World on the cusp of new global order, Iran speaker Ghalibaf says Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said global tensions are reshaping international dynamics, declaring that the “world stands at the cusp of a new order”. “I emphasize that the Iranian nation’s 70-day resistance has accelerated this transformation,” Ghalibaf said. “The future belongs to the Global South.
Fifa expects Iran at World Cup despite visa concerns Fifa Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom said he remains confident Iran will compete at this year’s World Cup following what he described as a constructive meeting with Iran FA president Mehdi Taj. Iran is due to play its group-stage matches in the United States, but uncertainty persists over entry and visa arrangements after Taj was denied entry to Canada over alleged links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Grafstrom declined to elaborate on the issue, but said Fifa was looking forward to welcoming Iran to the tournament.
Pakistan seeks Iran understandings to relay to US, sources say Pakistani sources told Saudi-owned Al Arabiya that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is visiting Iran to secure understandings that could be passed on to the United States. The sources said Washington had asked for responses on specific issues it had raised, adding that some progress had been made on matters linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
Arrests made as Tommy Robinson's far-right supporters rally in central London Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Sat, 05/16/2026 - 14:04 Anti-Muslim campaigner tells attendees of the Unite the Kingdom protest to get involved in local political parties Supporters of British far-right activist Tommy Robinson take selfies during a Unite the Kingdom march in central London on 16 May 2026 (Justin Tallis/AFP) Off Arrests were made as thousands of Union Flag-draped supporters joined Tommy Robinson's far-right Unite the Kingdom rally in central London . Attendees held placards criticising UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as signs containing anti-immigrant, Islamophobic and antisemitic messages. Alongside the flags of the UK's constituent countries, Israeli flags and those associated with the Iranian monarchist movement were also visible.
Pakistani interior minister arrives in Tehran Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has arrived in Tehran to meet his Iranian counterpart and other officials, according to Iranian media. The visit had not been previously publicised.
The UAE cannot invoke international law while violating it Submitted by Ziyad Motala on Fri, 05/15/2026 - 17:38 Reports of torture sites in Yemen, arms transfers to Sudan and support for Israel's assault on Gaza expose the contradiction at the centre of the Emirati state's legal rhetoric Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, speaks at a press conference on the conflict in Sudan, in the UAE's Abu Dhabi, on 25 November 2025 (Amr Alfiky/Reuters) Off Quoted in Al Arabiya on 1 May 2026, Anwar Gargash , diplomatic adviser to United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, invoked "the collective international will" as the guarantor of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz . It is a familiar register - smooth, assured, and curiously detached from the record of those who deploy it. International law is not a decorative language to be summoned when convenient and shelved when inconvenient.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, There are cautious signs of diplomatic movement in the region after Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend their fragile ceasefire for another 45 days, while Iran confirmed it has received signals from Washington about possible new negotiations. Still, violence continues across southern Lebanon, and uncertainty remains over what Donald Trump will do next as tensions with Tehran continue to shape regional security and global markets.
Iranian president praises pope’s stance on war with Israel and US Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed appreciation for what he described as the “moral and logical position” taken by the leader of the world’s Catholics regarding the recent conflict involving Iran, according to Tasnim News Agency. In the message, Pezeshkian said, “The attacks of America and Israel are not only against Iran, but against the rule of law and human values. ” He added that Iran had targeted “the goals and interests of the aggressors in the framework of legitimate defence” and stressed that “The Islamic Republic of Iran still adheres to diplomacy and peaceful solutions.
Trump says Xi agrees Iran must not obtain nuclear weapon US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that Iran should not possess a nuclear weapon and stressed that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open. Trump’s comments came as Tehran confirmed that United States officials had signalled readiness to continue negotiations, while Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran remained open to any role China could play in a future settlement. The developments followed confirmation by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that its naval forces allowed Chinese vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday evening.
Video: Araghchi says US-Iran talks ‘suffering from lack of trust’ Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that ongoing US-Iran negotiations are “suffering from the lack of trust", emphasising that Tehran seeks clear and well-defined terms before agreeing to any deal. Speaking in New Delhi during a Brics foreign ministers’ meeting, Araghchi said the United States had failed to achieve its objectives through military pressure and would not succeed without a mutually beneficial agreement. He added that conflicting statements from Washington have raised doubts about US intentions, though Iran remains open to a “fair and balanced deal.
