Hazel Oliva

Mohammad Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament and a former negotiator in discussions with the US in Pakistan, cautioned Iranians about a challenging path ahead in a series of audio messages shared by state media.

Ghalibaf stated that the US aims “to break the nation’s unity to compel us into submission.” “Certainly, I would like to add that we do not overlook the potential for military assaults, particularly terrorist actions.”

Ghalibaf’s comments arrive as President Donald Trump has warned of further bombing of Iran if a conclusive agreement is not achieved. On Wednesday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei seemed to imply in a social media post that the US is engaged in negotiations insincerely.

Much of Ghalibaf’s audio message centered on financial restraint, stating that the US aims to weaken Iran through “economic pressure,” and urging Iranians to embrace frugality, describing thriftiness as a “missile that individuals can launch at the enemy’s core.”

Ghalibaf urged everyone to adopt saving and frugality in their own lives and to actively motivate others to follow suit, inviting all “intellectuals and specialists” to present ideas directly to the government to address issues caused by the war.

The parliamentarian also remarked that “the citizens of America are encountering a significant issue due to increasing living expenses,” positively comparing Iranians with their American peers.

“Experts focused on Iran acknowledge that regardless of the economic challenges the Iranian people encounter, due to their independence, the honor of their country, and their faith, they will withstand these difficulties,” Ghalibaf stated.

US President Donald Trump departs after taking part in a small business summit held in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on Monday. Kent Nishimura/AFP/Getty Images

President Donald Trump informed Xenix News today that the conditions of a possible agreement with Iran would entail Tehran sending its enriched uranium reserves to the United States and committing to refrain from operating its underground sites.

Reports of encouraging developments from Pakistani mediators prompted Trump on Tuesday to declare a halt to “Project Freedom” — an initiative aimed at assisting trapped vessels in the Strait of Hormuz — referencing advancements in talks with Iran, according to two officials from the administration.

According to administration officials, Trump’s main focus is to seek a diplomatic exit from the conflict and quickly reopen the strait.

The president on Wednesday conveyed hope regarding the chances of quickly finalizing an agreement, though he recognized that the US has traveled this path previously. “Sure, I believe so, but I have felt this way about them before, so let’s see how it goes,” he said to Xenix News.

Further details on negotiations: An internal one-page proposal includes elements that are central to discussions aimed at resolving the conflict, according to an individual knowledgeable about the plan who spoke to Xenix News. The paper would announce a conclusion to the conflict while initiating a 30-day discussion phase to address key issues, such as nuclear matters, releasing Iranian funds, and ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the individual.

Specifics of the plan could not be confirmed right away, but a knowledgeable source indicated it would involve talks on a uranium enrichment freeze lasting more than 10 years. An earlier US proposal had established it at 20 years. The agreement also demands that Iran transport its stockpile of highly enriched uranium abroad, though specifics were still under discussion.

On April 26, a driver refuels their gas tank at a gas station in Cleveland. Aaron M. Sprecher/AP

US energy reserves are depleting quickly due to the supply disruption stemming from the Middle East conflict, as indicated by federal data published on Wednesday.

The significant drop in inventories, which serve as buffers in times of crisis, highlights the decreasing supplies as the energy crisis persists.

Distillate fuel inventories, such as diesel, fell by 1.3 million barrels last week to reach their lowest point since April 2003, as reported by the US Energy Information Administration. Currently, those inventories are 11% lower than their five-year seasonal average.

In recent days, diesel prices, an essential fuel for truckers, railroads, and farmers, reached all-time highs in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan due to refinery outages.

Inventories of gasoline and crude oil decreased sharply last week. Gas stockpiles are currently 4% lower than their seasonal average.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the emergency stockpile that the Trump administration is using to alleviate the supply shortage, decreased by an additional 5.2 million barrels last week.

US oil exports decreased by 26% last week compared to record levels. Nevertheless, exports continue to be high as European and Asian nations aim to substitute crude oil held up in the Middle East due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Chevron’s CEO Mike Wirth cautioned earlier this week that with ongoing reductions in inventories, fuel may become even more limited.

“Wirth mentioned at the Milken Institute Global Conference that ‘physical shortages will begin to emerge,’ starting in Asia, then progressing to Europe and finally reaching the United States.”

President Donald Trump declared yesterday that he will be halting “Project Freedom,” the military initiative to assist vessels through the Strait of Hormuz that commenced earlier this week.

Here’s an overview of how the operation unfolded — and was suddenly halted:

On Sunday, Trump revealed the military initiative, stating that “Nations from around the globe, nearly all of which are not engaged in the Middle Eastern conflict” had requested the US to release ships “trapped” in the Strait of Hormuz.

