French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed U.S. plans to help ships exit the Strait of Hormuz but said France will not take part in any military operation.
"We will not take part in any violent operations, especially as the framework for this does not appear clear to me," Macron said at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan on Monday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday the United States would assist vessels stuck in the waterway. Macron said France and the United Kingdom are working on a neutral naval mission and called for a coordinated reopening involving Iran and the United States.
France's President Emmanuel Macron attends the 8th European Political Community (EPC) summit in Yerevan on May 4, 2026. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)Credit: AFP/LUDOVIC MARIN
France's President Emmanuel Macron attends the 8th European Political Community (EPC) summit in Yerevan on May 4, 2026. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)Credit: AFP/LUDOVIC MARIN
Spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Esmail Baghaei said the United States is continuing to pursue "maximalist" demands and bears responsibility for the slow pace of diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Asked about the United Arab Emirates' exit from OPEC, Baghaei said it is "not constructive" for any member to leave the organization as a "negative reaction."
Separately, Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, who heads Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya central military headquarters and serves as de facto chief of staff, warned that any foreign force–"in particular the aggressive U.S. army"–would be attacked if it approaches or enters the Strait of Hormuz.
Aliabadi said commercial vessels seeking to pass through the strait must coordinate with Iranian forces.
On Sunday, Donald Trump announced an operation dubbed "Project Freedom," which he said would help ships stuck in the waterway exit it "so that they can freely and ably get on with their business." The operation is set to begin Monday, though no further details were provided.
The United Arab Emirates' energy minister said OPEC has been "relatively calm" about the country opting to exit the group, describing the move as a sovereign decision.
He said the UAE would remain a responsible producer and that the country left "on good terms," adding he is confident Abu Dhabi will continue working with many nations, including members of OPEC and OPEC+.
The minister said the UAE will gauge its engagements based on market requirements and domestic industrial needs, and that it "owes it to partners investing in the UAE to produce what the world requires" without restrictions, in coordination with other producers.
He also said no one should be allowed to control the Strait of Hormuz.
IDF troops killed 10 armed Hezbollah operatives over the past two days in several areas near Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, according to an IDF statement.
At the same time, soldiers from the IDF's multi-dimensional unit destroyed a loaded launch position and infrastructure used to store weapons, officials said.
The Israeli Air Force also struck Hezbollah infrastructure overnight after anti-tank fire was directed at troops. No injuries were reported in the incident, the military added.
The IDF said it is carrying out a new wave of strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
The strikes come shortly after the IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, issued an evacuation warning to residents of four villages in the Tyre district.
Smoke rises in Habboush following Israeli strikes, as seen from Nabatieh, Lebanon, May 1, 2026.Credit: Stringer / REUTERSSmoke rises in Habboush following Israeli strikes, as seen from Nabatieh, Lebanon, May 1, 2026.Credit: Stringer / REUTERS
Pakistan's government said 22 crew members from a seized Iranian container ship were evacuated to Pakistan by the United States and will be handed over to Iranian authorities on Monday.
The government added that the vessel will be returned to Pakistani waters after necessary repairs before being handed back to its original owners.
The government approved a budget of more than 1 billion shekels (about $270 million) to develop access roads for new settlements in the West Bank.
In the initial phase, about 3 million shekels will be allocated to formulate the plan and complete preliminary design work, which will be brought back for government approval within 45 days, according to a statement.
The funding for the development work will be provided as a designated budget addition from the Finance Ministry, the statement said.
Israeli flags decorated the road leading to the Palestinian village of Um el-Kheir, wedged between new Jewish settlements and outposts in the West Bank.Credit: AFP/HAZEM BADERIsraeli flags decorated the road leading to the Palestinian village of Um el-Kheir, wedged between new Jewish settlements and outposts in the West Bank.Credit: AFP/HAZEM BADER
UN Secretary General Mark Rutte said European countries have "gotten the message" from Donald Trump and are now ensuring agreements on the use of military bases are being implemented.
Speaking at a European Political Community summit in Armenia, Rutte acknowledged "some disappointment" from the U.S. side but said "Europeans have listened," after Trump accused some NATO members of not doing enough to support Washington in the Iran war.
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said the security of vital trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz is not solely a regional issue but a shared global responsibility.
Al Jaber said the United Arab Emirates' decision to reposition itself in the global energy landscape and exit OPEC and OPEC+ "is not directed against anyone," but serves national interests and long-term strategic objectives.
He added the move would give the UAE greater flexibility to accelerate investment, expand operations and create value, while maintaining its role as a "trusted and responsible partner" in global energy markets.
