Journalist
Hwang Jin-hyun
jinhyun97@ajunews.com
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U.S., Gulf Allies Renew Push for U.N. Resolution to Keep Strait of Hormuz Open The United States and its Gulf allies are renewing a push for a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding that Iran keep the Strait of Hormuz open, warning that additional steps, including sanctions, could be considered if Tehran does not comply. The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement on May 5 (local time) formally proposing the resolution to safeguard freedom of navigation through the strait. The draft was prepared by the United States with Bahrain and Gulf regional allies Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar. It calls on Iran to halt attacks on vessels, stop laying mines and cease collecting transit fees. It also demands that Iran disclose the locations of mines it has placed, cooperate in mine removal and work to establish humanitarian corridors. The new text takes a more cautious approach than a measure that failed last month. Reuters and other outlets reported the draft, mindful of Russia and China, removes language that would explicitly authorize military action. It retains the framework of Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, leaving a basis for enforcement measures that could include sanctions and military steps. The resolution condemns alleged recent ceasefire violations by Iran and describes any attempt to close or obstruct navigation through the strait, or to impose transit fees, as a threat to international peace and security. It says disruptions from a blockade are affecting shipments of essential goods, including relief supplies and fertilizer, and urges Iran to cooperate in creating routes for humanitarian assistance. Under the draft, the U.N. secretary-general would report to the Security Council within 30 days on whether Iran is complying. If Iran fails to meet the demands, the council would reconvene to consider additional measures, including sanctions. The United States aims to circulate the text by May 8 and seek a vote next week. At a White House briefing, Rubio said, “Everyone doesn’t want this to be blocked by a veto again, and we adjusted the wording slightly.” He added, “I don’t know if we can avoid a veto,” and said he believes the effort is “a real test of whether the U.N. is actually a functioning body.” Reuters also reported the United States has proposed creating a multinational maritime coalition called the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC). The MFC would work with a separate maritime mission led by the United Kingdom and France, aiming to fully resume transit through the Strait of Hormuz once conditions stabilize. About 30 countries are reported to be under discussion for participation in that maritime mission.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 09:56:26 -
Trump Cites Progress With Iran, Pauses Hormuz ‘Project Freedom’ as U.S. Declares ‘Epic Fury’ Over U.S. President Donald Trump said he will briefly pause a military operation tied to the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress in talks with Iran, while keeping a maritime blockade aimed at cutting off Iran’s oil-export revenue. In a post Monday on Truth Social, Trump said “Project Freedom,” which he described as ensuring ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz, would be suspended for a short period to determine whether a final agreement can be reached and signed. He said the decision reflected requests from Pakistan and other countries, what he called “tremendous success” in U.S. military operations against Iran, and “substantial progress” toward a “complete and final” agreement with Iranian representatives. Trump said the maritime blockade against Iran would remain in place, maintaining pressure during the remaining negotiations. Separately, the U.S. administration said an earlier Iran-related military operation had ended and that the Hormuz response had entered a new phase. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in the White House briefing room that “Epic Fury” was over and that Trump had notified Congress. “That phase is over. We are now in Project Freedom,” he said. “Epic Fury” was a U.S. military operation against Iran launched on Feb. 28. Trump recently sent a letter to Congress stating that the hostilities that began on Feb. 28, 2026, had ended. The move has been interpreted as an attempt to bypass the War Powers Resolution’s 60-day limit on the use of force abroad without congressional approval. Rubio said the U.S. military would respond if Iran attacks first, but repeatedly stressed that Project Freedom is defensive. He said the United States bears the main responsibility because it is the only country able to project power in the region, adding that while other nations’ ships are trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, the United States is carrying out the operation “in good faith.” He said a closure of the strait would hit the global economy and, over time, the U.S. economy, and warned that failing to respond could lead to similar situations in other international waterways. Rubio sharply criticized Iran’s attempt to control the strait, saying Tehran was trying to establish a new maritime order. “It is completely illegal and absurd, and every country in the world should join us in condemning Iran and doing something,” he said. He said multiple countries had expressed willingness to respond but did not name them. He also said at least 10 civilian sailors had died on ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz because of the blockade, accusing Iran of effectively engaging in piracy. Rubio said the United States is pushing for a U.N. Security Council resolution to reopen the strait, calling it a “real test” for the United Nations. A similar resolution led by Bahrain last month failed after vetoes by China and Russia. Rubio said Iran’s blockade also harms China and urged Beijing to pressure Iran directly.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 09:24:15 -
