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Riyadh, May 2 (IANS) The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier has left the Middle East after taking part in operations against Iran, local media reported, citing a US official.

The move leaves two US aircraft carriers in the region -- the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush.

The Ford had been at sea for more than 10 months, breaking the post-Vietnam War record for a US aircraft carrier deployment.

On March 12, two sailors aboard the carrier were injured when a fire broke out in the main laundry spaces, according to the US Navy.

The Ford Carrier Strike Group began its latest deployment on June 24, 2025, departing from the US state of Virginia for the US European Command area of responsibility, later deploying to Latin America for counter-narcotics operations and then to the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalated.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump told lawmakers that the war against Iran has "terminated," as the military action -- which was launched without Congressional approval -- has reached a 60-day legal deadline.

"There has been no exchange of fire between the United States and Iran since April 7, 2026," Trump was quoted by Politico as saying in a letter to congressional leaders.

"The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated," Trump said.

According to the report, the latest move is an effort to quelch the fight over the need for Congress to approve the conflict.

Under the War Powers Resolution adopted in 1973, the president -- after notifying Congress of the use of military force -- must terminate the action within 60 days, unless Congress authorises continued military action.

Earlier on Friday, Trump said that negotiations with the Iranians remain uncertain, warning he is "not satisfied" with current proposals while keeping both diplomacy and military action on the table.

"They want to make a deal, but I'm not satisfied with it, so we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters before departing on Marine One.

​He described Iran's leadership as fragmented and unable to reach a consensus. "They all want to make a deal, but they're all messed up," he said, adding the leadership was "very disjointed" and marked by internal divisions.

​Trump argued that internal discord was weakening Tehran's negotiating position. He said leaders "are not getting along with each other" and "don't know who the leader is", complicating talks.

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Washington, May 2 (IANS) US President Donald Trump signalled potential disruption to global oil flows, warning that maritime congestion and military actions near key shipping routes could affect energy supplies.

Speaking at a Forum Club event in Palm Beach, Trump described heavy vessel traffic around a critical Gulf corridor. “You see all of those ships… they’re all over the place… hundreds and hundreds of ships,” he said.

He said US naval operations had tightened control over the route. “We have a navy that is unbelievable… it’s a blockade,” he said.

Trump added that the situation had left oil shipments stranded. “These ships are loaded up with oil they can’t get out of the strait,” he said, pointing to a build-up of tankers awaiting passage.

He suggested that some flows were being redirected. “You see all of those big gorgeous ships… they’re coming to Texas now… to load up,” he said.

Despite the disruption, Trump said supply remained ample. “There’s so much oil,” he said, predicting prices would “drop like a rock” once movement resumed.

The President also linked military operations to economic outcomes. “This is the first war… where we actually have paid for the cost of the war by about 37 times already,” he said.

At the same time, he acknowledged uncertainty tied to conflict. “With war, you never know what happens,” he said.

Trump reiterated that US actions were aimed at limiting Iran’s capabilities, including its energy exports. “They’re unable to export any energy and they’re crumbling as an economy,” he said.

He maintained that domestic production would cushion any shock. “We’re producing more oil and gas now than we ever have,” he said.

Trump did not rule out prolonged uncertainty, saying negotiations remained unclear. “Maybe we’re better off not making a deal at all,” he said.

The remarks come as global markets track developments in the Gulf, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for a significant share of the world’s oil shipments. Any disruption in this corridor can tighten supply chains and push up prices.

For India, which imports a large share of its crude from the Gulf, stability in shipping lanes remains critical. Prolonged congestion or restrictions could raise freight costs, delay cargoes and feed into domestic fuel prices and inflation, making developments in the region closely watched in New Delhi.

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London, May 2 (IANS) The United Kingdom's trade with the United States has been notably affected by tariffs levied by the administration of US President Donald Trump, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed.

Britain's goods exports to the United States, excluding precious metals, fell by 1.5 billion pounds (2.03 billion US dollars) or 24.7 per cent in April 2025 following the introduction of the tariffs and have remained relatively low since, the ONS said on Friday (local time).

Specifically, its exports of cars to the United States have fallen since the introduction of tariffs and have remained below pre-tariff levels since April 2025.

Meanwhile, Britain's goods imports from the United States, excluding precious metals, have exceeded its goods exports to the United States for three consecutive months since December 2025, reports Xinhua news agency.

The United States remains Britain's largest goods export partner and third-largest goods import partner, the ONS said.

Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has introduced a range of tariffs on imported goods, including a blanket 10 per cent tariff on most imports from Britain, announced in April 2025, according to the ONS.

In May 2025, the two countries reached a deal that included reducing the tariff on a certain number of British car exports to the United States and removing tariffs on steel and aluminium exports, provided they meet supply chain security requirements, it added.

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has also said that it will "keep options open" to protect its interests if the United States takes measures inconsistent with the joint statement between the two sides signed last year on reciprocal, fair and balanced trade, a European Commission spokesperson told Xinhua.

"We remain fully committed to a predictable, mutually beneficial transatlantic relationship. Should the US take measures inconsistent with the Joint Statement, we will keep our options open to protect EU interests," the spokesperson said.

The remarks came after Trump's latest threat earlier on the day that he would raise tariffs to 25 per cent on cars and trucks imported from the EU from next week, accusing the bloc of failing to comply with the agreement.

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Moscow, May 2 (IANS) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, exchanging views on freedom of navigation and issues surrounding Iran's nuclear program, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The two sides continued a thorough exchange of views on the prospects for a full cessation of hostilities, stabilising the military and political situation in the Middle East, the ministry said in a news release on Friday (local time).

Russia reaffirmed its support for the ongoing mediation efforts and its readiness to fully support the political and diplomatic process to reach sustainable agreements aimed at establishing long-term peace in the region, reports Xinhua news agency.

The ministers also discussed the passage of Russian vessels and cargo through the Strait of Hormuz, the ministry added.

Earlier on April 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the Iranian Foreign Minister in St. Petersburg to discuss bilateral cooperation and the situation in the Middle East.

Attending the meeting were Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, and Igor Kostyukov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

Representatives on the Iranian side included Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali.

During the talks, Putin said Moscow intends to continue developing strategic relations with Iran, is willing to make efforts to help secure peace in the Middle East at an early date, and hopes that the Iranian people will pass through the current period of trials and that peace will come, Russian state media RIA Novosti reported.

"We will do everything that meets your interests and the interests of all the peoples of the region to achieve this peace as quickly as possible," Putin was quoted as saying.

Putin also said he has received a message from Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

"At the beginning of the conversation, I would like to note that last week I received a message from the Supreme Leader of Iran," Putin said.

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Geneva, May 2 (IANS) The Middle East crisis has generated far-reaching ripple effects well beyond the region, with growing consequences for global humanitarian supply chains and the delivery of aid, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesperson warned.

Heightened insecurity and instability around key Gulf routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, have disrupted maritime traffic. Rising fuel, food and freight costs worldwide are driving up prices and delaying the delivery of critical supplies, Carlotta Wolf said at a regular press briefing.

These rising costs "disproportionately affect people who are already living in emergencies, including millions of refugees and displaced people who are among the hardest hit, while also reducing the ability of aid agencies to deliver timely assistance," she said.

The closure of key maritime routes has forced greater use of longer and more expensive alternatives, leading to increased transit times and operational complexity. Freight rates from key sourcing countries have risen by nearly 18 per cent since the start of hostilities, while the capacity of UNHCR's global transport providers has dropped from 97 to 77 per cent since the start of this year, Wolf said.

"For some shipments, costs have more than doubled, such as transport costs for relief items from UNHCR global stockpiles in Dubai to our Sudan and Chad operations," Wolf said.

The UNHCR spokesperson expressed particular concern about the situation for Africa, home to many overlapping, "often tragically neglected" displacement crises.

In Kenya, where one of UNHCR's global stockpiles is located, a recent fuel price increase of around 15 per cent triggered delays and reduced truck availability for shipments to Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan. In Sudan, the cost of delivering aid has doubled in recent months, while rerouting shipments around the Cape of Good Hope adds up to 25 days in delivery times, Xinhua news agency reported.

"If instability in the Middle East persists, rising costs, delays and limited transport capacity are likely to constrain humanitarian operations further," Wolf stressed.

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Washington, May 2 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said the United States would not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon, as he defended military operations and highlighted what he described as strong economic performance.

Speaking at a Forum Club event in Palm Beach, Trump said, “Our country is hot we’re doing a good job,” adding that the “stock market just hit another high for the 59th time in one year.”

He said US actions had weakened Iran’s military. “We’ve taken apart… their air force is non-existent… their navy… every single ship is at the bottom of the sea right now,” he said.

Trump warned against allowing Tehran to develop nuclear weapons. “You cannot give Iran a nuclear weapon… they would use it on a place called Israel very quickly,” he said. “It’s not going to happen.”

