This screengrab, taken from a handout video released by Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on his WhatsApp channel on May 20, 2026, shows Naqvi shaking hands with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a meeting in Tehran. (Handout/Screengrab)
This live blog followed the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations and economic fallout.
Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments
Naqvi meets Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
Published: May 20, 2026 | 18:41 GMT | by Web Desk
Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held separate meetings with senior Iranian officials during his visit to Tehran, according to statements released through the minister’s official WhatsApp channel.
According to the statements, Naqvi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and also held talks with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni on various matters.
“Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni and discussed various matters,” the statement said.
The Pakistani minister was received upon arrival in Iran by Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Ali Akbar Pour Jamshidian, with both sides discussing key issues during their meeting, the statements said.
The visit marks Naqvi’s second trip to Iran in recent days as Islamabad continues regional diplomatic engagement following the Iran-US ceasefire.
US military says boarded Iranian-flagged oil tanker in Gulf of Oman
Published: May 20, 2026 | 17:59 GMT | by AFP
The US military said Marines had boarded an Iranian-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday in the Gulf of Oman that was suspected of attempting to violate Washington's blockade of Iran.
"American forces released the vessel after searching and directing the ship's crew to alter course," said Central Command, which oversees US forces in the region, in a post on X.
It said that US forces have now redirected 91 commercial ships to ensure compliance with the blockade.
US envoy to Israel slams minister's 'despicable actions' in video of flotilla activists
Published: May 20, 2026 | 17:38 GMT | by Web Desk
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, describing his actions as “despicable.”
In a post on X, Huckabee said: “Universal outrage & condemnation from every high-ranking Israeli official for the despicable actions of Ben Gvir.”
He added that Ben-Gvir had “betrayed the dignity of his nation.”
EU condemns Israel's detention of Gaza flotilla activists
Published: May 20, 2026 | 17:33 GMT | by AFP
European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib sharply criticised the treatment of activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla, saying that "no one should be punished for defending humanity".
"Watch this video. These are not convicted criminals. These are activists trying to get bread to the hungry," Lahbib, whose brief is equality, preparedness and crisis management, wrote on X.
Canada slams Israel's 'absolutely unacceptable' treatment of Gaza activists
Published: May 20, 2026 | 17:26 GMT | by AFP
Canada's foreign minister slammed Israel on Wednesday over "deeply troubling and absolutely unacceptable" footage of detained activists from an intercepted Gaza-bound flotilla.
"I have directed my officials to summon the Israeli ambassador regarding the mistreatment of civilians aboard the flotilla. What we've seen, including the video shared by Itamar Ben Gvir, is deeply troubling and absolutely unacceptable," Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand said, referring to Israel's far-right national security chief.
Oil prices plunge 5% on US-Iran deal hopes
Published: May 20, 2026 | 15:45 GMT | by AFP
Global oil prices fell more than five percent on Wednesday after President Donald Trump said the US is in the "final stages" of negotiations aimed at ending the Middle East war.
International benchmark, Brent North Sea crude, shed 5.2 percent to $105.47 a barrel.
The main US contract, West Texas Intermediate, tumbled 5.0 percent to $98.94 a barrel.
Riyadh backs regional peace efforts
Published: May 20, 2026 | 13:43 GMT | by Web Desk
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts in ongoing diplomacy linked to the Iran-US conflict, while also welcoming US President Donald Trump’s decision to pursue negotiations aimed at ending the war and restoring maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement posted on X, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said the Kingdom “highly appreciates the ongoing mediation efforts carried out by Pakistan” and expressed support for diplomatic efforts seeking a broader regional settlement.
The statement also praised Trump’s “decision to give diplomacy a chance to reach an acceptable agreement to end the war, restore the security and freedom of maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to its state prior to February 28th, 2026, and address all points of contention in a way that serves the security and stability of the region.”
Saudi Arabia further urged Iran to engage with ongoing negotiations and avoid further escalation.
Riyadh said it looked forward to Tehran “seizing the opportunity to avoid the dangerous implications of escalation” and “urgently responding to the efforts to advance the negotiations leading up to a comprehensive agreement to achieve lasting peace in the region and the world.”
Supreme Leader says Iran putting up ‘unique’ resistance against US, Israel
Published: May 20, 2026 | 11:17 GMT | by Web Desk
Mojtaba Khamenei marked the second anniversary of former president Ebrahim Raisi’s death in a helicopter crash, saying Iran is mounting a "unique historical resistance" against what he called the "two global terrorist armies" of Israel and the United States, Fars News Agency reported.
In a separate written statement, Khamenei said the war has made officials’ burdens “heavier than before” and expressed gratitude for the “unity of the nation.”
El Al reports first-quarter loss, cites war with Iran for airspace closures
Published: May 20, 2026 | 08:44 GMT | by Web Desk
El Al, Israel’s national carrier, posted a net loss of $67 million for January–March, a sharp reversal from a $96 million profit a year earlier, saying the conflict with Iran forced much of Israel’s airspace to remain closed to commercial traffic.
The airline added that a stronger shekel against the dollar and higher fuel costs contributed to a 27% drop in quarterly revenue to $562 million.
El Al estimated total damage from the war at $145 million, including $90 million in the first quarter and a further $55 million in the second.
Iran national team manager calls on US to facilitate World Cup visas
Published: May 20, 2026 | 06:29 GMT | by Web Desk
Manager of Iran’s national football team, Amir Ghalenoei, said on Wednesday that the squad is unsure whether every player and staff member will obtain US visas for the World Cup, Tasnim reported.
