Donald Trump vowed to lift the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and make a “final determination” on Iran on Friday, as the world awaits his decision on a reported memorandum of understanding hashed out by negotiators to extend the ceasefire and pave the way for nuclear talks.
As of Friday evening US time, however, no progress on a deal had been announced, despite prior positive indications.
“Ships caught in the Strait due to our amazing and unprecedented Naval Blockade, which will now be lifted, may start the process of ‘heading home!’” the US president wrote on Truth Social earlier in the day.
Trump said some items have already been agreed, but insisted Iran “must agree” never to have a nuclear weapon, and that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened without tolls. He said that uranium will be unearthed by the US in coordination with Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog and destroyed.
But Iran’s Fars news agency, citing sources, quickly pushed back on the president’s claims, casting the statement as a “mixture of truth and falsehood” intended “to portray a fabricated victory.”
It said there was no clause in the initial MOU that Iran would have to reopen the Strait without tolls, and no provision about destroying Tehran’s nuclear materials. Iran would reopen the waterway according to its own pre-determined arrangements, it said.
Key Points
- Still no decision from Trump on Iran next steps: report
- Iran says decision not made, rejects Trump's comments as 'mix of truth and falsehood'
- Trump says naval blockade will be lifted ahead of meeting 'to make a final determination'
- Netanyahu says Israeli forces crossed Lebanon’s Litani River
- Oil falls over 1% on reports of potential US-Iran ceasefire deal
- US denies Iranian reports of American aircraft downed in southern Iran
Trump yet to decide on proposed Iran agreement
07:00 , Shahana Yasmin
US president Donald Trump has yet to decide whether to approve a proposed agreement with Iran, despite holding a two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room on Friday to discuss the deal.
Asked whether the president had made a decision, a White House official told CBS News: “President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his redlines. Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon.”
Trump had earlier said he would make a “final determination” during the meeting. The proposed agreement would extend the current ceasefire by 60 days, reopen shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, ease restrictions on Iranian ports and begin negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
US officials have said the draft memorandum of understanding remains pending Trump’s approval.
ICYMI: The Situation Room meeting that had the world watching for a deal
06:45 , Josh Marcus
President Donald Trump on Friday met with with top aides in the White House Situation Room “to make a final determination” on whether to accept a proposed agreement to end the war he started with Iran three months ago and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global maritime traffic.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports would end and Iran would “complete the immediate removal and/or detonation of any mines” in the key waterway so that the strait would be “immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic” to allow hundreds of ships that have been trapped on the wrong end of the strait to “start the process of ‘heading home!’”
“Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite President,” he said.
“I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination.”
Andrew Feinberg had this report on the meeting.
Trump in Situation Room to make final call on Iran peace deal
Trump’s fears over the midterms have forced him to do a deal with Iran
06:30 , Shahana Yasmin
The tentative ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran has revealed a belligerent president reduced to bargaining in order to end the war he started – and it is a measure of how far he is from claiming the victory he desperately needs, says Anne McElvoy
Trump’s fears over the midterms have forced him to do a deal with Iran
Iran says no ceasefire deal with US has been finalised
06:15 , Shahana Yasmin
Iran has denied reports that a ceasefire agreement with the US has already been finalised, as negotiations continue over a proposed extension to the current truce.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Saturday that no agreement had yet been completed between Tehran and Washington, according to Al Jazeera.
“Other points have been mentioned, like the nuclear issue,” Baghaei said. “I emphasise, we are focused on the end of war at this point and are not discussing the details of the nuclear plan.”
On Wednesday, US officials said that negotiators had reached a memorandum of understanding that would extend the ceasefire by 60 days and open talks on Iran’s nuclear programme. The proposed agreement still requires Donald Trump’s approval.
‘A cartoon villain’: Hegseth shredded for ‘cringe’ pep talk to Navy soldiers about Iran war
06:00 , Shahana Yasmin
A clip of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth giving a “cringe” speech to US sailors about the Iran war is going viral.
Hegseth was in Singapore on Friday, where he did drills with the crew of the USS Boxer and then spoke to a group of assembled sailors about the ongoing conflict.
Online commentators quickly mocked the speech and the audience of service members, who appeared to be mostly unmoved by Hegseth’s call to arms.
Kazakhstan offers to store Iran’s enriched uranium, says IAEA chief
05:45 , Shahana Yasmin
Kazakhstan has offered to take custody of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium if Washington and Tehran reach a nuclear agreement.
Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the Financial Times that Kazakhstan has “a place where this could be stored safely,” since it has a “bank” for low-enriched uranium.
Iran’s 440kg stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity has become one of the biggest sticking points in negotiations over a proposed deal to extend the ceasefire and restart talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Experts have said the material could be refined further to produce about 10 nuclear weapons.
Donald Trump has demanded the stockpile either be removed from Iran or destroyed under international supervision.
Early heatwaves and Iran war create perfect storm for energy shortages
05:30 , Shahana Yasmin
A fierce heatwave gripping large parts of Asia is straining coal and gas markets as surging demand for air conditioning collides with the energy crunch caused by the US-Israeli war against Iran, increasing the risk of a severe crisis with the hottest months of the year still to come.
Stuti Mishra reports
Early heatwaves and Iran war create perfect storm for energy shortages
Hegseth says US ready to restart strikes on Iran
05:15 , Shahana Yasmin
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that Washington is prepared to resume military strikes on Iran if negotiations over a ceasefire and nuclear agreement collapse.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth said: “Our ability to recommence if necessary. We are more than capable. Our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe, so we’re in a very good place.”
Hegseth said Donald Trump remained committed to securing “a great deal” that would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, but the US was ready for further military action if talks failed.
“We can do two things at one time. We're super-charging our defence industrial base so that we're building 2X, 3X, 4X the munitions very soon to ensure that all of our (operations) plans are properly funded throughout the world,” he said.
Trump said on Friday he would make a “final determination” on a proposal that would extend the current ceasefire by another 60 days while negotiators attempt to reach a permanent agreement.
