US-Iran War News Highlights: Marco Rubio Says Iran Crisis Must Be Resolved 'One Way Or Another'

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday said diplomacy remains Washington's preferred option to resolve the Iran conflict, while warning that the crisis cannot continue indefinitely. He also said the "problem needs to be solved one way or the other."

In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Rubio avoided confirming whether a US strike on Iran was imminent, saying he would not “characterise it in terms of a timeframe”.

US forces have redirected 100 commercial vessels during its six-week-long blockade of Iran’s ports, Central Command said.

The mission, supported by more than 200 aircraft and warships including two carrier strike groups and multiple guided-missile destroyers, started enforcing the blockade on April 13 “against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” CENTCOM said in a post on X Saturday.

The mission has “squeezed Iran economically,” CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said. The blockade also disabled four ships and allowed 26 vessels carrying humanitarian aid to pass, it added.

(Source: Bloomberg)

Global food inflation risks are rising due to possible disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and worsening El Nino conditions, according to a Citi Research report, which warned that agricultural commodity prices could face strong upward pressure over the next 6-12 months.

The report said agriculture markets are vulnerable to supply disruptions caused by higher energy costs, fertiliser shortages and adverse weather conditions linked to El Nino.

"A prolonged SoH closure would drive up the cost of agriculture production (via higher energy prices), reduce crop yields/output (owing to lower fertiliser and lower crop protection from oil based fungicides and pesticide availability)," the report said.

(Source: ANI)

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reaffirming Doha’s full support for efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement to end the crisis, per a Qatari Foreign Ministry statement.

He urged all parties to respond positively to mediation efforts for sustainable regional peace. The minister warned that closing the Strait of Hormuz or using it as a bargaining chip would worsen the crisis and threaten vital regional interests, calling freedom of navigation a “fundamental and non-negotiable principle.” He also urged adherence to international law and good neighbourliness.

Several analysts say that Pakistan enjoys the confidence of both Tehran and Washington.

Islamabad hosted senior leaders of the two sides last month for peace talks, the first of its kind since 1979, but the parties failed to clinch a deal.

The key sticking points are believed to be Iran’s nuclear programme and control over the Strait of Hormuz -- a waterway that hosts roughly one-fifth of the world’s energy supplies in normal times. Shippings through the strait have been severely disrupted since February 28, when the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes.

Pakistan’s Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has held talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to end the Middle East conflict and establish lasting peace in the region, the Iranian government said on Saturday.

According to a statement posted in social media by Iran’s government, Munir met Araghchi in Tehran to “discuss diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation and promoting peace, stability, and security in West Asia”.

English broadcaster and journalist Piers Morgan, in a post on X, wrote, "All the signs are pointing to the US and Israel launching another huge attack on Iran. I urge President Donald Trump not to do it. This war’s been damaging enough without yet more mayhem being unleashed."

All the signs are pointing to the U.S. and Israel launching another huge attack on Iran.
I urge President @realDonaldTrump not to do it. This war’s been damaging enough without yet more mayhem being unleashed.

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 23, 2026

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Oman's Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi held phone talks Saturday morning on regional developments and diplomatic efforts to prevent escalation and end the war.

According to Iran's Foreign Ministry, the two ministers exchanged views on existing diplomatic tracks and de-escalation initiatives. No further details of the conversation were released.

(Source: Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting)

The Union government is taking steps to ease container movement at JNPA amidst rising global supply chain challenges due to the Middle East crisis. The statement further said that Union ministers Piyush Goyal and Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed the global supply chain challenges with EXIM industry stakeholders.

The meeting focused on better container movement as the Gulf-bound containers have also been rerouted to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), placing additional pressure on port and logistics infrastructure.

Responding swiftly to the situation, the statement said JNPA implemented a series of operational interventions to relieve terminals and expedite cargo evacuation.

Several Arab nations joined Pakistan in trying to push for a resolution to the Iran war as they urged President Donald Trump to allow more time for negotiations.

While there were some indications of progress in talks to end the conflict, Axios and CBS News reported that Trump was preparing for a possible fresh round of strikes, although he hadn’t made a final decision.

Iran warned that any new attacks by the US or Israel would extend the war to “new regional fronts,” the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, citing a military source. 

(Source: Bloomberg)

Indian state-fuel retailers raised petrol and diesel prices by less than a rupee on Saturday, dealers said, the third such increase this month as the government looks to recover some losses from high crude prices caused by the Iran war.

Petrol in New Delhi will cost 0.87 rupees (just under 1 US cent) more at 99.51 rupees a litre, while diesel will be priced 0.91 rupees higher at 92.49 rupees per litre, dealers said.

Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir's second visit to Tehran in little more than a month comes after progress was reported in talks held by Naqvi, who has been in Iran since Wednesday, with top Iranian leadership, including twice with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to sources.

Field Marshal Munir will meet with important Iranian dignitaries and discuss the ongoing Iran-US talks, regional peace and stability, and other matters of mutual interest during the visit, sources said.

Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir reached Tehran for a crucial visit to expedite efforts for a deal between the US and Iran to end the war in the region, the army said.

According to a statement issued by the army, Field Marshal Munir's visit is "part of ongoing mediation efforts".

On arrival, he was received and warmly welcomed by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni at the airport. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was also present at the airport, according to the army.

Axios reported that US President Donald Trump is "seriously considering" launching fresh strikes against Iran if last-minute negotiations fail to produce a peace deal. A source close to Trump said the president has raised the possibility of a final "decisive" major military operation, after which he could declare victory and end the war.