Iran war: What is happening on day 50 of the US-Iran conflict?

Houthi supporters demonstrate in solidarity with Iran, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Friday [Khaled Abdullah/Reuters]

In the Gulf

• Fragile recovery: Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan welcomes Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but says the situation remains fragile. Some countries can restart production quickly, while others will need more time, depending on damage.

In the US

• US extends Russian oil waiver: The Treasury extended a waiver allowing countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil at sea until May 16. The aim is to stabilise global supply during disruptions from the war.
• Iran port blockade enforced: The US naval blockade remains, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) saying that 21 vessels have complied with orders to turn back from Iranian ports.
• Trump signals pressure on Iran talks: The US president says negotiations are “going very well” but warned that the ceasefire may not be extended without a deal, while claiming Tehran could hand over enriched uranium – Iran denies that.
• Trump rejects NATO role: The US president dismissed an offer from NATO to assist in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the alliance a “paper tiger” and telling it to “stay away”.

In Israel

• Israel ‘prohibited’ from striking Lebanon: Trump says Israel is barred by the US from continuing attacks on Lebanon, declaring “enough is enough”.
• Netanyahu says campaign not over: The Israeli PM warned that the campaign against Hezbollah was not over. “We have not yet finished the job”, adding that a key objective was the “dismantling of Hezbollah”.

In Lebanon

• One killed despite ceasefire: Lebanese state media say one person was killed in the south by an Israeli attack on a motorcycle, despite the start of a 10-day ceasefire.
• Israel killed almost 2,300 in Lebanon: Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed nearly 2,300 people since March 2, Lebanon’s health ministry said on the first day of the ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war.
• Lebanon war ‘last anti-colonial battle’: Analyst Rami Khouri says the conflict reflects resistance by Iran-aligned groups against decades of Western influence, with southern Lebanon at its core. He argues that Israel’s push for a “security zone” has been halted by Hezbollah and Iran, potentially shifting the conflict from military escalation to negotiations.

Global economy

• Oil prices fall, stocks soar: Wall Street topped records on Friday after Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which sent oil prices tumbling from a peak of nearly $120 a barrel to $90.38 for Brent Crude.
• Boeing’s war boost: The war has so far boosted Boeing’s defence business and hasn’t affected deliveries to airline customers facing high jet fuel prices, the company’s CEO said.