US claims $1bn seizure in Iran crypto crackdown
05:00 , Shahana Yasmin
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent has claimed the US has seized around $1bn in cryptocurrency belonging to Iran.
Speaking at the Reagan National Economic Forum on Friday, Bessent said: “I believe that we have seized about a billion dollars in crypto. Just outright grabbed the wallets.”
“Some of them may be, like, typing in right now and might not realize that their wallet has been grabbed,” he added.
Bessent said the seizures formed part of the administration’s wider pressure campaign against Iran, known as “Operation Economic Fury”.
In April, US authorities announced they had frozen about $344m in cryptocurrency held in Iranian wallets, as part of a wider sanctions effort targeting networks accused of helping Tehran move money outside traditional banking systems.
Iran's leadership is split over stance towards US, observers say
04:30 , Josh Marcus
There’s an ongoing split within the Iranian leadership between hard-liners and negotiators keen on reaching a deal with the US, according to observers.
The hard-line faction is often more visible publicly, such as Ebrahim Azizi, a conservative lawmaker who heads the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy committees.
“Trump must know that Iran, as the victor and conqueror of the field, sets the terms,” he wrote on social media on Friday.
This more belligerent view may not be in the majority, however.
“This faction does not speak for the majority of Iranians and has been marginalized from key decision making; the nuclear talks are proceeding despite their disapproval,” Mehdi Rahmati, a Tehran-based political analyst, told The New York Times on Friday.
Oil falls amid hopes for Trump peace deal backing
04:30 , Shahana Yasmin
Oil falls amid hopes for Trump peace deal backing
US forces ‘remain present and vigilant’ in Middle East
04:15 , Shahana Yasmin
The US military has said its forces remain on high alert across the Middle East as tensions over the Iran war continue.
US Central Command (Centcom) posted on X, writing: “US forces remain present and vigilant across the [Middle East] region”.
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies over the Middle East during a patrol. U.S. forces remain present and vigilant across the region. pic.twitter.com/EUdaLYbtJh
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 30, 2026
The military command, which oversees US operations across the Middle East and parts of Asia, also released an image showing what it said was an F-16 fighter jet conducting a patrol flight over the region.
US forces have recently carried out strikes on Iranian missile launch sites and boats near the Strait of Hormuz, which Centcom described as defensive actions aimed at protecting American troops and military assets in the region.
Hegseth says ‘any deal with Iran would be a good deal’
04:00 , Shahana Yasmin
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has said “any deal with Iran would be a good deal” as Donald Trump weighs whether to approve a proposed agreement with Tehran.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue defence summit in Singapore, Hegseth said the US still had a “global obligation” to ensure Iran did not obtain a nuclear weapon.
His comments came shortly after Trump entered the Situation Room for discussions on a possible agreement with Tehran.
Before the meeting, the president demanded that Tehran agree never to “have a nuclear weapon or bomb,” reopen the Strait of Hormuz immediately and destroy all remaining “nuclear dust”.
Hegseth also used the speech to warn US allies against relying too heavily on Washington, saying: “The era of the United States subsidising the defence of wealthy nations is over.
“We need partners, not protectorates. We don't have a strong alliance unless everyone has skin in the game. No freeloading.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar slams colleagues for allowing Iran war to continue
03:00 , Josh Marcus
Progressive US lawmaker Rep. Ilhan Omar railed against her colleagues in Congress on Friday for failing to halt the Iran war.
“Last week, House Republicans pulled down the vote needed to stop Trump's war with Iran because they knew it was going to pass and upset Trump,” Omar, who represents Minnesota, wrote on X. “Congress has failed to assert its authority for 12 straight weeks. End the war now.”
Under the Constitution, Congress is given the power to declare war, though in practice the White House has grown increasingly bold about starting hostilities on its own since the War on Terror began.
Eric Garcia reported on the decision to pull the war vote.
Democrats blast Republicans for pulling vote to halt Iran War before Memorial Day
Iran's moves 'hard to understand' as negotiations continue, ex-CIA officer says
01:30 , Josh Marcus
Donald Trump’s story about the fate of the Iran can seem to change by the day, and his counterparts in Tehran are little better, according to a former CIA officer.
“The Iranians have definitely been speaking with two different voices one for the world community or on the negotiating table and the other to their own population,” Scott Uehlinger told Al Jazeera.
“It’s very hard to understand Iran [and] understand Iranian messages,” he added.
US and Israeli strikes killed off numerous members of the pre-existing Iranian leadership at the outset of the war, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, supreme leader of Iran, killed in US-Israeli strikes
Unclear if Iran actually put mines in Strait of Hormuz: report
Saturday 30 May 2026 00:31 , Josh Marcus
The threat of Iranian mines is among the many factors snarling traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
But the US military has not confirmed whether Tehran has actually set mines in the vital oil shipping lane, US officials told NBC News.
With or without mines, traffic through the strait continues to move at just small fraction of its pre-war levels, adding to the economic pain that’s resulted from the war.
White House remains vague on state of Iran deal decision
Friday 29 May 2026 23:34 , Josh Marcus
The Trump administration is keeping its cards close to its chest about the fate of Iran war negotiations.
Despite a much-watched announcement from the president that he was considering a “final determination” on recent proposals on Friday, much of the day has come and gone without any announcement of a deal.
When asked about whether a deal had been made, the administration remained vague.
"President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his redlines,” the White House told CBS News. “Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon."
Kazakhstan offers to hold Iranian nuclear stockpile: report
Friday 29 May 2026 23:15 , Josh Marcus
The US and Iran have not announced a final deal yet, but any lasting agreement will likely include some provision regarding Tehran’s nuclear stockpile.
President Trump has said the US wants to seize and secure the stockpile to keep it from being turned into a nuclear weapon.
Kazakhstan, meanwhile, has offered to take the stockpile if both sides reach an agreement, according the UN.
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with the International Atomic Energy Agency this week and signaled his “openness” to take on the near-weapons grade uranium, the Financial Times reports.
