US-Iran war LIVE: Trump, issued a sharp warning to Oman while talking about ongoing negotiations with Iran over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying no country would be allowed to control the strategic waterway.
US-Iran news highlights: After months of back-and-forth efforts and proposals, a tentative ceasefire deal has been reached between the United States and Iran, US officials said on Thursday, though it is pending President Donald Trump’s approval, Axios reported. The Memorandum of Understanding aims to extend the ceasefire for 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and begin negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
This development comes after both sides accused each other of violating the truce that began in April, three months after the Middle East conflict was triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
What’s in the deal?
Under the proposal, both sides will sign the memorandum, allowing a 60 day ceasefire that could be extended if needed on a mutual basis. It further states that shipping through Strait of Hormuz would be unrestricted, with no tolls and harassment. Iran would also agree to remove all mines from the Strait within 30 days, as reported by Axios.
Another key point included in the proposal is that the US would lift its blockade from Hormuz if commercial traffic resumes. The US would also issue some sanctions waivers to allow Iran to sell oil freely.
The MoU will include a commitment from Iran to not pursue a nuclear weapon, Axios reported citing US officials. It will also specify that, during the 60-day negotiation period, the initial focus will be on disposing of Iran’s highly enriched uranium and addressing its uranium enrichment activities.
According to the official, Iran pushed for the immediate release of frozen funds and permanent sanctions relief, but the US insisted those measures would only come after Iran made concrete concessions. The deal would also include a plan to help Iran start getting goods and humanitarian aid.
The proposal also states that the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon would end. The two leaders, Trump and Netanyahu have had a heated exchange about this clause, Axios reported.
A deal getting close?
US officials told Axios that a deal could be announced by Sunday, though it has not been finalised and could fall apart. Trump has been briefed about the proposal but has not signed it yet. A US official provided an outline of the deal, much of it was verified. These details have not been confirmed by Iran, though it says a deal is getting close.
“The president relayed to the mediators that he wants a couple of days to think about it,” a US official told Axios.
US and Iran strikes
The US and Iran exchanged strikes on Thursday in their most serious confrontation since the April ceasefire, raising fears over the stability of ongoing peace efforts and the reopening of the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
In fresh escalation in the war between the United States and Iran, the American forces on Wednesday struck Iran for the second time in a week on Wednesday and claimed that the strike was done in self defence after they observed some aggressive activity from the forces of the other side.
…Read More
This development comes after both sides accused each other of violating the truce that began in April, three months after the Middle East conflict was triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
What’s in the deal?
Under the proposal, both sides will sign the memorandum, allowing a 60 day ceasefire that could be extended if needed on a mutual basis. It further states that shipping through Strait of Hormuz would be unrestricted, with no tolls and harassment. Iran would also agree to remove all mines from the Strait within 30 days, as reported by Axios.
Another key point included in the proposal is that the US would lift its blockade from Hormuz if commercial traffic resumes. The US would also issue some sanctions waivers to allow Iran to sell oil freely.
The MoU will include a commitment from Iran to not pursue a nuclear weapon, Axios reported citing US officials. It will also specify that, during the 60-day negotiation period, the initial focus will be on disposing of Iran’s highly enriched uranium and addressing its uranium enrichment activities.
According to the official, Iran pushed for the immediate release of frozen funds and permanent sanctions relief, but the US insisted those measures would only come after Iran made concrete concessions. The deal would also include a plan to help Iran start getting goods and humanitarian aid.
The proposal also states that the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon would end. The two leaders, Trump and Netanyahu have had a heated exchange about this clause, Axios reported.
A deal getting close?
US officials told Axios that a deal could be announced by Sunday, though it has not been finalised and could fall apart. Trump has been briefed about the proposal but has not signed it yet. A US official provided an outline of the deal, much of it was verified. These details have not been confirmed by Iran, though it says a deal is getting close.
“The president relayed to the mediators that he wants a couple of days to think about it,” a US official told Axios.
US and Iran strikes
The US and Iran exchanged strikes on Thursday in their most serious confrontation since the April ceasefire, raising fears over the stability of ongoing peace efforts and the reopening of the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
In fresh escalation in the war between the United States and Iran, the American forces on Wednesday struck Iran for the second time in a week on Wednesday and claimed that the strike was done in self defence after they observed some aggressive activity from the forces of the other side.