He acknowledged the risks of conflict. “There’s still danger there’s always danger with war,” he said, pointing to the war in Ukraine. “It was supposed to be a one day war and it’s four years.”

Trump described US naval operations in the region as a blockade. “We have a navy that is unbelievable… it’s a blockade,” he said, recounting incidents where ships were ordered to turn back.

On the economy, he said growth and investment were strong. “In 11 months, we took in over $18 trillion… which is a record,” he said.

He also pointed to energy production. “We’re producing more oil and gas now than we ever have,” he said, adding that the US was drilling “double Saudi Arabia and Russia combined.”

Trump highlighted tax and healthcare policies. “We delivered no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security for our seniors,” he said.

He said Medicare would expand coverage for certain drugs. “Starting on July 1st, we’ll provide Medicare patients with coverage for weight loss drugs… it will be available… $50 a month,” he said.

He also said insulin costs had been reduced. “We got it down to $25 a month,” he said.

On border security, Trump said crossings had fallen sharply. “We went from 25 million people coming in to zero,” he said.

He said crime had declined, including in Washington. The city is now “considered… one of the safest cities in the country,” he said.

Trump said the US remained engaged in global diplomacy. “We’ve settled eight wars… that should be the ninth,” he said, referring to ongoing efforts.

Still, he signalled uncertainty over negotiations with Iran. “Maybe we’re better off not making a deal at all,” he said.

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Washington, May 2 (IANS) President Donald Trump said that US military action against Iran was carried out despite expectations of a sharp economic shock, arguing that preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons outweighed risks to markets and oil prices.

Speaking at an event with seniors in Florida, Trump said he had warned advisers that the move could rattle the economy. “I thought the stock market would go down by 25 per cent. I thought that oil prices would be at much higher than they are right now,” he said.

“But we have no choice,” he added. “We can't let them have a nuclear weapon.”

Trump said the US used B-2 bombers in the operation. “We stopped them with B-2 bombers. If we didn't do that, we would have had a nuclear weapon,” he said.

He said Iran’s military capacity had been severely damaged. “They have no navy, they have no air force, they have no anti-aircraft equipment,” he said, adding that “their ships are gone.”

The president said he expected broader regional fallout if Iran had advanced its nuclear programme. “Israel would have been blown to pieces, the Middle East would have been blown to pieces. I think Europe would have been blown to pieces,” he said.

Trump said he had briefed economic officials before the action. “We just hit the highest price in the history of the stock market,” he said. “Now I'm going to upset the apple cart for you.”

He said the administration braced for turbulence but saw limited immediate impact. “I'm surprised,” he said. “I thought oil would be much, much higher… they're not nearly as high as I thought.”

He explained the global energy supply dynamics, including the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route. “It's all locked up in the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, referring to oil shipments. “When all of that comes out, you're going to see prices dropping on gasoline like you've never seen.”

Trump linked the military move to what he described as a strong domestic economy. “The stock market is rocking and rolling,” he said. “More Americans are working today… than at any time in the history of our country.”

He said the decision reflected a broader strategy of pairing economic strength with security action. “We built up this great thing and then… we have to break the eggs a little bit,” he said.

Trump also criticised allies, saying the United States received “no help from NATO,” though he added, “we didn't need it.”

He said operations were ongoing and cautioned against drawing early conclusions. “I don't like talking about it until the jobs are finished,” he said.

The Strait of Hormuz carries about a fifth of global oil supplies and has long been a flashpoint in tensions between the United States and Iran. Disruptions there can quickly affect global prices, with implications for major importers including India.

US policy toward Iran has shifted between diplomacy and military pressure over the years, with Tehran’s nuclear ambitions at the centre of the dispute. The latest remarks highlight the continuing volatility in West Asia and its impact on energy markets and global security.

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Washington, May 2 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on told a crowd of seniors in Florida that his administration has effectively delivered “no tax on Social Security,” framing it as a central pillar of his economic and political pitch ahead of midterm elections.

Addressing residents at The Villages, one of the largest retirement communities in the United States, Trump said, “we're here to celebrate a policy that benefits every American senior all across this land, and it's called no tax on Social Security. It's done.”

He claimed the policy was part of what he described as a sweeping tax overhaul, saying his “Great Big, Beautiful Bill was the largest tax cut in American history,” adding that “more than 51 million American seniors now pay a federal tax rate of zero.”

Trump repeatedly contrasted his policies with those of his predecessor, alleging that “under crooked Joe Biden, American seniors were ravaged by the worst inflation in the history of our country,” and said his administration had reversed that trend.

