Middle East War Day 73: US, UK Impose New Sanctions on Iran; Latest Developments at a Glance
On the 73rd day of the Middle East War, the US and UK announced new sanctions against Iran, leading to a rise in crude oil prices. US President Trump warned that the ceasefire agreement was "on the brink," with international tensions affecting the economy and humanitarian crises.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 13:15
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 13:31 (16 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 07:44 (18h 12m after Collected)
Key News on the US-Iran War
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Paris, 11th comprehensive foreign report) The joint US and Israeli offensive against Iran has entered its 73rd day, with the US and UK imposing new sanctions on Iran. US President Trump warned that the ceasefire agreement was "on the brink."
The following are the latest developments in the Middle East war compiled by Agence France-Presse:
● US and Israel's actions
The US today imposed new sanctions on 12 individuals and entities, stating that they assisted in selling Iranian oil and transporting it to China.
This move comes hours after the UK issued its independent sanctions, and just days before President Trump's scheduled visit to China.
President Trump stated today that the ceasefire agreement with Iran was "on the brink" and that he was considering restarting the naval escort operation in the Strait of Hormuz, previously known as "Project Freedom," in pursuit of a "complete victory" in the war.
Amid increasing domestic pressure in the US regarding the war's impact on the national economy, Trump warned that Iran's rejection of Washington's demands over the weekend meant the already fragile ceasefire agreement was now "extremely thin."
On the other hand, Trump stated that as consumers deal with soaring energy prices after the Iran war, he plans to suspend the federal gasoline tax. The US federal gasoline tax is 18.4 cents per gallon, and diesel is 24.4 cents per gallon.
Suspending the federal gasoline tax requires congressional passage of a bill, and Trump's Republican Party holds only a slim majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
● Iran's actions
After Trump warned that the ceasefire agreement in the Middle East war was on the brink, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the Iranian military was ready to "teach any aggressor a lesson."
Ghalibaf stated on the X platform: "Our armed forces are ready to respond and teach any aggressor a lesson. Bad strategies and bad decisions always lead to bad results, and the world has understood this."
● Oil prices, stocks, and exchange rates
In global markets, most stock markets rose today, while oil prices increased after Trump rejected Iran's conditions for ending the Middle East war. The three major Wall Street indices opened flat and then closed slightly higher amidst fluctuations, indicating that traders were unfazed by the war's impact.
Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser told investors that the Middle East war had triggered the world's largest energy shock, and even if the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz were lifted soon, market recovery might extend until 2027.
He stated: "The energy supply shock that began in the first quarter is the largest the world has ever experienced. If the Strait of Hormuz opens today, it will still take months for the market to rebalance; if the opening is delayed by another few weeks, the normalization process will continue until 2027."
● Other countries and organizations
The head of a UN working group aimed at avoiding a humanitarian crisis told Agence France-Presse that tens of millions of people could face hunger if fertilizers are not allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz soon.
Approximately one-third of global fertilizers typically pass through this key Persian Gulf waterway, which is blockaded by Iran.
Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the UN Project Office (UNOPS) and head of the working group, stated in an interview with Agence France-Presse: "We still have a few weeks to prevent this potentially massive humanitarian crisis." (Editor: Li Pei-shan) 1150512
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Paris, 11th comprehensive foreign report) The joint US and Israeli offensive against Iran has entered its 73rd day, with the US and UK imposing new sanctions on Iran. US President Trump warned that the ceasefire agreement was "on the brink."
The following are the latest developments in the Middle East war compiled by Agence France-Presse:
● US and Israel's actions
The US today imposed new sanctions on 12 individuals and entities, stating that they assisted in selling Iranian oil and transporting it to China.
This move comes hours after the UK issued its independent sanctions, and just days before President Trump's scheduled visit to China.
President Trump stated today that the ceasefire agreement with Iran was "on the brink" and that he was considering restarting the naval escort operation in the Strait of Hormuz, previously known as "Project Freedom," in pursuit of a "complete victory" in the war.
Amid increasing domestic pressure in the US regarding the war's impact on the national economy, Trump warned that Iran's rejection of Washington's demands over the weekend meant the already fragile ceasefire agreement was now "extremely thin."
On the other hand, Trump stated that as consumers deal with soaring energy prices after the Iran war, he plans to suspend the federal gasoline tax. The US federal gasoline tax is 18.4 cents per gallon, and diesel is 24.4 cents per gallon.
Suspending the federal gasoline tax requires congressional passage of a bill, and Trump's Republican Party holds only a slim majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
● Iran's actions
After Trump warned that the ceasefire agreement in the Middle East war was on the brink, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the Iranian military was ready to "teach any aggressor a lesson."
Ghalibaf stated on the X platform: "Our armed forces are ready to respond and teach any aggressor a lesson. Bad strategies and bad decisions always lead to bad results, and the world has understood this."
● Oil prices, stocks, and exchange rates
In global markets, most stock markets rose today, while oil prices increased after Trump rejected Iran's conditions for ending the Middle East war. The three major Wall Street indices opened flat and then closed slightly higher amidst fluctuations, indicating that traders were unfazed by the war's impact.
Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser told investors that the Middle East war had triggered the world's largest energy shock, and even if the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz were lifted soon, market recovery might extend until 2027.
He stated: "The energy supply shock that began in the first quarter is the largest the world has ever experienced. If the Strait of Hormuz opens today, it will still take months for the market to rebalance; if the opening is delayed by another few weeks, the normalization process will continue until 2027."
● Other countries and organizations
The head of a UN working group aimed at avoiding a humanitarian crisis told Agence France-Presse that tens of millions of people could face hunger if fertilizers are not allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz soon.
Approximately one-third of global fertilizers typically pass through this key Persian Gulf waterway, which is blockaded by Iran.
Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the UN Project Office (UNOPS) and head of the working group, stated in an interview with Agence France-Presse: "We still have a few weeks to prevent this potentially massive humanitarian crisis." (Editor: Li Pei-shan) 1150512
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's 'First Hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news instantly.
Text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.