Trump signals major Iran deal progress amid regional mistrust concerns
By Al Jazeera, May 24, 2026US President Donald Trump said a memorandum of understanding with Iran has been “largely negotiated” and would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a framework still subject to finalisation.
He said the proposed deal follows discussions with Israel and regional allies, adding that the “Strait of Hormuz will be opened” as part of efforts to ease global energy pressures.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also noted that “significant progress” had been made, while maintaining that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is mediating the talks, said the next round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran will take place “very soon,” while Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described “meaningful progress” that could lead to a durable outcome.
Iran disputes claims as framework talks continue
Iran’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged “a trend towards rapprochement” with Washington but said it does not guarantee agreement on key issues.
Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the intention is to first draft a memorandum of understanding as a framework agreement, with detailed negotiations expected within 30 to 60 days. Iranian media reported that the naval blockade should be lifted within 30 days under the draft proposal, along with a partial release of frozen funds.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said no final decision will be made without approval from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Iran also pushed back against Trump’s claims, with Fars News Agency calling them “inconsistent with reality,” saying Tehran would retain control over the Strait under the draft terms.
Regional tensions persist amid parallel conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza
In Lebanon, the Civil Defence reported the destruction of a regional facility in Nabatieh following an Israeli strike, while an Israeli soldier was killed near the border, bringing total military deaths in the conflict with Hezbollah to 22 since March 2.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem received a message via Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicating that ceasefire proposals include demands to extend any broader deal to Lebanon. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health said Israeli strikes have killed 3,123 people since March 2.
In Gaza, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reported that an Israeli air strike killed three members of a Palestinian family, including a one-year-old child. At the same time, British and Irish activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla returned to London and Dublin after being deported following their detention in international waters.