Trump says a deal with Iran and opening of Strait of Hormuz are 'largely negotiated'

Day 84: UAE backs WHO move against Iran's attacks on civilians

Day 83: Trump rejects tolls in Hormuz: 'We want it free'

Day 82: Trump says US-Iran talks are ‘right on the borderline’

Day 81: Iran’s position 'unclear', deal 'uncertain': VP Vance

Day 80: Trump says 'holding off on attack on Iran tomorrow'

Day 79: Trump says 'clock is ticking' for Iran

Day 78: Iran plans new Strait of Hormuz toll system

Day 77: Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire by 45 days: US

Day 76: World leaders call for security in Strait of Hormuz

Day 75: Trump arrives in Beijing for summit with Xi

Day 74: Iran signals potential 90% Uranium enrichment

Day 73: Trump calls Iranian response 'totally unacceptable'

Day 72: 'As of today, Tehran’s restraint is over': Iran official

Day 71: Iran keeps US waiting on response to peace plan

Day 70: US fires on Iran tankers as talks hang in balance

Day 69: Iran creates agency to control shipping at the Strait of Hormuz

Day 68: Trump threatens 'higher level' bombing of Iran if deal not agreed

Day 67: 'Project Freedom' paused 'for a short period': Trump

Day 66: UAE intercepts 12 ballistic missiles, 3 cruise missiles, 4 drones

The US and Iran have just a "50-50" chance of reaching an agreement that would free up the Strait of Hormuz, a senior UAE official said on Friday.

Presidential adviser Anwar Gargash urged Tehran not to overplay its hand in the stop-start negotiations during the Middle East war's fragile ceasefire.

Iranian officials "have missed a lot of chances over the years because there's a tendency to overestimate their cards", Gargash told the GLOBSEC Forum in Prague.

"I hope they don't do that this time."

The UAE, which hosts US military facilities, was targeted by about 3,300 drones and missiles during 40 days of war from February 28 onwards, Gargash said, with only around four per cent getting through.

He said the Iran-blockaded Hormuz, which normally carries a fifth of global oil production, must go back to normal, and cautioned against an inconclusive ceasefire.

"Negotiations just to reach a ceasefire and sow the seeds for further conflict in the future is not what we're seeking," he said.

"And I think that the Strait of Hormuz clearly has to go back to the status quo and this should be an international waterway."

With US negotiators focusing on Iran's potential development of an atomic weapon, Gargash said: "The Iranian nuclear program was our second or third worry, now it's our first worry."

"We see that Iran is capable of using any weapon that it has in its hands, which is what we learned," he added.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Washington would welcome an agreement with Iran that ensures the Strait of Hormuz remains open and Tehran abandons its nuclear ambitions.

However, he cautioned that the United States must also prepare a “Plan B” if negotiations fail, warning that consequences would follow if Iran refuses to allow free navigation through the strategic waterway.

“If Iran refuses to open the Straits, something has to be done about it,” Rubio said, underscoring ongoing tensions in the diplomatic process.

European Union nations moved towards imposing sanctions on Iranian officials and others responsible for blocking the Strait of Hormuz, the EU said.

Tehran effectively closed the key shipping lane for global gas and oil in retaliation to US-Israeli strikes launched in February.

Deeming the blockade "contrary to international law", EU governments took a technical step to extend the scope of its existing Iran sanctions regime allowing for more individuals to be targeted under it.

"The EU will now be able to introduce further restrictive measures in response to Iran's actions undermining the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," the European Council representing EU nations said.

Brussels' punitive measures on Iran previously targeted the country's military support for Russia in its war against Ukraine and for armed groups across the Middle East.

The European Union has also imposed sanctions over human rights violations in the country.

The EU did not immediately name any individual or entities that would be targeted by the new sanctions, consisting of travel bans and asset freezes.

EU citizens and companies will also be banned from making funds, financial assets or other economic resources available to those listed.

Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir departed on Friday for an official visit to Tehran, security sources told AFP, as Iran examined the latest US proposal to end the Middle East war.

Pakistan, Iran's eastern neighbour, has been mediating between Tehran and Washington in an effort to end the conflict, which broke out on February 28 when the US and Israel launched attacks.

