President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the United States does not require a ceasefire agreement with Iran to acquire enriched uranium from the country. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump remarked, "We could get it right now. I don't think they could stop us if we wanted, but there's no reason to. It's entombed." He also indicated that he would not seek a meeting with Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, but added that if a deal were reached, he would be respectful.
Hezbollah Rejects Ceasefire as Israel Continues Operations
Iran-backed Hezbollah has rejected a new US-brokered ceasefire proposal in Lebanon, asserting that the group was not involved in the negotiations. Meanwhile, Israel has vowed to maintain its military operations and keep troops in southern Lebanon. Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that Israeli forces would not withdraw, complicating President Trump's push for a broader regional peace deal. Iran has made a ceasefire in Lebanon a condition for any agreement with Washington and has warned of direct intervention if Israeli attacks persist.
Oman Suspends Oil Loading After Explosion
An explosion near Oman's Mina al Fahal terminal has led to the suspension of oil loading operations, according to sources familiar with the matter. The blast occurred between the terminal's single-buoy mooring berths SBM 1 and SBM 2, allegedly caused by a drone attack. Several supertankers were seen anchored off the port on Friday, as per LSEG shipping data. The terminal could not be reached for comment. This incident follows Iranian state media reports that Tehran targeted a US military ship in the Gulf of Oman, which the US Central Command has denied.
US Unemployment Claims Rise Amid Iran Conflict
The United States recorded its highest number of unemployment benefit applications in four months last week, signaling growing economic uncertainty exacerbated by the ongoing conflict with Iran. The Labor Department reported that applications for jobless aid for the week ending May 30 climbed by 13,000 to 225,000, the highest since early February. Analysts had anticipated 211,000 new applications. Despite the rise, overall layoffs remain historically low.
IAEA Unable to Inspect Iranian Nuclear Facilities
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that it has been unable to inspect nuclear facilities in Iran affected by the war last June. In a confidential report, the IAEA stated that it cannot provide information on the current size, composition, or whereabouts of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile or whether enrichment activities have been suspended. The agency warned that it is unable to discharge its safeguards responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and urged Tehran to implement its obligations urgently. The only facility inspected since February was the Bushehr nuclear power plant, visited on June 1-3.
Oil Executives Warn of Gas Price Spikes
Several oil industry executives have privately warned the White House that the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is straining global oil inventories and could lead to gas price spikes in the coming weeks. For over three months, the conflict has disrupted global oil production, as Iran has effectively closed the strait through which roughly 34 percent of the world's oil passes. Executives from unidentified companies expressed concerns about diminishing supplies, with one stating, "We're at dangerously low levels already." A White House official denied that such conversations took place.
Conflict Casualties and Displacement
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, approximately 3,526 people have been killed in Israeli attacks across Lebanon since March 2, with 10,733 wounded and over one million displaced. The US has touted 500 days of President Trump's "Golden Age" as the Iran war continues, causing soaring gas prices and economic strain on Americans.