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May 30, 2026 6:46:01 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: This blog is now closed
This blog is now closed and will not be updated. For our continued LIVE coverage, click here.
May 30, 2026 6:30:56 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Air raid sirens heard in northern Israel
The Israeli military said that air attack sirens have been activated across several locations in northern Israel, Al Jazeera reported.
May 30, 2026 5:56:53 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Trump’s Situation Room meeting lasted two hours
US-Iran war LIVE: The White House said Friday that President Donald Trump’s meeting with his national security team in the Situation Room reportedly lasted around two hours.
A White House official told AFP: “President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines. Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” reported
Trump had earlier said the meeting would help him make a “final determination.”
May 30, 2026 5:12:40 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Tehran’s new Strait authority vows to continue Hormuz operations
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran’s newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), which oversees vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz, condemned fresh US sanctions against it and said its operations would continue “without interruptions.”
In a statement posted on X, the body said Washington had failed to gain control over the strategic waterway through “warfare and diplomacy” and would not succeed through sanctions either.
“You will not gain control over the Strait of Hormuz, which you failed to achieve through warfare and diplomacy, by means of sanctions either,” the authority said.
The PGSA added that it would continue reviewing and issuing passage permits for “non-hostile” vessels to ensure navigation through the strait.
This comes after the US imposed sanctions on PGSA.
May 30, 2026 4:33:58 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran source says potential US deal does not include nuclear issues
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, citing sources, said Friday that President Donald Trump’s comments on a possible agreement were an “attempt to portray a fabricated victory.”
A senior Iranian source, speaking anonymously, told Fars that the potential deal under discussion does not include any nuclear-related issues.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also said on state television that management of the Strait of Hormuz should be decided by Iran and Oman.
According to Fars, the strait would be reopened under Tehran’s conditions after the United States lifts its blockade on Iranian ships.
May 30, 2026 3:46:54 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Trump will only accept Iran deal that meets US conditions, says White House
US-Iran war LIVE: President Donald Trump will only agree to a peace deal with Iran if it meets all of his conditions, a White House official told AFP after the US leader met with aides to discuss a possible agreement.
“The Situation Room meeting has concluded and lasted approximately two hours. President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
“Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” the official added.
May 30, 2026 3:11:46 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: White House Situation Room meeting on peace proposal ends, no details released
US-Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump said Friday that he would meet in a secure White House room to make a “final determination” on a proposal to extend the early-April truce by another 60 days to allow more time for negotiations on a permanent settlement.
Several hours later, the White House said the meeting had concluded but did not release any further details or announce a decision, reported Reuters.
May 30, 2026 2:48:04 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Bessent says US could ease or tighten Iran sanctions depending on talks
US-Iran war LIVE: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that the Trump administration could remove some sanctions on Iran depending on how the current standoff with Tehran develops.
Asked whether Washington would maintain its financial and economic embargo on Iran, Bessent replied: “We’ll see.”
“Anything that’s taken off will be taken off slowly,” news agency Bloomberg quoted him as saying during a question-and-answer session after remarks at the Reagan National Economic Forum in California.
Bessent said any sanctions relief would depend on “milestones that the Iranian regime would have to meet” as part of a broader deal. He also warned that the administration could increase sanctions pressure if an agreement does not appear close.
May 30, 2026 2:22:22 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: US issues new Iran-related counter-terrorism sanctions
US-Iran war LIVE: The United States on Friday imposed new Iran-related counter-terrorism sanctions targeting Iranian individuals and entities, according to a notice posted on the Treasury Department’s website.
May 30, 2026 2:11:51 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Tehran says no final deal reached with US, rejects Trump’s ‘language of must’
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran on Friday said no final understanding had been reached with the United States despite continued exchanges of messages between the two sides, while rejecting what it described as Washington’s “language of must”.
“We said goodbye to the language of ‘must’ 47 years ago,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state television.
“None of the Western parties can use the language of ‘must’ when they talk about the Islamic Republic of Iran. We make our own decisions based on the interests and rights of the Iranian nation,” he added.
