Last UpdateMay 31, 2026, 10:00 PM EDT
War Secretary Pete Hegseth says the U.S. military is “more than capable” of resuming strikes on Iran if peace talks collapse, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders an expanded military offensive in Lebanon.
Covered by: Anders Hagstrom and Emma Bussey
WHAT TO KNOW
- President Donald Trump has yet to announce a “final determination” on the proposed Iran peace agreement as of Sunday.
- Trump said on Friday that he would make a decision after a Situation Room meeting this weekend, but that meeting ended with no announcement.
- The U.S. military disabled a Gambian-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday as part of Trump’s blockade on Iranian ports, U.S. CENTCOM says.
- Israel continues to drive deeper into Lebanon in its efforts to weed out Hezbollah despite a supposed ceasefire with the nation.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly submitted a letter of resignation to the Office of the Supreme Leader.
- French President Emmanuel Macron urged Washington and Tehran to reach an agreement as soon as possible.
- Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that talks with the United States were ongoing but added that any deal could not be judged before a definitive outcome is reached.
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BREAKING NEWS14 hours ago
PINNED
Pezeshkian reportedly submits resignation letter to Supreme Leader’s office: source
Pezeshkian / IRIB/WANA / West Asia News Agency / Handout via Reuters
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has submitted a letter of resignation to the Office of the Supreme Leader, according to reports.
Citing a source, Iran International reported Sunday that the letter stated the president and his government had been excluded from major decision-making in Iran.
The report also said the ensuing vacuum had allowed hard-line factions within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to take control of key affairs.
In the letter, Pezeshkian reportedly wrote that, under such circumstances, he is unable to govern effectively or fulfill his legal responsibilities and, for that reason, requested to step down immediately.
The outlet said it was unclear whether Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s office would accept Pezeshkian’s resignation.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump described Iranian officials as “very tough negotiators” and emphasized that the United States is taking a patient approach to securing a broader agreement during an interview with Lara Trump.
In April, Trump also said the regime was “seriously fractured,” citing the country’s internal divisions as one reason for extending the ceasefire indefinitely one day before the previous agreement was set to expire.
Posted by Emma Bussey
9 hours ago
CENTCOM shares images of airmen servicing F-16 fighter jet at Middle East base
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday showcased its teams working on an F-16 fighter jet at a base while forces are stationed throughout the region.
“Airmen deployed with U.S. Air Forces Central perform maintenance on an F-16 fighter jet at a base in the Middle East.” CENTCOM said in a post shared on X.
Posted by Emma Bussey
10 hours ago
Trump roasts CNN over Iran deal coverage
President Trump / Francis Chung / Politico / Bloomberg via Getty Images
President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his Iran deal against criticism from CNN, arguing that it explicitly bars Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and accusing the network of falsely claiming otherwise.
“Fake News CNN said today, routinely, that my Iran Nuclear Deal doesn’t talk about nuclear weapons, when actually it states, very clearly, that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said in a post shared on Truth Social.
“It then goes on, in very strong and lengthy detail, to discuss various other aspects of nuclear matters,” he added.
“In fact, that’s what most of the agreement is about,” Trump said before stating that “CNN, and so many others in the Fake News Media, is a Low Ratings disaster. Even with new ownership, it is unlikely to ever get better!!!”
Posted by Emma Bussey
10 hours ago
Oil prices jump more than 2% as Israel increases operations in Lebanon: report
Oil prices gained more than 2% in early trading Monday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered troops to move further into Lebanon to degrade Hezbollah.
This also came amid Israeli efforts to get Washington to back strikes against the terror group in Beirut, Israel’s Channel 12 reported Sunday.
U.S. crude futures rose $2.37, or 2.71%, to $89.73 a barrel as of 10:17 GMT. Brent futures rose $2.07, or 2.27%, to $93.19 a barrel, Reuters reported.
Brent and U.S. crude had previously fallen 1.8% and 1.7%, amid expectations that the United States and Iran would reach an agreement to end the war.
Posted by Emma Bussey
11 hours ago
Kazakhstan open to storing Iran’s enriched uranium if US-Tehran nuclear deal reached: report
Grossi / Albert Otti / picture alliance via Getty Images
Kazakhstan has indicated it is open to taking Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium if Washington and Tehran reach a nuclear agreement, according to U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi.
Grossi told the Financial Times that Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev showed willingness to take the material during talks in Astana.
He also told the outlet that because the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has a “bank” for low-enriched uranium in Kazakhstan, the country has a “place where this could be stored safely.”
Iran’s enriched uranium is a key issue in talks between the U.S. and Iran, with President Donald Trump calling for the stockpile to be removed.
The enriched uranium is thought to be buried underneath Iran’s main nuclear sites that were struck in 2025
Posted by Emma Bussey
11 hours ago
UK Foreign Minister urges Israel, Hezbollah respect ceasefire, says terror group must ‘end attacks’
U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called on Israel and Hezbollah to respect the ceasefire in Lebanon on Sunday amid an escalation in fighting.
“Israel’s military escalation in Lebanon has killed and displaced civilians, destroyed infrastructure, and eroded space for diplomacy. It must end,” Cooper said in a post shared on X.
“Hezbollah must end attacks on Israel and disarm,” she added before stating that all sides must “respect the ceasefire and engage in negotiations in good faith.”
Posted by Emma Bussey
12 hours ago
Graham says he has ‘confidence’ Trump will not agree to a bad deal with Iran
Lindsey Graham / Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images
Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday he spoke with President Donald Trump and supports an Iran deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and start talks to end its nuclear program and backing of terrorist groups.