Soon after, US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the initiative would feature guided-missile destroyers, over 100 aircraft from land and sea, and 15,000 military personnel.

On Monday, a senior Iranian military leader cautioned that “any foreign military entity, particularly the invading American forces” would face attack if they attempted to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz. Later in the day, the state news organization IRNA reported that Iran’s navy stopped the ingress of “enemy destroyers” into the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM rejected assertions from Iranian state media that an American ship was hit by Iranian missiles close to the waterway and confirmed that two US-flagged merchant ships had passed through the strait without incident. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran refuted this.

Adm. Bradley Cooper, the head of US Central Command, informed reporters on Monday that the US military “destroyed” six small Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran fired “numerous cruise missiles, drones, and small boats” at US Navy vessels and at commercial ships being “guarded” by the US military.

Yesterday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that the ceasefire between the US and Iran was “not finished,” despite both parties having fired shots the previous day. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the military operation initiated in February against Iran had concluded, indicating that the US focus now was on reestablishing access to the Strait of Hormuz. He also mentioned that several nations had shown readiness to back “Project Freedom.”

In a post on Truth Social last night, Trump stated that the US would temporarily halt its operation, noting that “great progress” had been achieved in negotiations with Iran.

Xenix News reporters Isabelle D’Antonio, Natasha Bertrand, Laura Sharman, Tim Lister, Michael Williams, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Zachary Cohen, Aileen Graef, and Alejandra Jaramillo contributed to this coverage.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is engaged in discussions on Wednesday with Trump administration officials, as per an Israeli source aware of the situation, to gain a clearer picture of the recent progress in the US-Iran negotiations.

A source informed Xenix News that Netanyahu is looking for information on the status of the negotiations and wants to grasp what is presently being discussed. Israel is worried, the source mentioned, about possible last-minute US compromises intended to finalize a deal to conclude the conflict with Iran.

It’s uncertain with whom Netanyahu has communicated. Xenix News has contacted the White House for a response.

A US official informed Xenix News that Netanyahu has consistently communicated with US officials to remain informed about the negotiations between the US and Iran.

Israel is especially concerned about the potential removal of economic sanctions on Iran, the source mentioned, and is advocating for limitations to be placed on Iran’s proxy network and its ballistic missile development. Moreover, Israel seeks to guarantee that any accord maintains the Israeli military’s ability to operate freely against regional dangers.

France sends aircraft carrier to Red Sea amid rising Middle East tensions

The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle navigates the Mediterranean Sea near Toulon on November 28, 2024. Clement Mahoudeau/AFP/Getty Images

The French defense ministry has revealed the dispatch of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden as preparation for an upcoming mission aimed at ensuring free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The ministry reported that the aircraft carrier and its accompanying ships will pass through the Suez Canal today, heading to the southern Red Sea.

The vessel’s deployment is a component of a broader, multinational effort led by Britain and France focused on reopening the vital waterway.

At the onset of the US-Israel conflict with Iran, French President Emmanuel Macron first sent the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea as a precautionary step.

Stocks started the day up Wednesday as investors leaned into optimism that the worst of the Iran war chaos could be behind us.

The Dow gained 543 points, an increase of 1.1%. The S&P 500 increased by 0.9%, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed by 1%.

The S&P and Nasdaq continued to rise after finishing at all-time highs on Tuesday. The Dow was under 1% from its previous record peak established in February.

Stock futures surged while oil prices dropped early Wednesday following reports suggesting that Washington and Tehran may be close to a deal to cease hostilities.

Stocks have been uplifted by excitement surrounding artificial intelligence and a strong corporate earnings season in the US.

As of May 1, the year-over-year earnings growth rate for the S&P 500 in the first quarter was poised to be the highest since late 2021, as reported by John Butters, senior earnings analyst at FactSet.

“According to Kyle Rodda, a senior financial market analyst at Capital.com, Wall Street remains firmly committed to its confidence that the conflict in the Middle East will not intensify and hinder the market’s profit-driven climb to record highs.”

“There’s a significant chance that if that bet is incorrect, risk assets would decline sharply,” Rodda stated.

Netanyahu meeting? Lebanon PM says ‘not yet’ amid rising tensions

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that it is “too soon” to discuss a possible meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while negotiations to halt Israel’s actions are ongoing.

He stated that Lebanon is aiming for “peace” with Israel, not normalization, as reported by Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA). He stated that any “high-level meeting with the Israeli side would necessitate extensive preparation.”

On Monday, the Lebanese presidency announced that preliminary discussions are anticipated before the upcoming Lebanon-Israel negotiations in Washington, although it did not indicate when either might occur.