The UAE Mission to the United Nations posted on X that Ambassador Abushahab met with ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger to discuss the humanitarian consequences of Iran's attacks against the UAE and neighbouring countries, as well as the global humanitarian impact of Iran's unlawful obstruction of the Strait of Hormuz.

Both sides expressed deep concern over the attacks and threats against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and underlined the critical importance of full compliance with international humanitarian law.

The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the ICRC's efforts to safeguard lives, ensure the delivery of urgent relief, and uphold international humanitarian law.

Pakistan's powerful army chief arrived in Tehran on Friday, with Islamabad mediating as the Islamic republic examines a new US proposal to end the Middle East war.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, however, said the visit did not necessarily mean "we have reached a turning point or a decisive situation". 

The disagreements between Iran and the United States were "deep and extensive", he added in quotes carried by Iran's ISNA news agency.

US President Donald Trump confirmed Friday he would miss his son's wedding, insisting he had to stay in Washington because of "circumstances pertaining to government."

Trump had said a day earlier that the Iran war made it "bad timing" for him to attend Donald Trump Jr's wedding to Bettina Anderson in the Bahamas this weekend.

"While I very much wanted to be with my son, Don Jr., and the newest member of the Trump Family, his soon to be wife, Bettina, circumstances pertaining to Government, and my love for the United States of America, do not allow me to do so," Trump said on his Truth Social network.

"I feel it is important for me to remain in Washington, D.C., at the White House during this important period of time. Congratulations to Don and Bettina!"

The United States announced unprecedented sanctions on two Lebanese officers on Thursday, accusing them of sharing intelligence with Hezbollah, targeting army colonel Samir Hamadi and Khattar Nasser Eldin of General Security, alongside Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, three Hezbollah lawmakers, a former minister and two figures from the Hezbollah-allied Amal movement.

Washington said both officers "shared important intelligence" with Hezbollah "during the ongoing conflict," while the Lebanese army and General Security affirmed their personnel's loyalty and commitment to orders without political considerations.

Military expert Riad Kahwaji warned the move will have "significant repercussions within Lebanon" as "the prestige that was given to the Lebanese army has been removed," adding the sanctions mark a new phase in which "everyone who facilitates Hezbollah's activities from within the Lebanese state will be held accountable." US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington "will continue to take action against officials who have infiltrated the Lebanese government."

The Council of the European Union today decided to expand the scope of the legal framework of the European sanctions imposed on Iran to include individuals and entities involved in policies and actions that infringe upon the established rights of both transit and innocent passage through international straits.

Under the new amendments, the European Union will be able to impose further restrictive measures on persons and entities linked to actions undermining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. These measures include bans on travel to or transit through EU territories, in addition to asset freezes.

Negotiations between the US and Iran have reportedly shown “slight progress,” though major disputes over Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and control of the Strait of Hormuz continue to hinder efforts toward a broader agreement.

Public details about the latest diplomatic discussions remain limited, and it was unclear from available reporting where negotiators had achieved progress.

The talks come as tensions remain elevated across the Gulf region following months of military confrontation, shipping disruptions and sanctions pressure linked to Iran’s nuclear program and regional security activities.

Iran's Civil Aviation Authority has issued a NOTAM restricting operations at most western airports in the Tehran Flight Information Region until early Monday, May 25, allowing limited daytime flights at eight specific sites.

NOTAM stands for Notice to Air Missions (formerly "Notice to Airmen"), an  official, time-sensitive notice issued by aviation authorities to alert pilots and flight crews of abnormal or temporary hazards, restrictions, or changes along a flight route or at an airport.

The move echoes empty airspace patterns seen before US and Israeli strikes on February 28 that sparked the 2026 war, though officials cite operational needs possibly tied to military exercises.

It unfolds against a shaky US-brokered ceasefire, with President Trump pressing deadlines on Iran over the Strait of Hormuz while sporadic tensions linger.

US military and intelligence chiefs have "canceled" their Memorial Day holiday leave, in what CBS reported as a sign of preparations for potential strikes on Iran.