“In a recent conversation with President Trump, I affirmed my support for a deal with Iran that accepts President Trump’s demand to open up the Strait of Hormuz and start negotiations about forever ending their nuclear ambitions and support for terrorism,” Graham said in a post shared on X.
“I have confidence that at the end of the day, President Trump will not agree to a bad deal with Iran.”
Graham also said the U.S. “must allow Israel to neutralize the threats the country faces from constant Hezbollah attacks emanating from Lebanon.”
“There are parts of Israel that are uninhabitable because of Hezbollah missile and rocket fire,” he added.
Graham said it would be unconscionable to ask Israel to accept a ceasefire with Hezbollah given Hezbollah’s “stated desire to destroy Israel and their constant attacks.”
“Any ceasefire with Hezbollah would allow them to re-arm and become stronger,” he added.
Any deal with Iran that restricts Israel’s ability to fight back against Hamas and Hezbollah would be unwise, he said.
Posted by Emma Bussey
13 hours ago
Israel says more than 900 Hezbollah terrorists killed since Lebanon ceasefire began
More than 900 Hezbollah terrorists have been killed since the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Sunday in a post on X, as Israeli troops seized the strategic Beaufort Castle after days of airstrikes and clashes.
“The Israeli army attacked the infrastructure of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in Tyre and other areas in southern Lebanon from the early hours of this morning,” the military said.
“Parallel to the deepening of our forces’ activities in the Beaufort mountain range, the Israeli army attacked weapon depots, command headquarters and additional infrastructure of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the Tyre area and other regions of southern Lebanon starting this morning,” the IDF added.
The military also said the targeted facilities were used by Hezbollah to “advance and execute terrorist plans against the forces of the Israeli army.”
Posted by Emma Bussey
15 hours ago
Macron urges Washington, Tehran to reach quick deal after meeting with Gulf, Arab leaders
Macron / ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images
French President Emmanuel Macron urged Washington and Tehran to reach an agreement as soon as possible on Sunday after meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.
“It is essential that an agreement between the United States and Iran be reached quickly,” Macron said in a post on X, urging leaders to seize the opportunity.
“The priority must be the conclusion of a ceasefire and the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, without any conditions and in accordance with international law,” Macron added.
“Discussions will then need to continue to achieve a comprehensive and robust agreement on the other issues, particularly on the nuclear and ballistic programs, and regional stability.”
Macron also said that France stands ready to play “its full part, by helping to resume maritime traffic through the independent multinational mission established with the United Kingdom, by supporting nuclear discussions with its expertise and capabilities, and by contributing to the necessary establishment of a regional security framework, alongside the partners whose protection it has helped ensure in recent months.”
The French president said stability in the Middle East must start with Lebanon and called for an end to military strikes.
“Nothing justifies the major escalation currently underway in southern Lebanon,” Macron said.
Posted by Emma Bussey
15 hours ago
Araghchi says nuclear talks with US shouldn’t be judged until ‘clear result’ reached
Abbas Araghchi / Shadati / Xinhua via Getty Images
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that talks with the United States were ongoing but emphasized that any deal could not be judged before a definitive outcome is reached.
“We should not give importance to speculation, and we cannot judge the talks until we get to a clear result,” Araghchi said, according to Reuters.
Araghchi’s remarks came as President Donald Trump said on “My View with Lara Trump” that if Washington does not get what it wants from Tehran, the United States will either reach a good deal or “finish the job” militarily.
Trump added that if negotiations fail, “we’ll end it a different way” and that it will happen “slowly but surely.”
Posted by Emma Bussey
16 hours ago
US forces have redirected or disabled over 120 ships amid Iran blockade: CENTCOM
U.S. Central Command says American forces have redirected or outright disabled over 120 vessels as part of its blockade on Iranian ports Sunday.
CENTCOM made the announcement in a post on X showing U.S. forces landing a helicopter on a U.S. Navy ship near the Strait of Hormuz.
“U.S. Sailors guide an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter as it lands on the flight deck of USS Milius (DDG 69) during flight operations, May 29. Milius is supporting the U.S. blockade against Iran, which has redirected 118 commercial vessels and disabled 5 as of May 31,” CENTCOM wrote.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
17 hours ago
Trump expands Turkey ambassador’s diplomatic role, adding Iraq, Syria amid Middle East tensions
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack is getting expanded duties from President Donald Trump to serve as special envoy to Syria and Iraq as the administration tries to forge lasting peace in the Middle East.
Syria, a longtime Iranian terrorist proxy battleground, has moved to make peace with the Trump administration and Israel in recent years. It has largely been moved in that direction with the guidance of Turkey, the northern neighbor of Iraq and Syria.
The announcement came as Washington remains locked in high-stakes negotiations with Iran and as Tehran’s Revolutionary Guards launched new attacks on separatist groups in northern Iraq, according to Reuters.
Barrack’s expanded assignment places him at the center of several overlapping pressure points in the region: the future of U.S. engagement with Syria, the stability of Iraq, Turkey’s role as a regional power broker and the broader fallout from the U.S.-Iran conflict.
The move also follows earlier reporting that Barrack had already been playing a major role in Syria policy, including discussions involving Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the administration’s approach to Damascus.
Trump’s announcement landed during a tense weekend for U.S. diplomacy. The president has not announced a final decision on a proposed Iran agreement, and recent reports said he requested changes to a draft deal negotiated by his envoys, including tougher provisions related to Iran’s nuclear materials.
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Eric Mack.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
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