Israel strikes Beirut for first time since Lebanon ceasefire
What you need to know
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Israel says a strike on Beirut targeted the commander of Hezbollah's Radwan force
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Iran says it is still reviewing the US peace proposal
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Trump again threatens Iran with more attacks if it doesn't agree to peace deal
Welcome to DW's coverage of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on Wednesday, 6 May, 2026. You can catch up on Tuesday's developments here.
Skip next section Trump says Iran deal 'very possible'05/06/2026May 6, 2026Trump says Iran deal 'very possible'
Wesley Dockery EditorUS President Donald Trump said he believed a deal with Iran was "very possible." He also threatened to resume bombardments of Iran if negotiations fall apart.
Trump's remark comes as Iran has not yet responded to a new US proposal. Tehran's chief negotiator has accused the US of trying to force their "surrender."
If Iran "agrees to give what has been agreed to," the war would be over, Trump wrote on social media, adding that the alternative would be bombings "at a much higher level and intensity."
"We've had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it's very possible that we'll make a deal," Trump also told reporters in the Oval Office.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told local media that the "US plan and proposal are still under review," and "after finalizing those views," Tehran would convey its position to mediator Pakistan.
For his part, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was optimistic on the prospects for a deal.
"We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond," he said on X.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DO2KSkip next section UAE tells Iran that its partnerships are 'sovereign matter'05/06/2026May 6, 2026UAE tells Iran that its partnerships are 'sovereign matter'
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) rejected a statement by Iran saying that cooperation with the US was a threat's to Tehran's security and national interest.
The UAE's Foreign Ministry said that its ties and its international and defense partnerships were a "purely sovereign matter."
It added that the country reserved its full sovereign, legal, diplomatic and military rights to address any "threat, allegation or hostile act."
It all comes as tensions are high between the two neighbors, after the UAE reported being attacked in the past days by Iran for the first time in four weeks since the ceasefire began.
Although Iranian authorities have denied attacking the UAE in recent days, it warned of a "crushing response" if the UAE takes any action against Iran.
Iranian strike hits UAE as Strait of Hormuz crisis widens
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https://p.dw.com/p/5DNziSkip next section US fires on Iranian oil tanker in Gulf of Oman05/06/2026May 6, 2026US fires on Iranian oil tanker in Gulf of Oman
The US army said in a social media post that one of its fighter jets shot out the rudder of an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, as it tried to breach the US blockade of Iran’s ports
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces "issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the US blockade."
"After Hasna’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings, US forces disabled the tanker’s rudder by firing several rounds from the 20mm cannon gun of a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)," the statement read, adding that the ship was "no longer transiting to Iran."
CENTCOM reiterated that the US blockade against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports "remains in full effect."
https://p.dw.com/p/5DNuJSkip next section Macron tells Iran that attacks on UAE 'unjustified'05/06/2026May 6, 2026Macron tells Iran that attacks on UAE 'unjustified'
French President Emmanuel Macron told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that attacks on civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ships near the Strait of Hormuz were "unjustified" in a phone call on Wednesday.
"I expressed my deep concern about the ongoing escalation and condemned the unjustified strikes against Emirati civilian infrastructure and several ships," Macron wrote on X.
Macron also called on Pezeshkian to free up shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, urging him to look at plans by France and Britain to set up an international mission to lay the groundwork for safe transit.
"I have invited the Iranian president to take advantage of this opportunity, and I intend to discuss the topic with President Trump," Macron added on X, stressing that "all parties must lift the blockade of the strait without delay."
https://p.dw.com/p/5DNpsSkip next section Israel struck Beirut targeting Hezbollah commander, despite Lebanon ceasefire, Netanyahu says05/06/2026May 6, 2026Israel struck Beirut targeting Hezbollah commander, despite Lebanon ceasefire, Netanyahu says
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he and his defense minister ordered the military to strike Beirut, saying it was an attack targeting a senior Hezbollah commander.
"I, along with Defense Minister Israel Katz, have instructed to attack the commander of the Radwan force in the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Beirut now in order to thwart him," Netanyahu wrote on social media.
The Radwan force is an elite special forces-type group within Hezbollah's military wing.
"The Radwan terrorists are responsible for firing at Israeli settlements and harming IDF soldiers," Netanyahu said. "No terrorist has immunity — Israel's long arm will catch every enemy and murderer."
Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz also issued a similarly-worded joint statement.
The attack comes despite a shaky ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that has for the most part held in recent weeks.
Lebanon complains of daily violations in the south of the country near the de facto border, in an area where Israel has unilaterally declared a "buffer zone" and is still deploying troops.
Nevertheless, attacks further north in Lebanon and on the capital Beirut had stopped amid the truce. Wednesday's strike was the first to hit Beirut's suburbs since the truce came into effect on April 16.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DNsBSkip next section WATCH — What options are left for Trump on Iran?05/06/2026May 6, 2026WATCH — What options are left for Trump on Iran?
Anja Kueppers-McKinnonThe US and Iran appear closer than ever to a draft deal to end the war and reopen nuclear talks.
But with the Strait of Hormuz still central to the standoff and pressure mounting at home and abroad, can Washington turn a one-page proposal into a real agreement without losing leverage?
US-Iran war: What options are left for Trump on Iran?
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https://p.dw.com/p/5DNUwSkip next section IN DEPTH — Historic Lebanon-Israel talks: A no-win situation?05/06/2026May 6, 2026IN DEPTH — Historic Lebanon-Israel talks: A no-win situation?
Kersten KnippDespite recent talks between Israel and Lebanon, experts don't see much hope for a positive outcome — nor do locals in southern Lebanon, who are most affected by the conflict.
