US, Iran made 'a lot of progress' towards deal: Vance

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

• Lebanon warns Israeli strikes put heritage sites in 'serious danger'
• Iran strongly condemns US officials' 'threatening rhetoric' against Oman 
• Pakistan FM arrives in Washington to discuss regional matters with Marco Rubio: FO
• Iranian president thanks Pakistan for its 'initiative and effective efforts'
• US secretary of defense encourages US Marines on Iran war

Lebanese, Israeli officers to meet in Washington as Israel pursues strikes

Published: May 28, 2026 | 10:01 GMT | by AFP

Lebanese and Israeli military delegations were to hold security talks at the Pentagon on Friday, during which Beirut will demand Israel halt its attacks, which have intensified in recent days.

A Lebanese military source told AFP the delegation will "emphasise the need for a ceasefire, and will present the army's plan for a state weapons monopoly and the extension of state authority across the country."

Israeli strike kills police officer in southern Lebanon 

Published: May 28, 2026 | 10:01 GMT | by Web Desk

A police officer was killed in an Israeli drone strike in the town of Aabba in the Nabatieh governorate, Al Jazeera reported, quoting Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).

Separately, the NNA reported that rescue teams recovered the bodies of two individuals who were killed in an overnight Israeli strike targeting a home in the town of Tayr Debba.

Lebanon warns Israeli strikes put heritage sites in 'serious danger'

Published: May 28, 2026 | 09:25 GMT | by AFP

Lebanon's culture minister told AFP on Friday that Israeli strikes on the country's south are putting heritage sites, including in the ancient city of Tyre, in "serious danger".

"Bombings fell very close to the ruins of Tyre," a UNESCO World Heritage site, Ghassan Salame said, adding that the medieval Beaufort castle overlooking Nabatieh was "directly hit".

Iran strongly condemns US officials' 'threatening rhetoric' against Oman 

Published: May 28, 2026 | 08:31 GMT | by Web Desk

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has strongly condemned the "threatening rhetoric" by US officials against Oman, according to Iranian Tasnim News Agency.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson termed the rhetoric "an attempt to blackmail an independent UN member state."

Pakistan FM arrives in Washington to discuss regional matters with Marco Rubio: FO

Published: May 28, 2026 | 07:59 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Washington DC to discuss matters of bilateral and regional significance with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said a post shared by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.

The post stated, "Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 arrived in Washington, D.C. on an official visit."

"Upon his arrival, he was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, along with senior officials of the Embassy of Pakistan," it said.

"During the visit, DPM/FM will meet with U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio to discuss matters of bilateral and regional significance," the post added.

"Following the conclusion of his official engagements, he will return to Islamabad later the same day," the social media post concluded.

Iranian president thanks Pakistan for its 'initiative and effective efforts'

Published: May 28, 2026 | 07:19 GMT | by Web Desk

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has thanked Pakistan for its initiative and effective efforts, according to a post he shared on X on Friday in Persian language.

Pezeshkian, said in his post: "In my conversations with the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Pakistan to congratulate them on Eid al-Adha, while emphasizing Iran's commitment to diplomacy, I thanked Malaysia for its humanitarian stance and Pakistan for its initiative and effective efforts to reach an agreement. Iran's policy is to expand cooperation with Muslim and neighboring countries in all fields."

US secretary of defense encourages US Marines on Iran war

Published: May 28, 2026 | 06:20 GMT | by Web Desk

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Iran can either reach a deal with the Trump administration “the right way” or “deal with” the US military.

Hegseth was seen encouraging US Marines in a video posted on X on Friday by Rapid Response Account of the Department of War.

Pakistan FM, envoys from Islamic and European countries discuss Mideast situation

Published: May 28, 2026 | 05:59 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, ambassadors and representatives of Islamic and European countries had a "productive exchange of views" on the evolving situation in the Middle East. 

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar in a post on X on Friday, stated: "Grateful to the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, @MIshaqDar50, for joining Permanent Representatives and Ambassadors from Islamic and European countries at the dinner I had the pleasure of hosting at the Pakistan Residence."

He said, "The evening featured a productive exchange of views on the evolving situation in the Middle East, with particular focus on Palestine and the ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability, and dialogue across the wider region."

US Central Command denies aircraft downed in Iran

Published: May 28, 2026 | 23:33 GMT | by Web Desk

US Central Command (CENTCOM) has denied reports circulating in Iranian media that a US aircraft was shot down in the country.

“No U.S. aircraft were shot down. All U.S. air assets are accounted for,” it said in a post on its official X account.

US, Iran made 'a lot of progress' towards deal: Vance

Published: May 28, 2026 | 22:15 GMT | by AFP

The United States and Iran have made good progress towards a ceasefire extension deal but President Donald Trump is not yet ready to approve it, US Vice President JD Vance said Thursday.

"We're going back and forth on a couple of language points. We've made a lot of progress here," Vance told reporters.

"Hopefully, we'll continue to make progress and the president will be in a position where he can endorse the agreement, but obviously that's still TBD (to be determined)," he added.

Read our May 28 live blog for earlier developments here.