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

Israeli conducts strikes on towns in southern Lebanon
Israeli forces kill Palestinian man in Jenin
Everything should be clear before deal, says Iran FM
President Trump says Strait of Hormuz 'will be opened'
China signals likely veto of US-backed Hormuz resolution at UNSC

FIFA confident Iran will play World Cup despite visa concerns

Published: May 16, 2026 | 21:21 GMT | by Web Desk

FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom says he held a “constructive” meeting with Iran Football Association President Mehdi Taj and expressed confidence that it will take part in this year’s World Cup, AL Jazeera reported.

“We’ve had an excellent meeting and constructive meeting together with the Iran FA,” Grafstrom told Reuters during a visit to Istanbul. “We’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them in the FIFA World Cup,” according to AL Jazeera.

Iran’s participation has come under scrutiny after the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February, with the team set to play group matches in the US.

Iran will play against New Zealand on June 15.

Iran’s stock market to reopen on Tuesday after war closure

Published: May 16, 2026 | 17:30 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran will reopen ⁠its ⁠stock market on Tuesday after a suspension during ⁠the US and Israel’s war, the IRNA news agency reports.

“The suspension ‌of stock market activities from the start of the war was aimed at protecting shareholders’ assets, preventing panic-driven trading, ⁠and allowing for ⁠more transparent pricing conditions,” said Hamid Yari, deputy supervisor at ⁠the Securities and Exchange Organization.

“Now, with ⁠the reopening of ⁠the stock market, we will see the full resumption of ‌all capital market sectors.”

Israel kills Hamas leader in Gaza strike

Published: May 16, 2026 | 17:30 GMT | by AFP

Israel said Saturday it had killed Hamas armed wing chief Ezzedine Al-Haddad in an airstrike in Gaza the previous day, describing him as a key architect of the October 7 attacks.

A Hamas official told AFP that Haddad had been killed in an Israeli strike on a residential building.

"Senior commander... Ezzedine Al-Haddad was assassinated in an Israeli strike targeting a residential apartment and a civilian vehicle in Gaza City yesterday," the official said.

Haddad was killed along with his wife and a daughter, according to another Hamas source.

US says 78 commercial ships ‘redirected’ amid blockade of Iranian ports

Published: May 16, 2026 | 15:44 GMT | by Web Desk

US Central Command (CENTCOM) says four other vessels also were “disabled to ensure compliance”.

“As of May 16, 78 commercial ships have been redirected, and 4 have been disabled to ensure compliance,” said a post on its official X account.

Israeli attack kills husband and wife in southern Lebanon

Published: May 16, 2026 | 13:44 GMT | by Web Desk

Israeli warplanes carried out strikes on the al-Saha neighbourhood in the town of Haboush in southern Lebanon.

The attack destroyed a home and killed a young man, Muhammad Hassan Jammoul, and his wife, Sakina Muhammad Abbas Makki, according to the official National News Agency, reported Al Jazeera.

The strikes come despite Israel and Lebanon agreeing to extend a “ceasefire” by another 45 days on Friday.

Iran says European countries in talks with Tehran for Hormuz transit

Published: May 16, 2026 | 12:21 GMT | by AFP

Iranian state television said on Saturday that European countries had been in talks with Tehran over transit for ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

"Following the passage of ships from East Asian countries notably China, Japan and Pakistan we received information today indicating that Europeans have also begun negotiations with the Revolutionary Guards navy" to get permission to pass, state television reported, without specifying which countries.

Israel strikes south Lebanon day after ceasefire extension

Published: May 16, 2026 | 11:33 GMT | by AFP

Israel launched new airstrikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Saturday, a day after the two countries agreed to extend a truce following talks in Washington.

"The IDF has begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure sites in several areas in southern Lebanon," the Israeli military said.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported strikes on at least five villages in the south, preceded by an exodus of residents towards the southern city of Sidon and the capital Beirut.

Israeli forces carry out incursion into southern Syria's Quneitra area: State media

Published: May 16, 2026 | 10:41 GMT | by Web Desk

Israeli forces carried out an incursion into Saida al-Hanout village and the outskirts of the village of al-Muallaqa in southern Quneitra Countryside, according to Syria's official state news agency SANA.

An Israeli force consisting of four military vehicles entered Saida al-Hanout, and its members deployed among the homes of residents, searching several houses, no arrests were reported.