May 30, 2026 1:55:48 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: ‘World economy resilient, but war hurting poorer countries’
US-Iran war LIVE: The heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization warned Friday that the ongoing war in the Middle East is putting pressure on global energy supplies and hitting vulnerable economies the hardest.
In a joint statement, the institutions said the global economy remained resilient overall, but poorer countries were facing disproportionate impacts from rising fuel and fertilizer prices, growing uncertainty and risks to jobs, reported Reuters.
The group said their leaders met on Thursday to discuss possible responses to the economic fallout from the conflict.
May 30, 2026 1:28:28 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: IMF, World Bank and IEA warn of fuel shortages if Hormuz closure continues
US-Iran war LIVE: The heads of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and International Energy Agency have warned of possible fuel shortages during the summer if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, AFP reported.
May 30, 2026 1:08:13 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Bessent says any easing would happen gradually
US-Iran war LIVE: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that any rollback of measures imposed on Iran would happen slowly, “Anything that is taken off will be taken off slowly,” Bessent said.
May 30, 2026 12:43:48 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran preparing ‘grand’ funeral for Khamenei after months-long delay
US-Iran war LIVE: Iranian authorities are preparing for a “grand” funeral ceremony for slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, state media reported Friday, months after the event was delayed due to the war involving Iran, the US and Israel.
According to Iranian state television cited by AFP, a special headquarters has been formed to oversee preparations for the ceremony, though officials said the timing of the funeral has not yet been finalised.
“A special headquarters has been formed to prepare for the funeral ceremony, and various agencies are currently planning and making arrangements,” state TV quoted Mohsen Mahmoudi, head of the Tehran Coordination Council for Islamic Propaganda, as saying.
Khamenei, who ruled the Islamic republic for more than three decades, was killed during the first wave of joint US-Israeli strikes that triggered the conflict on February 28.
His son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, was also reportedly wounded in the attacks and has not appeared publicly since taking office.
May 30, 2026 12:16:41 AM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran says ‘US-Israeli’ micro drone shot down near Qeshm Island
US-Iran war LIVE: Iranian air defence systems destroyed a “US-Israeli enemy micro drone” near Qeshm Island on Friday, Tasnim news agency reported.
No further details were immediately available.
May 29, 2026 11:54:03 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: What we know about Iran’s uranium stockpile after June attacks
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran has not informed the UN nuclear watchdog about the status of its enriched uranium stockpile since Israeli strikes began on June 13, and inspectors have not been allowed to return to the storage sites.
According to estimates by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran possessed 440.9 kg of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent before the attacks — enough, if enriched further, for around 10 nuclear weapons under the agency’s yardstick, reported Reuters.
The IAEA also estimated Iran had 184.1 kg enriched up to 20 per cent, 6,024.4 kg enriched up to 5 per cent, and 2,391.1 kg enriched up to 2 per cent.
How much of the stockpile survived remains unclear. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has said the agency believes “a bit more than 200 kg” of the 60 per cent enriched uranium is being stored at a tunnel complex in Isfahan that appears to have been largely untouched in the June strikes. Some material was also stored at the Natanz nuclear facility, he added.
May 29, 2026 11:31:10 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran says no nuclear talks underway amid Trump’s claims
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran on Friday said there were “no negotiations” taking place over its nuclear programme, pushing back after US President Donald Trump suggested Tehran could give up its enriched uranium as part of a deal to end the Middle East war.
“At this stage, we are focused on ending the war, and there are no negotiations on the nuclear issue,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state TV, according to AFP.
May 29, 2026 10:55:41 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Trump to decide imminently on Iran deal, says Hormuz Strait must open
US-Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump said he would decide on Friday over a potentialdeal with Iran to extend their ceasefire that would need to include opening the Strait of Hormuz and dismantling Tehran’s capacity to make a nuclear weapon.
“I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination,” he said, referring to the White House’s nerve centre for monitoring global crises. Sources had said a deal was in the offing to extend a truce in place since early April for another 60 days to allow oil and gas shipments to resume through the strategic waterway while negotiators tackle tricky issues such as Iran’s nuclear program.
