Israel Iran War Live Updates: Israel Iran War Live Updates: Iran says Brics unable to reach consensus on West Asia conflict due to UAE stance

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a “secret” meeting with the president of the United Arab Emirates during the war with Iran, his office said Wednesday.

“During Operation ‘Lion’s Roar’, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” his office said in a statement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday to participate in the Brics Foreign Ministers’ Meeting being hosted under India’s chairmanship, amid heightened tensions in West Asia and growing diplomatic engagement within the expanded bloc.

Araghchi is expected to hold discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other participating ministers on regional security, multilateral cooperation and economic coordination during the two-day gathering.

India has successfully moved a 14th Indian LPG carrier through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region, with one final vessel currently crossing the strategic waterway under close monitoring, government sources said on Wednesday.

“14th LPG ship crossed Hormuz… one more crossing in progress. With that, all 15 ships in the Persian Gulf would have successfully moved out. a result of the multi-agency coordination by the government of India” an official said.

Indian Navy provided necessary support and escort,” he added.

Iran on Wednesday said it would welcome any initiative by major powers such as India to help restore peace in West Asia, while revealing that divisions within Brics have prevented the grouping from adopting a unified position on the regional conflict.

Speaking to reporter, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said one Brics member country had pushed for a condemnation of Iran, an apparent reference to the United Arab Emirates, leading to disagreements within the bloc.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Tuesday urged Gulf Arab nations to choose between Israel and Iran, arguing that the ongoing conflict has demonstrated the strategic value of normalising relations with Israel.

Speaking at a conference in Tel Aviv, Huckabee said regional countries should recognise that Israel is “not your natural enemy” and contrasted it with Iran, which he accused of destabilising the region through missile attacks and hostility toward neighbouring states.

The Gaza Board of Peace’s high representative for Gaza on Wednesday said the ceasefire in the Palestinian territory was holding but that there have been daily violations.

“We have a ceasefire. It is holding. It is not perfect. It is far from perfect. There are violations every day, and some of them are very serious,” said Nickolay Mladenov during a press conference in Jerusalem.

The Board of Peace’s high representative for Gaza on Wednesday said Hamas may remain as a political force on the condition that it lays down its weapons.

“We are asking the political leadership of those who govern Gaza now to step aside. This is required by the Security Council resolution in the 20-point plan,” said Nickolay Mladenov during a press conference in Jerusalem, referring to the peace plan for the territory.

“We are not asking Hamas to disappear as a political movement. A political party that disavows armed activity can compete in national Palestinian elections. What is not negotiable, however, is that armed factions or militias… can exist alongside a transitional Palestinian authority,” he said.

The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry has confirmed the arrest of four individuals linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following an attempt to enter the country by sea. According to a report by Reuters, the infiltration occurred at Bubiyan Island, situated in the north-western reaches of the Gulf.

The state news agency, KUNA, reported that the incident led to physical altercations between the intruders and local security, resulting in an injury to a member of the Kuwaiti armed forces. In response to the breach, the Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador to deliver a formal note of protest regarding the violation of Kuwaiti territory.

The Kuwaiti government has issued a firm stance on the matter:

• Hostile Act: Officials have officially categorised the incursion as an act of hostility against the state.

• Right to Defence: Underlining the gravity of the situation, Kuwait stated it reserves the full right to protect its sovereignty in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

• Strategic Location: Bubiyan Island is the largest in Kuwait’s coastal chain, making its security a high priority for the Gulf nation during the current regional instability.

This confrontation marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two neighbours as the wider conflict involving Iran continues to spill over into surrounding territories.

Renowned human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh was released from custody on bail on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, according to a report by AFP. Her daughter, Mehraveh Khandan, confirmed the news via Instagram, stating that her mother had been granted temporary release several weeks after her latest arrest.

