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Sunday, May 3, 2026

Trump Unveils ‘Project Freedom’ For Stranded Ships In Gulf Amid 'Very Positive' Talks With Iran

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said Washington would move to “guide” hundreds of vessels stranded in the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, unveiling a plan he described as a humanitarian effort amid ongoing tensions with Iran. Posting on his social media platform, Trump said the initiative, dubbed “Project Freedom”, aims to secure safe passage for ships and their crews caught in the conflict-linked disruption, adding that discussions with Tehran were showing “very positive” signs. <h2>Humanitarian Push Amid Rising Tensions</h2> Trump framed the operation as a coordinated effort involving the United States and regional partners, with a particular emphasis on Iran. He said American representatives had been instructed to communicate that Washington would make its “best efforts” to help vessels exit the strait safely. He added that ship operators had indicated they would not resume normal routes until the waterway is deemed secure for navigation, underscoring the scale of disruption in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/TbAqP3H" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iran War: Trump Reviewing New Tehran Proposal With Doubt</a> <h2>Unclear Logistics, Sharp Warning From Tehran</h2> Despite the announcement, the president did not outline how more than 850 stranded vessels would be moved. US media reports, citing an official, suggested the plan does not currently involve naval escorts. Instead, it may rely on coordination among shipping stakeholders to manage transit through the narrow passage. The proposal drew a swift response from Tehran. A senior Iranian official warned that any US interference in the Strait of Hormuz would be viewed as a violation of the ceasefire, raising concerns over potential escalation. Iran had blocked foreign shipping through the strait shortly after the conflict began with a US-Israeli strike on February 28. In response, Trump imposed a counter-blockade on vessels using Iranian ports on April 13, further tightening maritime restrictions. ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/ZhT3LfG" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ukrainian Drones Hit Russia's Primorsk Oil Terminal</a> <h2>Iran's 14-Point Peace Plan</h2> Sunday’s announcement came days after Iran presented a 14-point peace plan, reportedly including provisions to reopen the strait. Iran’s foreign ministry confirmed it had received a response from Washington and would review it. While the direct link between the proposal and “Project Freedom” remains unclear, Trump signalled optimism, saying ongoing talks could “lead to something very positive for all”. At the same time, he issued a firm warning: any attempt to obstruct the humanitarian effort would be met with a “forceful” response. So far, communication between Washington and Tehran has been indirect, reportedly facilitated by Pakistan, with no confirmed direct contact between the two sides.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/donald-trump-project-freedom-us-to-guide-stranded-ship-from-gulf-amid-iran-talks-1841062

Harmeet Dhillon traces journey from immigrant child to leading lawyer

Washington, May 3 (PTI): US Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon traced her journey from the child of immigrants to becoming a leading lawyer, presenting it as an American success story.Addressing the Moms for Liberty event in New York, Dhillon termed coming to the US as the “greatest gift” her parents gave to her.“My dad was an orthopaedic surgeon. Mom and Dad left India in the 1970s because it was a Russian client state. They had a dictated two-child policy, and a planned economy, and Mom and Dad didn't want to raise their kids in that kind of an environment, so they came to America,” Dhillon, who rose to fame as a civil rights attorney and as US President Donald Trump’s lawyer.“Besides life, the greatest gift that Mom and Dad gave me was bringing me here to America and allowing me to be sworn in as a naturalised American citizen when I was 10 years old,” she said.Dhillon said her parents came to the US when there was a shortage of doctors here, and Washington was inviting medical professionals during the Vietnam War.“We didn't come through Ellis Island in 1970. We flew to JFK (airport),” she said. Ellis Island, located in the New York harbour, was the federal immigration station of the US from 1892 to 1954, processing over 12 million immigrants.It is estimated that nearly 40 per cent of all current US citizens can trace at least one ancestor through this facility Dhillon said her dad, who passed away 15 months ago, was proud of her and got to see his daughter become the lawyer for the former and the future president of the United States.“My mom and my brother got to sit behind me during my Senate confirmation hearing, and see me shoot down a lot of very dumb and obnoxious questions from several Democrat senators,” Dhillon said.“And before I took this job and when the president and Pam Bondi called me in November, I had become well known for representing moms and kids, and American citizens against the tyranny of the state,” she said.“All over the United States, including my home state of California. And standing up for young girls who the state and the doctors tried to take away their womanhood. And standing up for moms and dads who were being denied the right to control their children's education by the state,” Dhillon said.“And today I get to do that job for the United States. So this is an American success story. I'm very proud to be an American, and I'm very grateful to be here with you tonight on Ellis Island, the symbol of all that is great with this country,” Dhillon said. PTI SKU AMS(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/harmeet-dhillon-traces-journey-from-immigrant-child-to-leading-lawyer-1841059