The President also highlighted measures targeting entitlement programmes, stating that “we've removed nearly 300,000 illegal aliens from the Social Security roll” and “more than 100,000 migrants from Medicare eligibility,” arguing that such steps were aimed at “saving Social Security because it was so rife with fraud.”

On healthcare, Trump said his administration had “secured the largest reduction in drug prices in American history,” adding that under his pricing model, “we had the highest price for prescription drugs anywhere in the world and now we have the lowest prices anywhere in the world.”

He announced that starting July 1, Medicare would cover weight-loss drugs at significantly reduced costs, saying medicines such as Ozempic and Wegovy “will be available for $50 a month.”

Trump also touted broader economic indicators, claiming “the stock market is rocking and rolling your 401ks are at the highest they've ever been,” and said retirement accounts had seen substantial gains compared to previous years.

In a direct appeal to seniors, he said tax refunds had risen sharply, noting that in Florida “we've issued $2.5 million Florida seniors over $13 billion,” and argued that the changes would translate into improved quality of life, including “more money to visit your grandkids” and “extra dinners out with your family.”

Mary Alice, a resident invited to speak, said the policy had tangible benefits. “The Big, Beautiful Bill helped my husband and I so much this year… we were so shocked when we picked up our tax return,” she said, adding, “this is all because of the no tax on Social Security.”

Television personality Phil McGraw, who also addressed the gathering, supported the policy, saying Social Security taxation amounted to “double taxation” and that seniors were “paying taxes twice.”

Trump also touched on foreign policy and national security, reiterating his stance that “we cannot let lunatics have a nuclear weapon,” and referenced recent military actions, saying the US had acted to ensure adversaries did not acquire such capabilities.

He concluded with a political appeal, urging supporters to mobilise ahead of upcoming elections, saying, “you have to get out and vote in the midterms because they'll give them to you again” if opponents return to power.

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Havana, May 2 (IANS) Cuba denounced new US sanctions as "unilateral coercive measures," saying that such actions demonstrate an intention to impose collective punishment on the Cuban people.

"We firmly reject the recent unilateral coercive measures adopted" by the US government, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on X.

These actions demonstrate an intention to impose collective punishment on the Cuban people, Rodriguez said.

He noted that the announcement coincided with May 1, when millions of Cubans take to the streets to denounce the US blockade and the energy siege, Xinhua news agency reported.

"These measures are extraterritorial in nature and violate the United Nations Charter," Rodriguez said, adding that the United States has no right to impose measures against Cuba or against third countries or parties.

The comment came after US President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order imposing new sanctions on Cuba.

Trump ordered that all property and interests in property that are in and coming within the United States, or are in or coming within the possession or control of US persons of the following persons are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in.

The "following persons" include those who operate in or have operated in the energy, defense and related materiel, metals and mining, financial services, or security sector of the Cuban economy, or any other sector of the Cuban economy, as may be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State.

It also includes those who own or control, directly or indirectly, any person whose property or interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.

The order also seeks to limit Cuba's access to the global banking system, imposing secondary sanctions on people, entities and financial institutions that conduct financial transactions with those already sanctioned because of their ties to Cuba.

The order authorizes the US government to penalize foreign financial institutions that have conducted or facilitated any significant transaction for or on behalf of anyone with ties to the Cuban government.

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New York, May 2 (IANS) US President Donald Trump signed an executive order expanding sanctions on the Cuban government.

Trump ordered that all property and interests in property that are in and coming within the United States, or are in or coming within the possession or control of US persons of the following persons are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in, Xinhua news agency reported.

The "following persons" include those who operate in or have operated in the energy, defense and related materiel, metals and mining, financial services, or security sector of the Cuban economy, or any other sector of the Cuban economy, as may be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State.

It also includes those who own or control, directly or indirectly, any person whose property or interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.

The order also seeks to limit Cuba's access to the global banking system, imposing secondary sanctions on people, entities and financial institutions that conduct financial transactions with those already sanctioned because of their ties to Cuba.

The order authorizes the US government to penalize foreign financial institutions that have conducted or facilitated any significant transaction for or on behalf of anyone with ties to the Cuban government.

Trump authorised the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to take all actions necessary to implement and effectuate the order.

The United States has maintained sanctions against Cuba for over 60 years, with a comprehensive trade embargo officially instituted in February 1962. The sanctions have remained in place, and at times tightened or slightly eased ever since.

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