Trump Says Iran Talks Advancing, Pauses Hormuz ‘Project Freedom’ Operation U.S. President Donald Trump said he would temporarily suspend a military operation tied to the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress in negotiations with Iran. In a post Monday on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said “Project Freedom,” which he described as referring to ship movements through the Strait of Hormuz, would be paused for a short period “to determine whether a final agreement can be concluded and signed.” He said the decision took into account requests from Pakistan and other countries, what he called “tremendous success” in U.S. military operations against Iran, and “substantial progress” toward a “complete and final” agreement with Iranian representatives. The move suggested Trump is putting greater emphasis on ceasefire talks after launching the escort operation for commercial vessels transiting the strait a day earlier. Trump added that maritime blockade measures against Iran would remain in place, indicating the United States would keep its core pressure point — control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — while deciding next steps based on whether talks continue to advance. In an interview with Fox News the previous day, Trump issued a stark warning about the “Project Freedom” operation to help commercial ships he said were trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, saying that if Iran tried to target U.S. vessels, Iran’s military would “disappear from the face of the Earth.” 2026-05-06 08:12:13 -
U.S. Raises Pressure on China Over Deportations and Iran Ahead of Trump’s Beijing Trip The United States is stepping up pressure on China over the return of Chinese nationals ordered deported from the U.S. and over Iran, ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Beijing. A senior Trump administration official told Reuters on Monday that China has been reluctant to accept the return of Chinese nationals in the U.S. illegally and that Washington is prepared to tighten travel restrictions if Beijing does not change course. The official said China accepted about 3,000 people for deportation in early 2025 via charter and commercial flights, but has sharply reduced cooperation over the past six months. “China is not cooperating sufficiently with the United States to repatriate its own citizens,” the official said, calling it a violation of China’s international obligations and its responsibility to its nationals. If China does not expand cooperation, the official said the U.S. could consider raising visa application bonds, widening limits on visa issuance and strengthening entry denials at the border. The official warned that China’s lack of cooperation could also affect future travel by Chinese people who follow the law. The U.S. government estimates more than 100,000 Chinese nationals are in the United States illegally. More than 30,000 have final deportation orders, and about 1,500 are detained awaiting removal, the report said. The warning comes as Trump is scheduled to visit Beijing on May 14-15 for a summit with President Xi Jinping. Trump is expected to raise deportations alongside trade issues. Since returning to office, Trump has made immigration enforcement and deportations a core policy and has raised the possibility of tariffs or sanctions against countries that do not cooperate in taking back their nationals. China has been described as responding cautiously to U.S. requests for years, saying it is willing to accept “verified Chinese nationals” while maintaining that identity checks take time. U.S. urges China to help pressure Iran The United States is also pressing China in connection with Iran. The New York Times reported that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a Fox News interview on Sunday that he urged China to join “this international operation” and said it remains to be seen whether China will use diplomacy to get Iran to reopen the strait. “Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terror, and China has been buying 90% of Iran’s energy, so it is effectively funding the world’s largest state sponsor of terror,” Bessent said. Bessent also said the United States has “complete control” of the strait, underscoring the U.S.-led maritime operation. “We are demanding that (Iran) release these ships for the benefit of the international community, and we expect our international partners to engage in the same way,” he said, adding that it is a good time for partners to step up pressure on Iran. He said the United States is returning fire only if attacked and “is not the provocateur,” but added that if Iran seeks to escalate, the U.S. is ready to respond. The United States has also tightened sanctions targeting China in recent weeks. The State and Treasury departments last month sanctioned China’s Hengli Group over imports of Iranian crude oil, and on May 1 added sanctions on operators tied to a “shadow fleet” linked to Iran’s petroleum exports. Treasury also sanctioned three Iranian exchange houses and related front companies that it said brokered foreign-exchange transactions worth billions of dollars, cutting them off from financial dealings. The groups are accused of converting yuan flowing in from China into other currencies that could be used for military funding. China has pushed back against U.S. sanctions on its companies, signaling discomfort and urging noncompliance, the report said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 17:15:22 -