Read DW's full report on the talks between Israel and Lebanon.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DNUnSkip next section Iran says US peace plan 'under review'05/06/2026May 6, 2026Iran says US peace plan 'under review'
Iran is still looking into a peace proposal put forward by the US, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
"The US plan and proposal are still under review by Iran," ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told the ISNA news agency, as reported by AFP.
Baqaei added that Iran's response would be passed to Pakistan after "finalizing its views."
Axios earlier reported that discussions were centered on a 14-point proposal that would see the Strait of Hormuz reopen and Iran's nuclear program paused for at least 12 years.
This report could not be verified, but Trump later posted on his social media platform Truth Social that if Iran doesn't agree to "what has been agreed to," the US would start bombing again.
Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for parliament's foreign policy and national security committee in Iran, described the Axios report on X as "more of an American wishlist than a reality."
https://p.dw.com/p/5DNJvSkip next section French aircraft carrier enters Red Sea05/06/2026May 6, 2026French aircraft carrier enters Red Sea
The French aircraft carrier group Charles de Gaulle is moving into the Red Sea and down to the Gulf of Aden as part of the French-UK led mission to secure traffic through the Strait of Hormuz once the war is over.
The French military said in a statement that the aircraft carrier had passed through the Suez Canal on Wednesday.
The naval mission was deployed to the eastern Mediterranean not long after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DMniSkip next section IN DEPTH — How the jet fuel shortage affects air travel05/06/2026May 6, 2026IN DEPTH — How the jet fuel shortage affects air travel
Jonas MartinyShould the worst fears become realized, air travel could become a nerve-racking ordeal for passengers in the coming weeks and months.
If, as a result of the Iran war and the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, jet fuel does begin to run short, significant disruptions to air traffic are to be expected.
DW's report offers insights into the impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on air travel.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DMPVSkip next section Trump says Hormuz will open if deal is reached05/06/2026May 6, 2026Trump says Hormuz will open if deal is reached
US President Donald Trump has again posted threats on his Truth Social platform that the US will bomb Iran "at a much higher level" if they don't agree to a peace deal.
What the contents of the peace deal are, remained elusive, with Trump only referring to "what has been agreed to."
However, earlier reports from Axios suggested that the two sides had been discussing a 14-point memorandum of understanding, including an agreement that Iran would put a moratorium on uranium enrichment for a number of years.
Trump said that if an agreement is reached, "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."
"If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before," he added.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DMR7Skip next section WATCH — Asia's plastic makers grapple with oil supply shocks and higher costs05/06/2026May 6, 2026WATCH — Asia's plastic makers grapple with oil supply shocks and higher costs
Plastic companies in Asia rely on cheap oil from the Middle East to make their products.
But now that supply is under pressure and many are searching for alternatives.
Iran conflict disrupts Asia's plastic supply chain
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https://p.dw.com/p/5DMOKSkip next section Pakistani PM thanks Trump for pausing 'Project Freedom'05/06/2026May 6, 2026Pakistani PM thanks Trump for pausing 'Project Freedom'
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked President Trump's suspension of the mission that saw US Navy vessels escort merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
"Project Freedom" had also seen a resumption of small-scale clashes with Iran reportedly firing on ships and the US sinking small boats in the strait.
Trump's announcement of the suspension said the decision had been made at the request of Pakistan.
"Pakistan remains firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promote restraint and a peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy," Sharif wrote on X.
"We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond," he added.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DLosSkip next section Iran and US discussing 14-point peace deal — reports05/06/2026May 6, 2026Iran and US discussing 14-point peace deal — reports
The White House appears to be hopeful that it is close to sealing some form of agreement with Iran to end the war soon, according to an Axios report.
Citing unnamed US officials, Axios said that a one-page memorandum of understanding (MOU) was in the works and that the US expects an Iranian response on its key points within 48 hours.
The Axios source said the current efforts were the closest the two sides had been to finding an agreement since the war began.
According to the report, the 14-point MOU would declare an official end to the war and launch a 30-day period of negotiations during which Iran would begin to open the Strait of Hormuz.
The MOU also reportedly includes a moratorium on Iran's nuclear enrichment, with sources telling Axios it would last at least 12 years, after which Iran would be able to enrich but only to a low level.
Iran would also commit to being open to UN inspections. Axios also cited sources saying the option of Iran moving its uranium stock was also being discussed.
Iran's nuclear program has been a major sticking point for both sides. Washington has said Iran cannot keep the stockpile and has previously threatened to put boots on the ground to retrieve it. Tehran has maintained it is not seeking nuclear weapons while defending its right to pursue a civilian nuclear program.
DW could, of course, not independently verify the Axios reports, however, Reuters later cited a Pakistani source confirming it. "We will close this very soon. We are getting close," the source told Reuters.
What are the sticking points in US-Iran peace negotiations?
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https://p.dw.com/p/5DLggSkip next section China recognizes Iran's right to 'peaceful use of nuclear energy'05/06/2026May 6, 2026China recognizes Iran's right to 'peaceful use of nuclear energy'
In further comments from China's foreign minister, Wang Yi called on all "parties involved" to make it possible for "normal and safe passage" to return to the Strait of Hormuz, after meeting with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi.
"China considers that a complete cessation of fighting must be achieved without delay, that it is even more unacceptable to restart hostilities, and that continuing to negotiate remains essential," he added, according to a statement from his ministry.
Wang also touched on the question of Iran's nuclear program, a major sticking point in negotiations between the US and Iran, saying: "China appreciates Iran's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, while also recognizing Iran's legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy."
Iran defies US pressure over nuclear, missile plans
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