Iran War: Trump Reviewing New Tehran Proposal With Doubt

<ul> <li>Trump says reviewing new proposal from Iran, but casts doubt on accepting it</li> <li>Iran says ‘ball in US’ court’ to end conflict</li> <li>Jailed Nobel winner Narges Mohammadi at 'very high risk,' her family says</li> <li>Israel strikes parts of southern Lebanon, says targeted Hezbollah</li> </ul> Here is a roundup of the latest developments around the war in Iran and the wider Middle East on Sunday, May 3, 2026. <hr /> <h2>Iran must reopen Hormuz 'immediately,' says Wadephul</h2> Germany'sForeign Minister Johann Wadephul repeated a call for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, whose closure has blocked oil exports from much of the Middle East for several weeks. After a phone call with Abbas Araghchi, his Iranian counterpart, Wadephul wrote on X that Iran must also abandon its nuclear ambitions. "I emphasized: [Germany] supports a negotiated solution. As a close US ally, we share the same goal: Iran must completely and verifiably renounce nuclear weapons and immediately release the Strait of Hormuz ..." he said. In the current standoff between Washington and Tehran, US President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism about Iran's latest 14-point peace proposal. The Islamic Republic is pushing for an end to the US naval blockade of Hormuz, which is blocking its own oil exports, as well as US sanctions on its nuclear program. Only then will Iran reopen the strait, the proposal says. <hr /> <h2>WATCH: What are the sticking points in US-Iran peace negotiations?</h2> Two full months since the US and Israel started a war with Iran, the missiles have stopped raining down but negotiations to resolve the conflict are going nowhere fast. <hr /> <h2>Iran's Revolutionary Guards reject Trump pressure over peace deal</h2> Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned US President Donald Trump that he faced a choice between an "impossible" military operation or a "bad deal" with the Islamic Republic. The comments come after Trump said he was not satisfied with Iran's latest proposals and threatened to "blast the hell out of them and finish them forever." In a statement carried by Iran state television, the Guards' intelligence organization said that the United States must choose between "an impossible operation or a bad deal." It cited what it described as a "shift in tone" from China, Russia, and Europe towards Washington as well as what it called an Iranian "deadline" over the US naval blockade. Citing two sources briefed on Iran's proposal, US media outlet Axios reported that Tehran had set a one-month deadline for negotiations on a deal. The goals are to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, end the US naval blockade and permanently end the wars in Iran and in Lebanon. <hr /> <h2>Hezbollah lawmaker warns it can thwart peace deal</h2> Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said the Iran-backed group could "thwart" the objectives of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. His comments, at an event to honor killed Hezbollah fighters, come as both countries attempt to end the current war between Israel and Hezbollah and address long-standing issues. "We have a free people and a steadfast resistance capable of thwarting all the objectives of these negotiations, which increase the sharp division in the country between the factions of our people and within the state itself," Fadlallah said. Lebanon and Israel's US ambassadors have held two meetings in Washington in recent weeks, the first of their kind in decades. Hezbollah has strongly rejected the talks. Israel has maintained deadly strikes on Lebanon despite an April 17 ceasefire, which sought to halt more than six weeks of war. <hr /> <h2>Israel greenlights fighter jet deal to boost air power</h2> Israel has approved the purchase of around 50 advanced fighter jets from the United States, significantly expanding its air superiority capabilities. The deal includes one full squadron of F-35I Adir multi-role stealth fighters — among the world’s most advanced combat aircraft — produced by Lockheed Martin, as well as one squadron of F-15IA strike fighters from Boeing. In a statement, Defense Minister Israel Katz said: “Our mission is clear: to ensure the IDF has the tools, capabilities and strength to operate anywhere, at any time. Israel has used its existing F-35I Adir stealth fighters extensively in both the Gaza and Iran wars. The planes have become one of the Israeli Air Force’s most valuable assets for striking Iranian targets, including suppressing air defenses and identifying deep targets. <hr /> <h2>Iran to turn university bombed site into museum</h2> The Isfahan University of Technology in central Iran will turn a bombed site on its grounds into a museum about the conflict, an official said. The university was heavily bombed by US-Israeli strikes in March. "The current damaged site will be preserved as a war museum at the university to remain a document of the country's scientific oppression in history," said the university's chief, Zafarollah Kalantari. The official IRNA news agency cited him as saying that other land had been allocated for the "construction of a new building and provision of advanced equipment" for