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Tens of Thousands of Pro-Palestinian Protesters March in London

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are seen in Whitehall during a national demonstration for Palestine, in London, Britain, 21 June 2025. (EPA)
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are seen in Whitehall during a national demonstration for Palestine, in London, Britain, 21 June 2025. (EPA)
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Tens of Thousands of Pro-Palestinian Protesters March in London

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are seen in Whitehall during a national demonstration for Palestine, in London, Britain, 21 June 2025. (EPA)
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are seen in Whitehall during a national demonstration for Palestine, in London, Britain, 21 June 2025. (EPA)

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched in London on Saturday calling for an end to the war in Gaza, amid concerns that the Iran-Israel conflict could spark wider regional devastation.

Protesters waved Palestinian flags, donned keffiyeh scarves and carried signs including "Stop arming Israel" and "No war on Iran" as they marched in the sweltering heat in central London.

"It's important to remember that people are suffering in Gaza. I fear all the focus will be on Iran now," said 34-year-old Harry Baker, attending his third pro-Palestinian protest.

"I don't have great love for the Iranian regime, but we are now in a dangerous situation," he added.

There have been monthly protests in the British capital since the start of the 20-month-long war between Israel and Hamas, which has ravaged Gaza.

Saturday's march comes amid heightened global tensions as the United States mulls joining Israel's strikes against Iran.

Cries of "Palestine will be free" rang out as protesters carried signs saying, "Hands off Gaza" or "Stop starving Gaza".

Gaza is suffering from famine-like conditions according to UN agencies in the region following an Israeli aid blockade.

Gaza's civil defense agency has reported that hundreds have been killed by Israeli forces while trying to reach the US- and Israeli-backed aid distribution sites.

"People need to keep their eyes on Gaza. That's where the genocide is happening," said 60-year-old protester Nicky Marcus.

"I feel frustrated, angry because of what's happening in Gaza," said 31-year-old data analyst Jose Diaz.

"It's in everyone's eyes. It's still on after so many months," Diaz added.

The overall death toll in Gaza since the war broke out has reached at least 55,637 people, according to the health ministry.

Israel has denied it is carrying out a genocide and says it aims to wipe out Hamas after 1,219 people were killed in Israel by the group's October 7, 2023, attack.

A 31-year-old Iranian student who did not want to share her name, told AFP she had family in Iran and was "scared".

"I'm worried about my country. I know the regime is not good, but it's still my country. I'm scared," she said.

Tehran said over 400 people have been killed in Iran since Israel launched strikes last week claiming its arch-foe was close to acquiring a nuclear weapon, which Iran denies.

Some 25 people have been killed in Israel, according to official figures.

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World

US Denies Iran Struck a Military Vessel during New Effort to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near Bandar Abbas, Iran, May 4, 2026. Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near Bandar Abbas, Iran, May 4, 2026. Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
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US Denies Iran Struck a Military Vessel during New Effort to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near Bandar Abbas, Iran, May 4, 2026. Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near Bandar Abbas, Iran, May 4, 2026. Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

The US military on Monday denied claims that Iran struck a Navy vessel as US forces now offer to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, where hundreds have been stuck since the Iran war began. Tehran over the past two months has attacked some vessels and blocked others that don’t receive its authorization.

The US military’s Central Command also said two American-flagged merchant ships have “successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz" and that that Navy guided-missile destroyers in the Arabian Gulf are helping to restore commercial shipping traffic.

The statement on X said the destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz “in support of Project Freedom” and that the merchant ships are "safely headed on their journey." It did not say when the Navy ships arrived or when the merchant vessels departed.

Meanwhile, Iranian news agencies had earlier claimed that Iran struck a US vessel near an Iranian port southeast of the strait, accusing it of “violating maritime security and navigation norms.” The reports said the vessel was forced to turn back.

