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A woman from Iran walks past a mosque decorated with a banner showing Iran’s current leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in Tehran on May 9, 2026. — AFP
– The IRGC warns that any attack on Iranian ships will be met with a strong response.
– Trump anticipates Iran’s reply to a U.S. peace proposal soon.
– The U.S. deems it unacceptable for Tehran to control the vital oil route.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have issued a warning that any assault on Iranian commercial vessels will provoke a severe retaliatory strike against U.S. bases and enemy ships in the region. This warning comes following U.S. actions the previous day targeting two Iranian tankers in the Gulf of Oman.
President Donald Trump indicated on Friday that he expects Iran’s response to a recent U.S. peace offer “very soon.” However, there has been no public response from Tehran, and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi questioned American leadership’s credibility, stating that recent U.S. provocations in the Persian Gulf have increased suspicions about America’s true intentions in diplomacy.
Earlier this week, a U.S. fighter jet fired to disable two Iranian-flagged ships accused of challenging the U.S. blockade of Iran’s ports. Iran’s navy reportedly responded with strikes of their own. This incident follows another clash in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international waterway, where Iran aims to exert control to benefit economically from tolls and challenge U.S. influence.
The U.S. has proposed a ceasefire extension in the Gulf through mediators in Pakistan to facilitate negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict that started 10 weeks ago with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Trump told a French reporter that he expects to hear Iran’s reply “very soon,” while Iran’s foreign ministry has said the proposal remains under review.
Meanwhile, U.S. diplomat Marco Rubio met with Qatar’s leadership to coordinate efforts to deter threats and promote stability across the Middle East. Qatar’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met with Vice President Vance to discuss Pakistani-backed peace negotiations, although Iran has previously attacked sites within Qatar, citing the emirate’s hosting of a major U.S. airbase.
Satellite images reveal an oil spill spreading off Iran’s Kharg Island, a key oil export terminal. The spill’s cause is unclear, but it is estimated to cover over 20 square miles. The Conflict and Environment Observatory suggests the spill could be due to leaks from oil infrastructure. Kharg Island plays a crucial role in Iran’s oil exports, which are vital to its struggling economy, especially after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz earlier this year, upsetting global markets.
In Lebanon, conflicts persist along the tense front with Israel. There have been daily exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah, backed by Iran. Recent Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in at least nine deaths, with targeted attacks including strikes on a highway near Beirut. Hezbollah claims to have responded with drone attacks in northern Israel. Israel reports its forces have shot down explosive drones, with injuries among army reservists. The ongoing hostilities occur as Lebanon and Israel prepare for direct talks in Washington, which Hezbollah strongly opposes.
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