuz into a practical security operation, with more than 40 nations expected. The move comes amid warnings from Tehran of a 'decisive and immediate response' to any foreign deployment, as the closure of the strait has caused what the International Energy Agency calls the largest supply disruption in oil market history.
US President Donald Trump has warned the ceasefire with Iran is on "massive life support" after rejecting Tehran's latest counteroffer to his peace proposal. Iran has responded by saying its military is ready to respond to any aggression, deepening uncertainty about a diplomatic breakthrough.
As Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet in Beijing, the escalating US-China rivalry over artificial intelligence takes center stage. China emphasizes its deployment advantages and institutional coordination, while the US maintains leads in chip design and private investment. The meeting also occurs amid the US-Iran war, raising questions about the Stargate AI project's future and calls for military AI safety discussions.