Tensions in West Asia continued to rise on Friday as the US reportedly carried out fresh airstrikes near Iran, Israel intensified strikes in southern Lebanon, and explosions were heard near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran meanwhile said it is still reviewing the latest US proposal and warned it is ready to respond to any further attacks.
US-Iran war latest news — Here are the latest developments on May 8
- The US military reportedly launched additional airstrikes targeting several empty oil tankers allegedly trying to breach the blockade on Iran, according to Fox News. A senior US official said the vessels were “Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs)” attempting to return to Iran.
- Iran said it is still considering the latest proposal from the United States. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei accused Washington of violating the ceasefire and international law during recent military confrontations.
- Baghaei said Iranian forces remain on high alert and are fully prepared to respond to any “aggression and adventurism,” indicating continued tensions despite ongoing diplomatic engagement.
- Israeli air raids across southern Lebanon reportedly killed more than 10 people on Friday. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said strikes hit multiple towns, including Toura and Sultaniyeh, with civilian casualties including women and a passing motorcyclist.
- An explosion was heard in Iran’s Sirik region near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to Mehr news agency. The cause of the blast remains unknown.
Gold heads for weekly gain amid hopes of easing Iran conflict
Gold prices edged higher on Friday and were on track for a weekly gain as optimism over a possible end to the US-Israel conflict with Iran eased concerns about inflation and prolonged high interest rates.
Spot gold rose 0.5 percent to $4,709.89 per ounce by 15:51 GMT, taking its weekly gain to 2.1 percent. US gold futures also climbed 0.2 percent to $4,719.60.
Gold is typically viewed as a safe-haven asset during global uncertainty, though higher interest rates can weigh on prices because the metal does not offer yields.
Iran warns Hormuz conflict could reignite if US intervenes again
An anonymous Iranian military source told Iran’s Tasnim news agency that while the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is currently “calm”, any fresh US interference could trigger renewed conflict in the region.
The source said if the US attempts to re-enter the strait and “disturbs” Iranian vessels, “there is still a possibility of re-entering such conflicts in the region”.
Earlier, Iran’s Fars news agency reported “sporadic clashes” between Iranian forces and US naval ships in the waterway. US Central Command also said it struck two empty Iranian-flagged oil tankers allegedly attempting to breach the ongoing US blockade by entering an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman.
Qatar PM arrives in Washington for talks on Iran peace proposal
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has arrived in Washington, DC for meetings with US officials, with discussions on the Iran peace proposal expected to be high on the agenda.
Hamad al-Muftah, deputy chief of mission at Qatar’s US embassy, welcomed the Qatari leader’s visit, calling him a “peacemaker”.
According to Axios, Sheikh Mohammed is expected to meet US Vice President JD Vance to discuss negotiations with Iran, US-Qatar relations, LNG markets, and regional stability.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Lebanon wants to “solidify” the ceasefire before the next round of negotiations with Israel, warning that continued Israeli attacks would top the agenda in upcoming talks.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Salam said Lebanon would push for an end to attacks, the release of prisoners, and a timetable for Israeli withdrawal to allow displaced residents to return and reconstruction efforts to begin.
He added that Lebanon is seeking US guarantees to help restore the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while stressing that the Lebanese government would be the sole negotiating party.
Salam also reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that weapons remain “restricted to the state alone”, in remarks seen as referring to Hezbollah’s military role.
Iran warns against ‘roguish behaviour’ after US attacks in Hormuz
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei warned against “adventurism and roguish behaviour” following US military attacks on Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X, Baghaei appeared to criticise US President Donald Trump, saying terms such as “a light slap” could not hide what he described as “narcissism, greed, reckless miscalculation, and lawless irresponsibility”.
The remarks were seemingly directed at Trump’s earlier comment describing the overnight US strikes on Iran as “a love tap”. Baghaei also dismissed what he called “disjointed, delusional tweets”, saying they “no longer hold any sway over reality”.
5 more confirmed killed in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon
Lebanon’s National News Agency said four people, including a child, were confirmed killed in an earlier Israeli strike on the town of ad-Doueir.
