Tuesday, May 5th, 2026
Iran introduces punitive visa requirements for Lebanese after Beirut cancels bilateral agreement
Lebanese citizens will now be charged €20 for entering Iran, with a €10 euro deduction if the visit is religious in nature. TEHRAN, MAY 5: Tehran introduced a new visa procedure on Sunday for Lebanese citizens seeking to enter Iran in response to Beirut’s decision to cancel a bilateral agreement that once allowed eased border procedures, the Iranian embassy to Lebanon confirmed. Lebanon canceled the agreement as part of a broader effort to control borders and “prevent any activity that could undermine security or use Lebanese territory to carry outRead More
IMF chief Georgieva warns of ‘much worse outcome’ if Middle East war drags into 2027
The IMF issued three scenarios for global GDP amid uncertainty over the war in the Middle East: the main “reference forecast,” a middle “adverse scenario,” and a much worse “severe scenario.” WASHINGTON, MAY 5: The head of the International Monetary Fund on Monday warned that inflation was already picking up and the global economy could face a “much worse outcome” if the war in the Middle East drags on into 2027 and oil prices hit around $125 per barrel. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the continuation of the warRead More
‘Full solidarity’: Pakistan strongly condemns missile, drone attacks on UAE
ISLAMABAD, MAY 5 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned reported missile and drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, expressing full solidarity with the Emirati leadership and people. The statement comes a day after a drone strike on an energy facility in Fujairah injured three Indians, with the UAE blaming Iran for the attack. Iranian state TV said the Islamic republic had “no pre-planned programme” to attack oil facilities in the UAE. The Gulf Arab state’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the attacksRead More
US-Iran talks progressing with Pakistan’s efforts, says Araghchi amid Hormuz tensions
ISLAMABAD, MAY 5: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday night said talks with the United States were making progress with Pakistan’s “gracious effort,” while cautioning Washington against being drawn into further escalation amid a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz. The statement comes after US and Iran launched new attacks in the Gulf on Monday as they wrestled for control over the Strait of Hormuz with duelling maritime blockades, shaking a fragile truce. US President Donald Trump launched a new effort to get stranded tankers and other ships throughRead More