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
- US military strikes southern Iran targeting missile sites and boats “laying mines” in “self-defense”
- Explosions reported in Bandar Abbas with Iranian state media saying situation under control
- Trump proposes transferring Iran's uranium to the US or destroying it domestically under international monitoring.
- Trump conditions Iran peace deal on Saudi Arabia and Qatar normalizing relations with Israel
- Iran restores internet access suspended since February attacks began.
- Hezbollah claims drone attacks on Israel while Netanyahu escalates strikes in Lebanon
Rubio says Iran deal still possible within days despite US strikes
Published: May 26, 2026 | 2:21 GMT | by AFP
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that a deal with Iran was still possible despite new American strikes that cast doubt on their fragile ceasefire.
"There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we'll see if we can make progress. I think it's a lot of talking back and forth going on about specific language in the initial document, so it'll take a few days," Rubio told reporters in Jaipur during an official visit to India.
"The president's expressed his desire to make it. He's either going to make a good deal or no deal," he said.
WTI crude price falls over 5% despite new US strikes on Iran
Published: May 26, 2026 | 00:52 GMT | by AFP
The price of the main US benchmark for oil fell more than 5% on Tuesday, despite US forces launching new strikes on Iran.
Around 00:30 GMT, the price of West Texas Intermediate was down 5.46% at $91.33 a barrel.
However, North Sea Brent crude was up 1.6% at $97.68 a barrel.
Oil prices plunged below $100 on Monday as investors raised expectations of a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, following signs that Washington and Tehran were edging closer to a deal.
US CENTCOM strikes Iran as Trump urges Qatar and Saudi Arabia join Abraham Accords
Published: May 26, 2026 | 00:48 GMT | by Web Desk
The United States military struck southern Iran while President Donald Trump set new conditions on the ongoing peace negotiations, urging Qatar and Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel as a prerequisite for ending the conflict.
The US Central Command said it targeted “missile launch sites” and Iranian “boats laying mines,” characterizing the action as “self-defense” during an ongoing ceasefire, according to The Guardian.
Explosions were also reported in the port city of Bandar Abbas, with the Iranian state news agency Mehr stating the situation remained under control.
The US President also laid out a nuclear disposal framework in a Truth Social post, proposing Iran's enriched uranium be transferred to the United States for destruction or destroyed domestically under international oversight.
Canada's Carney calls treatment of Gaza flotilla activists 'unacceptable'
Published: May 26, 2026 | 00:44 GMT | by AFP
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday denounced the "appalling treatment" of activists aboard the Gaza-bound aid flotilla as "unacceptable," in a call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, according to a statement.
Last week, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sparked widespread condemnation and a diplomatic backlash by posting a video mocking the activists after they were seized in international waters by Israeli soldiers.
In the video dozens of activists, including 12 Canadian citizens, were forced to kneel with their foreheads to the ground and their hands tied.
In the call, Carney called for an independent investigation and "strongly condemned" remarks by Ben Gvir, according to the statement.
Last week, Canada said it was summoning the Israeli ambassador over the incident.
