Middle East roundup, May 30: Hegseth credits Pakistan PM, field marshal for ‘true friendship’ with US

This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.

Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments

• Trump to make ‘final determination’ on Iran peace deal
• Pakistan FM arrives in Washington to discuss regional matters with Marco Rubio: FO
• Iran says 'no negotiations' taking place on nuclear issue: state TV
• Lebanese, Israeli officers to meet in Washington as Israel pursues strikes
• Iran strongly condemns US officials' 'threatening rhetoric' against Oman 

‘Utter chaos’ in northern Israel as Hezbollah launches rocket attacks

Published: May 30, 2026 | 23:33 GMT | by Web Desk

Israel's Channel 13 reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu scheduled an urgent security assessment with Defense Minister Israel Katz, military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and commanders in the north, Al Jazeera reported.

“The Israeli army was surprised by the scale of the rocket fire and Hezbollah’s decision to change its fire policy in response to the expansion of the Israeli army’s ground operations in southern Lebanon,” it said.

“Dozens of rockets were fired from Lebanon toward the north on Saturday, and for the first time since the ceasefire began [April 17] these rockets reached the cities of Safad and Nahariya” in northern Israel, Al Jazeera said.

There is “utter chaos and an uncontrollable situation”, it said, adding, “the government is not concerned about this”.

Iran will respond more forcefully to enemy than before: Military

Published: May 30, 2026 | 22:45 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran's Deputy Army Commander for Coordination, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, warned that any attacks on Tehran would provoke an unprecedented response, according to Iran's semi-official Press TV.

"The enemy should know that any aggression against the country's territory will be met with a response even more forceful than before," he stated.

Six children killed in Israeli strike on Lebanon

Published: May 30, 2026 | 21:15 GMT | by Web Desk

An Israeli strike on southern Lebanon in Sidon killed nine members of the same Syrian family, including six children, according to the country’s official national news agency. 

Iran warns vessels to follow its Strait of Hormuz rules or face consequences

Published: May 30, 2026 | 20:33 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has warned all vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz to comply with regulations.

“All vessels are required to transit through designated routes and obtain permits from the IRGC Navy,” the military said in a statement reported by the semi-official ISNA news outlet. 

“Any action by military vessels to interfere with the management of the Strait of Hormuz or disrupt transit will be targeted,” the statement said.

Qatar says temporary charges by Tehran at Hormuz ‘negotiable’

Published: May 30, 2026 | 19:27 GMT | by Web Desk

Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani has told the Shangri-La Dialogue that Doha would find a temporary fee for passage through the Strait of Hormuz to be ‘negotiable,’ if it were to be used to help reopen the waterway.

He added that his country would oppose a permanent toll for passage.

US military fires on Gambia-flagged ship violating Iran blockade

Published: May 30, 2026 | 18:33 GMT | by AFP

The US military said Saturday it had disabled a Gambia-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail to an Iranian port by launching a missile into its engine room.

US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees forces in the Middle East region, said the strike occurred on May 29 after the M/V Lian Star failed to respond to more than 20 warnings.

"A US aircraft disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship's engine room after Lian Star's crew failed to comply. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran," CENTCOM said on X.

Lebanon PM says country facing dangerous Israeli escalation

Published: May 30, 2026 | 16:08 GMT | by AFP

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday denounced what he called a "dangerous and unprecedented" Israeli escalation in the south, urging an immediate ceasefire and insisting that a "scorched-earth policy" would not ensure Israel's security.

In a televised address, Salam also defended his government's direct negotiations with Israel, saying that the talks were the "least costly path" for Lebanon.

Lebanon army says 'targeted' Israeli strike wounds two soldiers

Published: May 30, 2026 | 12:29 GMT | by AFP

Lebanon's military said on Saturday that a "targeted" Israeli strike wounded two soldiers in southern Lebanon, a day after military delegations from the two countries met in Washington.

In a statement, the Lebanese army said "two soldiers were seriously wounded as a result of being targeted inside a vehicle by a hostile Israeli drone" near the southern city of Nabatieh.

Hegseth credits Pakistan PM, field marshal for ‘true friendship’ with US

Published: May 30, 2026 | 10:41 GMT | by Web Desk

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Saturday that Washington and Islamabad are developing what he described as a “true friendship,” pointing to the roles of Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in facilitating peace negotiations.

Speaking at the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth made the comments in response to a question about India’s long-range missile systems, which are capable of reaching parts of Europe and the United States.

He noted that although he referenced India in his answer, he could just as easily have highlighted Pakistan, particularly the contributions of its military and political leadership to ongoing peace negotiations.

Hegseth added that this was a “somewhat unexpected development” and emphasized what he called a growing friendship between the United States and Pakistan, which he described as significant.

He also pointed to the US president’s role in helping facilitate peace efforts between India and Pakistan, both of which he noted are nuclear-armed nations.

Palestinian killed, several injured in Israeli airstrike on Deir Al-Balah

Published: May 30, 2026 | 09:43 GMT | by Web Desk

A Palestinian was killed and multiple others were wounded on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike on the city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, according to the Palestinian WAFA News Agency.

Israeli aircraft struck the city, leaving one person dead and several others injured.

Three killed in Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon 

Published: May 30, 2026 | 08:31 GMT | by Web Desk

Israeli airstrikes early on Saturday morning killed three people and wounded more than a dozen others, as attacks in southern Lebanon intensified, Al Jazeera reported, quoting  Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.