Salam stated on Wednesday that solidifying the fragile ceasefire in the nation will serve as the foundation for the next phase of talks. Lebanon will seek a timeline for Israel’s withdrawal and will “create a strategy to limit weapons solely to state entities,” he stated, alluding to Hezbollah’s demilitarization.

Ships are shown docked in the Strait of Hormuz near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, on Monday. Amirhossein Khorgooei/ISNA/Getty Images

The Revolutionary Guards’ Navy stated on Wednesday, according to Iranian media, that secure transit through the Strait of Hormuz is achievable under “new procedures” after a brief US military operation in the waterway has been suspended.

This seems to be Iran’s initial response to Washington halting “Project Freedom,” an initiative aimed at assisting commercial vessels navigating the strait, which has faced blockades from both Iran and the US throughout the war. The US initiated the mission on Sunday but suspended it on Tuesday, referring to advancements in peace negotiations.

The announcement did not detail the new procedures but expressed gratitude to captains and ship owners operating in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman for their collaboration concerning navigation through the waterway “in line with Iran’s regulations.”

Iran has asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz and revealed intentions to impose fees on ships for secure passage through the vital channel. Numerous global leaders have cautioned that this plan would violate maritime law and create a risky precedent.

Iran’s inflexibility on this issue might jeopardize efforts to revive diplomacy aimed at concluding the conflict.

Smoke billows over a village in southern Lebanon, as observed from the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, on Wednesday. Ammar Awad/Reuters

A new wave of Israeli attacks in Lebanon resulted in the deaths of six individuals and injured three more, as reported by Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) on Wednesday.

The Israeli military declared a series of attacks on Hezbollah facilities “in multiple regions” of southern Lebanon following an evacuation order for 12 villages given earlier Wednesday, which included villages outside southern Lebanon.

A strike by Israel on a residence in Zellaya village resulted in the death of the village mayor and three of his relatives, as reported by NNA. Three additional individuals were hurt. The village is located in the Beqaa Valley, not in southern Lebanon where the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed it was conducting strikes.

Xenix News has contacted the IDF for a response.

In a separate incident, two individuals lost their lives due to an Israeli strike in the Nabatiyah District of southern Lebanon, according to NNA.

As of now, over 2,702 individuals in Lebanon have lost their lives and over 8,311 others have sustained injuries since the onset of the ongoing conflict, as reported by the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

Hezbollah has persistently targeted Israeli forces in southern Lebanon with drones and rockets, reporting 18 similar assaults on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the IDF reported that two soldiers suffered minor injuries from exploding drones.

US President Donald Trump states that “significant progress” has been achieved in discussions with Iran, while halting an operation to direct ships through the Strait of Hormuz, despite recent tensions concerning the waterway.

Here’s a summary of the developments in discussions between Tehran and Washington since a ceasefire was established a little over four weeks ago:

April 11: US and Iranian representatives engage in direct discussions in Islamabad, Pakistan, for a duration of 21 hours.

April 12: US Vice President JD Vance states that the parties have “not come to an agreement,” primarily due to Iran’s reluctance to give up its nuclear program. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the chief Iranian negotiator, states that the US was unable to earn the Iranian side’s trust. Later in the day, Trump states that the ceasefire is still “holding strong.”

April 13: The US enacts a blockade on Iranian ports, while a US official notes that discussions between the US and Iran continue. Trump states that if an agreement isn’t achieved by the ceasefire’s conclusion, “it won’t be pleasant” for Iran.

April 17: Following Iran’s announcement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz due to a separate ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, Trump states that the US blockade on Iranian ports will persist until a complete agreement to conclude the war is achieved. Iran states it will reopen the strait if the blockade persists.

April 18: Iran announces it is closing the Strait of Hormuz again, attributing the action to the US for “breaches of trust.” Trump states that discussions are still in progress but expresses irritation, claiming Iran “got a bit clever” when re-closing the strait. Ghalibaf state in an interview with state TV that the US and Iran are “still distant from a conclusive agreement.”

April 19: Trump announces that US officials will be heading to Islamabad for a second round of talks with Iran. Sources in Iran aware of the negotiations inform Xenix News that a delegation from Tehran will visit Pakistan for discussions, although Iranian state media indicates that Iran’s attendance in Islamabad has not been verified.

April 20: Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, states that Iran currently has “no plans for the next round of negotiations.” Trump claims it is “very unlikely” he will prolong the ceasefire, which he states will end in two days.

April 21: Trump states he anticipates ongoing bombings in Iran if an agreement to prolong the ceasefire isn’t achieved by tomorrow. Pakistan’s information minister states he continues to work on persuading Iran to join the discussions. In the afternoon, Trump announces an extension of the ceasefire until Iran provides a proposal for a permanent resolution to the conflict.

