This live blog follows updates for Day 65 of the US-Israel war on Iran. For a recap of Day 64, go here, and for Day 66 updates, click here.

• Iran Guards say US options are 'impossible' military operation or 'bad deal'
• Israel court extends detention of two Gaza flotilla activists by two days: Rights group
• Israel approves plan to buy new F-35, F-15IA combat squadrons
• Iran Red Crescent pays tribute to over 60 teachers killed in war
• Iran plans to turn university site hit in US-Israeli strikes into museum

Iran weighs US response to plan 

Published: May 3, 2026 | 22:50 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the United States faced a choice between an "impossible" military operation or a deal with Tehran, after President Donald Trump disparaged Iran's latest peace proposal.

Iran's foreign ministry said Tehran had submitted a 14-point plan "focused on ending the war" and that Washington had already responded to it in a message to Pakistani mediators, which Iran was reviewing.

Trump says Iran talks ‘positive,’ sees path to broader peace

Published: May 3, 2026 | 21:06 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump said Washington is holding “very positive discussions” with Iran, signaling fresh momentum in diplomacy as the two sides seek to turn a fragile ceasefire into a broader peace framework.

Trump said the discussions could “lead to something very positive for all,” linking the diplomatic push to wider efforts to ease disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, where commercial shipping has been severely affected by weeks of conflict and restrictions.

The comments come as the United States announced “Project Freedom,” an initiative aimed at helping neutral commercial vessels stranded in the waterway.

Trump described the operation as a humanitarian step to assist countries “that have done absolutely nothing wrong” and whose ships remain trapped by the conflict.

The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the war’s economic fallout, with disruptions affecting global oil and gas supplies and pushing energy prices sharply higher.

Any breakthrough in the talks could ease pressure on shipping, stabilize markets and strengthen the ceasefire that Pakistan has helped mediate.

Trump said the humanitarian shipping corridor and diplomatic contacts reflect “goodwill” and could help create space for a wider settlement, as Washington and Tehran continue indirect engagement through Pakistan-backed mediation channels.

Iranian and Spanish foreign ministers discuss efforts to end war

Published: May 3, 2026 | 19:15 GMT | by Web Desk

The foreign ministers of Iran and Spain had a phone call to discuss developments related to the war, as well as bilateral relations, says a statement released by Iran’s Abbas Araghchi, Al Jazeera reported.

The Iranian FM reportedly briefed his Spanish counterpart on Iran’s strategic efforts to end the war through diplomatic efforts, aimed at bringing lasting security to the region.

Jordan appreciates Pakistan role for regional peace, agrees to remain in close contact
Published: May 3, 2026 | 13:15 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday spoke with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi where the latter conveyed appreciation of Islamabad’s constructive role for peace, dialogue, and regional stability in the region while agreeing to remain in close contact, according to a statement by the Foreign Office.

During the engagement, Pakistan foreign minister reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to promoting “constructive engagement” among all parties to support stability and peaceful resolution of conflicts through “dialogue and diplomacy,” as per the statement.

The Jordan foreign minister conveyed his country “deep appreciation” of Pakistan’s constructive role and continued efforts for peace, dialogue, and regional stability in the context of ongoing tensions in the region.

“The two leaders also reaffirmed the strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and Jordan, and underscored the importance of continued cooperation at bilateral and multilateral forums,” the statement added.

German FM, in call with Iranian counterpart, demands Hormuz reopening
Published: May 3, 2026 | 13:22 GMT | by AFP

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he on Sunday demanded that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and give up its nuclear weapons programmed in a telephone call with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi.

"I emphasized that Germany supports a negotiated solution," Wadephul said in a post on X about the call. "As a close US ally, we share the same goal: Iran must completely and verifiably renounce nuclear weapons and immediately open the Strait of Hormuz, as also demanded by" US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

OPEC+ hikes oil production quotas 
Published: May 3, 2026 | 12:12 GMT | by AFP

Saudi Arabia, Russia and five other OPEC+ countries increased their oil production quota on Sunday in an expected move aimed at demonstrating continuity at the cartel after the sudden withdrawal of the United Arab Emirates.

The seven major producers will add 188,000 barrels per day to their total production quota for June amid the price pressure unleashed by the Mideast war, as part of "their collective commitment to support oil market stability", according to a statement published by OPEC+.

The statement, following an online meeting of Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, Russia and Saudi Arabia, made no mention of the United Arab Emirates, which quit the body on Friday, three days after announcing its withdrawal.

Israel strikes southern Lebanon, kills one and wounds rescuers
Published: May 3, 2026 | 12:02 GMT | by AFP

Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed at least one person and wounded four rescuers on Sunday, the Lebanese health ministry said, as Israel maintained its attacks on the country despite a fragile truce.

In separate statements, the ministry said a strike on Arabsalim killed at least one person and wounded three, including a child, and another strike on Srifa wounded five people including four rescuers from the Islamic Health Committee, as the strike hit near one of their centers.

"The Ministry reiterates its condemnation of these repeated attacks and recalls what is included in Article 19 of the Geneva Convention regarding the need to verify that medical facilities are safe from any danger caused by attacks in conflict zones, while what is happening is exactly the opposite."

Israel's military on Sunday issued new evacuation warnings in southern Lebanon for villages beyond the area it occupies.

Spain demands release of Spanish-Palestinian activist held by Israel: foreign ministry

Published: May 3, 2026 | 10:51 GMT | by AFP

Spain's foreign ministry called for the "immediate release" of a Spanish-Palestinian activist after Israeli court on Sunday extended his detention by two days.

"The government of Spain demands his immediate release," the ministry said in a comment sent to AFP, adding that the Spanish consul in Tel Aviv accompanied Saif Abu Keshek, who is being "illegally detained", to the hearing.

