11 War Updates: US-Iran Exchange Fire, Trump Meets Xi Jinping

Tensions have resurfaced in the Middle East between the United States (US) and Iran on Thursday-Friday (8/5/2026). In the latest update, the two countries exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz. Attacks were also reported in the skies over Tehran. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported drone and missile attacks. An announcement of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping was also outlined. What are the full updates? Here is a summary from CNBC Indonesia: 1. UAE Attacked by Iranian Drones The United Arab Emirates (UAE) stated that its air defence intercepted missiles and drones originating from Iran on Friday. It was also reported that interception sounds were heard ‘in various parts of the country’. ‘UAE air defence is currently intercepting missile and drone attacks originating from Iran,’ the defence ministry said on X. 2. Oil Prices Surge Oil prices, which had fallen around 10% over the past three days, rose more than 1% on Friday. The US-Iran clashes in the Strait of Hormuz have raised hopes that the conflict will soon end. On Friday morning, the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 1.2% to US$95.93 per barrel. The international benchmark Brent North Sea crude rose 1.5% to US$101.56. Meanwhile, stock markets experienced declines, with Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Shanghai, Singapore, Wellington, Taipei, and Manila affected. The IHSG closed down 0.08% in the first session. 3. Trump Says Ceasefire Still in Effect President Donald Trump stated that the ceasefire with Iran remains in place. Despite this, exchanges of fire occurred with Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz. ‘They played us today. We destroyed them,’ he said to reporters in Washington. ‘Talks are going very well,’ he added. Previously, Trump had posted on his Truth Social platform that US forces had inflicted ‘major damage’ on the Iranian attackers. This followed an incident where three US Navy destroyers were fired upon while crossing the strait. ‘We will destroy them harder and more brutally in the future if they do not sign the deal soon!’ he said. 4. US and Iran Exchange Attacks Exchanges of attacks occurred between US and Iranian forces. The US military stated that Iranian forces launched several missiles, drones, and small boats at three US warships, but none hit. ‘US forces eliminated the incoming threats and targeted Iranian military facilities responsible’ for the attack, the Central Command said in a post on X. Meanwhile, Iran’s central military command stated that its forces had retaliated against a US attack targeting an Iranian oil tanker and other vessels in the strait. Iran described it as a violation of the ceasefire. 5. Lebanon Says 12 Killed by Israel Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported at least 12 people killed, including two children and a paramedic, in a series of Israeli airstrikes on Thursday. These new deaths occurred a day after Israel killed a Hezbollah commander in its first strike on the southern outskirts of Beirut since the fragile ceasefire aimed at ending weeks of fighting. 6. 1,500 Ships Trapped in the Gulf Around 1,500 ships and 20,000 crew members remain trapped in the Gulf due to Iran’s blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. This was stated by the head of the UN’s International Maritime Organisation, Arsenio Dominguez, in Panama. 7. New Lebanon-Israel Talks Lebanon and Israel will hold a new round of talks on 14-15 May in Washington to seek a peace agreement. The talks are overshadowed by new Israeli attacks on Hezbollah. 8. Israel Claims Killing Hezbollah Commander Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed responsibility on Thursday for the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut. He stated that ‘no terrorist is immune’ from Israeli attacks. 9. Iranian President Meets Supreme Leader Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he had met with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since his appointment in early March. The meeting took place as Washington awaits Iran’s response to the latest proposed deal to end the war and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping route, with Trump saying a deal may be close. 10. US Secretary of State Rubio Meets Pope US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the war with the Pope during their meeting on Thursday amid sharp tensions between the White House and the Vatican, particularly regarding the Middle East conflict. Rubio also met with the Vatican Secretary of State to discuss efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East, his spokesperson said. 11. Trump to Meet Xi Jinping Trump is scheduled to visit China on 14-15 May. There, he will meet with President Xi Jinping. This is a continuation of the High-Level Conference (HLC) held by the two countries a month ago. Trump postponed the previous meeting due to the Iran war. The Iran topic is believed to be ‘hard to avoid’ in the Trump-Xi meeting. However, experts agree that China will not delve into it ‘very deeply’. ‘The US has increased pressure on China ahead of the HLC by targeting China’s economic ties with Tehran,’ said analyst from the Asia Society Policy Institute, Lizzi Lee. Last month, Trump warned of imposing 50% tariffs on Chinese goods if China provides military aid to Iran. Beijing itself is a close partner of Tehran and has called US-Israeli attacks on Iran illegal, though on the other hand, China has also criticised Iran’s attacks on Gulf countries and called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. ‘The Iran war will add another layer of reciprocal pressure,’ said Lee. ‘But the real negotiation ground remains in trade and investment,’ she explained.