Ms Sotoudeh had been detained at her home on 1 April as part of an intensified campaign against civil society activists during the ongoing conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States. A prominent figure in international human rights, she has previously been honoured with the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize in 2012 and the Right Livelihood Award in 2020.

The lawyer’s release comes amid continued hardship for her family:

• Repeated Detentions: Ms Sotoudeh has faced multiple arrests over the years in connection with her legal work and advocacy.

• Family Imprisonment: Her husband, Reza Khandan, remains in an Iranian prison, where he has been held since December 2024.

• Civil Society Crackdown: Activists suggest her most recent arrest was part of a broader effort by authorities to stifle dissent during the current regional war.

While Ms Sotoudeh is now home, her release is understood to be temporary pending further judicial proceedings.

The surge in global energy prices caused by the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran is placing significant strain on Turkey’s efforts to curb inflation. According to a report by AFP, the country’s central bank is now widely expected to increase its inflation projections in response to the growing economic pressure.

Financial analysts anticipate that the central bank will adjust its year-end inflation targets and forecast ranges during its upcoming quarterly presentation. The combination of rising oil prices and persistent supply chain disruptions is making it increasingly difficult for the Turkish government to maintain its current disinflationary path.

The situation marks a challenging turn for Turkey’s economy, as the regional war continues to drive up the cost of essential imports and weigh heavily on domestic market stability.

An Israeli drone attack on Lebanon’s primary southern highway resulted in the deaths of eight people on Wednesday, 13 May 2026. According to a report by Reuters, the Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed that three vehicles were hit in the strike, with the casualties including a woman and her two young children.

The Israeli military stated that the operation targeted Hezbollah infrastructure across various locations in southern Lebanon. These strikes occurred shortly after the military issued evacuation orders for residents in six southern villages.

The escalation comes at a sensitive diplomatic moment:

• Peace Efforts: The Trump administration is currently hosting direct negotiations in Washington, with another round of talks between Lebanon and Israel scheduled for Thursday, 14 May.

• Historical Context: The US is pushing for a significant breakthrough between the two nations, which have remained in a formal state of war since 1948.

• Casualty Details: While the Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed the three separate missile impacts on the highway, they did not specify how many individuals were travelling in each targeted vehicle.

Despite the ongoing diplomatic push for a settlement, the continued violence on the ground highlights the fragility of the peace process as the regional conflict intensifies.

A subsidiary of the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) confirmed on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, that one of its tankers has leaked fuel off the coast of Oman following a strike by Iranian drones last week. According to Reuters, the incident involving the M.V. Barakah has heightened concerns regarding the environmental impact of the ongoing conflict with Iran.

ADNOC Logistics & Services stated that it is currently managing the situation and collaborating with specialist response teams and local authorities. The vessel has remained at anchor since it was targeted by two drones on 4 May. A spokesperson for the company clarified that while the ship was not carrying any cargo at the time of the attack, a small quantity of bunker fuel, used to power the ship’s engines, was released into the sea as a result of the damage.

The company has not yet disclosed the exact volume of the spill, though it previously confirmed that no crew members were harmed during the strike. The leak underscores the growing ecological hazards posed by military actions against commercial shipping in the region’s vital maritime corridors.

Iranian authorities have carried out the execution of 32-year-old Ehsan Afreshteh on charges of espionage, marking the sixth person to be hanged for allegedly spying for Israel since the outbreak of the war on 28 February. According to a report by AFP, the judiciary’s official news outlet, Mizan Online, identified Afreshteh as a specialist trained by the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad in Nepal.

The Iranian government claims that Afreshteh provided sensitive information to Israel. However, human rights organisations have strongly contested the circumstances surrounding his conviction:

• Claims of Torture: The Norway-based groups Hengaw and Iran Human Rights (IHR) stated that Afreshteh denied the allegations and claimed his televised “confessions” were extracted through torture.

• Professional Defence: A specialist in cybersecurity, Afreshteh reportedly maintained throughout his detention that his only involvement with independent websites was to issue warnings regarding potential cyberattacks.

