US-Iran war highlights: Vance claims 'progress' in peace talks with Iran; UAE denies Netanyahu's ‘secret visit’ claim

US Iran war LIVE: Iranian rights lawyer and Sakharov Prize winner Nasrin Sotoudeh has been released on bail after being arrested earlier this month, her daughter said.

She was detained on April 1 during a crackdown on civil society amid the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran. Sotoudeh, a prominent human rights defender and former Nobel-related award recipient, has been repeatedly arrested over her work.

Her release comes shortly after fellow activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi was also freed on bail for medical treatment. The charges against Sotoudeh remain unclear, and her husband remains in prison since late 2024.

US Iran war LIVE: A global energy price shock triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran is forcing Turkey’s central bank to raise its inflation outlook.

Analysts expect the bank to revise its year-end inflation target and forecast range when it presents its quarterly report, as higher oil prices and supply disruptions weigh on the economy. (AFP)

US Iran war LIVE: Ahead of the Trump–Xi summit, China has set out four “red lines” it says must not be crossed in relations with the United States.

These include Taiwan, democracy and human rights, political systems, and China’s development rights. Beijing has warned that these issues are non-negotiable and has repeatedly urged Washington to respect its core interests, especially on Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory.

US Iran war LIVE: An Emirati tanker linked to ADNOC leaked a small amount of fuel off Oman after an Iranian drone attack last week. ADNOC Logistics & Services said a limited amount of bunker fuel entered the sea following the incident, Reuters reported.

The MV Barakah remains anchored off Oman as authorities and response teams manage the situation. No injuries were reported and the tanker was not carrying cargo at the time. UAE adviser Anwar Gargash called the attack “maritime piracy.”

US Iran war LIVE: At least 2,896 people have been killed and 8,824 wounded in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Israeli continues to target southern parts of the country amid a ceasefire.

US Iran war LIVE: Billionaire Elon Musk also went to China with Donald Trump on Wednesday. Earlier, the Tesla founder wrote on X, “On my way to Beijing in Air Force One.”

US Iran war LIVE: A Chinese supertanker carrying two million barrels of Iraqi crude has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz and is now anchored near the Gulf of Oman, according to ship-tracking data.

The Yuan Hua Hu is the third known Chinese oil tanker to transit the strategic waterway since the US-Israeli war on Iran began. The vessel is currently near an area where the US Navy has established a blockade of Iranian vessels.

US Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing for a summit with China's Xi Jinping, but had no public engagements scheduled after landing. The two leaders are expected to hold multiple meetings on Thursday and Friday, focusing on trade, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, and the US-Israel war on Iran.

US Iran war LIVE: Armed Israeli settlers have stormed several Palestinian villages near Ramallah, attacking homes and stealing cattle, according to the official Wafa news agency.

Israeli forces fired live ammunition and rubber-coated rounds during ensuing clashes in the town of Jiljilyya, killing a 16-year-old child. Four others in the village were wounded.

The settlers stole about 700 sheep while raiding the nearby town of Sinjil, said Wafa.

US Iran war LIVE: France has no immediate plans to release additional oil reserves despite mounting concerns over global supply disruptions caused by the US-Israel war on Iran, finance minister Roland Lescure has said.

He added that the issue could be revisited in the coming weeks. His remarks came after the International Energy Agency warned that global oil supply would fall short of demand this year and said countries were already drawing down strategic reserves at a “record pace” amid unprecedented disruptions. The IEA had announced in March that member nations would release 400 million barrels from emergency stocks, of which around 164 million barrels have already been used.

US Iran war LIVE: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday urged US President Donald Trump to raise Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during his upcoming meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Speaking at a summit in Romania, Zelensky said Kyiv remained in close contact with Washington and hoped efforts to end the war would feature in discussions during Trump’s China visit.

US Iran war LIVE: Sweden announced temporary fuel tax cuts on Wednesday to ease the impact of soaring energy prices linked to the Middle East conflict. The government proposed reducing fuel taxes by 2.4 kronor per litre, lowering petrol and diesel prices by about 3 kronor per litre after VAT.

The measure is part of a 17.5 billion kronor crisis package and is expected to cost the government around 7.7 billion kronor. Energy Minister Ebba Busch described the current situation as the worst global energy crisis ever experienced, while Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson warned the conflict’s economic impact would last throughout the year even if the war ended immediately. (AFP)

US Iran war LIVE: Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday as markets tracked the fragile Middle East ceasefire and awaited talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Brent crude edged up to around $108 a barrel, while US WTI hovered near $102.

US Iran war LIVE: Iran on Wednesday executed 32-year-old cybersecurity specialist Ehsan Afreshteh on charges of spying for Israel. He is the sixth person hanged on similar accusations since the start of the US-Israeli war on February 28. Iranian authorities alleged he was trained by Mossad in Nepal and passed sensitive information to Israel. (AFP)

US Iran war LIVE: Disruptions linked to the war on Iran could reduce global oil supply by 3.9 million barrels per day in 2026, the International Energy Agency has warned.

In its latest oil market report, the agency said supply losses tied to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz were rapidly depleting global oil inventories.

The IEA also projected global oil demand to decline by 420,000 barrels per day this year, though the expected fall in supply far exceeds the drop in demand.

“Rapidly shrinking buffers amid continued disruptions may herald future price spikes ahead,” the agency said.

US Iran war LIVE: Chinese FM Wang Yi and Pakistan’s deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke over the phone on Monday to discuss Islamabad's role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the US.