US has seized $1 billion in Iranian crypto so far, Bessent says
Friday 29 May 2026 22:50 , Josh Marcus
The US has seized $1 billion in Iranian cryptocurrency so far as part of its efforts to financially hammer Tehran.
“Just outright grabbed the wallets,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday during an event at the Reagan National Economic Forum. “Some of them may be typing in right now and might not realize their wallet had been grabbed.”
The fate of Iranian assets, which have faced a mix of seizures and sanctions, reportedly remains one of the key issues still being debated by negotiators on both sides.
‘A cartoon villain’: Hegseth shredded for ‘cringe’ pep talk to Navy soldiers about Iran war
Friday 29 May 2026 22:25 , Josh Marcus
A clip of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth giving a “cringe” speech to US sailors about the Iran war is going viral.
Hegseth was in Singapore on Friday, where he did drills with the crew of the USS Boxer and then spoke to a group of assembled sailors about the ongoing conflict.
In his remarks, Hegseth pointed to a recent comment from President Trump, which threatened further US strikes if Iran doesn’t agree to a deal to end the war.
“He said, ‘Well, Iran can either do it the right way, with a deal across the table, or they can deal with my guy on the left,’” Hegseth said. “That happened to be me. But it's not me. It's you guys!”
Online commentators quickly mocked the speech and the audience of service members, who appeared to be mostly unmoved by Hegseth’s call to arms.
Read more about the backlash in our full story.
‘Cartoon villain’ Hegseth shredded for ‘cringe’ pep talk to Navy soldiers about Iran
The American public still isn't sold on the Iran war
Friday 29 May 2026 22:03 , Josh Marcus
The Trump administration has now had three months to make its case for the Iran war, but Americans are still broadly against the campaign, according to a new poll.
About 38 percent of Americans support the strikes, a POLITICO poll found, while 41 percent of respondents said they don’t believe the president has a plan for ending the conflict.
Even among Trump supporters, there is little positive sentiment about the war.
Forty-five percent of them told POLITICO the president hasn’t accomplished his goals.
UAE carried out 'dozens' of strikes against Iran: report
Friday 29 May 2026 21:33 , Josh Marcus
The United Arab Emirates reportedly carried out dozens of strikes against Iran as part of the conflict, contrasting with the approach of some of its more cautious Gulf neighbors.
The strikes, reported by The Wall Street Journal, were coordinated with the US and Israel and continued through the day after the April ceasefire. They represent a larger involvement in the conflict from the UAE than was previously known.
Some of the reported attacks hit Iranian energy infrastructure as payback for Tehran targeting similar facilities in the UAE, per the paper.
Joint Chiefs chairman seen leaving White House despite no deal announcement
Friday 29 May 2026 21:14 , Josh Marcus
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, the highest-ranking US military officer, was seen on Friday leaving the White House, suggesting the president’s Situation Room meeting may have ended without any major progress on an Iran war deal.
Trump's unpredictability is undermining negotiations, Iranians say
Friday 29 May 2026 21:00 , Josh Marcus
President Donald Trump once published a book called The Art of the Deal, but the Republican’s erratic style may be undermining Iran talks, according to officials.
Iranian officials told The Washington Post that Tehran has a deep distrust of the Trump administration, especially after the US and Israel attacked the country twice in the middle of past negotiations in recent months.
The threat of another such strike has made it hard to clinch this round of negotiations, where both sides want upfront guarantees.
Stocks trading higher on hopes of Iran deal update
Friday 29 May 2026 20:30 , Josh Marcus
All three major US stock indices were in the green Friday afternoon, as Wall Street eagerly awaited possible progress on an Iran deal.
President Trump’s announcement earlier in the day that the US blockade on Iranian ports was over may free up further oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, but the economic uncertainty of the war will not truly be resolved until a lasting peace deal is achieved.
Still no decision from Trump on Iran next steps: report
Friday 29 May 2026 20:00 , Josh Marcus
President Trump reportedly met with advisers in the Situation Room for about two hours on Friday, but he still has not reached a decision on major next steps in the Iran war negotiations, according to The New York Times.
The White House believes it is close to reaching a more durable deal, but sticking points remain, including the matter of unfreezing Iranian funds, an official told the paper.
Pakistan's foreign minister meets with Rubio as Trump mulls Iran decision
Friday 29 May 2026 19:56 , Josh Marcus
Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s foreign minister, met with his US counterpart Marco Rubio in Washington midday on Friday.
The world watched nervously for updates about the Iran war as President Trump mulls a major decision regarding the conflict.
Official statements about the bilateral meeting gave little indication about the state of Iran talks, which Pakistan has helped broker.
“The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in the Pak-U.S. bilateral relations and exchanged views on the evolving regional and global situation,” a statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The economic costs of the Iran war hit American consumers
Friday 29 May 2026 19:43 , Josh Marcus
The Iran war has put a massive strain on global energy markets, and the impact is being felt among American consumers.
US households have spent roughly an extra $450 on energy since the conflict began in late February, according to Moody’s Analytics.
“Unless the war ends soon, financially pressed consumers will have no option but to turn more cautious in their spending, threatening the already soft economy,” Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi told CNBC.
Hegseth mocked for 'cringe' speech to US sailors
Friday 29 May 2026 19:23 , Josh Marcus
A clip of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth giving a “cringe” speech to US sailors is going viral.
Hegseth was in Singapore on Friday where he did drills with the crew of the USS Boxer then spoke to the assembled sailors.
In his remarks, Hegseth pointed to a recent comment from President Trump which threatened further US strikes if Iran doesn’t agree to a deal to end the war.
“He said ‘Well, Iran can either do it the right way, with a deal across the table, or they can deal with my guy on the left,’” Hegseth said. “That happened to be me. But it's not me. It's you guys!”
Online commentators quickly mocked the speech and the audience of service members, who appeared unmoved by Hegseth’s call to arms.
“The cringe level is off the charts,” liberal journalist Aaron Rupar wrote of the video.
Another X user posted a mock quote from the speech, claiming Hegseth told the crowd that "dying needlessly for Trump is AWESOME, kids!”
