Middle East live: Trump says stopping Iran's nuclear program outweighs Americans' economic pain
· France 24
13/05/2026 - 05:06
Trump says he does not need China's help to end Iran war
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he does not think he will need China's help to end the war with Iran, even as hopes for a lasting peace deal dwindled and Tehran tightened its grip over the Strait of Hormuz.
Ahead of a high-stakes summit in Beijing, Trump said he did not think he would need to enlist Chinese President Xi Jinping to resolve the conflict, which has continued to block maritime traffic that normally provides one-fifth of the world's oil supply.
"I don't think we need any help with Iran. We'll win it one way or the other, peacefully or otherwise," he told reporters.
13/05/2026 - 03:03
Oil prices slip on teetering Iran ceasefire as Trump heads to China
Oil prices fell on Wednesday after rising in three consecutive sessions, as investors awaited developments around the fragile ceasefire in the Iran war and US President Donald Trump headed to China for a high stakes summit with President Xi Jinping.
Brent crude futures lost 82 cents, or 0.76%, to trade at $106.95 a barrel at 0051 GMT, and U.S. West Texas
Intermediate futures fell 66 cents, or 0.65%, to $101.52.
13/05/2026 - 02:40
13/05/2026 - 02:39
China FM urges Pakistan to step up mediation in Middle East
China's top diplomat urged Pakistan to step up mediation efforts between Iran and the United States, and help to "properly" address the reopening of the Hormuz strait, Chinese state media said Wednesday.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar on a call, state news agency Xinhua reported, ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing.
13/05/2026 - 02:25
13/05/2026 - 01:59
Yesterday's key developments:
- The leader of Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group called on the government on Tuesday to withdraw from direct talks with Israel this week in Washington, calling them a concession and instead urged for indirect negotiations.
- Britain has said it will contribute autonomous mine-hunting equipment, Typhoon fighter jets and the warship HMS Dragon to a multinational defensive mission aimed at securing shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
- 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.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AP and AFP)