Meanwhile, NBC News earlier reported that President Donald Trump will skip his son Donald Jr's wedding with Bettina Anderson because of the Iran war and “other things.” Asked by NBC News whether he would be in attendance, the president said it “is not good timing for me.” “He’d like me to go,” Trump said of his eldest son. “But it’s going to be just a small, little private affair, and I’m going to try and make it. I’m in the midst — I said, you know, this is not good timing for me. I have a thing called Iran and other things."

Dubai: The world could be heading towards a dangerous oil supply crunch as the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz drains emergency reserves and rattles global energy markets, the head of the International Energy Agency has warned.

As the disruption stretches into its fourth month following the US-Israeli war with Iran, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said global oil markets could slip into a “red zone” by July or August if supplies fail to recover and tanker traffic through Hormuz remains heavily restricted.

Iran’s reported discussions with Oman over a possible payment system for ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz are raising fresh questions about whether Tehran is seeking to turn wartime leverage over the world’s most critical energy chokepoint into longer-term strategic influence.

The talks, reported by Bloomberg News and The New York Times, are significant because they suggest Iran may be looking for regional backing for a future shipping framework linked to Hormuz.

Two buildings in and around the southern Lebanese city of Tyre were struck overnight Friday into Saturday, after the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning.

An AFP correspondent reported hearing two explosions as one building on the outskirts of the city was struck, then seeing smoke rising from the scene and smoke rising before civil defence teams arrived.

Shortly afterwards, a second blast was heard inside the city, with smoke also rising from the location.

Israel carried out five airstrikes late Friday near the Syrian border after calling for the evacuation of two areas in the south of the country, the state news agency said.

The National News Agency said Israeli warplanes struck shortly before midnight, targeting the Nabi Sreij area on the outskirts of the eastern town of Brital, which had been spared from attacks since an April 17 ceasefire.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in Tehran, as diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent further escalation in the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict.

According to a post shared on Araghchi’s Telegram channel, both sides discussed the latest diplomatic initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions and bringing an end to the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

The meeting in the Iranian capital reportedly continued until late into the night, underscoring the urgency of regional mediation efforts amid growing concerns over a wider conflict in West Asia.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations has reported another maritime security incident near Yemen’s Socotra island involving a tanker carrying petroleum products.

According to the agency, the tanker was approached by a small craft carrying five people while sailing around 200 nautical miles west of Socotra.

The small boat reportedly came within 100 metres of the vessel before changing course after the tanker deployed its armed security team, UKMTO said.

The incident comes shortly after a similar case was reported north of Socotra on Friday, highlighting continued security concerns across key shipping routes in the region amid rising maritime tensions.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio opened a visit to India that will include talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, looking to renew ties with a usually like-minded partner a week after Washington's warm summit with China.

Rubio, a devout Catholic, began his four-day, four-city tour by touring the headquarters of Mother Teresa's charity in the eastern city of Kolkata and praying over her tomb.

Wearing a yellow garland over his suit, Rubio, who was visiting India for the first time in his life, smiled before an assembly of nuns, all clad in the late humanitarian's signature white and blue saris.

"Rubio spoke about aiding the homeless, terminally ill and those afflicted by leprosy," Sister Marie Juan of Missionaries of Charity told reporters after his hour-and-a-half-long visit.

"He was happy to pray and we were also happy to have him," she said.

Sergio Gor, the US ambassador to India and also a Catholic, later posted that the visit showed that the countries' relationship was based "not only on strong policies, but also on shared values."

Rubio, who is accompanied by his wife Jeanette, then flew to New Delhi where he was scheduled to meet later Saturday with Modi.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has held a phone conversation with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi amid intensified diplomatic activity aimed at de-escalating regional tensions and advancing peace efforts between Tehran and Washington.

According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, the two ministers discussed the latest regional developments and ongoing diplomatic initiatives focused on preventing further escalation and bringing an end to the conflict.

Both sides also exchanged views on broader political and security concerns as diplomatic engagements continue across the region in pursuit of a potential settlement.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday began a four-day official visit to China, travelling to Hangzhou as part of efforts to expand economic cooperation, strengthen strategic ties and advance projects under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

In a post on X, the PM Office said the delegation includes senior ministers such as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja.

