U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) that Americans’ financial struggles are not a factor in his decision-making as he seeks to negotiate an end to the Iran war, saying that preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon is his top priority.
Iran’s chief negotiator said Tuesday that Washington must accept Tehran’s latest peace plan or face failure, after US President Donald Trump warned the truce in the West Asia war was on the brink of collapse.
Also read: Qatar says Iran should not use Hormuz to ‘blackmail’ Gulf
Australia will join a “strictly defensive” mission led by France and Britain to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Wednesday (May 13, 2026). Australia will contribute a Wedgetail E-7A surveillance aircraft, already deployed in the region to protect the United Arab Emirates from Iranian drone attacks.
Also read: Kuwait accuses Iran of sending armed Revolutionary Guard team to attack an island in nation
Israel hammered south Lebanon with strikes on Tuesday ahead of talks between the two countries in Washington, as Beirut reported 380 people killed in Israeli attacks since an April 17 ceasefire took effect.
Follow for more updates:
May 13, 2026 07:48
Trump says stopping Iran's nuclear program outweighs Americans' economic pain
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Americans’ financial struggles are not a factor in his decision-making as he seeks to negotiate an end to the Iran war, saying that preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon is his top priority.
Asked by a reporter to what extent Americans’ financial situations were motivating him to strike a deal, Mr. Trump said: “Not even a little bit.”
“The only thing that matters, when I’m talking about Iran, they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Mr. Trump said before departing the White House for a trip to China. “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all. That’s the only thing that motivates me.”
-Reuters
May 13, 2026 07:45
China urges Pakistan step up mediation in Middle East
China’s top diplomat urged Pakistan to step up mediation efforts between Iran and the United States, and to help “properly” address the reopening of the Hormuz strait, Chinese state media said today.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in a call yesterday, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Mr, Wang called on Pakistan to “step up mediation efforts, and contribute to properly addressing issues related to opening the Strait of Hormuz”, state news agency Xinhua said.
-AFP
Published - May 13, 2026 07:42 am IST
