Trump pauses ‘Project Freedom,’ signals progress toward peace with Iran

Iranians are turning to distrusted domestic apps amid the national internet shutdown which means users are managing slow speeds, censorship and surveillance fears, Iran International reported Thursday.

Businesses are the most impacted because they rely on Instagram and other global services, while users on domestic platforms are managing outages, poor functionality and censorship on apps including Rubika, Bale and Shad.

One Iranian told the outlet that Rubika often fails to send photos and videos and claimed the platform allegedly checks users’ phone galleries, while another said uploading a single image can take an hour.

People also raised concerns about domestic apps exposing their data and devices to state monitoring.

President Donald Trump said Thursday that U.S. forces “blew Iran away” after an exchange of fire in the Persian Gulf, accusing Tehran of provoking the clash.

The president was referring to Iran’s attacks on three U.S. Navy destroyers, which prompted an American counterstrike.

“They trifled with us today. We blew them away,” Trump told reporters before shifting to questions about the ceasefire.

“I’ll let you know when there’s no ceasefire. Otherwise, you’d be seeing a big glow coming out of Iran,” Trump said.

Speaking at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Trump also urged Iran to sign the new U.S. proposal.

“The talks are going very well, but they have to understand—if it doesn’t get signed, they’re going to have a lot of pain,” he said.

“It could happen any day—it might not—but I believe they want the deal more than I do,” Trump added.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris claimed Thursday that Russia was the biggest beneficiary of the war with Iran.

Speaking at a fireside chat with the Nevada State Democratic Party, Harris argued that Russia’s gains center on oil profits and Washington lifting sanctions.

“You want to know who’s the big winner on the Iranian war? Russia,” Harris said.

“Because of the oil issue.”

Referring to President Donald Trump, Harris said, “He’s lifted sanctions on Russia. You know what that means?” she asked.

“They’re making money to sell oil that otherwise they were prevented from selling. What else does it mean?” she added.

“We’re sending artillery ammunition, air defense that otherwise would be going to Ukraine,” Harris said.

Brittany Miller contributed to this report. 

A nearly 30-year-old tanker is being used by Iran to store as much as 2 million barrels of oil off Kharg Island as the U.S. naval blockade enters its fourth week, according to United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI).

Satellite imagery and tracking data show the Iranian-flagged supertanker Nasha has been redeployed for offshore storage in the Persian Gulf.

Bloomberg analysis also suggests that reactivating the vessel shows growing strain on Iran’s energy sector and oil storage capacity.

With onshore storage reportedly nearing capacity, Iran has turned to storage tankers to keep wells and pipelines running, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved the sale of hundreds of air-defense interceptors and other weapons to Middle East partners in deals worth $25.8 billion, according to reports.

Citing a State Department spokesperson, Bloomberg reported that Rubio made an emergency approval for the sales on May 1 to Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

The report said a congressional aide confirmed lawmakers had been notified of the department’s action

President Donald Trump said Thursday that U.S. forces ‘incinerated’ Iranian drones during a dramatic clash in the Strait of Hormuz, as U.S. warships came under fire.

The U.S. Navy had carried out self-defense strikes on Iranian targets Thursday after three destroyers were attacked while transiting the strait, according to U.S. Central Command.

“Three World Class American Destroyers just transited, very successfully, out of the Strait of Hormuz, under fire,” Trump said in a post shared on Truth Social.

“There was no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage was done to the Iranian attackers,” he said.

“They were completely destroyed along with numerous small boats, which are being used to take the place of their fully decapitated Navy. These boats went to the bottom of the Sea, quickly and efficiently. Missiles were shot at our Destroyers, and were easily knocked down. Likewise, drones came, and were incinerated while in the air,” he said.

“They dropped ever so beautifully down to the Ocean, very much like a butterfly dropping to its grave!” Trump said before adding that a “normal Country would have allowed these Destroyers to pass, but Iran is not a normal Country. They are led by LUNATICS, and if they had the chance to use a Nuclear Weapon, they would do it, without question,” Trump said.

“But they’ll never have that opportunity and, just like we knocked them out again today, we’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future, if they don’t get their Deal signed, FAST! Our three Destroyers, with their wonderful Crews, will now rejoin our Naval Blockade, which is truly a ‘Wall of Steel,’” he added.

