Pedestrians are pictured in front of an electronic quotation boards displaying the Nikkei Stock Average on the Tokyo Stock Exchange along a street in Tokyo on May 22, 2026. (AFP)
This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.
Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments
Oil prices fall over 5% on hopes for Iran deal
Published: May 24, 2026 | 23:32 GMT | by AFP
Oil prices plunged more than 5% in Asian early trading on Monday as hopes of a US-Iran deal to end the Middle East war rose despite comments from President Donald Trump downplaying its imminence.
As of around 2300 GMT on Sunday, the price of North Sea Brent crude slipped 5.1% to $98.22 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate fell 5.2% to $91.57 a barrel.
Trump tempered expectations of an agreement to end the war, saying in a Sunday social media post that he had "informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side".
The United States and Iran have observed a ceasefire since April 8 while mediators push for a negotiated settlement.
Trump tempers expectations of a Middle East deal with Iran
Published: May 24, 2026 | 22:45 GMT | by AFP
US President Donald Trump tempered expectations of a Middle East deal by saying on Sunday he had told his negotiators not to "rush," even after both Tehran and Washington signaled progress towards an agreement to end the war.
The United States and Iran have observed a ceasefire since April 8 while mediators push for a negotiated settlement.
"I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side," Trump said in a social media post Sunday. "The Blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified and signed," he added.
Deadly Israeli strikes pound south, east Lebanon
Published: May 24, 2026 | 20:04 GMT | by AFP
Israeli strikes pounded south and east Lebanon Sunday despite a fragile ceasefire in place.
Lebanon's health ministry raised the overall toll in the war since March 2 to 3,123 killed.
Lebanon says Israeli strikes kill 2 including paramedic
Published: May 24, 2026 | 18:28 GMT | by AFP
Lebanon's health ministry said two people including a paramedic were killed Sunday in Israeli strikes on the south that also wounded six other rescuers.
"Successive Israeli enemy strikes on the town of Arab Salim in the Nabatieh district killed two people including a paramedic from the Health Committee and wounded 10, including two Committee paramedics and four others from the Risala association," a ministry statement said, condemning an "ongoing series of attacks on the health and emergency sector in south Lebanon".
Trump says he won't 'rush into a deal with Iran'
Published: May 24, 2026 | 14:17 GMT | by Web Desk
US President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran “are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner," in a post on his Truth Social platform
“I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal that time is on our side,” he added.
He further mentioned that the naval blockade will continue to "remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed."
Iran does not seek nuclear weapons: President
Published: May 24, 2026 | 12:07 GMT | by Web Desk
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Tehran is willing to assure the world that it was not seeking nuclear weapons, according to state broadcaster IRNA.
“Prior to the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s late Leader, we declared—and we reiterate now—that we are ready to assure the world we do not seek nuclear weapons," he said.
He further stated that Iran does not desire regional instability, rather "it is the Israeli regime, envisioning a 'Greater Israel,' that seeks to destabilize the region."
EU chief hails progress toward US-Iran agreement
Published: May 24, 2026 | 10:51 GMT | by Web Desk
European Union (EU) chief Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday welcomed "progress towards an agreement between the US and Iran" to end the Middle East war, as American officials said a deal could be announced soon.
"We need a deal that truly de-escalates the conflict, reopens the Strait of Hormuz and guarantees toll free full freedom of navigation. Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon," the European Commission president posted online.
Joint call acknowledged Pakistan-led mediation efforts, Qatar's endeavors: Saudi Arabia
Published: May 24, 2026 | 10:33 GMT | by Web Desk
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s phone call with Trump and other regional leaders through a post on X on Saturday.
“During the call, the leaders reviewed the latest regional developments, expressing deep appreciation for President Trump’s leadership and his commitment to consultation and coordination with regional leaders,” the statement said.
It further said that the leaders "also acknowledged the mediation efforts led by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the endeavors of the State of Qatar, which are aimed at reaching an agreement to halt escalation and bolster regional security and stability”.
Iranian FM holds phone calls with Saudi, Qatari and Egyptian counterparts
Published: May 24, 2026 | 10:12 GMT | by Web Desk
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate phone calls with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt to discuss ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the US-Israeli war on Iran, according to Iranian Tasnim News Agency.
One person killed, two injured in Israeli attack on Lebanon
Published: May 24, 2026 | 10:01 GMT | by Web Desk
At least one person was killed and two people were injured in an Israeli attack on the municipality of Bazouriyeh in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported, quoting Lebanese state-run National News Agency (NNA).
Moreover, an overnight Israeli air strike targeted a house in the town of Toura, Tyre district, resulting in one death and two injuries, according to NNA.
Welcome progress toward agreement between US and Iran, says Starmer
Published: May 24, 2026 | 08:50 GMT | by Web Desk
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has welcomed the progress towards an agreement between the US and Iran.
In a post on X on Saturday, Starmer said, "I welcome the progress towards an agreement between the US and Iran."
The prime minister said, "We need to see an agreement that brings the conflict to an end and reopens the Strait of Hormuz, with unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation."
"It’s vital that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon," he said.