US Treasury chief urges China to press Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz The United States is publicly pressing China to help end the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz ahead of a U.S.-China summit. The New York Times reported that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a Fox News interview on Sunday that he was urging China to join what he called an international effort and to use diplomacy to persuade Iran to reopen the strait. “Iran is the largest state sponsor of terror, and China has been buying 90% of Iran’s energy, so it is effectively funding the largest state sponsor of terror,” Bessent said. Bessent also highlighted the U.S.-led maritime operation, saying, “We have full control of the strait.” He said the United States is demanding that Iran release the ships “for the benefit of the international community,” and he added that Washington expects international partners to engage similarly and that it is “the right time” for them to pressure Iran. He said the United States is returning fire only if attacked and “is not the side provoking,” but added that if Iran seeks to escalate, the United States is prepared to respond. The remarks came about a week before a summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and were widely seen as a pointed public message to Beijing. The United States has recently tightened sanctions targeting China. The State Department and Treasury Department last month sanctioned the Chinese refining company Hengli Group over imports of Iranian crude. On May 1, the United States added sanctions on operators tied to a “shadow fleet” linked to Iran’s petroleum product exports. Treasury also sanctioned three Iranian exchange houses and related front companies accused of brokering foreign-exchange transactions worth billions of dollars a year, cutting off financial dealings. The groups are suspected of converting yuan flowing in from China into other currencies that could be repurposed for military funding. China has pushed back against U.S. sanctions on its companies, signaling it opposes compliance. The U.S. pressure campaign over Iran has also raised concerns it could reignite tensions between Washington and Beijing. Strategic competition has continued, including China’s decision last month to bar investment in Meta’s AI company Manus and to demand the acquisition be withdrawn. On oil prices, Bessent said he understands that a short-term spike is affecting Americans, but predicted prices would fall “very quickly” once the situation passes. He estimated the Iran war has reduced oil supply by about 8 million to 10 million barrels a day. He said a tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz can carry about 2 million barrels, and that normal passage of just four to five ships a day could ease the disruption. Given current conditions, he said “150 to 200” ships that had been stuck could get out, adding that the market would see supply flow much more smoothly. He also said the United Arab Emirates, which has left the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, is expected to increase oil production, which he said would further support supply.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 16:21:20 -
White House: No Trump-Kim Meeting Planned During Mid-May China Trip President Donald Trump has no meeting planned with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his mid-May trip to China, the White House said May 4 local time. A White House official, responding to a question, said, “There is no such meeting on the schedule at this time,” Yonhap News Agency reported. The White House said Trump’s China visit is set for May 14-15, with a U.S.-China summit planned with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The White House’s use of the qualifier “at this time” indicates a North Korea-U.S. summit is not part of the official itinerary, though it does not completely rule out a separate meeting if the two sides later coordinate one. Earlier, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said he held a roughly 20-minute surprise meeting with Trump at the White House during a U.S. visit on April 13. Kim told a meeting with South Korean correspondents that Trump said, “It would be great to meet (Kim Jong Un). But it could be when I go to China this time, or it might not be, or it could be after that,” Kim recounted. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 15:33:13 -
Trump Warns Iran Over Strait of Hormuz Attacks, Urges South Korea to Join Maritime Operation The monthlong ceasefire between the United States and Iran is showing signs of strain as the two sides fail to narrow differences despite behind-the-scenes talks. With reports that a South Korean ship in the Strait of Hormuz was hit in an Iranian attack, President Donald Trump publicly urged South Korea to join a U.S.-led maritime operation in the waterway. On May 4 (local time), The Guardian and other outlets reported that Trump, in an interview with Fox News, warned Iran over “Project Freedom,” an operation to help merchant ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz escape. “If they’re going to target U.S. ships, Iran’s military will disappear from the face of the Earth,” he said. Trump called the U.S. maritime blockade of Iran “one of the greatest military operations ever carried out,” and said Iran had recently become far more flexible in negotiations. He said the outlook was either reaching an agreement through “good-faith negotiations” or resuming military operations, stressing that both diplomatic and military options remain on the table. The U.S. military said that day it intercepted Iranian cruise missiles, drones and attacks by armed small boats while supporting the passage of two U.S.