“We’re not yet certain that all players and staff will be granted US visas,” Ghalenoei said. “The host must provide the necessary visa arrangements for all World Cup-qualified teams.
“FIFA has put measures in place to ensure the host country cooperates with teams like Iran on this,” he added, according to the report.
Israel says 430 Gaza flotilla activists being transferred to Israel
Published: May 20, 2026 | 03:42 GMT | by AFP
Israeli authorities said late Tuesday that 430 activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla were en route to Israel, after their vessels were intercepted at sea the day before.
"Another PR flotilla has come to an end. All 430 activists have been transferred to Israeli vessels and are making their way to Israel, where they will be able to meet with their consular representatives," a spokesman from Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
UN expert accuses EU of enabling Israel’s kidnapping of flotilla activists
Published: May 20, 2026 | 03:05 GMT | by Web Desk
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territory, has expressed alarm amid reports Israeli forces had fired on activists aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, Al Jazeera reported.
“Maximum alert on the Flotilla! Israel has been given license to threaten, kidnap, and shoot at civilians ALSO in international waters!" Albanese wrote in a post on X.
“Shame on the EU, [Israel’s] main enabler in this part of the world,” she added.
Araghchi says returning to war will feature 'many more surprises'
Published: May 20, 2026 | 00:33 GMT | by Web Desk
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that if the war were to return in the region, it would feature "many more surprises" due to the "lessons learned and knowledge" Iran gained during the conflict.
"Months after initiation of war on Iran, US Congress acknowledges loss of dozens of aircraft worth billions," Araghchi said in a post on X.
"Our powerful armed forces are confirmed as first to strike down a touted F-35," he added.
Iran says US trying to ‘whitewash’ its crimes at UN
Published: May 20, 2026 | 01:25 GMT | by Web Desk
Iran’s UN mission has accused Washington of “spreading lies, false accusations, and disinformation against Iran and its peaceful nuclear programme” at the Security Council.
The US “continues to violate international law through unlawful maritime blockades, and unwavering support for the Israeli regime’s crimes and atrocities across the region,” the Iranian mission said in a post on X.
“In fact, the culprit and the thief are now playing the role of prosecutor and judge, trying to whitewash his own crimes.”
The criticism from Tehran comes as a resolution drafted by the US and Gulf countries on the Strait of Hormuz has reportedly gained support from about two-thirds of UN member states, ahead of a possible vote.
Pakistan at UN strongly condemns drone attacks on UAE, Saudi Arabia
Published: May 20, 2026 | 01:25 GMT | by Web Desk
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, strongly condemned the drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
While speaking to the UN, he said that Pakistan stood in “complete solidarity” with the Middle Eastern country, reiterating its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all friendly countries of the region.
He also said that the attack on Saudi Arabia constituted a serious violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Trump says to get done with Iran war ‘in a very nice manner’
Published: May 20, 2026 | 00:43 GMT | by Web Desk
US President Donald Trump has said that Washington had done a good job in its war with Iran, stating that it was going to be finished "very quickly.”
“We are going to get it done in a very nice manner," he said.
The US president also said that the deal would be reached without Tehran acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Separately, while speaking to reporters in the White House, he said that if an agreement is not reached within the next "two or three days," a new US attack would happen.
Russia ready to ‘extend helping hand’ to resolve US-Iran conflict
Published: May 20, 2026 | 00:25 GMT | by Web Desk
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabko says his country is ready to extend a helping hand to negotiations between Iran and the US, if necessary, but does not intend to impose its services, Al Jazeera reported.
“Russia is ready to provide all possible assistance in resolving this conflict, which is well known to its parties. At the same time, we have never imposed and do not intend to impose our services. But in the event of an appropriate request, we will extend a helping hand,” he said during an interview with the country’s TASS state news agency.
Ryabkov emphasized that Moscow has always been and remains “committed to finding solutions exclusively through political and diplomatic channels”.
He said Moscow welcomes attempts by Washington and Tehran to resume the negotiation process and notes the “active role of the Pakistani side in stabilizing the situation and creating conditions for moving toward a lasting peace.”
Developing countries bearing brunt of war on Iran, UN warns
Published: May 20, 2026 | 00:12 GMT | by Web Desk
The UN has cut global growth forecasts to 2.5% this year, compared with an estimated 3 percent last year, citing higher energy costs and weaker trade due to the US-Israel war on Iran.
In the latest World Economic Situation and Prospects Report, the global body warned that low-income families in developing countries bear the heaviest burden “as higher food and energy prices take up a larger share of their spending and rising costs outpace wages”.
Sharply declining aid flows and increased debt levels in low-income countries mean that those governments have less funding available to respond to the crisis, through “spending on health, education, and social protection”, it said.
The biggest economic shocks are being felt in Western Asia, it added, “driven not only by the energy shock but also by direct infrastructure damage and severe disruptions to oil production, trade, and tourism”.
‘Appalling lie’: Iran rejects US claim over missile strike on school
Published: May 19, 2026 | 23:18 GMT | by Web Desk
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, has written on X that a US claim about the elementary school in Minab that was hit by a missile is a “baseless fabrication and an appalling lie.”
Baghaei said that US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper’s earlier statement that the Shajareh Tayyebeh school was located on an active Iranian cruise missile site was “a clear attempt to obscure the severe reality of the 28 February missile attacks, which resulted in the tragic slaughtering of over 170 school children and their teachers.”
The spokesman added that “targeting an active educational institution during school hours constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and is a clear war crime”.
“The civilian nature of the site cannot be obscured by technical misrepresentations,” he said, adding that the US authorities “responsible for ordering and executing this catastrophic assault must be held fully accountable under international law.”
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