May 29, 2026 10:46:49 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran says Strait of Hormuz management should be decided jointly by Tehran and Oman
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran on Friday said, Strait of Hormuz management should be decided jointly by Tehran and Oman
May 29, 2026 10:43:40 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Final agreement conditional on US stopping excessive approach, contradictory positions, says Iran’s FM
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday said that reaching a final agreement amid diplomatic efforts to extend the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran is contingent upon the US abandoning what he described as an “excessive approach” and “contradictory positions”.
Araghchi made these remarks during a telephone conversation with Omani counterpart Badr Al-Busaidy, during which both sides reviewed the latest developments in diplomatic engagements aimed at achieving a complete solution to the hostilities in West Asia.
According to the statement issued in Telegram, it stressed that Tehran remains “serious and steadfast” in pursuing its “legitimate rights and interests”, while underlining that progress towards any final understanding depends on Washington maintaining a consistent and constructive stance.
May 29, 2026 10:41:13 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar meets Marco Rubio
US-Iran war LIVE: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday amid American demand that countries mediating the peace talks with Iran join the Abraham Accords and establish diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.
Rubio and Dar appeared before cameras to exchange greetings before retreating for close-door talks at the Department of State building here.
Rubio said he thanked the Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister for the role Pakistan continues to play in advancing peace in the Middle East.
May 29, 2026 10:35:37 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Trump to decide imminently on Iran deal, says Hormuz Strait must open
US-Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump said he would decide on Friday over a potential deal with Iran to extend their ceasefire that would need to include opening the Strait of Hormuz and dismantling Tehran’s capacity to make a nuclear weapon.
“I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination,” he said, referring to the White House’s nerve centre for monitoring global crises.
May 29, 2026 10:32:12 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran sources rebut Trump comments on Hormuz, uranium in Fars report
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran’s Fars news agency cited informed sources Friday as saying US President Donald Trump’s latest comments on a potential deal to end the Mideast war were a “mixture of truth and lies”.
“Trump claimed that Iran was obligated to open the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, even though no such clause appears in the text of the agreement,” Fars said.
On his assertion that Washington and Tehran would coordinate on destroying Iran’s enriched uranium, Fars said: “Well-informed sources emphasised that not only does this not appear in the memorandum of understanding, but this claim is fundamentally baseless.”
They added the destruction of Iran’s nuclear material is also not included.
May 29, 2026 10:29:17 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Rubio meets Pakistan FM Ishaq Dar, praises Islamabad’s role in Middle East peace efforts
US-Iran war LIVE: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and appreciated Pakistan’s continued role in advancing peace in the Middle East.
May 29, 2026 10:26:45 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Gold jumps most in 3 weeks as Trump eyes ‘final’ Iran call
US-Iran war LIVE: Gold jumped the most in more than three weeks after US President Donald Trump said he’s making a “final determination” on a preliminary deal to extend a ceasefire with Iran.
“I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination,” Trump said in a social media post. He reiterated previous statements that Iran “will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb” and that the Strait of Hormuz must be open and any mines destroyed or removed.
Bullion surged as much as 2.2% as the dollar and bond yields pushed lower. A preliminary deal has been reached to extend a ceasefire by 60 days and discuss the future of Tehran’s nuclear program, a person with knowledge of the matter said earlier. US stocks rose while a rally in oil eased.
May 29, 2026 10:21:40 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Political understanding between Iran and US not yet finalised, Iranian source says
US-Iran war LIVE: A political understanding has been reached between Iran and the United States over the Iran war, but it has not yet been finalised, a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Friday.
The source said US Donald Trump’s claim that uranium would be unearthed by the US was not true, adding that the possible memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington does not include any nuclear-related issues.
May 29, 2026 10:15:34 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Trump meeting with aides to make ‘final determination’ on moving forward with Iran deal
US-Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump said Friday he’s holding a White House Situation Room meeting with his advisers as he looks to make a “final determination” on moving forward with a deal to extend the Iran ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump confirmed the high-level talks the day after The Associated Press and other news outlets reported that US and Iranian negotiators had come to terms on a tentative agreement. The deal would extend the fragile ceasefire by 60 days as new talks are held on Iran’s disputed nuclear program.