Milan prosecutors investigate two Iranians over threats to dissidents
Friday 29 May 2026 19:00 , Reuters
Milan prosecutors have placed two Iranians living in Italy under investigation and ordered their homes to be searched over alleged threats to compatriots opposed to the Tehran government, judicial documents showed on Friday.
According to a nine-page search warrant seen by Reuters, prosecutors suspect the two people of aggravated threats and association for the purpose of terrorism and subversion of democracy.
The case stems from complaints filed by several Iranian citizens living in Italy.
In one case cited in the warrant, an Iranian dissident told investigators she had received a phone call telling her she had been sentenced to death for being an opposition supporter and would have her assets in Iran confiscated.
One of the two suspects had an Instagram profile from which death threats were made against anyone hoping for the accession to power of Reza Pahlavi - the exiled son of Iran's former Shah - the warrant showed.
It said both suspects, named as Jalilian Farshid and Adib Ansari Rohoulah, were known to attend an Islamic centre in Milan owned by the Iranian consulate.
Iran 'focused on ending war' not negotiating over nuclear programme, official says
Friday 29 May 2026 18:34 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
An Iranian official has said Iran is “focused on ending the war” and not on negotiating its nuclear programme with Washington.
Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei repeated that no agreement had been finalised with the US and said management of the Strait of Hormuz would need to be agreed between Iran and Oman.
Comment: Is Trump’s threat to ‘blow up’ Oman a sign he regrets his war with Iran?
Friday 29 May 2026 18:30 , James Reynolds
The president’s casual menacing of a longstanding Gulf ally may yet be a turning point for US relations with several Middle East states, Israel included, says Mary Dejevsky:
Is Trump’s threat to ‘blow up’ Oman a sign he regrets his war with Iran?
Araghchi hails 'productive call' with Oman
Friday 29 May 2026 18:00 , James Reynolds
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi says he held a productive call with Oman’s foreign minister and expressed Iran’s solidarity “in the face of any threat”.
“We discussed Hormuz and its future administration in line with our sovereign responsibilities and international law. We welcome consultation with all neighbouring states,” he said.
Donald Trump this week threatened to “blow up” Oman if it didn’t bow to his wishes around control of the Strait of Hormuz, when asked about a potential short-term deal that would allow for shared control of the waterway between Iran and Oman.
'Political understanding' between US and Iran agreed but not finalised, source says
Friday 29 May 2026 17:41 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
A “political understanding” between the US and Iran has been reached, but no deal has been finalised, a source has said.
Speaking to Reuters, the source said the possible memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran does not involve any nuclear-related issues.
Netanyahu says he has told IDF to seize 70% of Gaza
Friday 29 May 2026 17:30 , James Reynolds
Benjamin Netanyahu has directed the Israeli military to seize 70 per cent of the Gaza Strip in a move threatening the fragile ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
Speaking at a conference on Thursday, the prime minister said Israel was “squeezing” Hamas, having taken control of more than 60 per cent of the Palestinian enclave.
“We were at 50. We moved to 60. my directive is to move to...” he began, before someone in the crowd said, “100”.
“Let’s go step by step,” Netanyahu continued. “First of all 70. Let’s start with that. we’re pressing them from all sides. We’ll deal with the remnants.”
Iran sees Trump's comments on possible deal as 'mixture of truth and falsehood', Fars reports
Friday 29 May 2026 17:22 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Iranian officials are viewing comments by Donald Trump regarding a possible agreement with Tehran as "a mixture of truth and falsehood", Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported on Friday, citing informed sources.
A memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States was still in the final stages of ratification in Iran, and no final decision had yet been made, the sources said.
How has Iran responded to Trump's statement?
Friday 29 May 2026 17:06 , James Reynolds
Iran’s Fars news agency is quoting sources shooting down Trump’s claims on the terms of the memorandum of understanding.
They say:
- The deal is in the final stages of ratification and has not been agreed
- Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz according to its own pre-determined arrangement
- There is no clause in the MOU forbidding Iran from charging fees to pass the Strait of Hormuz
- There is no provision for Iran to destroy its nuclear materials
- The MOU does include an immediate payment of $12bn from Iran’s frozen assets
- It also includes a complete ceasefire in Lebanon
Top Iranian officials named in negotiations are yet to comment.
In full: Trump in Situation Room to make final call on Iran peace deal after lifting Naval blockade of Hormuz Strait
Friday 29 May 2026 17:00 , James Reynolds
President Donald Trump says he is meeting with aides “to make a final determination” on whether to accept a proposed agreement to end the war he started with Iran three months ago and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global maritime traffic.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports would end and Iran would “complete the immediate removal and/or detonation of any mines” in the key waterway so that the strait would be “immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic” to allow hundreds of ships that have been trapped on the wrong end of the strait to “start the process of ‘heading home!’”
“Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite President,” he said.
Andrew Feinberg reports:
Trump in Situation Room to make final call on Iran peace deal
Iran says decision not made, rejects Trump's comments as 'mix of truth and falsehood'
Friday 29 May 2026 16:53 , James Reynolds
Iran’s Fars news agency, citing sources, says that Tehran rejects Trump’s comments about a possible agreement with Iran as a “mixture of truth and falsehood”.
It says the agreement with the US is in the final stages of ratification but a final decision has not yet been made.
Trump’s comments are an “attempt to portray a fabricated victory”, the agency reports, citing sources.
It continues that there is no clause to the effect of Iran having to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without charging fees. Neither is there a provision about destroying Tehran’s nuclear materials in the MOU, it reports.
Kazakhstan open to taking Iran’s uranium stockpile, IAEA chief tells FT
Friday 29 May 2026 16:41 , Reuters
Kazakhstan has signalled it is willing to take Tehran's stockpile of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels if the U.S. reaches a deal with Iran over its nuclear programme, the head of UN's nuclear watchdog told the Financial Times.
The central Asian state expressed its openness to keeping the stockpile when Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi in Astana this week, Grossi told the newspaper in an interview published on Friday.
