Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi threatened action over the UAE’s “collusion” with Israel after Benjamin Netanyahu made claims that he secretly visited the Emirates.
Araghchi warned that it was “unforgivable” and said those involved would be “held to account”. He said countries that engage with Israel in hostilities toward Tehran are making “a foolish gamble”.
Iran has further tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz by cutting deals with Iraq and Pakistan to ship oil and liquefied natural gas from the region, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.
An army spokesperson said that supervision of the vital shipping route could generate twice as much revenue as Iran’s oil income.
“After this war ends, there will be no place for retreat,” the spokesperson said, according to comments carried by ISNA news agency.
But US vice president JD Vance insisted that progress was being made in negotiations.
“The fundamental question is, do we make enough progress that we satisfy the President's red line?” he said.
“And the red line is very simple. He needs to feel confident that we put a number of protections in place such that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.”
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Key Points
- Netanyahu claims he visited UAE at the height of war in Iran as Emirates’ foreign ministry calls the claim ‘baseless’
- Iran denounces Netanyahu’s visit to UAE
- US Senate rejects latest bid to curb Trump’s Iran war powers
Seoul says it will take ‘diplomatic retribution’ over Hormuz ship attack
06:02 , Maroosha MuzaffarSouth Korea has warned that it will take unspecified diplomatic retaliatory measures once responsibility for the attack on a South Korean-operated cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz is officially confirmed.
A senior official told Yonhap that it was highly unlikely that anyone other than Iran was behind the attack.
“There may still be a possibility of another actor besides Iran, but common sense suggests it is not high. There were no pirates nearby,” the foreign ministry official said, according to the outlet.
South Korea has sent a technical investigation team to Dubai to examine the 4 May explosion and fire aboard the Panama-flagged and South Korean-operated vessel HMM Namu.
Iran says 'no place for retreat' as it tightens grip over Strait of Hormuz
05:44 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran has further tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz by cutting deals with Iraq and Pakistan to ship oil and liquefied natural gas from the region, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.
An army spokesperson said that supervision of the vital shipping route could generate twice as much revenue as Iran’s oil income.
“After this war ends, there will be no place for retreat,” the spokesperson said, according to comments carried by ISNA news agency.
Iran denounces Netanyahu’s visit to UAE
05:25 , Maroosha MuzaffarIranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Benjamin Netanyahu had confirmed what Iranian intelligence already knew about regional cooperation with Israel.
Araghchi warned that “collusion” with Israel against Iran was “unforgivable” and said those involved would be “held to account”.
He said countries that engage with Israel in hostilities toward Tehran are making “a foolish gamble”.
Netanyahu has now publicly revealed what Iran's security services long ago conveyed to our leadership.
Enmity with the Great People of Iran is a foolish gamble. Collusion with Israel in doing so: unforgivable.
Those colluding with Israel to sow division will be held to account.
Earlier, the Israeli leader claimed that he secretly visited the UAE during the height of the war on Iran and met with president Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
US Senate rejects latest bid to curb Trump’s Iran war powers
04:57 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe US Senate has rejected a resolution aimed at ending the American involvement in the Iran war, with a 49-50 vote.
It was the seventh failed Democratic attempt to limit or end the war powers being used by Donald Trump. Democrats have repeatedly tried to pass resolutions limiting US involvement in the war on Iran since it began in late February, but none have succeeded.
Most Republicans opposed the measure, but three – Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Susan Collins – voted in favour.
Murkowski argued that US military involvement continues without proper congressional authorisation, citing the War Powers Act.
Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, accused Republicans of enabling Trump’s actions and avoiding accountability.
The Trump administration defended its position, saying a ceasefire means the legal requirement for congressional approval no longer applies.
Trump reiterates that US ‘cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon’
04:40 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump has said his top priority is stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, calling it “the only thing that matters”.
He made the comment at the White House before leaving for a trip to China.
“I think about one thing: we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all,” he added.
Meanwhile, Trump also claimed that he is “not even a little bit” motivated by rising costs affecting the US economy, including inflation and fuel prices.
He added that the economic pressure on Americans from the Iran war was not influencing his push for a peace deal with Tehran.
“I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody,” he said.
Family of British couple in detention in Iran fear for their safety
04:20 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe family of British couple Lindsay Foreman and Craig Foreman say they have lost all contact with them and fear for their safety.
The couple, both 53 and from East Sussex, were arrested in Iran in January 2025 during a round-the-world motorcycle trip.
They are being held in Evin Prison after being sentenced to 10 years on espionage charges, which they deny.
Their family believes Iranian authorities cut off their phone access after the couple publicly criticised their detention and said they felt abandoned.
Their son, Joe Bennett, said the family is “terrified” and has not heard from Lindsay for more than a week. “We simply do not know if my mum and Craig are safe.
“Craig told us that they might have to stop eating if their calls were taken away.
“I have not spoken to my mum for over a week now. Every day of silence makes it worse. We don’t know what is happening to them and we are terrified for them.”
The British government previously described the couple’s sentences as “completely appalling and totally unjustifiable”.
The couple’s phone access was reportedly cut off after they gave a media interview saying they felt abandoned in detention.
Netanyahu claims he visited UAE at the height of war in Iran as Emirates’ foreign ministry calls the claim ‘baseless’
04:06 , Maroosha MuzaffarBenjamin Netanyahu claimed he secretly visited the UAE during the Iran war and met UAE president Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.“This visit has led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE,” the Israeli prime minister’s office said on Wednesday night.
However, the UAE foreign ministry denied the visit, calling the claims “baseless” and insisting ties with Israel are conducted openly under the Abraham Accords.
Reuters reported the alleged meeting took place in the UAE city of Al-Ain and lasted several hours.
Briefing: What we know on the 76th day of US-Israel war on Iran
03:50 , Maroosha Muzaffar- Iran has strengthened its control over the Strait of Hormuz by making oil and LNG shipping deals with Iraq and Pakistan, according to Reuters.
- US vice president JD Vance said negotiations with Iran were making progress. He said the key US demand is ensuring Iran can “never have a nuclear weapon”.
- Donald Trump is currently in Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping amid the crisis.
- Israel reportedly fears Trump could eventually agree to a “bad deal” with Iran if diplomacy remains stalled.
- The EU said it does not expect a major short-term jet fuel supply crisis from the conflict, though longer-term risks remain.
- Iran accused Kuwait of unlawfully attacking and detaining four Iranian citizens near a Gulf island reportedly used by US forces.
- Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon killed civilians, including children, as tensions with Hezbollah continue.
- The UAE publicly called for diplomacy with Iran, despite reports alleging it secretly carried out strikes during the conflict.