Sharif is scheduled to meet Zhejiang Provincial Party Secretary Wang Hao and attend a business forum focused on CPEC Phase 2 cooperation. He will also witness the signing of agreements and hold talks with major Chinese companies, including a visit to Alibaba’s headquarters for investment discussions.

The prime minister will later travel to Beijing for high-level meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary-General, has said the alliance is stepping up efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open as tensions in the region raise concerns over global energy security.

NATO foreign ministers wrapped up a two-day meeting in Sweden ahead of the July Ankara Summit, focusing on defence spending targets and boosting industrial capacity across member states

Rutte warned that Iran poses risks to global trade by threatening the key shipping route, adding that allied nations are coordinating plans and deploying assets to ensure safe maritime transit.

Ministers also discussed plans to increase defence production and move closer to a long-term goal of raising military spending to 5% of GDP.

Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, said NATO members agree Iran must not develop nuclear weapons, but noted that some allies have not fully supported US-led measures.

He also criticised Spain for restricting US military access to its bases for operations linked to the Iran conflict, highlighting divisions within the alliance.

Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi held a phone call with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, according to a statement shared on social media.

The two ministers discussed bilateral relations between Jordan and Qatar, along with the latest regional developments and Pakistan’s mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.

In a post on X, the ministry said the two leaders discussed ongoing Pakistan-mediated diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran aimed at de-escalating regional tensions.

Both sides reaffirmed the importance of continued coordination to support mediation efforts aimed at ending regional escalation and restoring stability.

They also stressed the need for unified international action to ensure the success of negotiations and achieve a sustainable solution addressing the root causes of the crisis while preventing renewed tensions.

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss ongoing efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and advance peace initiatives.

Both sides reviewed diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement to end the crisis and strengthen regional stability.

Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed Qatar’s support for coordinated peace efforts and urged all parties to engage constructively for a sustainable solution.

He also warned that any attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz would deepen the crisis and threaten regional security, stressing that freedom of navigation must be protected under international law.

Over 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia from outside the kingdom for the upcoming hajj, according to a Saudi official, exceeding the number of international visitors last year despite the war in the Middle East.

The conflict triggered by the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February saw Tehran order waves of strikes on targets in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf, prompting widespread air traffic disruptions and causing travel costs to surge.

Major Gulf airlines in the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain have worked to quickly restore much of their operational capacity after weeks of airspace closures and flight cancellations.

"The total number of pilgrims arriving from abroad has reached 1,518,153," Saleh Al-Murabba, the commander of Saudi Arabia's Hajj Passport Forces, told a press conference late Friday.

These figures are expected to rise further over the next two days as pilgrims continue to arrive from abroad ahead of the formal rituals that mark the beginning of the hajj on Monday.

Last year, the total number of pilgrims at the hajj reached 1,673,320, including 1,506,576 from outside Saudi Arabia.

A recent report has said that the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi under India’s 2026 chairship successfully maintained focus on its core agenda despite ongoing geopolitical tensions linked to the Gulf conflict.

According to the Politeia Research Foundation, the bloc managed to insulate key discussions from regional escalation, even as differences emerged among members over developments in West Asia.

Held on May 14–15, the meeting avoided a joint statement, instead issuing a Chair’s Statement and Outcome Document reflecting broad consensus across key issues.

While differences emerged over West Asia, members agreed on the need for dialogue, de-escalation, respect for sovereignty, and protection of civilians, along with safe maritime routes.

The report said the outcome document advanced India’s priorities, including UN reforms, food security, disaster management, digital public infrastructure, and counter-terrorism cooperation ahead of the upcoming BRICS summit.

Network monitoring data indicates that Iran’s internet restrictions have entered an extended phase, with connectivity remaining severely disrupted for weeks and access to global platforms significantly limited.

According to tracking reports, the blackout has surpassed prolonged isolation thresholds, with users inside the country facing restricted or no access to the open internet, limiting communication and information flow with the outside world.

The disruption has reshaped daily life for millions, affecting access to news, digital services, and communication tools that are normally available within seconds elsewhere.