Kazakhstan hosts an internationally-controlled bank of low-enriched uranium to ensure fuel supplies for power stations in IAEA member states and prevent nuclear proliferation. The storage facility was opened in 2017 in collaboration with the IAEA.
Eleven children killed, injured every 24 hours in Lebanon, UN says
Friday 29 May 2026 16:30 , James Reynolds
Eleven children have been killed or injured on average every 24 hours in Lebanon over the last week, the UN's children's agency said on Friday, as Israel has expanded strikes across the country despite a ceasefire.
Heavy Israeli strikes hit towns and villages in southern Lebanon overnight on Wednesday and into Thursday, after Israel declared a new swathe of the area a combat zone. It also struck a building in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Thursday.
A total of 77 children have been killed or injured in the last seven days, UNICEF said, citing figures provided by Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health. Since the ceasefire began on April 16, 55 children have been killed and 212 injured, according to the agency.
UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires called for all parties to fully respect the ceasefire.
"Under international humanitarian law, children and civilian infrastructure must be protected," he said.
Chevron refuses to pay Strait of Hormuz toll as tanker attacks rattle oil world
Friday 29 May 2026 16:00 , James Reynolds
Oil and gas giant Chevron has said it will not pay a transit toll for its vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to CEO Mike Wirth. Speaking to Bloomberg TV on Friday, Wirth highlighted that several ships navigating the crucial waterway have recently come under attack, describing "multiple incidents," though not necessarily daily occurrences.
Chevron currently has six vessels operating under charter in the Strait, all of which belong to third-party owners.
Wirth clarified that the decision to traverse the strait ultimately rests with these ship owners.
Chevron refuses to pay Strait of Hormuz toll as tanker attacks rattle oil world
Trump says naval blockade will be lifted ahead of meeting 'to make a final determination'
Friday 29 May 2026 15:56 , James Reynolds
Donald Trump writes on Truth Social that the US naval blockade “will now be lifted”.
He says he will be meeting in the situation room to “make a final determination”, without further detail.
Trump was expected to make a decision on an MOU with Iran to extend the ceasefire, paving the way for nuclear talks.
Netanyahu says Israeli forces crossed Lebanon’s Litani River
Friday 29 May 2026 15:30 , James Reynolds
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that Israeli forces had crossed Lebanon's Litani River and advanced.
Speaking during a visit to Division 36 on Israel's northern border, Netanyahu said Israeli forces were also operating in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley as part of actions against Hezbollah across the Lebanese front.
Araghchi hails 'productive call' with Oman
Friday 29 May 2026 15:02 , James Reynolds
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi says he held a productive call with Oman’s foreign minister and expressed Iran’s solidarity “in the face of any threat”.
“We discussed Hormuz and its future administration in line with our sovereign responsibilities and international law. We welcome consultation with all neighbouring states,” he said.
Donald Trump this week threatened to “blow up” Oman if it didn’t bow to his wishes around control of the Strait of Hormuz, when asked about a potential short-term deal that would allow for shared control of the waterway between Iran and Oman.
In full: US and Iran reach peace deal pending Trump approval: officials
Friday 29 May 2026 15:00 , James Reynolds
President Donald Trump is weighing a 60-day deal agreed upon by U.S. and Iranian negotiators to extend the shaky ceasefire between the warring nations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz while setting up further negotiations towards agreements on Tehran’s nuclear program, U.S. officials confirmed to The Independent on Thursday.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that American and Iranian negotiators had agreed on a 60-day memorandum of understanding under which Iran would remove mines placed in the strait and agree not to harass any commercial shipping or demand tolls for passage through the key maritime chokepoint. In return, the U.S. would end the blockade it has kept on Iranian ports as shipping through the strait resumes.
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US and Iran reach peace deal pending Trump approval: officials
Watch: US treasury secretary Scott Bessent addresses Trump-Iran 'deal'
Friday 29 May 2026 14:30 , James Reynolds
What's at stake with Trump's 'ceasefire extension'?
Friday 29 May 2026 14:00 , James Reynolds
The US and Iran have reached an agreement to extend their ceasefire and lift restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, sources told Reuters and Axios overnight, adding that Trump is yet to approve it.
Here’s what has been claimed about the deal so far:
- The agreement would see the ceasefire extended another 60 days, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
- In that time, traffic would be allowed to flow through the Strait of Hormuz while negotiators address other issues, like Iran’s nuclear programme.
- Iran would have to remove all mines from the strait within 30 days, a US official told Axios.
- It would also have to commit to not pursuing a nuclear weapon, officials said.
- The US naval blockade would also be lifted over time, officials said.
If approved by leadership in Washington and Tehran, it would amount to the biggest step towards peace since the conflict began on February 28.
News of the possible agreement came after a round of tit-for-tat attacks between the two countries, the latest such incident since the ceasefire took effect in early April.
In focus: Early heatwaves and Iran war create perfect storm for energy shortages
Friday 29 May 2026 13:30 , James Reynolds
Soaring temperatures across Asia are driving up energy demand just as the US-Israeli war against Iran squeezes supplies. Stuti Mishra reports:
Early heatwaves and Iran war create perfect storm for energy shortages
Oil prices dip as tentative US-Iran deal awaits Trump’s final approval
Friday 29 May 2026 13:00 , James Reynolds
Asian stock markets mostly rose while oil prices dipped on Friday, driven by hopes of a 60-day ceasefire extension between the United States and Iran.
Oil prices slipped on this de-escalation optimism, yet stayed above pre-war levels as the Strait of Hormuz largely remains closed.
Analysts warned that any potential ceasefire extension should be viewed cautiously, as oil supply recovery will take time. US futures edged lower.
Read the full report:
Oil prices dip as tentative US-Iran deal awaits Trump’s final approval
Watch: Trump official says admin doesn’t have ‘unlimited patience’ as it clashes with Tehran over deal
Friday 29 May 2026 12:30 , James Reynolds
In pictures: Smoke billows over Lebanon after Israeli strikes
Friday 29 May 2026 12:01 , James Reynolds
Comment: Is Trump’s threat to ‘blow up’ Oman a sign he regrets his war with Iran?
