Trump threatens to ‘blast the hell’ out of Iran Iran has issued Donald Trump a one-month deadline for negotiations on its proposed deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring an end to the war, according to a report.
The deal would also see the end of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, two sources brief on the proposal told Axios.
But negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme – the destruction of which has been one of Trump’s key goals of the war – would only take place after the initial deal is reached.
Trump said on Saturday he was reviewing a new peace proposal from Tehran, before once again escalated his threats when he said the regime “not yet paid a big enough price”.
“I will soon be reviewing the plan Iran has just sent to us but can’t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to humanity, and the world, over the last 47 years,” he wrote on Truth Social.
The president said that there was a “possibility” he could order renewed strikes.
Germany focuses on shared interests after US announces troop drawdown Germany’s defense minister on Saturday appeared to take in stride a Pentagon announcement that the United States plans to pull some 5,000 troops out of Germany, saying a drawdown was expected and emphasizing the mutual benefit of the longstanding U.S. deployment in Europe.
Boris Pistorius said Europe recognized and was acting on the necessity of doing more to ensure its own security within the U.S.-led NATO military alliance that counts Germany as a key member, and said it is doing so. He suggested America, too, gains from its military deployment in the continent.
“The presence of American soldiers in Europe, and especially in Germany, is in our interest and in the interest of the U.S.,” Pistorius told the German news agency dpa.
Pistorius called the move “foreseeable,” apparently alluding to President Donald Trump’s recent threat of a drawdown in Germany.
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Alex Croft 3 May 2026 14:42
Iran offers US one-month deadline for negotiations on peace deal Tehran has offered the US a one-month deadline for negotiations on its proposed peace deal, according to an Axios reporter.
“According to two sources briefed on the Iranian proposal, it sets a one-month deadline for negotiations on a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, end the U.S. naval blockade and permanently end the war in Iran and in Lebanon,” Barak Ravid reports.
“Per the Iranian proposal, only after such a deal is reached, another month of negotiations would be launched to try and reach a deal on the nuclear program, the two sources said.”
Trump said on Saturday he was reviewing a new peace proposal from Tehran, before once again escalated his threats when he said the regime “not yet paid a big enough price”.
Alex Croft 3 May 2026 14:23
Trump must choose between ‘bad deal’ or ‘impossible military operation’, IRGC warns Donald Trump will have to choose between an “impossible” military operation against Iran or making a “bad deal” with Tehran, the country’s Revolutionary Guard Corps have warned.
“The room for US decision-making has narrowed,” the intelligence unit of the Guards wrote on X.
It said Iran had set a deadline for the US military to end its blockade of Iranian ports, without specifying what it was.
The Guards also claimed there had been a shift in tone from Europe, China and Russia towards Washington.
“There is only one way to read this: Trump must choose between an impossible military operation or a bad deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The room for US decision-making has narrowed,” it said in a post on X.
(AFP/Getty) Alex Croft 3 May 2026 14:01
In pictures: Israelis protest against war in Iran and Netanyahu’s government
Israeli left-wing activists demonstrate in HaBima Square against the ongoing war with Iran and against the Israeli government in Tel Aviv on May 2 (AFP/Getty)
An Israeli left-wing activists wears a face mask depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and holding US dollars (AFP/Getty)
The march took place on Saturday evening (AFP/Getty) Alex Croft 3 May 2026 13:39
Israel hails deal to procure new F-35 fighter jets We’ve heard from Israeli defence minister Israel Katz, speaking about the country’s deal to purchase new F-35 and F-15Ia fighter jet squadrons.
Mr Katz said the Iranian conflict demonstrated the air force’s power and its decisive role in protecting Israel.
“The lessons of that campaign require us to keep pressing forward on force buildup, to ensure air superiority for decades to come,” he said.
The aircraft have been crucial in Israel’s bombardments in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran in recent years. They were used to drop some of the military’s most powerful bombs in the Gaza strip.
Mr Katz said the new aircraft would lead to a significant technological leap in integrating autonomous flight capabilities, next-generation defence systems, and establishing Israeli military dominance in space.
“Our mission is clear: to ensure the IDF has the tools, capabilities, and strength to operate anywhere, at any time,” Mr Katz said.
“We will continue to invest, to grow stronger, and to stay ahead of our enemies – to keep Israel secure today and in the future.”
Alex Croft 3 May 2026 13:17
Full report: Trump warns Iran has ‘not paid a big enough price’ as he considers new peace plan Donald Trump has said Iran has “not yet paid a big enough price” despite reviewing a new peace proposal offered by Tehran.
The US president has been touting the possibility of carrying out fresh strikes on Iran, with his efforts to pressure the country’s regime into agreeing a deal favourable for the US having so far failed.
“I will soon be reviewing the plan Iran has just sent to us but can’t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to humanity, and the world, over the last 47 years,” he wrote on Truth Social.
He told reporters on Saturday that there was a “possibility” he could order more strikes against Iran, particularly “if they misbehave, if they do something bad”.
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Alex Croft 3 May 2026 12:55
Trump calls US blockade ‘very friendly’ President Donald Trump called the US blockade of Iranian ports “very friendly” while speaking to reporters Saturday evening.
A journalist asked: “In your letter to Congress, you said the hostilities in Iran … have been terminated. How can you say that given that the naval blockade is still … in place?”
“Well, it’s a very friendly blockade. Nobody’s even challenging it,” Trump replied.
“Many presidents have been involved in things that are very big. They never had to go through anything with respect to Congress. They considered it to be totally unconstitutional.
“The Democrats in Congress have pushed this, and probably a couple of Republicans. They’re hurting our negotiating ability, which is infinite right now, and they shouldn’t be doing it,” he added.
Alex Croft 3 May 2026 12:33
Three killed in attacks on Lebanon Three people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.
Rescue teams recovered the bodies of two victims from the al-Maaliya area in the Tyre district, the agency reported.
A motorcycle rider was killed in a separate airstrike that targeted the vehicle in the town of Haris in the Bint Jbeil district, he said.
Alex Croft 3 May 2026 12:11
Trump threatens to ‘blast the hell’ out of Iran – ICYMI Trump threatens to ‘blast the hell’ out of Iran Alex Croft 3 May 2026 11:48
Analysis | Weakened Nato only serves enemies of the West The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes:
The US president and the German chancellor have locked horns. Spain has shunned Washington. The Nato alliance is more fragile than it has ever been.
Western powers are determined to see off Russian military “hard” power; they are familiar with “soft power” operations to undermine democracies. But how to deal with the Kremlin’s relationship with Donald Trump is now an emergency.
Working out a response to internal frictions within Nato has become a conundrum, not only for leaders in the alliance but for the military officials who have to figure out how to keep the military machine operational.
A weakened Nato serves only the interests of the enemies and rivals of the West.
Top of the list of beneficiaries is Vladimir Putin, but China will enjoy the latest spats between Trump and Germany’s Friedrich Merz almost as much.
Alex Croft 3 May 2026 11:25