Among those killed were a father and his son, identified as Zuhair Ahmad Hashim and Ali Hashim, who died when an Israeli strike hit their home in the Al-Marj area of Ansar, north of Tyre, in the early hours of Saturday. 

The NNA also reported that seven additional members of the same family were injured in the incident.

Italian lower house president lauds Pakistan’s role in promoting peace in Gulf region

Published: May 30, 2026 | 07:15 GMT | by Web Desk

The president of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of Italy, Lorenzo Fontana, has appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting peace, dialogue, and diplomatic engagement during the ongoing tensions in the Gulf region, said a post shared on the X account of the National Assembly of Pakistan.

Israeli army issues evacuation orders for seven south Lebanon villages

Published: May 30, 2026 | 06:57 GMT | by AFP

The Israeli military issued evacuation warnings on Saturday for residents of seven villages in southern Lebanon, saying it was about to strike Hezbollah targets there.

"In light of the terrorist organization Hezbollah's violation of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF is compelled to take decisive action against it," the military's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee said on X in two separate statements, naming seven villages in Lebanon's south, including some near Nabatieh.

Iran ready for ‘dignified framework’ to end war: President Pezeshkian

Published: May 30, 2026 | 05:53 GMT | by Web Desk

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed the country’s willingness to pursue a “dignified framework” to help resolve the ongoing conflict and regional instability, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA News Agency.

During a phone conversation with the Emir of Qatar, he said Tehran has consistently supported dialogue and called on the other side to reciprocate with sincere political intent and compliance with international obligations. IRNA shared the news on X on Saturday.

US warns capable of resuming war with Iran as deal remains elusive

Published: May 30, 2026 | 05:37 GMT | by AFP

The United States warned on Saturday it was "more than capable" of resuming war with Iran after President Donald Trump said any peace deal must adhere to his red lines, including Tehran never being able to develop nuclear weapons.

The White House had signaled that Trump was close to a decision on an initial deal after weeks of mixed signals in tenuous negotiations, though Tehran denied there was a final agreement to end the Middle East conflict that has jolted the global economy.

US sources had told AFP the deal was waiting on Trump's sign-off, but the president had made no decision after a two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room on Friday in Washington.

Meanwhile, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, while attending a major Asia defense summit in Singapore, said on Saturday local time that Washington could restart the war if it wanted.

"Our ability to recommence if necessary is (that) we are more than capable, our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe because of how we balance exquisite and more plentiful munitions," he said.

Lawmaker urges urgent UK action over Israeli treatment of Gaza activists

Published: May 30, 2026 | 04:41 GMT | by Web Desk

UK MP Zarah Sultana has demanded from the UK government urgent action over the interception of the flotilla in international waters, and the detention and degrading treatment of humanitarian volunteers, including British citizens.

In a post on X on Saturday, she stated: "France is acting. Spain is showing leadership. Where is the UK government? Nothing but a simp for Israel, a genocidal apartheid state."

US Centcom says forces ‘remain present and vigilant’ across Middle East 

Published: May 30, 2026 | 03:57 GMT | by Web Desk

US Central Command in a post on X on Saturday stated that US forces remain present and vigilant across the Middle East.

The post stated: "A US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies over the Middle East during a patrol. U.S. forces remain present and vigilant across the region."

Israeli military says projectiles launched from Lebanon at Israel 

Published: May 30, 2026 | 01:47 GMT | by AFP

The Israeli military said on Saturday that it had intercepted several projectiles launched from Lebanon, where it is fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah, but that one had hit near a town in northern Israel.

"Several projectiles launched from Lebanon toward Israeli territory were identified," the military said in a statement, adding no injuries had been reported.

US hails 'productive' talks between Israel, Lebanon military officials

Published: May 30, 2026 | 00:03 GMT | by AFP

Military officials from Israel and Lebanon held "productive" talks in Washington on Friday, a US official said, adding that the meeting will complement upcoming diplomatic discussions.

"Today at the Pentagon, I hosted military delegations from Israel and Lebanon for the security track supporting the ongoing peace talks between their two countries," Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's second-in-command, said on X.

"We held productive military-to-military discussions which will inform the Department of State-led political track next week," he said.

Rescuer among 11 killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon

Published: May 29, 2026 | 23:35 GMT | by AFP

Israeli strikes in three areas of Tyre in southern Lebanon on Friday killed 11 people, including a rescuer and a Syrian national, the health ministry said.

Eight people were wounded, including another rescuer, the ministry said, slamming the attacks as a "flagrant violation of humanitarian law".

IMF, World Bank, IEA chiefs warn of summer fuel scarcity if Hormuz strait remains closed

Published: May 29, 2026 | 22:35 GMT | by AFP

The heads of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and International Energy Agency warned on Friday of the risks to fuel security during peak demand summer months if oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz does not return to normal.

"Global oil inventories are being drawn down at a record pace in response to the major loss of supply through the Strait of Hormuz," the heads of the agencies said in a joint statement.

"If shipping flows do not return to normal, continued rapid depletion of global oil inventories ahead of peak summer oil demand in the Northern Hemisphere would present increasing risks for fuel security, market conditions, and broader economic resilience."

In Friday's joint statement, they again highlighted that the surge in energy and fertilizer prices due to the war was disproportionately affecting lower-income countries.

"Higher fertilizer prices are of particular concern as many countries enter the planting season," they said.

Read our May 28 live blog for earlier developments here