Al Jazeera reports: Tehran rejects vessel attack claims: Iran denied that it was behind an explosion that damaged a South Korean ship in the Strait of Hormuz this week. Tehran’s embassy in Seoul said on Thursday that it “firmly rejects and categorically denies any allegations regarding the involvement of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the incident involving damage to a Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz”. Iran accuses US of ceasefire breaches: Iran accused the US of violating the ceasefire by attacking two vessels near the Strait of Hormuz and carrying out strikes on civilian areas along Iran’s southern coast.
Iranian state media said Tehran’s forces retaliated by attacking US military vessels near the strait and warned of a “crushing response” to any further aggression. Iran may soften nuclear stance after war: Analyst Negar Mortazavi said Tehran could show greater flexibility on its nuclear programme once the conflict ends, though she added that Iran is unlikely to hand over its enriched uranium directly to the US. Mortazavi told Al Jazeera that Iran believes negotiations with the Trump administration require “time and patience”, noting Tehran had previously entered talks with Washington only to later come under attack.
Background
Advertisement War diplomacy Rubio meets pope amid war tensions: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the war with the pope as they met on Thursday against the backdrop of tensions between the White House and the Vatican, notably over the Iran war. France condemns attacks near Hormuz: French President Emmanuel Macron told his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian that strikes on Emirati civilian infrastructure and ships near the Strait of Hormuz were “unjustified”. Lebanon, Israel set for Washington peace talks: Lebanon and Israel are expected to hold a new round of negotiations in Washington on May 14-15 aimed at reaching a peace agreement, a US official said, despite new Israeli strikes.
Key facts
- Tehran rejects vessel attack claims: Iran denied that it was behind an explosion that damaged a South Korean ship in the Strait of Hormuz this week.
- Iranian state media said Tehran’s forces retaliated by attacking US military vessels near the strait and warned of a “crushing response” to any further aggression.
- Trump insists ceasefire remains in place: Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was still holding, despite clashes in the Strait of Hormuz.
What this means
In the Gulf UAE urges residents to shelter amid aerial threat: The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority said air defence systems were responding to a missile and drone threat, and urged residents to remain in safe locations and follow official updates. In the US Trump says Iranian boats destroyed in Hormuz clash: The US president said three US Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz “under fire” without sustaining damage, while claiming Iranian attackers and several small boats had been “completely destroyed” during the confrontation. Tit-for-tat exchanges continue amid diplomacy push: Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett, reporting from Washington, DC, said the US and Iran are blaming each other for the latest escalation, describing the situation as a “tit-for-tat” exchange unfolding even as diplomatic efforts continue.
Trump insists ceasefire remains in place: Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was still holding, despite clashes in the Strait of Hormuz. The US president also warned Tehran of a harsher response if a deal is not reached “fast”. In Lebanon Netanyahu pledges continued strikes on Hezbollah: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed responsibility for the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut the previous day, saying “no terrorist is immune” from Israeli attacks.
Originally reported by Al Jazeera. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