Analysts say the prolonged restrictions continue to deepen Iran’s digital isolation, with residents relying heavily on limited domestic networks and alternative workarounds, while external connectivity remains constrained.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has criticised the failure of the 11th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to reach a consensus, calling it a “missed opportunity to make the world safer”.

In a statement issued through UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Guterres expressed disappointment that the month-long conference ended without agreement despite growing global security concerns and rising geopolitical tensions.

The UN chief urged countries to intensify dialogue and diplomacy to reduce nuclear risks, reiterating that a world free of nuclear weapons remains a top UN disarmament priority.

The talks reportedly collapsed amid deep divisions between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme, with Iran accusing Washington and its allies of obstructing consensus efforts.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf met with Asim Munir in Tehran, according to Iranian state media reports.

The meeting comes amid intensified regional diplomacy and ongoing efforts linked to negotiations involving Iran, the United States and regional stakeholders. Reports said discussions focused on regional developments and diplomatic coordination.

Munir is currently visiting Tehran as part of wider diplomatic engagements, with Pakistan continuing mediation efforts aimed at reducing tensions and supporting negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the White House in the "near future", US ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Saturday.

"Secretary Marco Rubio extended an invite on behalf of President Donald Trump, for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House in the near future!," Gor said in a social media post after Rubio met Modi in New Delhi during his first visit to India.

Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Saturday warned of a "crushing" response if US president Donald Trump resumes hostilities, saying Tehran had rebuilt its armed forces during a ceasefire

"Our armed forces have rebuilt themselves during the ceasefire period in such a way that if Trump commits another act of folly and restarts the war, it will certainly be more crushing and bitter for the United States than on the first day of the war," he posted on social media.

Ghalibaf made the warning after meeting in Tehran with Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, a leading figure in international efforts to negotiate a diplomatic settlement.

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon damaged a hospital and multiple surrounding areas on Saturday, according to local reports and hospital officials, as cross-border attacks continued despite a ceasefire.

The overnight strike in the city of Tyre caused severe damage to a medical facility, with shattered glass, destroyed equipment and temporary disruption to emergency services. Hospital staff said patients were relocated within the building after evacuation warnings were issued.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported around a dozen strikes across southern areas, including agricultural zones, with several people injured.

The Israeli military said it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure sites, claiming the strikes were aimed at preventing planned attacks, while taking steps to minimise civilian harm.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) says its maritime blockade against Iran has reached a key milestone, with more than 100 commercial vessels redirected since operations began on April 13, 2026.

According to CENTCOM, the blockade targets all commercial shipping entering and exiting Iranian ports as part of a presidential directive aimed at restricting maritime trade flows linked to Iran.

Over the past six weeks, US forces involving thousands of military personnel, backed by aircraft and naval assets, have intercepted, turned back or redirected vessels, while allowing selected humanitarian aid shipments to pass.

CENTCOM said the operation is designed to enforce “zero trade” through Iranian ports, adding that it has been “highly effective” in applying economic pressure on Tehran.

The mission is being supported by a large US naval and air deployment across the region, including carrier strike groups and destroyer fleets operating in surrounding waters.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in China on Saturday, Chinese state media said, kicking off a four-day trip overshadowed by the Iran war.

The Chinese foreign ministry has yet to confirm whether the pair will discuss the conflict in the Middle East, which Islamabad and Beijing have both sought to mediate in.

Sharif "arrived in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Saturday to begin a four-day official visit to China," state news agency Xinhua said, without elaborating.

Earlier in the week, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said only that "issues of common concern" would be discussed.

Guo has said that China would work with Pakistan to "make positive contributions to the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East".

"China supports Pakistan in playing a fair and balanced mediating role in promoting peace and ending the war," he said.

Pakistan has emerged as a central mediator between the United States and Iran, hosting historic face-to-face talks last month that failed to yield a lasting agreement.

Its army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir was due in Tehran on Thursday, Iranian media reported.

France banned Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, citing his "unspeakable" behavior targeting activists from a flotilla to Gaza who were detained by his police force.

"As of today, Itamar Ben-Gvir is banned from entering French territory. This decision follows his unspeakable actions toward French and European citizens who were passengers on the Global Sumud Flotilla," the French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, announced in a post on X.