UAE foreign minister meets Reform UK leader Nigel Farage Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan met Nigel Farage during a visit to the United Kingdom, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. The Emirati ministry said the two discussed the “latest regional developments and the repercussions of the unprovoked Iranian terrorist attacks targeting the UAE”, as well as strategic relations between the UAE and Britain. The meeting took place as part of a broader visit by bin Zayed to the UK, during which he also met British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Iranian diplomat says solidarity with Palestinians is not enough Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said support for the Palestinian cause must go beyond expressions of solidarity and include efforts to address what he described as the root causes of Palestinian suffering under Israeli occupation. Speaking at a United Nations event marking the 78th anniversary of the Nakba on Friday, Iravani called for “international mobilisation” and a more “action-oriented approach” from the global community. The Iranian envoy described the Nakba as “a profound regional tragedy” and said Palestinians continued to face denial of “their fundamental rights, including the right to self-determination.
China criticises US-backed Hormuz resolution at UN Fu Cong criticised a proposed US and Bahrain-backed resolution at the United Nations Security Council concerning the Strait of Hormuz, saying both the content and timing of the measure were inappropriate. The draft resolution calls on Iran to halt attacks and mining operations in the waterway, but diplomats say it is likely to face vetoes from China and Russia if brought to a vote. Speaking in comments posted by PassBlue, Fu said, “We don’t think the content is right, and the timing is not right.
Trump says Iran will not use Hormuz ‘as a weapon’ US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz “will be open” and vowed that Iran would not be allowed to use the strategic waterway “as a weapon”. Speaking to Fox News, Trump said: “The Strait of Hormuz will be open and we will ensure that the Iranians do not possess nuclear weapons and that the world remains stable. ” Trump also said China depended on the strait for 40 percent of its oil supplies and accused Tehran of previously closing the waterway to exert pressure.
Iranian UN mission says US seeking cover for ‘aggression’ Iran’s mission to the United Nations accused the United States of trying to “manufacture a false image” of broad international support by emphasising the number of co-sponsors behind a Bahrain-backed draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement posted on social media, the mission said, “It is now crystal clear that the U. S.
US says Israel-Lebanon talks extended after ‘highly-productive’ meetings US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said negotiations between Israel and Lebanon had been extended following two days of “highly productive” US-mediated talks. Pigott said the State Department would resume “political track” negotiations on 2 and 3 June, while a separate “security track” involving Israeli and Lebanese military delegations would begin at the Pentagon on 29 May. “We hope these discussions will advance lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establish genuine security along their shared border,” he said.
Trump dismisses reports Iran retains missile launchers as ‘fake news’ US President Donald Trump rejected reports suggesting Iran still possesses a large number of missile launchers, describing the claims as “fake news”. “We were hitting them like pinatas,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “The missile launchers are largely gone,” he said, adding that the US would quickly “take out” the remaining launchers if it returned to military operations inside Iran.
Pakistan repatriates nationals from vessels seized by US Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Islamabad has repatriated 11 Pakistani nationals and 20 Iranian citizens who had been aboard vessels seized by the US in international waters. The individuals were in good health and travelled from Singapore to Bangkok before boarding a flight to Islamabad. The Iranian nationals will continue onwards to Tehran after arriving in Pakistan.
Iranian Foreign Minister reiterates Iranian control over Strait of Hormuz Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi "clarified that Iran will always carry out historical duty as protector of security in Hormuz," in an X post recounting his meeting with Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar. The meeting came after Araghchi slammed the US and Israel for violations of international law, and call on BRICS countries to condemn the US-Israel war on Iran at the BRICS meeting in New Delhi.
India and UAE sign defence and energy deals during Modi's state visit Submitted by Shraddha Joshi on Fri, 05/15/2026 - 12:46 The deals come amid rising economic challenges in India, exacerbated by US-Israeli war on Iran UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi embrace during the latter's state visit to Abu Dhabi, on 15 May 2026 (Seshadri Sukumar/Zuma Press Wire/Reuters) Off The governments of India and the United Arab Emirates have signed new pacts on defence and petroleum supply during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the UAE on Friday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on X. The new deals build on the existing "India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership", according to a statement posted by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the MEA. The ministry announced seven outcomes from the state visit, including a collaboration agreement between the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), a Strategic Defence Partnership and a $5bn Emirati development investment.