• Wartime Crackdown: This latest execution highlights an intensifying campaign by Tehran against perceived internal threats as the conflict with the US and Israel continues to escalate.

The discrepancy between the official state narrative and the accounts provided by human rights monitors has drawn international scrutiny to Iran’s judicial processes during the ongoing regional crisis.

The Swedish government has announced a temporary reduction in fuel taxes to protect households and businesses from the record-high energy prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East. According to a report by AFP, the proposal seeks to cut fuel taxes by 2.4 kronor per litre, which, when combined with VAT adjustments, should lower the price of petrol and diesel at the pumps by approximately 3 kronor per litre.

This intervention is the centerpiece of a broader 17.5 billion kronor crisis support package, with the tax cuts alone expected to cost the state treasury roughly 7.7 billion kronor. During the announcement on Wednesday, Energy Minister Ebba Busch categorised the current upheaval as the most severe global energy crisis in history.

Key assessments from the Swedish government include:

• Economic Longevity: Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson cautioned that the financial fallout from the war will likely persist for the remainder of the year, even in the event of an immediate ceasefire.

• Cost of Living Relief: The package is designed to provide immediate relief to consumers struggling with the inflationary pressure triggered by the US-Israeli war with Iran.

• Budgetary Impact: The significant allocation of funds underscores the gravity with which the Swedish administration views the economic contagion spreading from the Gulf region.

The move reflects a growing trend among European nations to deploy state funds to subsidise energy costs as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues to starve the global market of crude oil.

According to ship-tracking data provided by LSEG and Kpler, the Chinese-flagged Yuan Hua Hu was spotted on Wednesday, 13 May, attempting a rare transit through the Strait of Hormuz. In a report by Reuters, the vessel, which is carrying two million barrels of crude oil from Iraq, was tracked passing Iran’s Larak Island as it moved southwards along the eastern side of the channel. This journey represents a significant test of the Iranian-controlled waters, which have been largely closed to international traffic since the conflict with the US and Israel broke out on 28 February.

If the tanker completes its voyage, it will be only the third time a Chinese oil vessel has successfully navigated the strait since the start of the war. While the majority of global shipping has been halted by the effective blockade, this latest move suggests that Chinese tankers are continuing to attempt the passage to maintain energy supplies. The strategic crossing remains the primary flashpoint of the current conflict, with the successful movement of the Yuan Hua Hu highlighting China’s unique ability to operate within the contested maritime zone.

Iranian authorities have executed a 32-year-old cybersecurity specialist, Ehsan Afreshteh, on charges of espionage for Israel, according to a report by AFP. The hanging, which took place on Wednesday, marks the sixth such execution for alleged spying since the outbreak of the war involving the US and Israel on 28 February.

Officials in Tehran alleged that Mr Afreshteh had been recruited and trained by the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, in Nepal. It was further claimed that he had transmitted sensitive information to Israel prior to his arrest. The execution underscores the intensifying internal security crackdown in Iran as the regional conflict continues to escalate.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that global oil supply will drop by approximately 3.9 million barrels per day throughout 2026 as a direct result of the war in Iran. According to a report by Reuters on Wednesday, 13 May, the agency confirmed that more than 1 billion barrels of West Asian supply have already been lost since the conflict began.

In its latest monthly market assessment, the IEA noted that this supply contraction is expected to outpace the decline in global demand. While demand is projected to fall by 420,000 barrels per day this year, the agency highlighted that the war itself is a primary driver of this trend. Extreme price spikes have led to “demand destruction” and a significant slowdown in global economic growth, further complicating the energy landscape.

The Italian government has confirmed it is moving two warships closer to the Gulf region, though it has specified they will only be deployed as part of an international mission if a permanent ceasefire is reached. According to AFP, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto informed parliament on Wednesday, 13 May, that any active mission within the Strait of Hormuz would require formal approval from lawmakers before commencement.