The agency also reported that another person was killed after a separate Israeli attack targeted a motorcycle in the town of Jebchit.
Five killed in fresh Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon
Lebanon’s National News Agency said five more people were killed in Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, including a child.
Four people were confirmed dead following an earlier strike on the town of ad-Doueir, while another person was killed after an Israeli attack targeted a motorcycle in the town of Jebchit.
Araghchi says Iran will not bow to pressure after US actions
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said “Iranians never bow to pressure” as he criticised recent US actions and questioned whether Washington was acting deliberately or being influenced by “a spoiler once again duping POTUS”.
In a post on X, Araghchi accused the United States of choosing military escalation over diplomacy, saying, “Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the US opts for a reckless military adventure.”
Rubio questions allies over lack of support against Iran after meeting Meloni
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioned why allies including Italy were not fully backing Washington’s efforts against Iran after meeting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Friday.
Rubio said countries opposing Iran’s actions needed “something more than just strongly worded statements”, as tensions continue around the Strait of Hormuz.
Meloni described the 90-minute meeting as an “extensive and constructive discussion” covering the Middle East, Libya, and peace efforts in Lebanon and Ukraine, adding that both sides had a “frank dialogue” while defending their national interests and western unity.
US awaits Iran response as clashes intensify in Strait of Hormuz
The United States said it expects Iran to respond as early as Friday to Washington’s latest proposal to end the Gulf conflict, even as fresh clashes broke out between US and Iranian forces in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington hopes Tehran’s response could lead to “a serious process of negotiation”, while Iran said it was still reviewing the proposal.
Meanwhile, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported sporadic confrontations between Iranian forces and US vessels in the Gulf. The US military also said it struck two Iran-linked vessels attempting to enter an Iranian port, with a fighter jet reportedly targeting the ships’ smokestacks to stop them from docking.
Lebanon says over 2,700 killed in Israeli attacks since March
Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health said at least 2,759 people have been killed and 8,512 others injured in Israeli attacks across the country since March 2, as fighting in the region continues to escalate.
Iranian media reports fresh clashes with US vessels in Hormuz
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported “sporadic clashes” between Iranian forces and US vessels in the Strait of Hormuz over the past hour, amid escalating tensions in the region. More details are expected.
One missing sailor found dead after US attack on Iranian vessel
Iranian officials said one of the five sailors missing after last night’s US attack on an Iranian vessel near the Strait of Hormuz has been found dead.
According to Iran’s Mehr news agency, Minab governor Mohammad Radmehr said search operations are still underway for the remaining four missing sailors. He added earlier that 10 sailors were injured during the naval confrontation.
US airstrikes hit tankers allegedly trying to break Iran blockade
US military carried out additional airstrikes targeting several empty oil tankers allegedly attempting to breach the blockade on Iran, according to a report by Fox News.
Citing a senior US official, the report said the vessels were “Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs)” — massive empty ships that were trying to return to Iran despite the blockade.
Iran still reviewing US proposal, says foreign ministry
Iran is continuing to review the latest proposal from the United States and is weighing its response, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said.
Speaking to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, Baghaei also accused Washington of violating the ceasefire and breaching international law during last night’s military confrontation.
He added that Iran’s forces remain on high alert and are fully prepared to respond to any “aggression and adventurism.”
Israeli air strikes in South Lebanon kill over 10
Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon continued on Friday, with more than 10 people reported killed across multiple locations.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said an air strike on the town of Toura in the Tyre district killed four people, including two women, and injured eight others.
According to the National News Agency, separate strikes on Sultaniyeh also left four people dead. Additional raids were reported in the towns of Shaqra, Barashit and Safad al-Batikh in the Bint Jbeil district.
In another incident, three people were killed in Al-Zahrani after an air strike targeted a car on the Arab Al-Jal-Houmin Al-Tahta road. A passing motorcyclist was also among those killed.
The strikes mark a continued escalation in the region, with multiple civilian casualties reported.
