Key development: Trump just landed in Beijing for his first face-to-face with Xi Jinping since 2017, with the Iran war and trade tensions topping the agenda.
International
(Update) Trump’s now in Beijing sitting down with Xi Jinping. First meeting between the two since 2017, with Iran, nukes, trade, and AI all on the table. Al Jazeera reports Trump coming in with less leverage than usual, while Euronews warns European officials fear they’ll get sidelined in whatever deal emerges. (Al Jazeera, Euronews)
Context: Trump arrived in China today for high-stakes talks as the Iran war hits day 75. The meeting comes as tensions keep escalating in the Gulf. This is Trump’s first visit to China since his first term.
Sources: Al Jazeera | Euronews
(Update) The UN Security Council just passed a resolution demanding freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. First formal diplomatic move to address the shipping chokepoint that handles a fifth of the world’s oil. (Al Jazeera)
Context: This is a concrete escalation in diplomatic pressure beyond the ongoing ceasefire talks and blockade disputes. The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint throughout the conflict, with Iran threatening to close it and multiple incidents involving tankers and naval vessels.
Sources: Al Jazeera
Military Operations
Israeli drone strikes killed at least eight people on a highway south of Beirut, including two kids. [UNCONFIRMED] Three separate strikes hit cars on the Jiyeh highway. (Al Jazeera)
Context: The strikes mark a specific escalation in Lebanon, targeting vehicles on a major highway rather than just border areas or known militant positions. Lebanon has been a secondary front throughout the Iran conflict, but civilian casualties on main transportation routes represent an expansion of operations.
Sources: Al Jazeera
Israeli attacks on Gaza jumped 35% in April after the Iran ceasefire went into effect. Conflict monitor ACLED tracked the spike in their latest report. (Al Jazeera)
Context: The increase suggests Israel may have shifted focus back to Gaza once active fighting with Iran paused. The pattern raises questions about whether the Iran ceasefire is holding or just redirecting Israeli military operations to other theaters.
Sources: Al Jazeera
US Policy
Trump’s backing Iraq’s new prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi, but only if he cracks down on pro-Iran militias. Washington’s making support conditional on actual progress curbing Iranian influence. (Al Jazeera)
Context: The move is part of Trump’s broader strategy to isolate Iran by pressuring its regional proxies. Iraq has been caught between US and Iranian influence for years, with powerful Iran-backed militias operating openly. Al-Zaidi’s ability to actually rein them in will be the real test of whether this approach works.
Sources: Al Jazeera
What to watch: Whether Trump and Xi announce any joint position on the Iran conflict—or if China uses this moment to extract trade concessions while the US needs diplomatic help.