Friday 29 May 2026 11:28 , James Reynolds
The president’s casual menacing of a longstanding Gulf ally may yet be a turning point for US relations with several Middle East states, Israel included, says Mary Dejevsky:
Is Trump’s threat to ‘blow up’ Oman a sign he regrets his war with Iran?
On average 11 children killed or injured every 24 hours in past week in Lebanon, says UN children's agency
Friday 29 May 2026 11:15 , James Reynolds
An average of 11 children have been killed every 24 hours on average in Lebanon, as Israel expanded strikes across the country in spite of a ceasefire being in place.
Heavy Israeli strikes hit towns and villages in southern Lebanon overnight on Wednesday and into Thursday, after Israel declared a new swathe of the area "a combat zone".
On Thursday, an Israeli strike hit a building in the southern suburbs of Beirut amid a ceasefire that has failed to halt fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah in south Lebanon.
What's at stake with Trump's 'ceasefire extension'?
Friday 29 May 2026 11:00 , James Reynolds
The US and Iran have reached an agreement to extend their ceasefire and lift restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, sources told Reuters and Axios overnight, adding that Trump is yet to approve it.
Here’s what has been claimed about the deal so far:
- The agreement would see the ceasefire extended another 60 days, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
- In that time, traffic would be allowed to flow through the Strait of Hormuz while negotiators address other issues, like Iran’s nuclear programme.
- Iran would have to remove all mines from the strait within 30 days, a US official told Axios.
- It would also have to commit to not pursuing a nuclear weapon, officials said.
- The US naval blockade would also be lifted over time, officials said.
If approved by leadership in Washington and Tehran, it would amount to the biggest step towards peace since the conflict began on February 28.
News of the possible agreement came after a round of tit-for-tat attacks between the two countries, the latest such incident since the ceasefire took effect in early April.
Recap: US pushes back on Iranian claims to have destroyed aircraft
Friday 29 May 2026 10:28 , James Reynolds
US Central Command said early on Friday that no US aircraft were shot down near Bushehr, Iran, despite a claim to the contrary made on Iranian state TV.
Iran's state TV said early on Friday that a U.S. aircraft was destroyed in Iran's Jam governorate in Bushehr, citing its governor Masoud Tangestani.
"No U.S. aircraft were shot down. All U.S. air assets are accounted for," the U.S. Central Command said in a post on X.
Watch: Vance: US ‘very close’ to deal reopening Strait of Hormuz
Friday 29 May 2026 10:00 , James Reynolds
Can Donald Trump deliver on a lasting deal with Iran?
Friday 29 May 2026 09:30 , James Reynolds
Leaks to the media on Thursday about the terms of the “memorandum of understanding" suggest the proposed deal leaves many of the thorniest questions unanswered.
Those include what the strait’s long-term status will be, what will happen to Iran's stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium and the details of potential sanctions relief.
The emerging framework, while averting military escalation, would at this stage fall far short of Trump's earlier demand for "unconditional surrender" and his vow to dismantle Iran's nuclear program. Iran has insisted it is only for peaceful purposes.
“If these terms are accurate and if a deal is concluded, the Islamic Republic appears to be getting more in the MOU than the US,” Jason Brodsky, policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran, a nonprofit policy organization, said on X.
“A pledge for more nuclear talks? Be wary."
Iran's Tasnim news agency said the text of the agreement had not been finalized. Trump has several times before said a deal was close, and there was no guarantee that the latest effort would succeed where others have not.
Analysis: Trump's room to maneuver narrows as US and Iran close in on framework deal
Friday 29 May 2026 09:13 , Reuters
Donald Trump finds himself in a bind as he seeks to end the war against Iran: he is under pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and get US gasoline prices down but at the same time faces a potential backlash from Iran hawks in his own party over any concessions to Tehran.
Trump’s dilemma became clear during a week of hectic diplomacy marked by word of an emerging framework deal that, according to sources familiar with the matter, would extend a current ceasefire and release Iran’s stranglehold on the vital oil-shipping route while deferring discussions of its nuclear program.
Such an interim agreement, if approved by Trump and Iran’s rulers, would amount to the most significant step toward peace since he joined with Israel in attacking the Islamic Republic on February 28.
But it could also draw the disapproval of a key segment of Trump's base - influential Republicans clamoring for him to "finish the job" by resuming strikes to close Tehran's path to a nuclear weapon, his main stated reason for going to war.
Earlier this week, some of Trump’s hardline anti-Iran allies responded to reports of a possible deal with criticism, suggesting he might get less from Iran than the 2015 Obama-era deal Trump scrapped in 2018.
Caught between the competing demands - a quick solution to high gas prices and an end to Iran's nuclear ambitions - the president has little room to maneuver.
Trump’s board of peace is flailing – just like the president
Friday 29 May 2026 08:01 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The glittering jewel in Donald Trump’s (self-declared) crown was his “board of peace”, a multi-country body nominally created to implement a truce plan for war-ravaged Gaza, but with a global remit.
Inaugurated in a grand ceremony in January in Switzerland, signatories heralded from 19 countries, including Hungary’s former authoritarian leader Viktor Orban, the head of Gulf states, Mongolia and Azerbaijan.
Among the glaring absences were some of America’s closest Nato allies, including the UK, alarmed by Russia’s potential membership and the board’s role “beyond Gaza”.
More here.
Trump’s board of peace is flailing – just like the president
Bessent says Oman won't impose toll on Hormuz
Friday 29 May 2026 07:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said Oman's ambassador had told him there were no plans to impose tolls on the Strait of Hormuz.
This comes after the US warned Oman not to get involved in any effort with Iran to impose a toll in the strait, and Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to bomb the country, despite a history of economic and military ties between the two countries.
Oman has not mentioned the idea of joint control of the strait with Iran, with which it says it has discussed freedom of navigation. Tehran expressed solidarity with Oman after what it called "US officials' threats".