the university. Damage to the university's buildings and facilities from the bombing was around $11 million, Kalantari said. More than 30 universities, including those in the capital, Tehran, have been targeted, according to Iranian officials. <hr /> <h2>Israel orders evacuation of several towns in southern Lebanon</h2> Israel's military warned residents of several towns and villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate as it prepared fresh strikes across the area, despite a truce between the two countries. The military said it was carrying out operations againstIran-backed Hezbollahthat it said was violating the ceasefire agreement. "For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move away from the villages and towns by at least 1,000 metres [3,300 feet] into open areas," the military's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee posted on X. Eleven villages and towns were covered by the warning, including several in Nabatieh, a district north of the Litani River. Israeli troops are occupying a strip of southern Lebanon, to the south of the river. Lebanese media later reported Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon, including towns not advised to evacuate. <hr /> <h2>Jailed Nobel winner Narges Mohammadi at 'very high risk,' her family says</h2> The health of imprisoned Iranian rights lawyer Narges Mohammadi was at "very high risk," her foundation and family said. Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in her early 50s, was urgently transferred to a hospital in Zanjan in Iran's northwest on Friday after a cardiac crisis and fainting. Her family has said her health had been in decline, owing it partly to a beating she received during her December arrest. Medical teams in Zanjan have requested her records before performing any treatment, her foundation said, adding that transferring her to Tehran was their recommendation. Taghi Rahmani, her Paris-based husband, said in a voice message shared with The Associated Press news agency that Iran 's Intelligence Ministry was opposing her transfer to Tehran for treatment by her own doctors. <hr /> <h2>Israel strikes parts of southern Lebanon</h2> Israel carried out strikes across southern Lebanon on Saturday, killing several, according to the Lebanese state-run news agency. The Israeli military said it hit dozens of Hezbollah targets. The attacks have become a regular occurrence, despite a fragile ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war. The ceasefire text grants Israel the right to act against what it calls "planned, imminent or ongoing attacks." Both sides have regularly accused each other of ceasefire violations. Hezbollah, meanwhile, claimed several attacks targeting Israeli troops. The Shiite militant group drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2 in support of its backer Iran. Israeli strikes have since killed more than 2,600 people in Lebanon and displaced over a million. <hr /> <h2>Iran says 'ball in US' court' to end conflict</h2> Iran said Saturday that it was up to the Trump administration to decide whether to pursue a negotiated settlement or to return to open war. "Now the ball is in the United States' court to choose the path of diplomacy or the continuation of a confrontational approach," Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told diplomats in Tehran, according to state broadcaster IRIB. "Iran, with the aim of securing its national interests and security, is prepared for both paths," he said. At the same time, Mohammad Jafar Asadi, a senior figure in the Iranian military's central command, said "a renewed conflict between Iran and the United States is likely." "Evidence has shown that the United States is not committed to any promises or agreements," Iran's Fars news agency quoted him as saying. <hr /> <h2>Trump says reviewing new proposal from Iran</h2> US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he was reviewing a new Iranian proposal to end the war. "I'll let you know about it later," he told reporters, adding that "they're going to give me the exact wording now." Shortly afterward, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that he "can't imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years." Trump's statement came after he had rejected a previous Iranian proposal earlier this week. <hr /> <h2>Welcome to our coverage</h2> Hello and thanks for joining us for the latest updates on the Middle East conflict. After he rejected an Iranian proposal to end the war earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said he was reviewing a new proposal put forward by Tehran. While Iran’s deputy foreign minister said it’s up to Washington to decide whether to pursue the path of diplomacy or continued confrontation with Tehran, a senior Iranian military official warned renewed hostilities between Iran and the US are “likely.” Israel, meanwhile, carried out strikes across southern Lebanon, saying it hit dozens of Hezbollah targets. Stay with us as we bring you the latest on the conflict in the Middle East and its impact on the global economy. <a href="https://ift.tt/T3Wh0Y2 the original article here</a>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-war-trump-reviewing-new-tehran-proposal-with-doubt-1841053