The occupation forces also advanced with three tanks to the vicinity of Tal al-Daraiyat on the outskirts of al-Muallaqa in the southern Quneitra countryside, before withdrawing later.

Israel military claims Hamas armed wing chief killed in Gaza strike

Published: May 16, 2026 | 10:09 GMT | by AFP

The Israeli military on Saturday claimed that Ezzedine Al-Haddad, chief of Hamas' armed wing, was killed in an air strike in Gaza the day before.

"The IDF and the ISA announce that yesterday, in a precise strike in the area of the City of Gaza, the terrorist Ezzedine Al-Haddad was eliminated," the military said, referring to itself and the Shin Bet domestic security agency.

Iraq exports through Hormuz fell to 10M barrels in April: Oil minister

Published: May 16, 2026 | 08:49 GMT | by AFP

Iraq's oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz plunged to just 10 million barrels in April, the country's new oil minister said Saturday.

"Iraq previously exported 93 million barrels per month through the Strait of Hormuz, but last April we exported only 10 million barrels due to the war," said Bassem Mohammed Khudair during a handover ceremony to assume his new post.

Iraq's southern oil terminals received in April two oil tankers to load Iraqi oil.

Last month, Baghdad said it had reached "understandings" with the US and Iran to reduce the impact of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran announced it would allow Iraqi shipping to transit the key waterway.

Iraq previously exported an average of 3.5 million barrels daily, accounting for some 90% of its budget revenues.

Israel military says striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

Published: May 16, 2026 | 08:49 GMT | by AFP

The Israeli military said it had launched new strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure across southern Lebanon on Saturday, the day after the two countries agreed to extend an existing ceasefire.

"The IDF has begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure sites in several areas in southern Lebanon," the military said.

Iran President Pezeshkian thanks Pope Leo XIV for stance against war: Media

Published: May 16, 2026 | 08:11 GMT | by Web Desk

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has conveyed his appreciation to Pope Leo XIV, praising what he described as the pontiff’s ethical and rational stance on recent military actions against Iran, according to Tasnim News Agency.

Sri Lanka raises tax on imported cars as Middle East crisis bites

Published: May 16, 2026 | 08:11 GMT | by AFP

Sri Lanka slapped a 50% surcharge on customs duties on vehicles Saturday in a bid to discourage imports and ease currency pressure stemming from the Middle East conflict.

The increase in taxes comes as the local rupee has sharply depreciated since the start of US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

"Given the current pressure on foreign exchange, we want people to delay their imports (of vehicles) by three months," Junior Finance Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando told reporters in Colombo.

Vehicle were charged a customs duty of 30% but several other taxes make the effective import tax on a car more than 100%.

Sri Lanka has increased energy prices by more than a third since the start of the Middle East war and has rationed diesel and petrol in a bid to reduce the import bill.

Official figures show that Sri Lanka's rupee has depreciated by 4.5% against the dollar so far this year. Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe told a parliamentary panel last week that the rupee would continue to slide unless global oil prices fell or Sri Lanka slashed energy imports.

Iran says US resolution co-sponsors would share responsibility if new escalation occurs

Published: May 16, 2026 | 08:01 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran's Mission to the UN, in a post on X on Saturday, said, "It is now crystal clear that the U.S. is seeking to exploit the number of the so-called co-sponsors of its politically motivated and one-sided draft resolution to manufacture a false image of “broad international support” for its ongoing unlawful actions and to pave the way for further military adventurism in the region."

"Should the U.S. trigger any new escalation, all co-sponsoring States will share international responsibility alongside Washington for the consequences," the post said.

"No political excuse or diplomatic cover can absolve them of responsibility for facilitating, enabling, and legitimizing U.S. aggression." it warned.

Iran's Araghchi warns US of 'rocketing costs of war'

Published: May 16, 2026 | 07:45 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned the US of rising economic cost of President Trump's 'war of choice on Iran'.

In a post on X on Saturday, Araghchi said, "Americans are told that they must absorb rocketing costs of war of choice on Iran."

"Put aside gas price hike and stock market bubble. Real pain begins when U.S. debt and mortgage rates start to jump. Auto loan delinquencies are already at 30+-year high," he added.

"This was all avoidable," Araghchi added.

Uzbek FM lauds Pakistan’s role in mediation for peace

Published: May 16, 2026 | 07:23 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister /Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov, according to a post on X on Saturday by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral and multilateral matters of mutual interest, including Pak-Uzbek relations and regional developments,” the post said.