"We cannot tolerate that French nationals can be threatened, intimidated or brutalized in this way - all the more so by a public official," Barrot posted, calling on the European Union to also sanction Ben-Gvir.

This week, Ben-Gvir sparked global outrage after promoting a video of himself taunting detained flotilla activists.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was a chance Iran would accept a deal to end the Middle East war as soon as Saturday.

"There is a chance that, whether it's later today, tomorrow, in a couple days, we may have something to say," Rubio told reporters in New Delhi, adding he hoped for "good news".

Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said it will not discuss its nuclear programme at the current stage of mediation talks, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei.

Baghaei said Iran is prioritising negotiations aimed at ending conflicts across multiple fronts, including Lebanon, rather than engaging on nuclear details for now.

He added that the timing of any future nuclear discussions remains undecided.

The Foreign Ministry said the mediation process with the United States remains “time-consuming” due to long-standing tensions, with several proposals and wording still under review.

Baghaei also thanked Pakistan for its role in supporting mediation effort

Hezbollah said that a message from Tehran showed that Iran would not abandon the Lebanese group and that the Islamic republic's latest proposal to end the US-Iran war included a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Iran-backed Hezbollah said in a statement that its chief Naim Qassem had received a message from Tehran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, which indicated that Iran "will not give up its support for movements demanding justice and freedom, foremost among them Hezbollah".

In Iran's latest proposal through Pakistani mediators aimed at achieving "a permanent and stable end to the war, the demand to include Lebanon in the ceasefire was emphasised", the statement added.

Donald Trump has shared a social media post featuring a map of Iran overlaid with a US flag, drawing attention amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The post, which included the phrase “United States of the Middle East !!”, comes at a time of continued uncertainty across regional diplomatic and security channels.

No official statement accompanied the post, but it follows a series of recent high-profile messages from Trump on Iran-related developments that have intensified speculation over Washington’s next steps in the region.

Iranian state media says Tehran is in the “final stage” of drafting a framework agreement with the United States, as indirect negotiations continue through mediated channels.

Iran has indicated that its nuclear programme is not part of the initial framework at this stage of talks, suggesting the issue will be addressed separately in later phases of negotiations.

According to Iranian statements, the framework also includes discussions on ending the US naval blockade as part of a wider negotiated arrangement between the two sides.

Officials say discussions remain ongoing with key issues still under review, as both sides attempt to narrow gaps on broader political and security-related conditions before moving to detailed negotiations.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Saturday that Tehran was in the final stages of drafting a framework for a deal to end the war with the United States.

"Within a reasonable period of 30 to 60 days, the details of these points will be discussed and a final agreement will ultimately be concluded. We are currently in the process of finalising these memoranda of understanding," he told state broadcaster IRIB.

Iran said it was finalising a 14-point framework for a deal with the United States, signalling a convergence of views while noting that gaps still remain.

"Our intention was first to draft a memorandum of understanding, a kind of framework agreement composed of 14 clauses," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on state television.

He noted what he called "a trend towards rapprochement" with Washington but said "it does not necessarily mean that we and the United States will reach an agreement on the important issues".

Iran said on Saturday that the nuclear issue was not part of an initial framework it was drafting to end the war with the United States.

"At this stage, we will not discuss the details of the nuclear issue... we have decided to prioritise an urgent issue for all of us: ending the war on all fronts including Lebanon," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state television.

He added that the nuclear file will be "subject to separate discussions" at a later stage.

Israel struck south Lebanon on Saturday despite a ceasefire as Hezbollah said its backer Tehran had pledged not to abandon the militant group.

Hezbollah said its chief Naim Qassem had received a message from Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, saying the latest proposal through Pakistani mediators aimed ending the regional war emphasised "the demand to include Lebanon" in the broader ceasefire.

Lebanese authorities, however, have insisted the country's ongoing talks with Israel under US auspices must be independent from the Iran-US negotiations.

Israel's military has been pounding Lebanon despite an April 17 ceasefire in the country announced by US President Donald Trump, and which was recently extended for several weeks.