Trump made time to visit with soldiers during recent trip to Walter Reed, just not any injured in Iran war: report
Friday 29 May 2026 07:36 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
During a recent hospital visit, President Donald Trump took time to meet with U.S. service members — but he did not see any of the troops wounded in the ongoing Iran war, according to a new report.
The 79-year-old Republican president traveled to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Tuesday morning for his second check-up since October, claiming afterward that everything “checked out PERFECTLY.”
While inside the sprawling Bethesda facility, Trump met with service members, in keeping with a long-standing presidential tradition. However, 14 troops injured during Operation Epic Fury and recovering at the hospital were not among those he saw, according to a military official and the family of one soldier who spoke to CBS News.
More here.
Trump visited soldiers at Walter Reed, just not any injured in Iran war: report
Israel strikes ancient castle in southern Lebanon
Friday 29 May 2026 07:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Israeli forces struck an ancient site in southern Lebanon this week, the country’s state media reported, as the IDF continued to intensify attacks despite the extension of a ceasefire.
The 900-year-old Beaufort Castle was hit by Israeli strikes on Tuesday, as its bombardment of southern Lebanon killed 31 people and wounded another 40 in the deadliest day since a ceasefire was supposed to take hold, state news agency NNA reported.
The fortress in southern Lebanon has been described by UNESCO as one of the best-preserved examples of medieval castles in the region.
More here.
Israel strikes ancient site in southern Lebanon as Netanyahu intensifies bombardment
Iranian president thanks Malaysia and Pakistan
Friday 29 May 2026 07:05 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian has thanked Malaysia and Pakistan for humanitarian and diplomatic efforts during Tehran's war with US and Israel.
"In my talks with the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Pakistan to congratulate them on Eid al-Adha, I emphasised Iran's commitment to diplomacy, thanked Malaysia for its humanitarian stance, and thanked Pakistan for its initiative and effective efforts to reach an agreement," Pezeshkian said in a post on X.
"Iran's policy is to expand cooperation with Muslim and neighbouring countries in all fields."
Ex-counterterrorism chief urges US to withdraw forces from near Iran
Friday 29 May 2026 06:50 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Joe Kent, the former chief of the US's National Counterterrorism Center, has urged Donald Trump to withdraw troops from Iran's vicinity, arguing that it risks Washington being compelled "back into the war on Iran's terms".
"A major problem w/ the status quo of having our forces within reach of the Iranians is that we could easily be forced back into the war on Iran’s terms," Joe Kent said on X.
"If we withdraw now, we retain the ability to strike from a distance & take away Iran’s ability to draw us back into the war. Thankfully it appears that we didn’t take casualties, we won’t always be so fortunate," he added.
Kent had quit the counterterrorism post in March due to his opposition to Trump's war on Iran.
Watch: Vance says US ‘very close’ to deal reopening Strait of Hormuz
Friday 29 May 2026 06:37 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Why has Trump threatened to ‘blow up’ US ally Oman?
Friday 29 May 2026 06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
US president Donald Trump threatened to “blow up” Oman on Wednesday if it did not comply with his demands over the Strait of Hormuz.
"Oman will behave just like everyone else, or we'll have to blow them up,” the president warned in an off-the-cuff remark about a key US ally during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Thursday.
Trump reiterated his insistence that Oman and other nations sign on to the Abraham Accords, a US-led treaty brokered during his first term encouraging the normalization of diplomatic ties between Arab nations and Israel.
More here.
Why has Trump threatened to ‘blow up’ US ally Oman?
Oil falls over 1% on reports of potential US-Iran ceasefire deal
Friday 29 May 2026 06:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Oil futures fell more than 1 per cent today and were on track for their steepest weekly decline since early April, following reports that the US and Iran had agreed to extend a ceasefire.
Brent crude futures for July fell 1.1 per cent or $1.04 to $92.67 a barrel.
US oil futures fell $1.26, or 1.4 per cent, to $87.64 a barrel.
Brent plunged 10.5 per cent this week – the steepest plunge since the week that ended on 6 April, while West Texas Intermediate fell 9.2 per cent - the biggest weekly loss since the week that ended on 13 April.
Israel continues to bomb Lebanon
Friday 29 May 2026 06:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
US denies Iranian reports of American aircraft downed in southern Iran
Friday 29 May 2026 05:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
A US official has denied Iranian state media claims that a US aircraft was destroyed near Bushehr in southern Iran.
Iran’s state television reported that a US aircraft was downed in the area, without providing details on the type of aircraft.
Iran made 'significant concessions' in new deal, says Trump aide
Friday 29 May 2026 05:36 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The White House deputy chief of staff has claimed that Iran has made "many other concessions" besides agreeing to a complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Stephen Miller told Fox News that the concessions have been “significant, material, and dramatic”, adding that they “would have been impossible only a short time ago”.
“But again, there is no deal until there is a deal; nothing is final until it is final,” he said.
“President Trump has been clear that he reserves the option now or any time in the future to do whatever is necessary to defend and protect America’s national security,” he added.
Is Trump’s threat to ‘blow up’ Oman a sign he regrets his war with Iran?
Friday 29 May 2026 05:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The president’s casual menacing of a longstanding Gulf ally may yet be a turning point for US relations with several Middle East states, Israel included, says Mary Dejevsky.
Is Trump’s threat to ‘blow up’ Oman a sign he regrets his war with Iran?
Saudi Arabia may lower July oil prices to Asia
Friday 29 May 2026 05:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Saudi Arabia is likely to cut its official selling prices (OSPs) for crude oil to Asia in July for a second month, a Reuters survey showed, as spot premiums eased on sluggish demand despite supply disruptions stemming from tensions in the Middle East.
The July OSP for flagship Arab Light crude may slide to a premium of $7.50 to $12.50 a barrel above the average Dubai and Oman quotes, five industry sources said in the survey, $3 to $8 a barrel lower than the OSP for June.
The expected cut follows a price decline and tepid trading in the spot market in May.
Iran's uranium stock to be aggressively negotiated during ceasefire
Friday 29 May 2026 04:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Among the first issues to be negotiated during the 60-day ceasefire is what will happen to Iran’s highly enriched uranium, a US official said.