A rights group at the hearing said the court extended the detention of Keshek and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila for two days.

Iran Guards say US options are 'impossible' military operation or 'bad deal'

Published: May 3, 2026 | 09:53 GMT | by AFP

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Sunday that the United States faced a choice between an "impossible" military operation or a "bad deal" with the Islamic republic.

In a statement carried by state television, the Guards intelligence organisation said that "Trump must choose between 'an impossible operation or a bad deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran'".

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.

Israel court extends detention of two Gaza flotilla activists by two days: Rights group

Published: May 3, 2026 | 09:52 GMT | by AFP

An Israeli court on Sunday approved a two-day extension to the detention of two foreign activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla who were brought to Israel for questioning, a rights group representing them told AFP.

"The court extended their detention by two days," said Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator at the rights group Adalah.

Israeli authorities had asked to extend their detention by four days, Azem said.

Israel approves plan to buy new F-35, F-15IA combat squadrons

Published: May 3, 2026 | 09:17 GMT | by AFP

Israel on Sunday approved a multi-billion-dollar deal to acquire two combat squadrons of fighter jets from the United States, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying it would "reinforce" its air superiority.

The purchase includes a squadron of F-35 multi-role stealth fighters from Lockheed Martin and another of F-15IA warplanes from Boeing, Israel's defense ministry said.

The plan aims to "ensure Israel's air superiority for decades to come," Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.

"The F-35 and F-15IA acquisitions are central to the 'Shield of Israel' plan, which is designed to give the IDF [Israeli military] a lasting qualitative edge," he said.

The F-35, a joint project between the United States and a number of allies, is one of the world's most advanced military aircraft. Israel already operates several dozen of the jets.

Iran Red Crescent pays tribute to over 60 teachers killed in war

Published: May 3, 2026 | 08:24 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran Red Crescent, in a post on X on Saturday, paid tribute to 67 teachers killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

The social media post stated, "Today, Iran observed National Teacher’s Day. We honor 67 martyred teachers, including 26 from Minab school, who were killed during U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran."

Sri Lanka raises fuel prices as inflation spikes

Published: May 3, 2026 | 07:30 GMT | by AFP

Sri Lanka raised fuel prices by nearly four percent on Sunday, further fueling inflation, which more than doubled last month due to the US-Israel war on Iran.

Since March, Sri Lanka has raised fuel prices by more than 35 percent, while gas and electricity rates have also increased by a similar amount.

The island has also rationed fuel following supply disruptions.

On Sunday, the state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation increased the price of kerosene –- used by agricultural machinery –- to 265 rupees ($0.85) a liter, up 10 rupees.

Petrol rose 12 rupees to 410 rupees ($1.32). Diesel was up 10 rupees to 392 rupees.

Higher energy prices pushed inflation to more than double, reaching 5.4% in April, according to official data.

Fuel and electricity tariffs drove up transport costs as well as food prices, the Department of Census and Statistics said.

Iran plans to turn university site hit in US-Israeli strikes into museum

Published: May 3, 2026 | 06:54 GMT | by AFP

Iranian authorities plan to turn a bombsite at a university in central Iran into a museum about the impact of US-Israeli strikes, an official said.

"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 Zafarollah Kalantari, head of Isfahan University of Technology on Saturday.

He added that other land had been allocated for the "construction of a new building and provision of advanced equipment" for the university, according to the official IRNA news agency.

Kalanari said initial assessments had put the cost of the damage to the university's buildings and facilities at around $11 million.

US-Israeli strikes hit the institution in Isfahan -- among the largest universities in Iran -- in March during the war that began a month earlier and subsequently spread across the region.

Officials have said that strikes hit more than 30 universities across Iran, including in the capital Tehran, as well as residential areas and other civilian infrastructure.

A ceasefire has been in place since April 8.

US okay over $8B in arms sales to Gulf allies 

Published: May 3, 2026 | 05:34 GMT | by Web Desk

The US State Department has approved about $8.6 billion in weapons sales and military support for several Gulf allies, Al Jazeera reported, citing US State Department's website. 

These agreements include major deals with Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, covering a range of defense systems and services.

Qatar will receive $4.01 billion in Patriot missile defense support, Kuwait a $2.5 billion battle command system, and the UAE is set to obtain Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems valued at $147 million.

Israel tells residents of 12 Lebanese towns to flee 

Published: May 3, 2026 | 05:23 GMT | by Web Desk

The Israeli military has warned of potential attacks on 12 towns and villages in southern Lebanon, instructing residents to evacuate their homes, according to Al Jazeera. 

It directed people in al-Duwayr, Arab Salim, al-Sharqiya (Nabatieh), Jibshit, Braashit, Sarafand, Dounin, Briqa, Qaaqaiya al-Jisr, al-Qasiba (Nabatieh), and Kfar Sir to move at least 1,000 meters away to open areas.

Trump warns of strikes on Iran if it ‘misbehaves’

Published: May 3, 2026 | 00:36 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that there is a possibility of restarting strikes on Iran if they ‘misbehaves’ or does something bad.

In a brief interview with reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, he declined to specify what could trigger new military action against the Islamic Republic.

"If they misbehave, if they do something bad, but right now, we'll see," he said. "But it's a possibility that could happen, certainly."

Trump says US will cut troop numbers in Germany 'way down'

Published: May 3, 2026 | 00:36 GMT | by AFP

President Donald Trump said Saturday the United States will "cut way down" on the number of American troops stationed in Germany amid a growing transatlantic rift over the Middle East war.

"We're going to cut way down, and we're cutting a lot further than 5,000," Trump said, referring to Washington's decision to withdraw that number of troops from Germany, where there were 36,436 active-duty US troops as of December 31, 2025.