May 29, 2026 10:05:56 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Oil prices fall 2% as market awaits possible US-Iran ceasefire deal
US-Iran war LIVE: Oil futures fell more than 2% on Friday and were on track for their steepest weekly decline since early April after reports that the US and Iran had reached agreement on a potential ceasefire extension.
Brent crude futures for July, which expire later on Friday, were down $1.74, or 1.86%, at $91.97 a barrel by 10:58 a.m. CDT (1558 GMT). The more active August contract was down $1.64, or 1.77%, at $91.06. WTI U.S. oil futures were down $1.35, or 1.52%, at $87.55.
It was not a smooth downward slope for futures throughout Friday, however, with comments from US President Donald Trump about an agreement and possible military action against Iran.
May 29, 2026 10:03:45 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Dollar set for second weekly loss amid US-Iran ceasefire deal
US-Iran war LIVE: The dollar fell against other major currencies on Friday and was on track for its second consecutive week of losses after the US and Iran reportedly reached an agreement to extend their ceasefire and lift restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump said he would make a final decision on Friday over a deal with Iran to extend their ceasefire. That deal would extend the truce for another 60 days and allow traffic to flow through the strategic waterway while negotiators tackle difficult issues such as Iran’s nuclear programme, four sources told Reuters.
The dollar had rallied at the outbreak of the conflict, drawing safe-haven flows and benefiting from the U.S. economy’s relatively limited exposure to energy-price inflation. But the greenback has since given back those gains as uncertainty over the war’s trajectory weighed on sentiment.
May 29, 2026 9:52:08 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Trump Says ‘Final Determination’ on Iran Truce Is Coming Soon
US-Iran war LIVE: President Donald Trump said Friday he’s making a “final determination” on a preliminary deal to extend a ceasefire with Iran after mixed messages from both sides over when an agreement might be struck.
“I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination,” Trump said in a social media post. He reiterated previous statements that Iran “will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb” and that the Strait of Hormuz must be open and any mines destroyed or removed.
It wasn’t clear who Trump was meeting with to make the determination, and whether Tehran had agreed to the conditions he laid out. His statement came after uncertainty over the status of an agreement that would extend the current truce by 60 days, during which Iran and the US would discuss the future of Tehran’s nuclear program, a person with knowledge of the matter said.
The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the negotiations are private, confirmed an earlier report from Axios. Both countries have previously hailed progress, with Trump repeatedly indicating the US was close to securing an agreement — only for the standoff to drag on.
May 29, 2026 9:41:44 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Trump Says ‘Final Determination’ on Iran Truce Is Coming Soon
US-Iran war LIVE: President Donald Trump said Friday he’s making a “final determination” on a preliminary deal to extend a ceasefire with Iran after mixed messages from both sides over when an agreement might be struck.
“I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination,” Trump said in a social media post. He reiterated previous statements that Iran “will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb” and that the Strait of Hormuz must be open and any mines destroyed or removed.
It wasn’t clear who Trump was meeting with to make the determination, and whether Tehran had agreed to the conditions he laid out. His statement came after uncertainty over the status of an agreement that would extend the current truce by 60 days, during which Iran and the US would discuss the future of Tehran’s nuclear program, a person with knowledge of the matter said.
The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the negotiations are private, confirmed an earlier report from Axios. Both countries have previously hailed progress, with Trump repeatedly indicating the US was close to securing an agreement — only for the standoff to drag on.
May 29, 2026 9:33:40 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Trump says making final decision on proposed Iran deal
US-Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump said he was making his final decision on a potential deal with Iran on Friday, as Tehran insisted any agreement on ending the Middle East war hinged on Washington dropping its “excessive demands”.
Iran’s top negotiator had said earlier Tehran would only trust Washington’s actions, not its words, after US Vice President JD Vance said progress had been made on a deal to extend a ceasefire and provide a framework for peace talks.
US sources told AFP the deal was just waiting on Trump’s sign-off following weeks of halting negotiations to end a conflict that had engulfed the Middle East and shaken the global economy.