The strategic waterway has been effectively blockaded by Iran since the outbreak of hostilities with the US and Israel in February. This closure has caused significant global economic disruption, including a sharp rise in the cost of oil and fertilisers. Furthermore, the US has alleged that Iran has placed naval mines within the Strait, which traditionally handles roughly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply.

Italy’s decision to reposition its vessels reflects growing international concern over the security of global supply chains and the potential need for mine-clearing operations should a diplomatic resolution be achieved.

President Donald Trump has reiterated his military threats against Iran on the eve of a high-stakes visit to China, according to a report by Bloomberg. The President stated on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic must either “make a good deal” with the United States or face “devastation,” maintaining a hardline stance before meeting with President Xi Jinping.

The ongoing conflict will be a primary focus of the talks in Beijing, as China remains Iran’s largest oil customer and a vital diplomatic ally. The war has caused global energy prices to skyrocket, largely due to Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a move that has significantly disrupted Chinese energy imports.

Speaking before his departure, Mr Trump expressed confidence that the upcoming discussions would yield results:

• Priority Agenda: The President confirmed that the Iranian crisis would be the “number one” topic of conversation with the Chinese leadership.

• Optimistic Outlook: Despite his aggressive rhetoric toward Tehran, Mr Trump suggested that “good things are going to happen” during the diplomatic push in China.

• Strategic Pressure: The visit is seen as an attempt to leverage China’s influence over Iran to secure a ceasefire and reopen vital maritime trade routes.

With the global economy under strain from the energy shock, the meeting between the American and Chinese leaders is viewed as a critical turning point for the potential resolution of the conflict.

The chairman of the United Arab Emirates Banks Federation, Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, has dismissed suggestions that recent regional hostilities have caused investors to pull their money out of the country. In a report by Reuters, Mr Al Ghurair stated on Wednesday that the banking sector remains on a solid footing despite the ongoing conflict. Speaking publicly for the first time since Iran launched missile and drone strikes across the Gulf last month, the federation chief expressed confidence in the industry’s resilience and noted that the sector is expected to post stronger results for the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year.

While Mr Al Ghurair predicted that Q2 performance would surpass that of 2025, he declined to offer specific figures regarding earnings or loan growth. He directly addressed concerns regarding capital outflows, describing fears of a sustained exodus of funds as “unfounded” and maintaining that liquidity remains stable. These remarks come as the region continues to grapple with the economic fallout of the war, which began with US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran on 28 February. Despite the disruption to regional trade and shipping, the UAE’s top banker maintains that the financial system has successfully weathered the immediate impact of the Iranian strikes.

The ongoing war involving the US, Israel, and Iran is expected to overshadow a two-day gathering of Brics foreign ministers starting in New Delhi this Thursday, 14 May. According to a report by Reuters, the summit brings together a significantly expanded group that now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran itself.

The conflict has created significant diplomatic friction within the bloc. In March, Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, noted that the direct involvement of certain member states in the hostilities had made it challenging to reach a unified stance.

Key points regarding the summit include:

• Expanded Membership: This meeting is one of the first major gatherings since the group grew beyond its original five members (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).

• Search for Consensus: Despite previous difficulties, an Indian ministry official told Reuters that New Delhi remains hopeful of securing a joint statement following this latest round of high-level talks.

• Diplomatic Stakes: With Iran and the UAE both at the table, the summit serves as a critical forum for discussing regional stability and the potential reopening of trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz.

The meeting comes at a pivotal moment as the international community watches to see if the Brics nations can bridge their internal divisions to provide a collective response to the crisis.

European stock markets moved higher on Wednesday after recovering from a sharp fall in the previous session, as oil prices eased while negotiations between the US and Iran remained stalled.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.7 per cent to 611.06 points by 07:03 GMT, after closing 1 per cent lower a day earlier.
Regional markets also advanced, with Spain’s IBEX 35 gaining 0.6 per cent and Germany’s DAX rising 0.7 per cent.

