As the U.S. tries to rebuild its weapons stockpiles drained in the Iran war, it will need access to rare-earth minerals, an industry China dominates.

Iran claimed Thursday that it struck U.S. military assets in the Strait of Hormuz after an alleged American attack on an Iranian tanker. U.S. Central Command refuted the claims, saying that American warships intercepted Iranian missiles, drones and small boats during a transit operation and that no U.S. assets were hit.

Iran launched attacks on the UAE and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz while the U.S. destroyed Iranian boats "that attempted to interfere" with Project Freedom.

U.S. forces fired on two Iranian oil tankers after exchanging fire with Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz. And the United Arab Emirates reported another Iranian missile and drone attack.

When Iran’s covert nuclear program came to international attention over two decades ago, Tehran insisted that its intentions were peaceful and that it had no plans to develop nuclear weapons.

The head of Israel’s Mossad spy agency visited the United Arab Emirates at least twice during the war with Iran for the purpose of coordination about the war, according to Arab officials and a person familiar with the matter,

U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz told ABC;'s "This Week" that negotiations with Iran are ongoing, but delayed by the new Supreme Leader staying in hiding after being severely wounded in the opening hours of the war,

The clock is ticking down to US President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to strike a deal and open the Strait of Hormuz – or be heavily bombed and face “hell.”

By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Maayan Lubell and Dawoud Abu Alkas CAIRO/JERUSALEM/GAZA, May 13 (Reuters) - Israel has escalated its attacks in Gaza in the five weeks since halting its joint bombing with the U.

The president cited developments in negotiations as the reason for pausing "Project Freedom." Iran did not immediately confirm progress in talks.

Three U.S. Navy destroyers transiting the Strait of Hormuz came under attack on Thursday, and the U.S. struck on two Iranian ports abutting the strait, putting into question an increasingly fragile U.