By Ted Hesson, Jana Winter and Andrew Goudsward

WASHINGTON, May 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security identified the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran as a potential motive for the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump and senior members of his administration at a White House reporters' gala last month, according to an intelligence report sent to state and local law enforcement nationwide and other federal agencies.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he believed a deal with Iran was "very possible" but threatened to again bomb the country if negotiations fell apart.

Despite Trump's optimism, Iran has yet to respond to a new US proposal, with its chief negotiator warning that Washington was seeking to force the Islamic republic's "surrender."

Positive signs that the foes could return to the table after weeks of deadlock grew after Trump halted a short-lived military operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, citing hopes for a deal.

CAIRO, May 6 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates denied allegations by Sudan that an Emirati drone had been used in an attack on Khartoum airport on Monday launched from Ethiopia, according to a statement by a UAE official late on Tuesday.

Sudan has long accused the UAE of backing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which have been fighting the Sudanese army in a three-year-old civil war that has devastated the country. The Gulf state has denied this and said it seeks an end to the conflict, one of the world's deadliest.

May 6 (Reuters) - The White House believes it is getting close to an agreement with Iran on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war and set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations, Axios reported on Wednesday, citing two U.S. officials and two other sources briefed on the issue.

The U.S. expects Iranian responses on several key points in the next 48 hours, according to the report which cautioned that nothing has been agreed yet but said this was the closest the parties had been to an agreement since the war began.

The latest developments in the Middle East war:

- UAE responds to strikes -

The United Arab Emirates said on Friday its air defences engaged missiles and drones coming from Iran.

"UAE air defences are currently engaging missile and drone attacks originating from Iran," the defence ministry said on X, adding that interception sounds were heard "across various parts of the country".

- Oil prices jump -

By Antoni Slodkowski and Liz Lee

BEIJING, May 6 (Reuters) - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met China's top diplomat in Beijing on Wednesday, underscoring close ties between the two countries shortly before U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to meet with Xi Jinping.

Araqchi's visit, announced by state news agency Xinhua, is his first trip to China since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran set off the most severe global oil supply shock in history, threatening the energy security of China, the world's top crude importer.

PARIS, May 6 (Reuters) - French shipping group CMA CGM said on Wednesday that one of its vessels, the San Antonio, had been the target of an attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in injuries among crew members and damage to the vessel.

The incident, which CMA CGM said occurred on Tuesday, is the latest disruption in the crucial shipping route during the Middle East conflict. The war has blocked hundreds of vessels and brought roughly 20% of global oil trade to a virtual standstill.

May 6 (Reuters) - Iran will only accept "a fair and comprehensive agreement" in its negotiations with the U.S. on ending the war in the Middle East, its foreign minister said on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump cited "great progress" in the process.

"We will do our best to protect our legitimate rights and interests in the negotiations," Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in Beijing after a meeting with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, Iranian media reported. "We only accept a fair and comprehensive agreement."

LONDON, May 6 (Reuters) - British police are setting up a new team of 100 officers including counter terrorism specialists to help protect Jewish communities across London after a series of antisemitic attacks including the stabbing of two men.

The plan announced on Wednesday for a dedicated protection team comes as officers announced more arrests for antisemitism, including detaining a 35-year old man on Saturday after rocks were thrown at an ambulance belonging to the Jewish community.

The United States is looking for "concrete actions" by Iraq's next prime minister to distance the state from pro-Iran armed groups before resuming financial shipments and security aid, a senior official said Tuesday.

Iraq's ruling coalition has put forward Ali al-Zaidi as the next leader and he quickly received a congratulatory call from President Donald Trump, who had threatened to end all US support if former frontrunner Nouri al-Maliki took office.