"We will work with our international partners to seize this moment and achieve a long-term diplomatic settlement," Starmer said in his social media post.
Rubio says announcement possible later Sunday on Iran war
Published: May 24, 2026 | 07:13 GMT | by AFP
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said an announcement was possible later Sunday on a deal with Iran.
"I do think perhaps there is the possibility that in the next few hours the world will get some good news," Rubio told reporters in New Delhi.
Malaysian PM urges reaching 'inclusive framework agreement' to consolidate ceasefire
Published: May 24, 2026 | 07:13 GMT | by Web Desk
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged "all parties to come to an inclusive framework agreement that consolidates the current ceasefire, ensures safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and addresses the legitimate security interests of all nations in the region."
In a post on Sunday, he stated, "I have received encouraging indications from leaders in West Asia that negotiations towards a framework agreement between the United States and Iran, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, are proceeding on a progressive trajectory."
"Malaysia notes the constructive roles played by Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the UAE in facilitating this process," Ibrahim stated in his social media post.
Gaza hospital says child among three killed in Israeli strike
Published: May 24, 2026 | 07:01 GMT | by AFP
A pre-dawn Israeli airstrike killed three members of a Palestinian family, including a one-year-old child, in central Gaza on Sunday, a hospital said.
Gaza remains gripped with daily violence despite a formal ceasefire in place since October.
Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir el-Balah said it had received the bodies of a couple and their infant after an Israeli strike hit a residential apartment in the Al-Nuseirat camp before dawn.
The hospital said around 10 people were wounded.
Türkiye 'always favours' dialogue, Erdogan tells Trump's joint call
Published: May 24, 2026 | 06:40 GMT | by Web Desk
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in his call with US President Donald Trump and other regional leaders, has said Türkiye always favors the “resolution of problems through dialogue and diplomacy”, his office said in a post on X on Sunday.
“Stressing that Türkiye stands ready to provide every kind of support during the implementation phase of a potential agreement with Iran, President Erdoğan highlighted Türkiye’s efforts aimed at making peace prevail across the region,” the statement read.
The Turkish president said, “expressed his belief that appropriate solutions could be found over the course of the process to the issues that look contentious within the context of Iran, including the nuclear issue”.
Trump's call with regional leaders 'significant step' toward peace, says Pakistan FM
Published: May 24, 2026 | 05:51 GMT | by Web Desk
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that US President Donald Trump's call with regional leaders "marks a significant step closer toward the shared objective of regional peace."
In a post on X on Sunday, he said, "Pakistan committed to efforts for lasting peace FM says Today’s important telephone call led by President Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump with the leaders of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, and Jordan marks a significant step closer toward the shared objective of regional peace, stability, and an early diplomatic outcome, InshaAllah."
"Pakistan remains firmly committed to supporting all sincere efforts aimed at lasting peace, mutual respect, and regional stability," he added.
Lebanon civil defense says Israeli strike destroys its Nabatieh facility
Published: May 24, 2026 | 2:03 GMT | by AFP
Lebanon's civil defense agency said early on Sunday its regional facility in the southern city of Nabatieh had been destroyed by an Israeli strike.
The Directorate General of Civil Defense said the building had collapsed and a large number of vehicles and equipment had been damaged by a "direct hit in a hostile Israeli strike".
It added there were no reports of casualties among its personnel, who had been moved to another location before the incident.
The civil defense agency condemned "this attack on a center dedicated to humanitarian and relief work", stressing that it was facing "growing risks and challenges" in carrying out its operations.
Israeli strikes in Lebanon have continued despite a truce that came into effect on April 17. Lebanon's health ministry has recorded the deaths of 123 rescuers and health workers in airstrikes since the country was attacked by Israel on March 2.
US, Iran signal peace deal progress as Pakistan hopes to host talks 'soon'
Published: May 24, 2026 | 2:12 GMT | by Web Desk
Pakistan said Sunday it hopes to host the next round of multilateral peace talks soon, as the United States and Iran signaled progress toward finalizing a peace deal.
US President Donald Trump said a draft agreement between Washington, Tehran and “various other countries” had been “largely negotiated” but remained “subject to finalization.”
“An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran was working to finalize a memorandum of understanding with the United States aimed at ending war “on all fronts,” according to the country's state news agency IRNA.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad hoped to host the next round of multilateral peace talks “very soon” following months of diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran.
Iran FM holds calls with Egyptian, Qatari counterparts on diplomacy
Published: May 24, 2026 | 1:24 GMT | by Web Desk
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate phone calls with his Egyptian and Qatari counterparts on Saturday, the country’s state news agency reported.
According to IRNA, Araghchi spoke with Qatar’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty amid ongoing regional tensions. The Iranian FM discussed diplomatic efforts to prevent escalation and end the on-going Middle East War.
Trump says Iran agreement ‘largely negotiated’, awaiting finalization
Published: May 23, 2026 | 20:46 GMT | by AFP
US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Iran and the US had "largely negotiated" a deal that included opening the Strait of Hormuz, but the draft was "subject to finalization."
"An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries," Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to multiple Middle East nations. "In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened."
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