“FM Saidov also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in mediation for regional peace & security,” it added.

Israel conducts strikes on towns in southern Lebanon

Published: May 16, 2026 | 05:49 GMT | by Web Desk

Israel has launched airstrikes on the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif in southern Lebanon this morning, Al Jazeera reported, citing National News Agency (NNA).

The towns of Kfar Tebnit, Arnoun, and Yohmor al-Shaqif, as well as the Arnoun-Kfar Tebnit road, have also come under heavy artillery bombardment, the NNA said.

Israeli forces kill Palestinian man in Jenin

Published: May 16, 2026 | 05:47 GMT | by Web Desk

A young man has been killed by Israeli forces in the Jenin refugee camp in the north of the occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera reported, quoting the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Everything should be clear before deal, says Iran FM

Published: May 16, 2026 | 05:20 GMT | by Web Desk

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said, "everything should be defined very clearly before we can conclude a deal."

He said, "So the most important issue right now is the question of trust. We cannot trust Americans at all. So everything should be exact, everything should be defined very clearly before we can conclude a deal."

The foreign minister further said, "And it is obvious that those things they have not been able to achieve militarily, they cannot achieve on negotiation table. Unless there is a win-win solution achieved. So the current negotiation is suffering from the lack of trust."

President Trump says Strait of Hormuz 'will be opened'

Published: May 16, 2026 | 04:26 GMT | by Web Desk

United States President Donald Trump said that the Strait of Hormuz "will be opened".

According to an interview clip posted on Official White House Rapid Response X account on Saturday, he said, "I'm going to do what's right. I have to do what's right... The Strait will be opened, they will not have a nuclear weapon, and the world will go on."

China signals likely veto of US-backed Hormuz resolution at UNSC

Published: May 16, 2026 | 04:26 GMT | by Web Desk

China has signaled a likely veto of US-backed Hormuz resolution at the UNSC, Al Jazeera reported, citing PassBlue news portal.

China’s UN envoy Fu Cong said about the US-backed Hormuz resolution at the UNSC: “We don’t think the content is right, and the timing is not right.”

“What we need is to urge both sides to engage in serious and good-faith negotiations that can resolve the issue,” Fu said.

“So passing a resolution at this stage, we don’t think is going to be helpful,” he added.

UN expert says New York Times report 'barely scratches the surface' after Israeli backlash

Published: May 16, 2026 | 04:14 GMT | by Web Desk

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has criticized Israel’s Foreign Ministry after it called a New York Times article about sexual violence against Palestinians in Israeli prisons “hideous and distorted lies”, and announced a defamation lawsuit against the publication.

In a series of social media posts on Saturday, Albanese described the article as “accurate but barely scratching the surface”.

In a thread consisting of 22 posts, she stated, “Sexual violence against Palestinians has been documented since the very foundation of the Israeli state, but this is nothing the NYT spoke about – so far”.

Lebanese delegation says Israel truce extension, security track open path to 'lasting stability'

Published: May 16, 2026 | 02:18 GMT | by AFP

Lebanon's negotiating delegation in Washington said on Friday that the extension of the truce with Israel and the establishment of a US-facilitated security track pave the way for "lasting stability".

The truce in the Israel-Hezbollah war was extended for 45 days following the third round of negotiations between Lebanese and Israeli representatives in Washington.

"The Lebanese delegation welcomes today's outcome," it said, in a statement shared by the Lebanese presidency.

"The extension of the ceasefire and the establishment of a US-facilitated security track provide critical breathing space for our citizens, reinforce state institutions, and advance a political pathway toward lasting stability.

"Our objective is to transform the current ceasefire momentum into a comprehensive and lasting agreement that safeguards the dignity, security, and future of the Lebanese people."

Lebanon, Israel ceasefire extended by 45 days: US

Published: May 15, 2026 | 19:44 GMT | by AFP

Lebanon and Israel extended a ceasefire for 45 days, despite a new flareup in violence, the US State Department said after mediating talks.

"The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.

He said that the State Department would hold negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent political agreement on June 2 and 3, and that the Pentagon would bring together delegations from the countries' militaries on May 29.

"We hope these discussions will advance lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border," Pigott said.

The ceasefire, already extended, had been due to expire on Sunday.

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