Here's the latest
• Peace talks: US President Donald Trump has warned Iran “better get smart soon,” posting a mocked-up image of himself on his Truth Social platform holding a gun and referring to a “nonnuclear deal.” Mediators in Pakistan expect to receive a revised proposal from Iran in the next few days, sources say.
• Trump’s Iran claims: Trump said yesterday King Charles agrees with him that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon, adding during yesterday’s state dinner at the White House that the US “is doing very well.” The conflict has become a source of transatlantic tension.
• Oil price climbs again: Oil prices are rising again today amid ongoing concerns over the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE is quitting oil cartel OPEC, a move that could allow them to pump more oil yet prices remain above $110 a barrel.
• In Lebanon: Despite a declared ceasefire, Israeli strikes killed at least eight people throughout southern Lebanon on Tuesday, according to state media and national authorities.
UN says at least 21 people executed and 4,000 arrested in Iran since start of war
At least 21 people have been executed in Iran and 4,000 arrested since the start of its war with the US and Israel, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office (UNHCR).
The executions were carried out amid Iran’s crackdown on dissent, in particular through “national security-related charges,” UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said today.
At least nine people were executed in connection with the January 2026 protests, ten for alleged membership in opposition groups, and two on espionage charges, the agency said.
It continued that, since 28 February, “more than 4,000 individuals are estimated to have been arrested on national security related charges in Iran.”
Many of those arrested have been forcibly disappeared, tortured, or subjected to “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment,” the statement said.
"No more Mr. Nice Guy": Trump posts image of himself with gun and aviators
US President Donald Trump has posted a mocked-up image of himself holding a gun and wearing aviator sunglasses to his Truth Social platform, alongside a warning for Iran.
“NO MORE MR. NICE GUY,” the text on the image reads, alongside an image of the American flag.
Trump also had a message for Iran in the early morning post, writing, “Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon! President DJT,” he wrote.
Wednesday’s post came as talks to end the US-Israeli war with Iran remain deadlocked.
Iran is expected to submit a revised proposal on ending the war to mediators in Pakistan in the next few days. The latest development comes after Trump indicated he would not accept an earlier version that proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz while leaving questions about Tehran’s nuclear program for later negotiations.
TotalEnergies, UBS profits soar thanks to oil price swings
Profits at French energy company TotalEnergies and Swiss bank UBS have jumped as a result of higher oil prices and heightened market volatility because of the Iran war.
TotalEnergies today reported a 29% jump in earnings for the first three months of the year to $5.4 billion, partly driven by the oil price move. However, the war has forced the energy major to shut some oil and natural gas production in the Middle East, affecting about 15% of the group’s total output.
Yesterday rival oil company BP reported its profits more than doubled in the first three months of the year as its traders made the most of wild swings in oil prices. The war-related boon has fuelled calls for windfall taxes on energy companies to help offset the rising cost of gas and electricity for households.
UBS, meanwhile, posted an 80% surge in first-quarter profit to $3 billion, as financial market volatility drove client inflows and trading activity. “In the first quarter, we continued helping clients navigate a volatile and unpredictable geopolitical and market environment,” UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti said in an earnings statement. The bank’s shares jumped 4.5% in Zurich to 34.8 Swiss francs ($44).
Oil prices rise as shuttered Strait of Hormuz outweighs OPEC news
Oil prices are rising again today, as concerns about the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz outweigh news that the United Arab Emirates will quit the OPEC oil cartel, giving it the freedom to pump more crude.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, has risen 2.3% to $113.8 a barrel, having settled at a four-week high Tuesday. WTI, the US benchmark, is up 2.5% to $102.4 a barrel.
“Prices pushing back above $110… are a reflection of restricted circulation through the system’s most critical artery,” Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management wrote in a note.
US President Donald Trump has instructed aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported late Tuesday. Meanwhile, mediators in Pakistan expect to receive a revised proposal from Iran in the next few days to end the war, sources close to the process told CNN.
The UAE said Tuesday that it would leave the Organization of the Petroleum Countries later this week, a shock move that could increase global oil supply and bring down prices in the long run.
Trump claims King Charles agrees about Iran not having a nuclear weapon
President Donald Trump alluded to the US-Israeli war with Iran during yesterday’s state dinner at the White House.
The conflict has become a source of tension between the United States and the United Kingdom.
“We’re doing a little Middle East work right now,” Trump said, “and we’re doing very well.”
He then reiterated that the US is never going to let Iran have a nuclear weapon and claimed Charles agrees.
Japan-related vessel passes through Strait of Hormuz, Tokyo says
A Japan-related vessel passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday and is on its way to Japan, the country’s foreign ministry said on X.
The tanker — one of a handful of ships to pass through the choked waterway in recent days — is carrying three Japanese crew members, it said.
“The Government of Japan considers this passage of a Japan-related vessel as a positive development, including from the perspective of protection of Japanese nationals,” the foreign ministry said.
The UAE is pulling out of OPEC. What does it mean for the US?
The United Arab Emirates ditching the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is a significant blow to the Middle East’s ability to keep oil prices artificially high. But it also could be disruptive to US oil producers and could complicate the region’s ability to respond to future emergencies.