Hezbollah has also kept up attacks on Israeli targets in south Lebanon and in northern Israel, including targeting Israeli air defence platforms across the border on Saturday.

US President Donald Trump has indicated he may reach a decision as early as Sunday on whether to move forward with a draft agreement with Iran, according to Axios.

Trump told the outlet he plans to consult his advisors before determining his next steps. He left little doubt about the stakes involved, warning that failure to reach an agreement would have serious consequences.

"Either we reach a good deal or I'll blow them to a thousand hells," he said.

US President Donald Trump told CBS in a phone interview on Saturday that the United States and Iran are "getting a lot closer" to an agreement to end the war in the Middle East.

But in the interview with the TV network, Trump also warned that if the US and Iran do not come to an agreement, "we're going to have a situation where no country will ever be hit as hard as they're about to be hit."

Meanwhile, Iran said Saturday that it was finalizing a 14-point "framework agreement" for a deal with the US, but signalled that major gaps still remain.

The US president struck a less upbeat tone in another Saturday morning interview with news website Axios, saying that it was a "solid 50/50" chance of a deal being struck.

Speaking to Axios, US President Donald Trump described himself as a "solid 50/50" on whether to strike a deal with Iran or order military action, saying: "Either I hit them harder than they have ever been hit, or we are going to sign a deal that is good." Trump, who said he would consult advisors before making a final call as early as Sunday, made clear that no middle ground exists — it is either an agreement that meets his standard or, as he put it, blowing them "to kingdom come."

Donald Trump is expected to hold a secure call with Arab leaders at 5pm GMT to discuss a draft agreement with Iran, as diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent a renewed military escalation, according to Axios.

Trump said he expects to decide on Sunday whether to resume military action against Iran or pursue a diplomatic settlement, telling Axios he remained torn between reaching a deal and restarting the war. The US president added that he would meet the American negotiating team on Saturday to review Iran’s latest proposal.

“I think we will either hit Iran with unprecedented force or sign a good deal with them,” Trump said, adding that he would only accept an agreement addressing issues including uranium enrichment and the future of Iran’s current nuclear stockpile.

A Pakistani security official said that a "memorandum of understanding is in the final drafting stages to end the war between the US and Iran." Meanwhile, the Pakistani military reported that negotiations have led to "encouraging" progress toward final understandings.

Sources told Reuters that the proposed framework is expected to develop in three stages: a formal end to the war, resolution of the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and opening a 30-day window for negotiations on a broader agreement, with the possibility of an extension.

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received a phone call from Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, during which they discussed bilateral ties and cooperation between the two nations in support of their mutual interests.

Vice President JD Vance has made an UNPLANNED RETURN to Washington, DC, and his motorcade is racing to the White House

President Trump has summoned his whole national security team to a meeting on Iran.

POTUS is also scheduled to hold a conference call at 1pm ET with the leaders of several Arab nations.

The United States and Iran are close to agreeing on a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war, two regional officials and a diplomat said Saturday, as the United States has weighed a new round of attacks on the Islamic Republic.

Iran signaled “narrowing differences” in negotiations with the US after Pakistan’s army chief held more talks in Tehran, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told journalists in India that “there’s been some progress made” and “there may be news later today.”

Israel said on Saturday a soldier was killed the previous day near the border with Lebanon, taking to 22 the number of troops killed in the war with Iran-backed Hezbollah.

A military statement named him as 23-year-old Staff Sergeant Noam Hamburger, who "fell during operational activity in northern Israel".

A total of 23 Israelis have been killed in the conflict, 22 soldiers and one civilian contractor, since hostilities began on March 2.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, US Vice President J.D. Vance, Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and presidential envoy Jared Kushner have all approved a draft agreement between the US and Iran. The US and Iran are expected to announce the completion of a peace agreement within 24 hours, according to The Washington Times.

Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam posted on X that Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi congratulated him on progress made in negotiations following a visit to Tehran. The ambassador said that "with conservative optimism" a positive outcome is possible, crediting Iran's position, its armed forces, and Pakistan's mediation efforts. He praised Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Army Chief Asim Munir, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Naqvi for their diplomatic efforts, expressing hope their work would lead to lasting peace in the region.

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