“I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination,” Trump said in a lengthy social media post, reiterating long-held demands that Iran agree never to have nuclear weapons and open the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes.
He said Tehran would remove mines in the strait, the US would lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, and the two countries would coordinate on removing and destroying Iran’s enriched uranium, though he did not clarify whether the points had already been agreed or were part of the deal under consideration.
May 29, 2026 9:31:39 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Israeli troops push deeper into Lebanon as the two sides start military talks at the Pentagon
US-Iran war LIVE: Israeli troops entered a southern Lebanese village early Friday, pushing deeper into the country as Lebanese and Israeli military officials began direct talks at the Pentagon over the deadly conflict.
The entrance of Israel’s troops into the village of Dibbine, near the town of Marjayoun, came as Israeli airstrikes killed at least six people. Five were killed in an airstrike on the villages of Deir Qanoun al Nahr and Abbasiyeh, while a municipal policeman was killed in the village of Ebba, state media reported.
In Washington, a six-member Lebanese military delegation was meeting on Friday with Israeli military officials in the first direct military talks between the two countries in decades.
May 29, 2026 9:24:12 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Oil falls further, stocks mixed on US-Iran truce prospects
US-Iran war LIVE: Stock markets were mixed while oil prices fell again on Friday on investor optimism that the United States and Iran would reach a deal to extend their ceasefire.
Oil markets have been up and down this week as investors assess the chances of a breakthrough agreement between Washington and Tehran that could potentially resume shipping through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
Those hopes had been briefly dashed by new US military strikes on Iran Wednesday night, countered by the Revolutionary Guard’s targeting of an American airbase in the region.
But by Thursday evening, negotiators had edged towards a deal to extend their fragile ceasefire for 60 days, pending approval from President Donald Trump, US sources told AFP.
The reports sent the S&P 500 index to another record high on Thursday, and Wall Street indices gained further at the open on Friday. Europe’s main indices were mixed ahead of the weekend.
May 29, 2026 9:14:11 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran FM says deal depends on end to ‘excessive’ US demands
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi told his Omani counterpart that reaching a deal with the United States to end the Middle East war depended on Washington dropping its “excessive demands”, Tehran’s foreign ministry said Friday.
“The Iranian minister of foreign affairs… indicated that arriving at a final agreement depended on ending the American party’s attitude based on excessive demands and shifting and contradictory positions,” the ministry said in a summary of a call between the ministers. (AFP)
May 29, 2026 9:10:08 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar meets Marco Rubio
US-Iran war LIVE: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Friday amid reports of the US and Iran closing in on an agreement to end the three-month war.
Dar’s meeting with Rubio comes days after US President Donald Trump urged countries mediating the US-Iran talks to end the three-month war to join the Abraham Accords, which establish diplomatic, economic and security ties between Israel and Arab nations.
Pakistan, which has emerged as a key mediator in the West Asia conflict, does not recognise the State of Israel and has no diplomatic relations with it.
Dar, also the Deputy Prime Minister, was in New York at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to attend the UN Security Council debate on “Maintenance of International Peace and Security.”
May 29, 2026 8:47:54 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Trump puts ‘no nuclear bomb, toll-free Hormuz’ demand list for Iran peace deal
US-Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump on Thursday laid out a series of demands for Iran as Washington considers a possible peace and security agreement with Tehran amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region.
In a lengthy statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said Iran “must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb” and insisted that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened immediately for unrestricted shipping traffic without any tolls. He also called for the removal of all water mines in the strategic waterway, claiming that US forces had already detonated several such mines during blockade operations.
Trump further announced that the “unprecedented Naval Blockade” imposed by the United States would now be lifted, allowing stranded commercial ships to begin “heading home.” Referring to Iran’s enriched nuclear material, which he described as “Nuclear Dust,” Trump claimed the US would work alongside Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to recover and destroy the material buried underground after earlier B-2 bomber strikes.
“No money will be exchanged, until further notice,” Trump added, while saying other “less important” issues had already been agreed upon. He also revealed that he was heading to the Situation Room to make a “final determination” on the proposed arrangement.