Ukrainian Drones Hit Russia's Primorsk Oil Terminal

Edited by: Louis Oelofse, Saim Du&scaron;an Inayatullah Ukraine launched dozens of drones at the oil loading port of Primorsk in Russia's northwest on Sunday, sparking a fire, the local governor said. Primorsk, on the Baltic Sea, is one of Russia's largest export hubs, with the capacity to handle one million barrels of oil a day. Regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko said on the Telegram messaging app that the fire had been extinguished and that no oil spill had been reported following the attack. He also said more than 60 drones had been shot down over the region. The independent outlet Astra cited satellite image analysis and said the oil terminal and a Pantsir air defense system were likely hit. Ukraine has stepped up drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in recent months in a bid to harm the Russian economy and disrupt fuel supplies to Russian forces. <h2>Kyiv Targets Russia's 'Shadow' Tankers</h2> Ukraine also hit two shadow fleet tankers near the entrance to the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday. The so-called shadow tankers are aging vessels used to ship Russia's sanctioned oil around the world. "These tankers had been actively used to transport oil — not anymore," Zelenskyy said on social media. The extent of the damage was not immediately clear. <h2>Zelenskyy Arrives In Armenia</h2> Later on Sunday, the Ukrainian president arrived in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, ahead of the European Political Community summit scheduled for the following day. "Many meetings ahead. The key priority is more security and coordination for all of us," Zelenskyy wrote on X. During a meeting in Yerevan with the Finnish Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, the Ukrainian president proposed that the two countries strengthen their bilateral partnership by "signing an agreement in the format of the Drone Deal." Zelenskyy also discussed a strategic partnership with the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Sture, including a drone deal and efforts to strengthen air defense. Zelenskyy thanked the prime ministers of the two Nordic countries for their support of Ukraine. The European Political Community is an intergovernmental forum for political and strategic discussions about the future of Europe. It was established in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. <h2>Daily Drone Attacks Continue</h2> Ukraine fired 334 drones at Russia overnight, Moscow's Defence Ministry said, while Kyiv's air force said Russia fired 268 drones and one ballistic missile at Ukraine. A man was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack near Moscow, the regional governor said. Meanwhile, attacks in Ukraine's southern Odesa region, home to key export terminals, killed two people, regional Governor Oleg Kiper said. "Facilities and equipment for the port infrastructure were also damaged," he said. A third person was killed in a Russian strike in the frontline region of Kherson in southern Ukraine, according to officials. Russia and Ukraine have traded daily drone barrages for most of the war, as US-mediated talks to end the fighting have stalled.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/ukrainian-drones-hit-russia-s-primorsk-oil-terminal-1841052

Saturday, May 2, 2026

War update: Iran Sends 14-Point Peace Proposal to US Amid Rising Tensions

Tensions between United States and Iran continue, even as diplomatic efforts for peace remain underway. In a major development, Iran has reportedly sent a new 14-point proposal to the United States aimed at ending ongoing conflicts across multiple fronts, including Lebanon. According to reports, Iran’s proposal calls for a complete end to the war rather than a temporary ceasefire. It also demands the removal of blockades and restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal was sent in response to an earlier nine-point proposal from the United States, which reportedly included a two-month ceasefire timeline. Iran, however, has pushed for a faster resolution, saying a solution should be reached within 30 days instead of extending the conflict through a temporary truce. The latest exchange of proposals highlights ongoing diplomatic negotiations as both sides attempt to address escalating regional tensions and seek a possible path toward peace.

source https://news.abplive.com/videos/news/world-war-update-iran-sends-14-point-peace-proposal-to-us-amid-rising-tensions-1840848