Also, Iran's state television reported that the Iranian navy fired cruise missiles, rockets and combat drones near US destroyers crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Monday,

It said the navy had identified US destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz and fired multiple warning shots, adding, "following the Zionist American destroyers' disregard for the initial warning, the Navy issued a warning shot by firing cruise missiles, rockets, and combat drones around the aggressor enemy vessels".

World

Top EU, US Trade Officials to Meet in Paris after Trump Threat

FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump takes questions from media at a press briefing at the White House - April 25, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump takes questions from media at a press briefing at the White House - April 25, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo
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Top EU, US Trade Officials to Meet in Paris after Trump Threat

FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump takes questions from media at a press briefing at the White House - April 25, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump takes questions from media at a press briefing at the White House - April 25, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

The European Union's trade chief Maros Sefcovic will hold talks with his US counterpart on Tuesday in Paris, an EU spokesman said, following President Donald Trump's latest tariffs threat.

Trump said Friday that he will hike US levies on EU cars and trucks from this week to 25 percent, accusing the bloc of not complying with a tariff agreement reached last summer.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC on Monday that EU officials have not adjusted their tariffs or rules yet despite the pact: "They've moved a tariff bill along in the European Parliament. It's been very slow."

He noted the move also had some amendments that would "limit the deal".

"After discussing this with our European colleagues over many, many months, the president decided that if the Europeans aren't implementing the deal right now, then we don't have to implement all of it either at this time," Greer added.

The EU dismissed the claim and insisted it remained committed to the deal.

"Since day one, we are implementing the joint statement, and we're fully committed to delivering on our shared commitments," EU spokesman Thomas Regnier said.

Sefcovic will meet Greer on the margins of a G7 ministerial meeting in Paris on Tuesday, the spokesman added, as he noted talks between the two sides continued at different levels.

The trade deal struck last summer lowered the US tariff on EU autos to 15 percent, which is below the 25-percent duty that Trump imposed on vehicles from many other trading partners.

The European Parliament has given its conditional approval to the EU-US trade pact, but under EU procedures, before the deal is implemented by the bloc, a final version still needs to be negotiated with member states.

Regnier said the EU kept Washington "fully informed throughout the process" and sought to "reassure the other side of the Atlantic, work is ongoing. Progress is being made".

While the EU has warned it is keeping its options open, Regnier refused to speculate on how the EU would act if the tariffs kick in.

"We will not escalate any threats. We focus on the implementation phase," he said.

World

Pakistan Facilitates Return of Iranian Crew from US-Seized Ship

Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, May 1, 2026. (Reuters)
Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, May 1, 2026. (Reuters)
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Pakistan Facilitates Return of Iranian Crew from US-Seized Ship

Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, May 1, 2026. (Reuters)
Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, May 1, 2026. (Reuters)

Pakistan said Monday it had facilitated the transfer of 22 Iranian crew members from a US-seized vessel, describing the move as a "confidence-building measure" amid fragile diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran.

The sailors, who had been held aboard the container ship Touska, were flown into Islamabad late Sunday and were due to be handed over to Iranian authorities, according to a statement from Pakistan's foreign ministry.

The handover follows a tense maritime standoff in the Gulf of Oman, where US forces intercepted the Iranian-flagged vessel.

President Donald Trump said the ship carried "a gift from China", an allegation Beijing rejected, insisting it opposed "any malicious association and speculation".

Iran has condemned the seizure as "piracy" and a violation of an April ceasefire, urging the United Nations to intervene.

Pakistan has positioned itself as a mediator for the war in the Middle East, hosting talks aimed at reducing friction between the United States and Iran.

The transfer of the crew was coordinated with both sides, Pakistan said, reflecting a rare instance of practical cooperation despite wider tensions over sanctions, shipping routes and regional security.

The vessel itself is expected to be returned after repairs.

Islamabad said it would continue to facilitate dialogue and diplomacy in pursuit of regional stability, as the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile and indirect US-Iran engagement politically sensitive.