Middle East War Enters 74th Day: Trump Emphasizes Control Over Iran Situation, Latest Developments
As the US and Israel's attacks on Iran enter their 74th day, President Trump asserted his complete control over the Iran situation before his visit to China, stating that China's assistance is not needed. Ongoing negotiations have led to continued disruption of tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, causing international crude oil prices to surge. The Pentagon reported war costs have reached $29 billion.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 11:45
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 12:01 (16 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 14, 2026 at 00:39 (12h 38m after Collected)
US-Iran War Key News
Central Message
(Central News Agency, Paris, 12th, Comprehensive Foreign News Report) The US and Israel's joint attacks on Iran have entered their 74th day. Before heading to China, Trump insisted he had the situation in Iran under complete control and did not need China's help to resolve the issue. Currently, the stalemate in US-Iran negotiations is causing continued obstruction of tanker traffic, leading to a surge in international oil prices.
Below is the latest situation of the Middle East war compiled by AFP.
US-Israel Developments
US President Trump insisted he did not need China's help to end the war with Iran, but at the same time stated that during his meeting with Xi Jinping this week, the two sides would have in-depth discussions.
He told reporters before departing for Beijing: "We will talk about this for a long time."
However, he also said: "We have many things to discuss. Frankly, I don't think Iran is one of them, because we have a very good handle on the situation in Iran."
The economic shockwaves from Trump's war with Iran have spread to the world's largest economy, with the US April Consumer Price Index (CPI) reaching a three-year high.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the CPI rose 3.8% year-on-year, up from 3.3% in March.
The Pentagon announced that the cost of the war with Iran has climbed to nearly $29 billion, as Trump faces increasingly intense scrutiny over the conflict.
The Pentagon released these latest figures during a budget hearing on Capitol Hill, which is approximately $4 billion more than the estimate provided by Secretary Pete Hegseth two weeks ago.
Iran Developments
The New York Times reported today that according to US classified intelligence assessments, Iran still possesses strong missile capabilities, with approximately 70% of its mobile launchers and pre-war missile stockpiles available for operations, and has restored access to 30 out of 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran refuted Kuwait's accusations as "baseless." Kuwait had previously claimed that four Iranian military officers attempted to infiltrate Bubiyan Island, Kuwait's largest island; Iran stated that these individuals mistakenly entered Kuwaiti waters due to navigation system interference.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry also stated that it strongly condemns the Kuwaiti government for using this incident for "inappropriate propaganda operations."
Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the US must accept the latest peace proposal put forth by Tehran, otherwise it will only end in failure. This comes a day after Trump said the ceasefire agreement was "on its deathbed."
Ghalibaf posted on the social media platform X: "There is no other way but to accept the rights of the Iranian people listed in the 14-point proposal. Any other approach will yield no results and will only lead to successive failures."
Oil Prices, Stock, and Exchange Rate Movements
The stalemate in US-Iran negotiations has continued to obstruct tanker traffic in large parts of the Strait of Hormuz, causing international oil prices to rise.
North Sea Brent crude oil prices rose 3.4% to $107.77 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil surged 4.2% to trade at $102.18 per barrel.
Other Countries and Organizations
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles stated that Australia will join the "purely defensive" mission led by France and the UK, once it is formally established, to ensure the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, Australia will provide a reconnaissance aircraft to help protect the United Arab Emirates from Iranian drone attacks.
The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health announced that Israel launched more intense airstrikes on southern Lebanon today, killing 13 people. Among the dead were two rescue workers on duty in Nabatieh and one injured person they were trying to rescue.
Beirut reported that since the ceasefire agreement took effect on April 17, Israel's intensified offensive has resulted in 380 deaths. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem vowed to plunge the Israeli army into "hell" on the battlefield. (Compiled by Chen Yuting) 1150513
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Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to get the latest information in real-time.
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Central Message
(Central News Agency, Paris, 12th, Comprehensive Foreign News Report) The US and Israel's joint attacks on Iran have entered their 74th day. Before heading to China, Trump insisted he had the situation in Iran under complete control and did not need China's help to resolve the issue. Currently, the stalemate in US-Iran negotiations is causing continued obstruction of tanker traffic, leading to a surge in international oil prices.