The Islamic Republic has 440.9kg of uranium that is enriched up to 60 per cent purity, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Vice president JD Vance said yesterday evening that negotiators were trying to strike general terms on the highly enriched uranium settled in the tentative agreement, with the specifics to be hammered out in the ensuing talks.
Vance said the continued back and forth involved “a couple of issues on the nuclear stuff, the highly enriched stockpile, and also the question of enrichment".
Strait of Hormuz tolls among major talking points in ceasefire deal
Friday 29 May 2026 04:39 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The memorandum to extend a fragile US-Iran ceasefire makes clear that Iran will not be able to impose tolls on the Strait of Hormuz and that Iran will have to remove all mines from the vital waterway within 30 days, according to an official.
During the war, Iran has effectively closed the strait, which had been the conduit for about a fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas.Its closure has sent oil prices skyrocketing around the world.
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent told a news briefing on Thursday that the cost of oil could “come down very quickly” once a deal is finalised.
Iran has said it’s letting some commercial vessels pass – about two dozen daily in recent days, compared with more than 100 a day before the war – but the Islamic Republic also has charged tolls for at least some ships.
It set up a formal gatekeeper agency earlier this month, spurring a new round of US sanctions this week.
Under the tentative agreement, the US would gradually lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports and would also agree to relax sanctions, allowing Iran to sell more of its oil.
Rubio to meet Pakistani counterpart in Washington
Friday 29 May 2026 04:19 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
US secretary of state Marco Rubio will meet Pakistani foreign minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar today as negotiations between the US and Iran gained speed.
The visit comes as Islamabad is attempting to negotiate a peace pact to permanently end the US-Israeli war with Iran.
Dar will meet Rubio “to review bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest”, Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Iran negotiators agree to extend ceasefire - report
Friday 29 May 2026 04:02 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The US and Iranian negotiators have reached a tentative agreement to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and launch negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, according to a US official familiar with the matter.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press, said that president Donald Trump still needs to sign off on the emerging memorandum of understanding.
Watch: Scott Bessent addresses Trump-Iran 'deal'
Friday 29 May 2026 03:40 , Jane Dalton
US-Iran war in numbers: Trump’s war costs more than $29bn in three months
Friday 29 May 2026 03:15 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
The conflict in the Middle East is entering its fourth month with negotiators yet to make a breakthrough, which would pave the way for an enduring peace.
And while the Pentagon has priced the conflict at around $29bn, analysts say the true cost could swell to $1 trillion once hidden costs are tallied.
James C. Reynolds has this report:
US-Iran war in numbers: Trump’s war costs more than $29bn in three months
Watch: Trump says he doesn't care about midterms when asked about Iran negotiations
Friday 29 May 2026 03:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
US military denies claim that Iran downed one of its aircraft
Friday 29 May 2026 02:00 , Rachel Dobkin
The US military has denied a claim that Iranian forces downed one of its aircraft near Bushehr, a southern port city.
🚫CLAIM: Iran's state TV claimed Iranian forces downed a U.S. aircraft near Bushehr. FALSE.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 28, 2026
✅TRUTH: No U.S. aircraft were shot down. All U.S. air assets are accounted for. pic.twitter.com/2EaKJ2Fj3d
Trump threatens to ‘blow up’ Oman in off-the-cuff Cabinet meeting remark
Friday 29 May 2026 01:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to “blow up” the country of Oman if it didn’t bow to his wishes around control of the Strait of Hormuz as the US president seeks a peace agreement with Iran to reopen the strait.
The president hosted a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Thursday and reiterated his insistence that Oman and other nations sign on to his Abraham Accords, a US-led treaty which encourages the normalisation of diplomatic ties between Arab nations and Israel.
He also took a question from reporters, one of whom asked about a potential short-term deal that would allow for shared control of the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman, which border the key waterway. In response, the president issued a direct threat to Oman, a US ally.
You can read more below:
Trump threatens to ‘blow up’ Oman in off-the-cuff Cabinet meeting remark
Watch: Zelensky writes urgent letter to Trump over critical air defence shortage as Iran war depletes American stockpiles
Thursday 28 May 2026 23:59 , James Reynolds
US official denies claim US aircraft destroyed in Iran's Bushehr
Thursday 28 May 2026 23:24 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
No US aircraft were shot down near Bushehr, Iran, despite a claim made on Iranian state TV, said a US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Iran's state TV said early on Friday that a US aircraft was destroyed in Iran's Jam governorate in Bushehr, citing its governor Masoud Tangestani.
Vance says US 'not there yet' on deal with Iran, but close
Thursday 28 May 2026 23:02 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday told reporters that Washington was "not there yet" with Iran but that the parties were close, adding that the US was in a position where it could substantially set back Tehran's nuclear program.
It comes after reports earlier suggested an agreement had been reached but was with President Donald Trump for final approval.
Iranian media denied that an agreement had been finalised.
"It's hard to say exactly when or if the president is going to sign the MOU. We're going back and forth on a couple of language points," vice president Vance said.
"I can't guarantee that we're going to get there, but right now I feel pretty good about it.”
Where are US and UK military bases in the Middle East as Iran launches new strikes?
Thursday 28 May 2026 23:00 , James Reynolds
Iran targeted an American airbase early on Thursday morning in retaliation for renewed US strikes on the country’s south, hours after US president Donald Trump rejected a report he was close to agreeing a deal.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had targeted an unnamed American air base at 4.50am local time, claiming the site was responsible for earlier attacks near Iran’s Bandar Abbas Airport.
Where are the US and UK military bases in the Middle East?
Analysis: Trump’s board of peace is flailing – just like the president
Thursday 28 May 2026 22:15 , James Reynolds
A pattern is emerging where, amid glittering ceremonies and bombastic press conferences, Trump tries to take centre stage in the resolution of crises he has either supported or even initiated, writes chief international correspondent Bel Trew:
Trump’s board of peace is flailing – just like the president