May 29, 2026 8:29:37 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Trump lists demands for Iran, says ‘Open Hormuz immediately’
US-Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump on Thursday outlined a series of demands for Iran as Washington weighs a possible agreement with Tehran. In a lengthy statement, Trump said Iran “must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb” and insisted that the Strait of Hormuz be “immediately open” to unrestricted shipping with “no tolls” in either direction.
May 29, 2026 7:59:20 PM IST
US-Iran war news LIVE: Iran says no trust in US ‘words’, waiting for Washington to act
US-Iran war news LIVE: Iran’s top negotiator said Friday that Tehran would only trust Washington’s actions, not its words, after US Vice President JD Vance said progress had been made on a deal to extend a ceasefire and provide a framework for peace talks.
President Donald Trump has remained notably silent about the deal despite US sources telling AFP it only needed his sign-off, underscoring the unpredictability of talks three months after the conflict engulfed the Middle East and shook the global economy.
“We place no trust in guarantees or words; only actions matter. No step will be taken before the other side acts first,” Iran’s Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X.
The parliament speaker, who led Tehran’s delegation at peace talks with the US in Pakistan last month, also warned that Iran had gained leverage not “through talks, but through missiles” fired at US bases and allies in the region when war broke out on February 28.
May 29, 2026 7:56:30 PM IST
US-Iran war news LIVE: Oil falls further, stocks mixed on US-Iran truce prospects
US-Iran war news LIVE: Stock markets were mixed while oil prices fell again on Friday on investor optimism that the United States and Iran would reach a deal to extend their ceasefire.
Oil markets have been up and down this week as investors assess the chances of a breakthrough agreement between Washington and Tehran that could potentially resume shipping through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
Those hopes had been briefly dashed by new US military strikes on Iran Wednesday night, countered by the Revolutionary Guard’s targeting of an American airbase in the region.
But by Thursday evening, negotiators had edged towards a deal to extend their fragile ceasefire for 60 days, pending approval from President Donald Trump, US sources told AFP.
May 29, 2026 7:35:59 PM IST
US-Iran war news LIVE: Pakistan FM Ishaq Dar to meet US Secretary of State Rubio in Washington
US-Iran war news LIVE: Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is set to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.
May 29, 2026 7:32:13 PM IST
US-Iran war news LIVE: Iran expresses solidarity with Oman
US-Iran war news LIVE: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said,” In very productive call with FM @badralbusaidi, expressed Iran’s solidarity with Oman in 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 neighboring states.”
May 29, 2026 7:08:11 PM IST
US-Iran war LIVE: US forces continue blockade against Iran; 115 commercial vessels redirected
US-Iran war LIVE: The US Central Command on Thursday said,” US forces continue to enforce the blockade against Iran. As of May 29, 115 commercial vessels have been redirected to ensure no commerce enters or leaves Iranian ports.”
May 29, 2026 6:53:19 PM IST
Iran news LIVE: Vance says progress made as US-Iran deal awaits Trump green light
Iran news LIVE: US Vice President JD Vance said Washington and Tehran are close to agreeing a deal to extend their ceasefire in the Middle East war, but the potential breakthrough still hangs on President Donald Trump’s approval.
Trump remained notably silent into Friday morning, despite US sources telling AFP a deal just needed his sign-off, underscoring the volatility of talks three months after the war rattled the Middle East and the global economy.
“It’s hard to say exactly when or if the President is going to sign the MOU,” Vance told reporters on Thursday. “We’re going back and forth on a couple of language points. We’ve made a lot of progress here.”
Optimism around a possible US-Iran deal boosted Asian stock markets on Friday, while oil prices receded slightly.
Iran news LIVE: The US and Iran have reached a tentative deal to extend a ceasefire by 60 days and launch further talks on Tehran’s nuclear program, a person with knowledge of the matter said, raising hopes the three-month conflict could be nearing a resolution.
The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private negotiations, confirmed an earlier report from Axios. President Donald Trump has yet to agree to the terms. Both countries have previously hailed progress, with Trump repeatedly indicating the US was close to securing an agreement — only for the standoff to drag on.
Vice President JD Vance told reporters Thursday that the US and Iran are “going back and forth on a couple of language points,” including over issues relating to Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. He said Iran appears to be negotiating in good faith, adding that progress is being made.