April 24: Xenix News sources indicate that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is anticipated to reach Islamabad in the evening. Officials from the Trump administration inform Xenix News that Trump intends to dispatch a US delegation to Pakistan to engage in discussions with Araghchi; however, Baghaei states, “no meeting is scheduled between Iran and the US.”

April 25: In Islamabad, Araghchi has a meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and departs the country later in the evening. Trump states he has called off the planned visit of the US delegation to Pakistan because of “infighting” within Iran’s leadership.

April 27: Fars, Iran’s state media, states that Araghchi presented a list of Iran’s “red lines” to be delivered to the US while on his visit to Pakistan. An insider informed Xenix News that Iran has introduced a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but the status of discussions regarding important US demands remains uncertain. Sources inform Xenix News that Trump indicated he is probably unwilling to accept the new proposal.

April 29: Trump states that he has dismissed Iran’s offer to end the US blockade and allow access to the Strait of Hormuz, expressing that he requires assurances regarding limiting the Iranian nuclear program first. He also claims that discussions to conclude the war with Iran are occurring “over the phone.”

May 1: Sources close to the negotiation discussions inform Xenix News that Iran has submitted a proposal to Pakistani intermediaries, which Trump claims he is “not content” with. The US president states that he can either attempt to negotiate with Iran or “just go and bomb them heavily.”

May 2: A high-ranking Iranian military representative states that renewed hostilities with the US is “possible” after Trump dismissed Iran’s proposal. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency indicates that Tehran has presented a 14-point reply to a US proposal, while Trump states he will be reviewing a new plan from Iran shortly. He states that he “finds it hard to believe that it would be permissible.”

May 3: Baghaei states that the US has replied to Iran’s proposal and that Tehran is examining Washington’s response, while US special envoy Steve Witkoff informs Xenix News that his nation is “in dialogue” with Iran. Trump states that the US will start directing vessels through the Strait of Hormuz tomorrow and mentions that his representatives “are engaged in very positive talks” with Iran.

May 4: Iran states that “any external military presence, particularly the invading American forces … will be targeted” if they attempt to come near or enter the Strait of Hormuz. Later in the day, Adm. Bradley Cooper, chief of US Central Command, informs reporters that the US and Iran have exchanged fire in the waterway. Trump refrains from confirming whether the ceasefire with Iran remains active.

May 5: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserts that “the ceasefire is still in effect,” while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio states that the US military operation initiated in ebruary against Iran has concluded. Trump declares that the operation to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz will be temporarily halted, referencing “significant advancements” in negotiations with Iran.

Xenix News Aileen Graef, Kit Maher, Sophia Saifi, Lauren Said-Moorhouse, Sophie Tanno, Kevin Liptak, Tim Lister, Aida Karimi, Riane Lumer, Alayna Treene, Elise Hammond, Nadeen Ebrahim, Adam Pourahmadi, Donald Judd, Alejandra Jaramillo, Mitchell McCluskey, Betsy Klein, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Nic Robertson, Max Saltman, Lex Harvey, Issy Ronald, Mostafa Salem, Mitchell McCluskey, Natasha Bertrand, and Isabelle D’Antonio provided contributions to this report.

US President Donald Trump has once again criticized Pope Leo XIV, asserting that the pontiff is “putting many Catholics at risk” due to his remarks about the Iran war.

“The Pope prefers to discuss the notion that it’s acceptable for Iran to possess a nuclear weapon,” Trump stated in an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that was broadcast on Monday.

“I don’t believe that’s really great,” Trump stated. “I believe he’s putting many Catholics and numerous others at risk.” “However, I suppose if the Pope has a say, he believes it’s acceptable for Iran to possess a nuclear weapon.”

Leo has never claimed that Iran ought to possess nuclear weapons, yet he has consistently voiced his opposition to the war against the nation and the following intensification of the conflict in Lebanon while advocating for dialogue.

In response to Trump’s recent remarks, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that “attacks on the Holy Father” are “not acceptable and do not aid the pursuit of peace.” He did not directly mention Trump’s interview.

“I reaffirm my backing for every action and statement of Pope Leo; his messages advocate for dialogue, the significance of human life, and freedom,” Tajani shared on X.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, also commented, stating that the pontiff “has already given an answer.” I wouldn’t include anything. He provided a response that could be described as very Christian, stating that he is fulfilling his duties, which involve promoting peace,” as reported by Italian national broadcaster RAI.

The first American pope has stated before that “it’s not in my interest” to engage in a debate with Trump regarding the war while emphasizing his plea for peace in the Middle East.

The most recent disagreement arises just two days before a scheduled meeting between Leo and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.