Vietnam has sharply increased imports of refined oil products following the US-Israel conflict involving Iran, as disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz created concerns over crude supply shortages. Customs data showed that between March and April, Vietnam’s fuel imports rose by nearly 17 per cent by volume compared with the same period last year, while the value of imports jumped 144 per cent in dollar terms.
To compensate for reduced fuel shipments from Singapore and China, Hanoi increased purchases from Malaysia and South Korea.

• Israeli strike targeted a car on the Beirut-South Lebanon highway near Jiyeh, despite the Israel-Hezbollah truce.
• China urged Pakistan to intensify mediation efforts between Iran and the US and help address the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz ahead of Donald Trump’s Beijing visit.
• Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed 13 people, including two rescuers and a wounded person they were assisting, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
• Beirut said 380 people have been killed in intensified Israeli attacks since the April 17 ceasefire took effect.
• Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem warned the battlefield would become “hell” for Israeli forces.
• The New York Times reported US intelligence assessments found Iran still retains about 70 per cent of its mobile missile launchers and pre-war missile stockpile.
• The report also said Iran has regained access to 30 of 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz.
• Australia announced support for a UK-France-led “strictly defensive” mission to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and will contribute a surveillance aircraft.
• Oil prices rose as stalled US-Iran talks kept tanker traffic disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Brent crude climbed 3.4 percent to $107.77 a barrel, while WTI rose 4.2 per cent to $102.18 a barrel.
• Iran rejected Kuwait’s allegation that four Iranian officers attempted to infiltrate Bubiyan Island, calling the accusation “absolutely baseless”.
• Donald Trump said he did not need China’s help to end the Iran war but would discuss the conflict with Xi Jinping during their meeting
• US consumer inflation hit a three-year high in April, with CPI rising 3.8 per cent year-on-year from 3.3 per cent in March.
• The Pentagon said the cost of the Iran war has climbed to nearly $29 billion, about $4 billion higher than estimates provided two weeks ago.

Israel has secured a place in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest as criticism and boycott calls over the country’s participation in the event continue to grow amid the West Asia crisis. Five European countries have said they are boycotting Eurovision in protest against Israel’s inclusion amid the country’s war on Gaza.

The Israeli military has issued displacement orders for residents of six towns and villages in southern Lebanon, warning that operations in the area would soon intensify.
The evacuation warning applies to Meiss el-Jabal, Yanouh, Borj El Chmali, Hula, Debl and Aabbasiyyeh.
In its statement, the military said it would act “forcefully” against the areas and warned that anyone remaining there “endangers their life”. Residents were instructed to move at least 1,000 metres (0.6 of a mile) away to what the military described as “open areas”.

Saudi Arabia conducted airstrikes inside Iran during the West Asia conflict in March, according to a Reuters report citing a Western official.
The strikes were described as retaliatory attacks carried out in response to earlier Iranian strikes on Saudi Arabia. Reuters reported that diplomats from both countries later engaged in discussions, triggering an intensive phase of diplomatic efforts.
According to the report, Saudi warnings of further retaliation, combined with diplomacy, eventually led to an understanding between Riyadh and Tehran aimed at de-escalation. Read More

Hamas has condemned the killing of Palestinian Zakaria Ali Muhammad Qadis by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank overnight.
In a statement, the group said, “The repeated field executions by the occupation army against our Palestinian people are added to the record of brutal Zionist crimes that are escalating at a dangerous pace.”

Hamas also said the incidents would not “succeed in breaking the will of our people but will only increase the price that the occupation will pay”.

The Israeli military said Hezbollah launched several rockets towards Israeli soldiers operating in southern Lebanon over the past few hours.
In a post on Telegram, the military said the rockets landed near troops but no injuries were reported. Israel also said its air force intercepted a “suspicious aerial target” in another incident involving areas where Israeli soldiers were operating in Lebanon.