Iran, 5-4-26

First, links to NINE-plus reports, commentaries, analyses and interviews (10): from National Public Radio, the Associated Press, the Cradle, and Middle East Monitor, Indian Punchline, the Chris Hedges Report, and Consortium News; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials. (Scroll down for IRAN 5-3-26.  Scroll up for today’s SYRIA, ENERGY, GAZA and WEST BANK so far.) — MCM

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Trump says he’s reviewing offer from Iran but keeps military action on the table. Reported by 

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U.S. claims progress in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying two merchant ships have transited, by Adam Schreck and Sam Metz | AP  DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. military said Monday that two American-flagged merchant ships had successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz and that Navy guided-missile destroyers in the Persian Gulf were helping to restore shipping traffic. It separately denied Iran’s claims to have struck an American Navy vessel. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish; and HERE for others.  Click HERE for report from the Cradle. 

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Netanyahu: Israel preparing for fight with Iran and disarming Hamas: report. From Middle East Monitor. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told senior army commanders that Israel is preparing for a confrontation with Iran and will continue efforts to dismantle Hamas, Channel 14 reported on Sunday evening. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 3  Iranian supertanker carrying $220M of oil evades U.S. blockade, says tracker: report. From Middle East Monitor. An Iranian supertanker carrying nearly $220 million worth of oil has evaded U.S. blockade efforts, TankerTrackers reported Sunday, Anadolu reports. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 3. Trump says the U.S. will ‘guide’ stranded ships from the Strait of Hormuz, starting on Monday, by Adam Schreck, Melanie Lidman and Cara Anna | AP  DUBAI — The United States will launch an effort on Monday to “guide” stranded ships from the Iran-gripped Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump said, giving few details about what could be a sweeping attempt to help hundreds of vessels and some 20,000 seafarers. Iran quickly denounced it as a ceasefire violation. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish; and HERE for others.

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FROM MAY 3  How does diplomacy work during a military deadlock? Reported by Henry Larson, Emily Feng and Tinbete Ermyas | NPR  Suzanne DiMaggio, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, explains the nuances of diplomatic moves at a time of military stalemate. Click HERE to listen and, later, read; and HERE for links to both Iran war-related reports Sunday on NPR’s “All Things Considered.”

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FROM MAY 3  Gas prices went up more than 30 cents a gallon last week. How high could they go? by Chandelis Duster | NPR  The Strait of Hormuz remains closed amid the Iran war. The cost for regular gas in the United States as of Sunday is an average $4.446 — a week ago it was $4.099, according to AAA’s fuel site. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 3  Ceasefire served U.S.’s purpose in Iran war, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  The timing and regional act of the UAE’s exit from OPEC and the wider OPEC+ framework lends itself to various interpretations — a move to buttress its strategic autonomy; a challenge to the authority of Saudi Arabia; a masterly display of business savviness, etc. But in reality . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 28  The revolutionary spirit of Iran w/ Behrooz Ghamari. Chris Hedges of the Chris Hedges Report talks with Professor Behrooz Ghamari-Tabrizi, a former political prisoner from Iran, who says Western decision-makers miscalculate when they bet on Iran’s cultural relationship with rebellion. Click HERE for video and transcript and and introduction by Hedges, via Consortium News. 

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TO BE CONTINUED