-flagged vessels through the strait. Trump also wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, that U.S. forces sank seven Iranian small boats. Trump directly mentioned South Korea, saying Iran had fired several times at “unrelated countries,” including a South Korean cargo ship, in connection with ship movements tied to Project Freedom. He said no other ships transiting the strait had suffered damage at this point, aside from the South Korean vessel. “It seems like it’s time for South Korea to join this operation,” he said. The remarks appeared to refer to the HMM Namu, a ship that was in the Strait of Hormuz when a fire broke out. Trump reiterated a similar stance in an interview with ABC News. According to a call transcript posted on X by reporter Jonathan Karl, Trump said there had been multiple shots fired at a South Korean ship and that South Korea “needs to take action in some way.” He added that the South Korean ship had been sailing alone and was not under escort. South Korea’s government, however, has continued to take a cautious approach to dispatching forces to the Strait of Hormuz or joining a U.S.-led coalition. Iran’s Mehr News Agency said on April 29 that South Korea had been seeking a careful balance among U.S. pressure, energy security, humanitarian considerations and the need to keep communication channels with Tehran open. Iran resumes attacks on UAE after 1 month Iran also carried out its first attack against the United Arab Emirates since the May 8 ceasefire with the United States, heightening regional трев. The UAE Defense Ministry said it detected four cruise missiles launched from Iran, intercepted three over its territorial waters and said the fourth fell into the sea. Fujairah’s media office said in a statement that civil defense teams were immediately deployed to extinguish a fire in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, and that three Indian nationals suffered serious injuries and were taken to a hospital. The developments fueled speculation that Iran resumed attacks on the UAE in response to the U.S. launch of Project Freedom to help ships leave the Gulf. The UAE has recently moved closer to the United States after declaring it would withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC. Bloomberg Economics researcher Beca Wasser said the episode showed the U.S.-Iran ceasefire is “very fragile,” and that the most likely scenario is a prolonged period of sustained tension with intermittent clashes. Inside Iran, reports said hard-liners and moderates differ over how to respond to the United States. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is leading Iran’s negotiating team with Washington, urged both sides to halt armed conflict. In a post on X, he said events in Hormuz “clearly show there is no military solution to a political crisis,” and warned the United States not to be pulled back into a quagmire by “malicious forces,” adding that the UAE should also be cautious. He also criticized the U.S. operation, saying “Project Freedom is nothing but Project Deadlock.” 2026-05-05 15:25:29 -
21 Dead, 61 Hurt in Explosion at China Fireworks Factory Ahead of Trump Visit A major explosion at a fireworks manufacturer in China killed 21 people and injured 61 as U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to visit the country, according to Chinese state media. Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered a swift investigation and strict accountability for those responsible. China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that the blast occurred at about 4:43 p.m. the previous day at a fireworks company in Liuyang, Changsha, in Hunan province. Authorities initially reported three deaths and 25 injuries, but the toll rose as rescue work continued. As of 8 a.m., 21 people were confirmed dead and 61 injured. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Xi directed officials to intensify the search for missing people and treatment for the wounded, while quickly determining the cause and holding those involved to account. Premier Li Qiang ordered officials to promptly assess casualties and conduct scientifically guided rescue operations to prevent secondary accidents. A command center was set up at the site and large numbers of personnel were deployed. A second, detailed search is underway. Public security authorities have placed the company’s responsible person under control as the investigation and follow-up measures continue. Separately, preparations appeared to be accelerating ahead of a U.S.-China summit planned for next week. China’s Pengpai and Hong Kong’s Ming Pao reported that a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft landed at Beijing Capital International Airport on May 1, followed by three more C-17s arriving on May 2 and May 3, bringing the total to at least four. Neither government has issued an official statement on the arrivals, but Chinese media have pointed to the possibility the flights carried equipment and supplies for summit preparations. U.S. presidential overseas trips typically involve advance transport of the armored limousine known as “The Beast,” along with communications and security gear. In addition, a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation led by Sen. Steve Daines, described as a close Trump ally, recently visited China for advance coordination. Pengpai reported the group visited Beijing and Shanghai starting May 1 and focused discussions on economic and trade cooperation and technology issues. Daines previously said U.S.-China competition would be a key topic. Chinese experts said the trip appeared aimed at laying groundwork for the summit. Diao Daming, a professor at Renmin University of China’s School of International Studies, said, “Sen. Daines is seen as an important figure for communication with China within the Republican Party and takes a relatively pragmatic stance,” adding, “This visit will contribute to stabilizing bilateral relations.” He added, “At a time when a possible visit to China by senior U.S. officials is being discussed, the two sides can create a positive atmosphere for high-level interaction by exchanging positions in advance,” and said the inclusion of Democratic lawmakers showed “both U.S. parties” were willing to strengthen communication with China. The U.S. side has said Trump plans to visit China on May 14-15 for a summit with Xi, but the Chinese government has not officially confirmed it. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Trump’s China trip would not change despite ongoing military tensions between the United States and Iran. In a May 3 interview with Fox News, he said, “As far as I know, President Trump is not trying to change the schedule.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 13:53:04 -