May 29, 2026 6:23:53 PM IST
Iran news LIVE: Pakistan foreign minister set to discuss Iran with Rubio in Washington
Iran news LIVE: Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Washington on Friday for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that are expected to include the latest developments in negotiations on ending the Iran war.
A first round of peace talks in Pakistan concluded without a pact but Reuters cited sources as saying on Thursday that Tehran and Washington had reached an initial agreement, to extend a ceasefire announced in April and lift restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. President Donald Trump, however, is yet to approve the agreement and Iran’s Tasnim news agency reiterated on Friday that it had not been finalised, saying it had undergone changes in recent days.
May 29, 2026 6:09:55 PM IST
Iran news LIVE: Vance says progress made as US-Iran deal awaits Trump green light
Iran news LIVE: US Vice President JD Vance said Washington and Tehran are close to agreeing a deal to extend their ceasefire in the Middle East war, but the potential breakthrough still hangs on President Donald Trump’s approval.
Trump remained notably silent into Friday morning, despite US sources telling AFP a deal just needed his sign-off, underscoring the volatility of talks three months after the war rattled the Middle East and the global economy.
“It’s hard to say exactly when or if the President is going to sign the MOU,” Vance told reporters on Thursday. “We’re going back and forth on a couple of language points. We’ve made a lot of progress here.”
Optimism around a possible US-Iran deal boosted Asian stock markets on Friday, while oil prices receded slightly.
May 29, 2026 5:40:27 PM IST
Iran news LIVE: Oil prices fall as market awaits possible US-Iran ceasefire deal
Iran news LIVE: Oil futures fell nearly 2% on Friday and were on track for their steepest weekly decline since early April after reports that the U.S. and Iran had reached agreement on a potential ceasefire extension.
Brent crude futures for July, which expire today, were down $1.66, or 1.77%, at $92.05 a barrel by 1059 GMT. The more active August contract was down $1.63, or 1.76%, at $91.07. WTI U.S. oil futures were down $1.55, or 1.74%, at $87.35.
The Brent benchmark has plunged by about 11% this week for its steepest weekly decline since the week ending April 6. WTI, meanwhile, has dropped by nearly 10% for its biggest weekly loss since the week ending April 13.
“While oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain restricted and oil inventories keep falling, the market focus remains on the possibility of a deal between the U.S. and Iran,” said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.
“The price drop could be forcing some market players to close their long positions.”
May 29, 2026 5:39:39 PM IST
Iran news LIVE: Vance says progress made as US-Iran deal awaits Trump green light
Iran news LIVE: US Vice President JD Vance said Washington and Tehran are close to agreeing a deal to extend their ceasefire in the Middle East war, but the potential breakthrough still hangs on President Donald Trump’s approval.
Trump remained notably silent into Friday morning, despite US sources telling AFP a deal just needed his sign-off, underscoring the volatility of talks three months after the war rattled the Middle East and the global economy.
“It’s hard to say exactly when or if the President is going to sign the MOU,” Vance told reporters on Thursday. “We’re going back and forth on a couple of language points. We’ve made a lot of progress here.”
Optimism around a possible US-Iran deal boosted Asian stock markets on Friday, while oil prices receded slightly.
May 29, 2026 4:47:38 PM IST
Iran news LIVE: Oil prices fall as market awaits possible US-Iran ceasefire deal
Iran news LIVE: Oil futures fell nearly 2% on Friday and were on track for their steepest weekly decline since early April after reports that the U.S. and Iran had reached agreement on a potential ceasefire extension.
Brent crude futures for July, which expire today, were down $1.66, or 1.77%, at $92.05 a barrel by 1059 GMT. The more active August contract was down $1.63, or 1.76%, at $91.07. WTI U.S. oil futures were down $1.55, or 1.74%, at $87.35.
The Brent benchmark has plunged by about 11% this week for its steepest weekly decline since the week ending April 6. WTI, meanwhile, has dropped by nearly 10% for its biggest weekly loss since the week ending April 13.
“While oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain restricted and oil inventories keep falling, the market focus remains on the possibility of a deal between the U.S. and Iran,” said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.
“The price drop could be forcing some market players to close their long positions.”