Threat To The Crown: Dutch Authorities Foil Attack On Royal Sisters

Dutch authorities have thwarted an alleged extremist plot targeting the country’s future queen and her younger sister, with a suspect now set to appear in court. A 33-year-old man has been accused of planning an attack against Catharina-Amalia, 22, and Alexia, 20, daughters of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. Catharina-Amalia is the heir to the Dutch throne, while Alexia is second in line. The suspect was arrested in The Hague in February. Officials said he was carrying two axes bearing disturbing engravings, including the names “Alexia,” references to “Mossad,” and the Nazi slogan “Sieg Heil.” Investigators also recovered a handwritten note mentioning “Amalia,” “Alexia,” and the word “bloodbath.” <h2>Suspect's Identity Not Disclosed</h2> Authorities have not disclosed the suspect’s identity or further details due to privacy laws in the Netherlands. The motive behind the alleged plot remains unclear. The case has raised fresh concerns about the safety of the royal family, formally known as the House of Orange-Nassau. A preliminary court hearing for the accused is scheduled next week. The revelation comes as members of the royal family, including both princesses, recently appeared in public for King's Day celebrations. Security concerns surrounding Princess Catharina-Amalia are not new. In recent years, authorities uncovered a suspected kidnapping plot involving criminal gangs targeting her and former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Following those threats, heightened security measures were put in place, and the princess was moved from student accommodation back to the royal palace for safety. Officials continue to investigate the latest case as concerns over extremist threats persist.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/dutch-authorities-foil-attack-on-royal-sisters-threat-to-the-crown-1840813

Trump Says He’ll Review Iran’s New Proposal, Warns Of Renewed US Strikes If Tehran 'Misbehaves'

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said he is reviewing a fresh proposal from Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, while expressing doubt over its acceptability and cautioning that military options remain on the table as the West Asia crisis continues to deepen. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “I will soon be reviewing the plan that Iran has just sent to us, but can’t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years.”  <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e5Hul3dPlOY?si=LJxNT5ntVHgrecjA" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> The remarks came shortly after Trump spoke to reporters while boarding Air Force One in Florida, where he reiterated uncertainty about the possibility of a deal. “I’ll let you know about it later,” he said, adding that “they’re going to give me the exact wording now.” ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-us-war-may-resume-senior-iranian-military-officer-warns-after-trump-rejects-proposal-1840439">Iran-US War May Resume, Senior Iranian Military Officer Warns After Trump Rejects Proposal</a> <h2 data-start="1412" data-end="1450">Trump Hints Possibility Of Renewed US Strikes</h2> Trump indicated that the United States could resume military action if Tehran’s conduct escalates. Speaking earlier in West Palm Beach, he said, “If they misbehave, if they do something bad — but right now, we’ll see. It’s a possibility that could happen, certainly.” His comments come amid heightened concerns of renewed conflict following stalled diplomatic engagement over Iran’s nuclear programme and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting of Israel’s security cabinet, signalling regional apprehension over a potential escalation. <h2 data-start="2265" data-end="2313">Stalled Negotiations Over Nuclear Programme</h2> Trump had earlier voiced dissatisfaction with an initial Iranian offer during ongoing negotiations.  “They want to make a deal, I’m not satisfied with it, so we’ll see what happens,” he told reporters at the White House. He further claimed that Tehran is eager to reach an agreement but lacks cohesion in its negotiating position, which was pushing the deal further. “They’re asking for things that I can’t agree to,” Trump said. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-jailed-nobel-winner-narges-mohammadi-hospitalised-1840510">Iran: Jailed Nobel Winner Narges Mohammadi Hospitalised</a> Iran, for its part, has insisted that Washington lift restrictions affecting the Strait of Hormuz before substantive talks on nuclear issues can proceed. The US had previously moved to block Iranian vessels after Tehran restricted international access to the key maritime route. Iranian officials have signalled the possibility of renewed hostilities. Islamic Revolutionary Guard officer Mohammad Jafar Asadi said, “Renewed conflict between Iran and the United States is likely.” The warning followed Trump’s suggestion that the United States might consider abandoning negotiations altogether. Despite expressing reluctance to escalate militarily, Trump underscored the stark choices facing Washington. “There are the options: Do you want to go blast the hell out of ’em and finish them forever, or do we want to try and make a deal? I mean, those are the options,” he told reporters. As diplomatic efforts continue, the situation remains uncertain, with the possibility for either a settlement or renewed confrontation between the US and Iran.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-live-trump-says-he-ll-review-iran-s-new-proposal-warns-of-renewed-us-strikes-if-tehran-misbehaves-1840806