Gunfire erupts near White House during Trump event, second shooting in 9 days U.S. Secret Service agents exchanged gunfire with an armed suspect near the White House complex on May 4 (local time), raising fresh security concerns around President Donald Trump as Washington has seen a second shooting in nine days. According to The Associated Press and other outlets, Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn said plainclothes agents spotted the man around 3:30 p.m. near the White House complex and saw what appeared to be a firearm on his body. Quinn said the agents followed the man briefly and relayed the information to uniformed officers. When uniformed officers approached, the unidentified man tried to flee and fired at agents, prompting them to return fire, Quinn said. The suspect was taken to a nearby hospital, and his condition was not immediately known, Quinn said. A minor wounded by gunfire was also taken to a hospital and was not in life-threatening condition. It was not confirmed whether the minor was hit by the suspect’s gunfire. Quinn said, “Medical personnel will determine that,” but added that investigators believe the minor was struck by the suspect’s shots. The Metropolitan Police Department will lead the investigation. The Secret Service urged the public to avoid the area as the response continued. Trump was holding an event related to small businesses at the White House at the time. After the shooting, the White House was temporarily locked down, and reporters outside were moved into the briefing room. Trump did not stop the event and continued with his schedule. The incident came after a May 25 case in which a suspect tried to force his way into the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner venue at the Washington Hilton Hotel while carrying a gun and a bladed weapon. The suspect, Cole Thomas Allen, was charged, including with using a firearm and assaulting a federal officer. In that case, one Secret Service agent avoided serious injury because the agent was wearing body armor. Quinn declined to speculate on whether the latest shooting was aimed at Trump. “I won’t speculate,” he said, adding that it is not yet known whether the president was the target but that it would be determined later. Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade was confirmed to have passed through the area shortly before the shooting, but there were no indications the suspect was targeting Vance. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 11:15:04 -
Trump Warns Iran After Clash in Strait of Hormuz: Target U.S. Ships and Your Military Will Vanish The United States and Iran resumed armed clashes about a month after a ceasefire, and U.S. President Donald Trump issued another sharp warning to Tehran. Trump said in a Fox News interview on May 4, according to The Guardian and other outlets, that if Iran tries to target U.S. ships during the “Project Freedom” operation to help commercial vessels trapped in the Strait of Hormuz escape, “Iran’s military will disappear from the face of the Earth.” Earlier that day, U.S. Central Command said Iran attacked U.S. ships in the Strait of Hormuz using cruise missiles, drones and small boats. The U.S. military said it intercepted the attacks using helicopters and other assets and that there was no damage to U.S. vessels. Trump also wrote on Truth Social that U.S. forces sank seven small boats and that, so far, there had been no damage to ships transiting the strait “except for a South Korean vessel.” He urged South Korea to join the Project Freedom operation. Iran denied that its boats were sunk and appeared to reaffirm moves to maintain a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global trade. More than 800 ships and about 20,000 crew members are currently stuck in the area. The renewed clashes come after the U.S. and Iran tried to negotiate through mediators during the ceasefire but failed to reach common ground. Since the ceasefire, Trump has sought leverage by tightening economic pressure through a maritime blockade. In the interview, Trump called the U.S. Navy’s operation to block Iranian ports “one of the greatest military operations ever carried out,” and said Iran had become far more flexible in negotiations. He said the next steps were either reaching an agreement through “good-faith negotiations” or resuming military operations. Addressing concerns about U.S. weapons stockpiles, Trump said the United States has “much higher” levels of weapons and ammunition than before, with top-tier equipment and sufficient supplies stored at bases worldwide, adding that the U.S. would use them if needed. Trump’s remark about Iran’s military “disappearing from the face of the Earth” echoed his warning on April 7, ahead of the end of a negotiation deadline he set, that “an entire civilization” could vanish and never return. That earlier comment drew strong backlash in and outside the United States. The Guardian said Trump’s latest statement also raises questions about the durability of the ceasefire reached last month with Pakistani mediation. The truce paused fighting but failed to lift the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s crude oil supply passes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 11:00:15