After President Donald Trump suggested this week that Iranians “would fight back” if they had weapons, Iranian dissidents, military analysts and some Republican lawmakers are openly reviving a once-taboo question: should the West move beyond “maximum pressure” on Tehran and actively support armed resistance inside Iran?

“They have to have guns. And I think they’re getting some guns. As soon as they have guns, they’ll fight like, as good as anybody there is,” Trump said in an interview with “The Hugh Hewitt Show,” while discussing anti-regime unrest and the Iranian government’s crackdown on protesters.

The comments come as the Iranian regime emerges weakened from weeks of war, while frustration continues to simmer among many Iranians after years of failed protests and violent crackdowns by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Supporters of a more aggressive approach argue sanctions, diplomacy and unarmed demonstrations have failed to produce meaningful change inside Iran and say the current moment may represent the best opportunity in decades to challenge the regime from within.

Critics warn that openly discussing armed resistance could endanger protesters, deepen divisions inside the opposition and risk pushing Iran toward civil war.

The idea of armed resistance echoes aspects of the Reagan Doctrine, the Cold War-era strategy in which the U.S. backed anti-Soviet resistance movements around the world, from Afghanistan to Nicaragua.

This is an excerpt from a report by Efract Lachter.

Iranian forces launched multiple missiles, drones and small boats at the USS Truxtun, USS Rafael Peralta and USS Mason on Thursday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

“U.S. forces intercepted unprovoked Iranian attacks and responded with self-defense strikes as U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman, May 7,” the comand confiirmed in a statement shared on X.

The command also said that the destroyers were transiting the international sea passage.

“No U.S. assets were struck” the command added

CENTCOM also confirmed forces “eliminated inbound threats and targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces including missile and drone launch sites; command and control locations; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance nodes.”

“CENTCOM does not seek escalation but remains positioned and ready to protect American forces,” the command added.

A U.S. strike on Iran’s Qeshm Port in the Strait of Hormuz and Bandar Abbas were reported Thursday, with U.S. officials telling Fox News National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin that this was neither a restart of the war nor an end to the ceasefire.

The U.S. military also struck Iran’s Bandar Kargan naval checkpoint in Minab, officials confirmed.

The development came as Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency also reported air defense activity in western Tehran.

Two other loud explosions were heard Thursday night, while eyewitnesses told Iran International they heard multiple blasts in Chitgar.

Iran’s state-run Mehr News Agency also reported attacks and exchanges of fire across Iran’s southern Hormozgan province near Bandar Abbas, Bandar Khamir, Sirik and Qeshm Island, according to reports.

Thursday’s strike on Iran’s major port came two days after Iran fired 15 ballistic and cruise missiles at the UAE’s Fujairah Port.

Those strikes sparked anger among Gulf countries, officials told Griffin, though Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine had said during a Pentagon briefing May 5 that those attacks did not amount to a violation of the ceasefire.

Hegseth and Caine described the attacks as low-level incidents that did not rise to that threshold.

President Donald Trump paused Project Freedom May 5, a military operation aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and guiding ships through the waterway, after announcing the operation May 3.

A senior U.S. official also confirmed Thursday that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were “very angry at the reaction from the Pentagon” and temporarily halted permission for the U.S. to use their bases and airspace for Project Freedom.

The decision has since been reversed, the official said. Thursday U.S. strikes came as Washington awaited Iran’s response to a U.S. proposal.

Fox News National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said Thursday it uncovered a 30-meter underground tunnel and more than 200 Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon, while seizing weapons and intercepting attacks in the area.

“A 30-meter-long underground tunnel route in the Labbouneh area and more than 200 Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon,” the IDF said in a post shared on X.

“Furthermore, IDF troops located weapons caches in Hezbollah’s command centers in southern Lebanon,” it said.

“Among the weapons located were weapons, vests, munitions and anti-tank missiles,” the IDF added.

In a further statement, the IDF said it was continuing to intercept “projectiles and suspicious aerial targets” launched toward its soldiers in southern Lebanon.

It added that “additionally, the Hezbollah terrorist organization launched explosive drones that detonated adjacent to the soldiers in the area.”

President Donald Trump said Thursday he had a positive call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, emphasizing the U.S. and EU are aligned in opposing Iran developing a nuclear weapon.