During the call, Dar briefed Wang on recent developments in Pakistan’s mediation efforts aimed at advancing talks between Washington and Tehran. He thanked China for backing Islamabad’s diplomatic engagement and said Pakistan hoped to deepen coordination with Beijing to help maintain peace and stability in the region.

Wang praised Pakistan’s efforts in facilitating dialogue and extending a temporary ceasefire.

The two leaders also discussed bilateral ties ahead of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan.

US-Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump repeated his military threats against Iran ahead of a visit to China, the Islamic Republic’s largest oil customer and a key diplomatic partner.

Iran will either “make a good deal” with the US or face devastation, Trump said on Tuesday. The war on Iran, which has sent energy prices soaring because of Tehran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, will be high on the agenda of the talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“Number one, we’re going to have a long talk about it,” Trump said before his trip. “I think you’re going to see that good things are going to happen.”

-Bloomberg

US-Iran war LIVE: CBSE on Wednesday announced that Class 12 board results for students in West Asian countries along with the rest of the candidates in India.

In a notice, the board said results of students from centres where some examinations were cancelled have also been declared simultaneously to ensure “fairness and consistency” in line with CBSE policy.

“Given the prevailing situation in West Asian countries, CBSE has decided to release the results of students from this region simultaneously with other students, ensuring fairness and consistency in accordance with CBSE policy. Result of all candidates from West Asian countries where some examinations were cancelled is also being declared with the rest of the students,” the board said in its press release

US-Iran war LIVE: China said on US-Iran war LIVE: it welcomes a visit by US President Donald Trump, hours before his arrival in Beijing, where he is due to hold high-stakes talks with leader Xi Jinping.

"China welcomes President Trump on his state visit to China," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news briefing, adding that "China stands ready to work with the United States... to expand cooperation and manage differences".

-AF

US-Iran war LIVE: Responding to Trump’s statement that he does not consider America’s financial situation while negotiating with Iran, US Senator Bernie Sanders called him the “narcissist in chief” and accused him of not caring about Americans.

“Of course Trump, the narcissist in chief, doesn't think about the financial situation of Americans. To Trump, it doesn't matter that the working class is struggling economically,” he said in a post on X.

“What matters to Trump is that his family got $4 billion richer since he was elected. That's it.”

US-Iran war LIVE: Oil shipments from Iran’s main export terminal appear to have come to a standstill over the past several days, according to satellite images, the first sign of a prolonged halt since the start of the war.

There were no ocean-going oil tankers observed at Kharg Island on May 8, 9 or 11, European satellite imagery compiled by Bloomberg shows. While there have been individual days when the jetties have been empty since the conflict began, this is by far the longest stretch when no tankers have been spotted.

Iran has loaded cargoes at the facility throughout the conflict, continuing to fill ships and use them as floating storage after their passage out of the Persian Gulf was blocked by the US Navy.

-Via Bloomberg

US-Iran war LIVE: A liquefied petroleum gas carrier, which has previously ferried Iranian cargoes, has sailed past the blockade boundary announced last month by the US Navy.

Very large gas carrier Tara Gas crossed the formal US line — stretching from Oman’s Ras al Hadd to the Iran-Pakistan border — late on Tuesday and is currently sailing in a southeasterly direction in the Arabian Sea, ship-tracking data show.

Since the US declared it would impose a blockade in response to Iran’s tightening grip on the Strait of Hormuz, warships have intercepted some vessels well beyond this point, but the line remains a guide for ship captains and owners. At least one oil tanker appears to have slipped past altogether.

-Bloomberg

US-Iran war LIVE: South Korea has said it will review making phased contributions to a United States-led initiative referring to President Donald Trump's "Project Freedom" aimed at ensuring safe passage of commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, ANI reported citing Yonhap News Agency.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the announcement was made by South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Wednesday after talks with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Addressing reporters at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, Ahn said Seoul had conveyed its intention to participate in line with its responsibilities as a global partner while exploring gradual forms of support.

"We will participate as a responsible member of the international community and review ways to contribute in phases," Ahn said, as quoted by Yonhap News Agency, noting that discussions with the US side covered multiple forms of possible assistance.

US-Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump said he would ask Xi Jinping to "open up" China to American firms as he headed to Beijing on Wednesday for a high-stakes summit that will also bring up the Iran war.

In a sign of Trump's focus on business, Nvidia chief Jensen Huang boarded Air Force One during a stopover in Alaska, with Tesla's Elon Musk also travelling on the presidential plane to China.

Also Read: Trump embarks on visit to China, focus on trade

"I will be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to 'open up' China so that these brilliant people can work their magic, and help bring the People's Republic to an even higher level!" Trump wrote on social media after departing Washington.

A host of other top CEOs, including Apple's Tim Cook, will also be in Beijing for the visit, the first by a US president to China in nearly a decade.

US-Iran war LIVE: Despite US President Donald Trump touting of 'decimating' Iran's missile capabilities in the recent conflict in West Asia, a recent US intelligence assessment gives a different picture to the claims made by the US President, stating that the Islamic Republic has restored operational access to 30 of the 33 missile sites that it currently maintains along the strategic Strait of Hormuz, The New York Times reported.

According to The New York Times, citing senior US officials' classified assessments on the matter, around 90 per cent of Iran's underground missile facilities are now considered "partially or fully operational".

The intelligence assessments suggest that Iran has retained a substantial portion of its missile infrastructure and military capabilities despite months of claims by the Trump administration that Tehran has lost most of its firepower during the joint US-Israel strikes.