Below is the latest situation of the Middle East war compiled by AFP.
US-Israel Developments
US President Trump insisted he did not need China's help to end the war with Iran, but at the same time stated that during his meeting with Xi Jinping this week, the two sides would have in-depth discussions.
He told reporters before departing for Beijing: "We will talk about this for a long time."
However, he also said: "We have many things to discuss. Frankly, I don't think Iran is one of them, because we have a very good handle on the situation in Iran."
The economic shockwaves from Trump's war with Iran have spread to the world's largest economy, with the US April Consumer Price Index (CPI) reaching a three-year high.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the CPI rose 3.8% year-on-year, up from 3.3% in March.
The Pentagon announced that the cost of the war with Iran has climbed to nearly $29 billion, as Trump faces increasingly intense scrutiny over the conflict.
The Pentagon released these latest figures during a budget hearing on Capitol Hill, which is approximately $4 billion more than the estimate provided by Secretary Pete Hegseth two weeks ago.
Iran Developments
The New York Times reported today that according to US classified intelligence assessments, Iran still possesses strong missile capabilities, with approximately 70% of its mobile launchers and pre-war missile stockpiles available for operations, and has restored access to 30 out of 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran refuted Kuwait's accusations as "baseless." Kuwait had previously claimed that four Iranian military officers attempted to infiltrate Bubiyan Island, Kuwait's largest island; Iran stated that these individuals mistakenly entered Kuwaiti waters due to navigation system interference.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry also stated that it strongly condemns the Kuwaiti government for using this incident for "inappropriate propaganda operations."
Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the US must accept the latest peace proposal put forth by Tehran, otherwise it will only end in failure. This comes a day after Trump said the ceasefire agreement was "on its deathbed."
Ghalibaf posted on the social media platform X: "There is no other way but to accept the rights of the Iranian people listed in the 14-point proposal. Any other approach will yield no results and will only lead to successive failures."
Oil Prices, Stock, and Exchange Rate Movements
The stalemate in US-Iran negotiations has continued to obstruct tanker traffic in large parts of the Strait of Hormuz, causing international oil prices to rise.
North Sea Brent crude oil prices rose 3.4% to $107.77 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil surged 4.2% to trade at $102.18 per barrel.
Other Countries and Organizations
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles stated that Australia will join the "purely defensive" mission led by France and the UK, once it is formally established, to ensure the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, Australia will provide a reconnaissance aircraft to help protect the United Arab Emirates from Iranian drone attacks.
The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health announced that Israel launched more intense airstrikes on southern Lebanon today, killing 13 people. Among the dead were two rescue workers on duty in Nabatieh and one injured person they were trying to rescue.
Beirut reported that since the ceasefire agreement took effect on April 17, Israel's intensified offensive has resulted in 380 deaths. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem vowed to plunge the Israeli army into "hell" on the battlefield. (Compiled by Chen Yuting) 1150513
Stand with the facts, and your every contribution becomes the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to get the latest information in real-time.
This website's text, images, and videos may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without permission.
FAQ
What is the current status of the US-Iran conflict?
The US and Israel's attacks on Iran have entered their 74th day, with ongoing negotiations at a stalemate, leading to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and rising oil prices.
What is President Trump's stance on China's involvement?
President Trump stated before his visit to China that he has the situation in Iran under complete control and does not need China's assistance to resolve the issue.
What is the economic impact of the conflict?
The conflict has contributed to the US April Consumer Price Index (CPI) reaching a three-year high, and the Pentagon estimates the war costs have climbed to nearly $29 billion.
What is Iran's current military capability according to intelligence assessments?
US classified intelligence assessments indicate Iran retains strong missile capabilities, with a significant portion of its mobile launchers and missile stockpiles operational, and has regained access to most of its missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz.
How are international oil prices affected?
The ongoing stalemate and disruption of tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz have caused international oil prices to surge, with Brent crude rising to $107.77 per barrel and WTI crude to $102.18 per barrel.