“I had a great call with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen,” Trump said in a post shared on Truth Social.

“We discussed many topics, including that we are completely united that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” he added.

“We agreed that a regime that kills its own people cannot control a bomb that can kill millions,” he said before confirming that he has been “waiting patiently for the EU to fulfill their side of the historic trade deal we agreed in Turnberry, Scotland, the largest trade deal, ever!”

“A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the deal and, as per agreement, cut their tariffs to ZERO! I agreed to give her until our country’s 250th birthday or, unfortunately, their tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels,” Trump said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday announced new sanctions targeting Cuba, signaling the U.S. will intensify pressure on the island’s government to push for political and economic reforms.

“Today’s sanctions demonstrate that the Trump administration will not stand by while Cuba’s communist regime threatens our national security in the hemisphere,” Rubio said in a post shared on X.

“We will continue to take action until the regime takes all necessary political and economic reform measures,” he said.

Rubio imposed the sanctions under President Donald Trump’s May 1 executive order targeting those “responsible for repression in Cuba” and posing threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy.

“Just 90 miles from the American homeland, the Cuban regime has brought the island to ruin and auctioned off the island as a platform for foreign intelligence, military and terror operations,” a Department of State release said.

Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is overseeing all state affairs and decision-making in Tehran, according to Iranian media reports Thursday.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has full oversight over all matters and issues, according to NourNews, Reuters reported.

Separately, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said Thursday that he expects an agreement from Iran on a new U.S. proposal imminently.

“We expect an agreement sooner rather than later. We hope the parties will reach a peaceful and sustainable solution that will contribute not only to peace in our region but to international peace as well,” Andrabi said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham warned Thursday that any diplomatic deal with Iran will be judged by the details.

“While I remain hopeful for a diplomatic solution that will rein in Iran — not only in pursuit of a nuclear weapon, but their ability to continue to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world — the details of a deal matter,” Graham said in a post shared on X.

Graham’s remarks came as Iran is said to be reviewing the latest U.S. proposal to end the war.

President Donald Trump has also warned that if Iran rejects the offer, he could order “higher-level” military strikes.

The Trump administration on Thursday announced sanctions targeting Iraq’s deputy oil minister, Iran-aligned militias and businesses accused of diverting Iraqi oil revenues to fund Iranian-backed terrorism.

In a State Department release, spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the move aims to protect Iraq’s sovereignty and disrupt regional financial networks.

“The Trump administration is taking decisive action against individuals and entities that are exploiting Iraq’s oil wealth to fund the Iranian regime’s terrorism in the region,” the statement said.

“These networks undermine Iraq’s sovereignty, rob the Iraqi people of national resources, and fuel violence against both Iraqis and Americans.”

Those sanctioned include Iraq’s deputy minister of oil, Ali Maarij al-Bahadly, “who has abused his government position to divert Iraqi oil in support of the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies.”

“As part of a scheme to evade sanctions, Iranian oil was fraudulently mixed with Iraqi oil and sold for Iran’s benefit,” the statement said.

The action also targets senior officials from Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada and Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq, along with supporting oil-sector companies.

“The United States remains committed to supporting Iraq’s sovereignty and holding accountable those who attack our personnel or exploit Iraqi resources for the Iranian regime’s benefit,” the statement said.

The U.S. plans to reinstate President Donald trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ in the near future after Saudi Arabia and Kuwait lifted restrictions on air base use, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

The two countries had previously prevented U.S. forces from using their airbases in the region, posing a challenge for fully assisting ships traveling the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. has not indicated a timeline for restarting Project Freedom.

The U.S. and Gulf nation allies urged the United Nations Security Council to approve a resolution condemning Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz introduced the proposal alongside Bahrain. They focused primarily on Iran’s allies on the Security Council, China and Russia.

“So we’re giving the U.N. and the Security Council another chance to get back to basics, to uphold these basic principles,” Waltz said Thursday. “…If aid fails to reach the very people that the countries in the council claim to care about, what does that really say for the U.N.? What does that say for these countries?”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

A Chinese-owned oil tanker came under attack near the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the U.S.-Iran conflict began on Thursday.