The United States is energy independent … kinda. It produces more than it consumes, but it still imports about a third of its oil from overseas. That’s because the light, sweet crude that America drills is great for making gasoline but lousy for making heavier fuels and other petroleum-based products. So the United States still relies on the Middle East for some of its crude.
Diminishing OPEC’s power could be a good thing for consumers in the long run. The UAE is the second-largest producer in the region, so it will serve as a major new competitor on the market that can produce oil free of restrictions set by OPEC member nations.
For US producers, the long-term implications are less certain. Downward pressure on oil prices, which trade on a global market, could dent Big Oil’s profits. The world had been oversupplied with oil before the Iran war, even with OPEC’s production restrictions, so it’s not clear that longer term demand will support more production from the UAE. US producers down the road could have to lower their output if demand returns to their previous low levels.
It also shows that the Iran war is making permanent changes to the way the world does business, opening up new supply chains. Those changes may not stop with the UAE. So the market shifts that are going to affect you are only beginning to take shape.
Iran expected to submit revised proposal to end war while UAE to exit OPEC. Here are the latest headlines
Iran is expected to submit a revised proposal on ending the war to mediators in Pakistan in the next few days. The latest development comes after US President Donald Trump indicated he would not accept an earlier version, sources close to the mediation process told CNN.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates said it will withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), in a blow to the cartel of major oil-producing nations and its leading member, Saudi Arabia.
Here’s what else you need to know:
- Trump rejects earlier proposal: The US president signaled he would not accept a version of the Iranian proposal submitted over the weekend, which called for ending the war first and settling the thornier issues related to Iran’s nuclear program at a later stage.
- UAE’s OPEC withdrawal: The UAE’s energy minister said its exit, set to take effect May 1, “reflects a policy-driven evolution aligned with long-term market fundamentals.” The UAE has long pushed for higher OPEC production quotas. OPEC is a cartel of major oil-producing nations that coordinates production policies to influence global oil supply and prices.
- Senators push for war authorization: US Senate Republicans said they expect the White House to be accountable to Congress for the Iran war, as it reaches the legal deadline to seek authorization by lawmakers for the conflict.
- Araghchi back from Russia: Iran’s Foreign Minister has returned to Tehran after a visit to Russia and is expected to consult with regime leaders, sources say — a slow process due to the difficulty of communicating with Supreme Mojtaba Khamenei, who is in hiding.
- Trump snaps back at Merz: Trump said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz “doesn’t know what he’s talking about” after Merz said the US was “being humiliated” by Iran.
- Meanwhile, Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue: Despite the ceasefire, Israeli strikes killed at least eight people throughout southern Lebanon on Tuesday, according to Lebanese authorities and state media. The Israeli military also said it destroyed Gaza-like underground tunnels belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
CNN’s Nic Roberston, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Max Saltman, Mostafa Salem, Sarah Tamimi, Dana Karni, Hira Humayun, and Kit Maher contributed reporting.
A look at US-Iran peace talk developments since the ceasefire began
It has now been three weeks since President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire in the war between the US and Iran.
Sources told CNN on Monday that Trump suggested it is unlikely he will accept Iran’s latest proposal to end the conflict, after Tehran proposed a plan that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz while leaving questions about its nuclear program for later negotiations.
Here’s a look at what has happened with talks between Tehran and Washington since the ceasefire was announced:
- April 7: Trump warns that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran does not agree to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Hours later, a two-week ceasefire between is announced.
- April 11: US and Iranian officials meet for face-to-face talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, lasting 21 hours.
- April 12: US Vice President JD Vance announces the sides have “not reached an agreement,” largely because of Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear program. The leader of the Iranian negotiators, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, says the US failed to gain the trust of the Iranian side. Later in the day, Trump says the ceasefire is still “holding well.”
- April 13: The US implements a blockade of Iranian ports, as a US official tells CNN that US and Iran are still engaged in talks. Trump also says that if a deal is not reached by the end of the ceasefire, “it won’t be pleasant” for Iran.
- April 17: After Iran says it will reopen the Strait of Hormuz in response to a separate ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, Trump says the US’ blockade of Iranian ports will continue until a final deal to end the war is agreed. Iran says it will close the strait again if the blockade continues.
- April 18: Iran says it is once again shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, blaming the US for “breaches of trust.” Trump says that negotiations are still ongoing but shows frustration, saying Iran “got a little cute” when closing the strait again. Ghalibaf says the US and Iran are “still far from a final agreement” in an interview with state television.
- April 19: Trump says US representatives will be traveling to Islamabad, Pakistan, for a second round of negotiations with Iran. Iranian sources familiar with the negotiations tell CNN that a delegation representing Tehran will also be traveling to Pakistan for talks, though Iranian state media reports that Iran’s presence in Islamabad is not confirmed.
- April 20: Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei says they “as of now” have “no plans for the next round of negotiations,” adding: “We don’t believe in deadlines or ultimatums to secure Iran’s national interests.” Trump says it’s “highly unlikely” he will extend the ceasefire, which he says will expire in two days time.