Explosion heard in Iran's Sirik, near Strait of Hormuz: Report
Explosion heard in Iran's Sirik, near Strait of Hormuz, reasons unknown, reports Mehr news agency
UAE air defences engage 2 ballistic missiles and 3 UAV’s launched from Iran
In a post on X, the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems intercepted two ballistic missiles and three UAV’s launched from Iran, leaving three people moderately wounded.
Three empty Iranian oil tankers breached US blockade and returned to Iran: Tanker tracker website
An international tanker tracker website has reported that three Iranian-flagged tankers have breached the US Navy blockade in the Strait of Hormuz over the last two days, making their way back to Iran via the Exclusive Economic Zone of Pakistan.
UAE's air defences engage with missiles from Iran
UAE says three people were injured as its air defences engaged with 2 ballistic missiles and three drones from Iran on Friday.
Italy's Meloni to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to meet following US-EU tensions over Iran
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in what is being viewed as an attempt to heal recent tensions between the two countries.
China expresses concern over Strait of Hormuz tensions
China has said it is “extremely concerned” about the growing number of ships affected by rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.
According to reports, China’s Foreign Ministry stated that a Chinese tanker was attacked in the strait. The ministry also confirmed that Chinese nationals were on board the vessel, although no crew casualties have been reported so far.
The incident adds to concerns over maritime security in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Four arrested in Israel accused of spying for Iran
Three soldiers and one civilian were arrested in Israel on suspicion of working for Iranian intelligence while they were minors, Israel’s Ynet News site reports.
They are accused of filming sensitive locations, including a training facility belonging to the Israeli air force, where some of them studied.
Iraq denies its deputy oil minister helped Iran evade US sanctions
Iraq's oil ministry has denied US accusations against its deputy minister, who the United States hit with sanctions over alleged support to Iran as Washington escalates pressure on Baghdad to break with Iranian-linked groups.
China confirms attack on oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz, no casualties reported: Report
China's foreign ministry has confirmed that an oil products tanker carrying Chinese crew was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, and expressed deep concern about vessels affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, news agency Reuters reported.
Lebanese civil defence member killed in Israeli strike
According to state media outlet the National News Agency, a member of the Lebanese civil defence was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon. The group issued a statement, saying, "The General Directorate of Civil Defense announces the martyrdom of a Civil Defense member from the Rashaya al-Fakhar center as a result of an Israeli airstrike that targeted him on the Rashaya-Kfarshouba road."
According to Gulf Marines Services' (GMS), the UAE-based firm reported a 24% fall in the first quarter after it had to evacuate four vessels from a GCC country in March. In the months ending on March 31, its core profile fell to $19.5 million, down from $25.6 million a year earlier.
Japanese shipping company says vessels didn't pay fees for crossing Hormuz
Three of Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) vessels that crossed the Strait of Hormuz and exited the Gulf didn't pay any transit fees, according to a company spokesperson's statement to Reuters.
The company still has several ships in the Gulf. When asked how the vessels were able to cross the waterway, MOL credited concerned countries and stakeholders for their efforts.
Australian shares slip amid Middle East tensions
Australian shares fell on Friday as the US and Iran renewed attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
The S&P/ASX 200 index ended 1.5% lower at 8,744.40. Despite the decline, the benchmark rose 0.2% for the week, though it remained below record highs hit in early March. Investors capped a week in which the Reserve Bank of Australia hiked its interest rates for the third time this year.
Global mining majors, BHP and Rio Tinto, fell 1% and 0.8%, respectively while Fortescue lost 0.7%. Banks slipped 2.3%.
Energy stocks dropped 1.6%. Oil and gas firms Woodside Energy and Santos both shed 1.4%. Wagering firm Tabcorp fell 14.2%, extending losses after a more than 23% plunge in the previous session on a probe into money-laundering risks. In New Zealand, the S&P/NZX 50 index declined 0.7% to 13,175.13, though the benchmark still gained 1% for the week.
Air India to cut costs, reduce flights amid Iran war
According to a Bloomberg report, Air India Ltd is looking to cut costs and reduce flights in the wake of the Iran war. Measures discussed in a board meeting this week reportedly included furloughing nontechnical employees and cutting flight capacity by over 20% for the next three months unless the situation gets better.