A report from Chinese media stated that the unnamed vessel was marked “CHINA OWNER & CREW.” The ship’s deck caught fire from the attack and it remains unclear whether any of its crew were injured.

This was the first time a Chinese oil tanker has been attacked, a person with knowledge of the matter told Chinese outlet Caixin.

China remains a key buyer of Iranian oil, which has been targeted by a US blockade in the Gulf of Oman.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Energy Sec. Chris Wright joined Fox News on Thursday to detail how the U.S. blockade has impacted Iran’s oil sector and the role of U.S. companies in Venezuelan oil production.

The Vatican says Secretary of State Marco Rubio had “cordial” talks with Pope Leo XIV and reaffirmed the U.S. desire for good relations with the Holy See on Thursday.

Rubio met with the Holy Father and other senior church officials at the Vatican on Thursday. He is also expected to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“During the cordial talks that the American Secretary of State Marco Rubio had this morning in the Vatican, first with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and then with H. Em.za Card. Pietro Parolin and H.E. Mons. Paul R. Gallagher, the common commitment has been renewed for cultivating good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America,” the Vatican statement read.

“There was then an exchange of views on the regional and international situation, with particular attention to countries marked by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, as well as on the need to work tirelessly for peace,” the statement added.

A U.S. State Department official told Fox News Digital on Thursday, “The conversations today were friendly and constructive.”

China has ordered companies to disregard U.S. sanctions targeting Iranian oil, forcing a direct test of Washington’s ability to enforce its crackdown on Iran.

A new directive, issued through China’s Commerce Ministry Sunday, invokes a 2021 “blocking statute” that prohibits firms from complying with foreign sanctions deemed illegitimate. The order applies to several Chinese refiners accused by the United States of purchasing Iranian crude, including major independent processors known as “teapot” refineries.

The move represents a shift from years of opaque workarounds to more explicit state-backed resistance, as Beijing signals it will not cooperate with U.S. efforts to cut off a key source of revenue for Iran.

“This is unprecedented. It’s a major escalation in terms of China’s response to U.S. economic statecraft. It is a measure of defiance by Beijing,” said Max Meizlish, a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

The escalation comes as the Trump administration intensifies its sanctions campaign, targeting Chinese refiners and warning financial institutions they could face penalties for facilitating oil transactions between Iran and China.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has accused Beijing of effectively financing Iran’s military activity through its oil purchases, arguing that Chinese demand is sustaining Tehran’s economy.

“China, let’s see them step up with some diplomacy and get the Iranians to open the strait,” Bessent said in a Fox News interview Monday.

“Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism … China has been buying 90 percent of their energy, so they are funding the largest state sponsor of terrorism,” he added.

China remains the primary destination for Iranian crude, with much of the country’s sanctioned oil exports flowing to Chinese refiners despite mounting U.S. pressure.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Morgan Phillips.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke publicly for the first time about a meeting with Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

Mojtaba has made no public appearances since he was made supreme leader shortly after the death of his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Mojtaba was injured in the same wave of strikes that killed his father.

“I had the honor of meeting the dear leader,” Pezeshkian said Thursday. “We spoke with him for nearly two and a half hours. First of all, I should tell you that his views and the way he interacted were truly sincere and humble.”

“For a leader to treat someone in such a manner, he truly had such a demeanor,” he added.

Pope Leo XIV greeted Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican on Thursday.

The meeting was Leo’s first with an American official after President Donald Trump lashed out at the Holy Father for his criticism of the war in Iran last month.

Images from the meeting show Rubio and the pope in discussion with one another, but details of their conversation have yet to be released.

A fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is holding despite continued attacks, as President Donald Trump announced a pause in naval escort operations to allow negotiations to continue — while warning that failure to reach a deal would result in a significantly escalated bombing campaign.

Trump said the pause in Project Freedom — the U.S. mission to guide commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz — is intended to give negotiators time to finalize what he described as a potential “complete and final agreement” with Iran, while maintaining that the U.S. naval blockade would remain in place.

Trump suggested in a social media post Wednesday morning the conflict could soon come to an end if Iran agrees to the terms under discussion, but warned that if it does not, U.S. forces would resume bombing at a significantly higher level and intensity.