- April 21: Trump says he expects to continue bombing Iran if a deal to extend the ceasefire is not reached by the next day. Pakistan’s information minister says he is still trying to convince Iran to participate in talks. In the afternoon, Trump says he will extend the ceasefire until Iran submits a proposal to end the conflict permanently.
- April 22: Ghalibaf says a “complete ceasefire” would be meaningful only if it is not undermined by the US’ naval blockade. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterates this.
- April 23: Trump says he has “all the time in the world” to reach a deal to end the war, also telling reporters at the White House, “don’t rush me,” when pressed on a timetable.
- April 24: Sources tell CNN that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad in the evening. Trump administration officials also tell CNN that Trump is planning to send a US delegation to Pakistan for talks with Araghchi, but Baghaei says “no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US.”
- April 25: Araghchi meets with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, then leaves the country in the evening. Trump says he has canceled the US delegation’s scheduled trip to Pakistan, due to “infighting” among Iran’s leadership.
- April 27: Iran’s state media Fars reports that Araghchi gave a list of Iran’s “red lines” to be conveyed to the US during his trip to Pakistan. A source familiar with the matter tells CNN that Iran has put forward a new proposal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz but leaves the state of talks on key US demands unclear. Sources tell CNN that Trump signaled he is not likely to accept the new proposal.
CNN’s Aileen Graef, Kit Maher, Sophia Saifi, Lauren Said-Moorhouse, Sophie Tanno, Kevin Liptak, Tim Lister, Aida Karimi, Riane Lumer, Alayna Treene, Elise Hammond, Nadeen Ebrahim, Adam Pourahmadi, Donald Judd, Alejandra Jaramillo, Mitchell McCluskey, Betsy Klein, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Nic Robertson, Max Saltman and Lex Harvey contributed to this reporting.
What is OPEC and how does it affect the supply and price of oil?
You’ll be hearing a lot about OPEC today after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced it’s withdrawing from the group of major oil exporting countries.
OPEC was founded in 1960 to “coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its member countries and ensure the stabilization of oil markets in order to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consumers.”
To begin with, there were just five members: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. Since then, it has grown to 12, collectively supplying about 36.17% of the world’s crude oil production. OPEC members control about 79.22% of the world’s total proven crude reserves. The UAE joined in 1967.
OPEC+ is a larger group consisting of OPEC members and other oil-producing allies, including Russia.
So, what does OPEC do? OPEC member countries monitor the market and decide collectively to raise or lower oil production in order to maintain stable prices and supply. A unanimous vote is required on raising or lowering oil production.
Why does the UAE want to withdraw from OPEC? The UAE wants higher OPEC production quotas because it has the capacity to produce much more oil than it is currently allowed to produce. The UAE said it would leave the cartel, and be able to set its own production levels, from May 1.
Oil and energy ministers from OPEC member countries usually meet twice a year to determine OPEC’s output level. They also meet in extraordinary sessions whenever required.
The news did not lead to a significant change in the oil price, which has spiked since the start of the war in Iran. Many analysts expect the UAE’s decision to leave OPEC to lead to a reduction in prices because it will increase global supply.
US President Donald Trump has previously accused OPEC of keeping oil prices “artificially high” by restraining how much oil was being released onto the markets.
UAE to withdraw from OPEC this week
The United Arab Emirates will withdraw from Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on May 1, the UAE’s state news agency WAM said.
OPEC is a cartel of major oil-producing nations that coordinates production policies to influence global oil supply and prices.
The UAE is also leaving OPEC+, which includes Russia, the statement said.
The move marks a major blow to OPEC and its leading member, Saudi Arabia. The cartel collectively accounts for 36% of the world’s oil production and together controls almost 80% of the world’s total proven reserves.
The UAE has long pushed for higher OPEC production quotas as it sought to expand capacity well beyond the levels assigned to it by the cartel.
More background: OPEC was established in 1960 by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela and Kuwait. The UAE joined seven years later.
The UAE is among the world’s ten largest oil producers, accounting for some 3% to 4% of the world’s oil.
Israeli strikes kill at least eight people in Lebanon, authorities say
Despite a declared ceasefire, Israeli strikes killed at least eight people throughout southern Lebanon on Tuesday, according to Lebanese authorities and state media.
Lebanese Civil Defense said that two civilians were killed in an initial strike on a building in Majdal Zoun, a town near Tyre. Another strike at the same location afterward killed three Civil Defense personnel, who were “assisting people wounded” from the earlier strike, the organization added.
Two Lebanese Army soldiers were wounded in the second strike, both Civil Defense and the Army said.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office condemned the strikes in a statement on X, adding that Aoun considered the attacks part of “a series … that targeted relief and first aid workers.”
Separately, Lebanese state media reported that Israeli strikes killed two in the southern Lebanese towns of Tebnine and Shaqra, and the Ministry of Health reported that a strike in the town of Jwaya killed one.
CNN has reached out to the Israeli military for comment on each incident. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israeli military personnel that the terms of the ceasefire with Lebanon allow Israel to continue bombing throughout the country.
At least 2,521 people have been killed in Lebanon since March 2, and over 7,800 have been injured, according to a total released by the Ministry of Health on Monday.