“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” Trump wrote Wednesday morning. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”

“We prefer this to be a peaceful operation, but are locked and loaded to defend our people, our ships, our aircraft, and this mission without hesitation,” War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday. 

Even as negotiations advance, Iran has continued attacks on commercial vessels and U.S. forces, which officials say remain “below the threshold” of restarting major combat operations.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Morgan Phillips.

The man who allegedly attempted to kill President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner April 25 may have been motivated by the conflict in Iran.

According to a Department of Homeland Security preliminary intelligence report viewed by Reuters, Allen had “multiple social and political grievances,” and the report says the war in Iran “may have contributed to his decision to conduct the attack.”

The report, labeled a “Critical Incident Note,” was originally obtained via a public records request by a nonprofit called Property of the People, according to Reuters. It reportedly cited Allen’s social media posts about the Iranian war to justify its conclusion.

“DHS shares Critical Incident Notes to quickly communicate information and intelligence to federal, state and local authorities,” the agency told Fox News Digital in a statement. 

“These reports notify our partners of the latest available information following significant incidents that have impacts to homeland security. DHS does not publicly comment on the information contained in internal law enforcement communications.”

Allen’s anti-Trump sentiments were expressed in a so-called manifesto, according to authorities.

Minutes before the attack, a pre-scheduled email from Allen was sent to his family and friends, explaining his actions, authorities said.

He allegedly acknowledged that his mission would likely severely harm him at the least but never stated that he was willing to die for his cause. His motivations were political, and he painted himself as a savior of those who he thinks have been oppressed by the current administration. 

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Peter D’Abrosca.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio previewed a high-profile trip to Rome from the White House briefing room Tuesday, delivering sharp warnings to Iran and flashing easy command of the podium that drew praise from conservative allies online.

“The trip is really not tied to anything other than the fact that it would be normal for us to engage, and other secretaries of state have done that in the past,” Rubio said at the White House press conference on Tuesday of his trip to Italy.

The briefing came two days before Rubio is set to visit the Vatican and Italy for meetings amid heightened tensions between President Donald Trump, Pope Leo and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over the U.S.-Iran conflict. Rubio used the briefing to defend the administration’s posture toward Tehran, downplay the timing of the Italy visit and signal that Washington is not backing off its pressure campaign.

“The message to Iran … these guys are facing real catastrophic destruction to their economy, generational destruction to their economy, generational destruction to the wealth of their country imposed on themselves by the actions that they’re taking,” said Rubio of Iran on Tuesday. 

“They should check themselves before they wreck themselves in the direction that they’re going,” Rubio quipped, referencing Ice Cube’s rap song, “Check Yo Self.”

Rubio, a Catholic, is expected to meet with Pope Leo on Thursday morning, at a time when the pontiff has criticized the Trump administration’s Middle East peacemaking efforts.

“There has also been this threat against the entire people of Iran, and this is truly unacceptable,” the pope said in April. “There are certainly issues of international law here, but even more so a moral issue for the good of the whole entire population.”

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Ashely J. DiMella.

Three Iranian prisoners executed over the weekend described torture, forced confessions and denied legal rights in messages shared with The Jerusalem Post before their deaths, according to a report citing the Kurdistan Human Rights Network.

Yaghoub Karimpour, 43, and Nasser Bakerzadeh, 26, were hanged Saturday, while Mehrab Abdollahzadeh, 28, was executed Sunday at Orumiyeh Central Prison. None were granted final visits with their families, the report said.

Karimpour, who was accused of espionage, said he confessed under pressure after authorities threatened his wife. “Many things were dictated to me, and I wrote untruths involuntarily and out of helplessness,” he wrote.

Bakerzadeh, also accused of spying, said he endured months of solitary confinement and “severe psychological torture.”

Abdollahzadeh, who denied involvement in a protest-related killing, said he was beaten for days and coerced into confessing. “I am completely innocent, but they want to make me a scapegoat,” he said.

According to the report, all three cases involved allegations of coerced confessions, lack of legal representation and trials lasting only minutes.

Fox News’ Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump says a peace deal with Iran could be reached in as soon as one week.

Trump offered the assessment in a phone interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier after he ordered a Thursday pause on Project Freedom.

Trump has threatened to begin a new wave of bombing if Iran does not soon agree to a version of a deal that reopens the Strait of Hormuz.