Qatar rejects claims Iran was offered payment for deal Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari has rejected reports suggesting Iran was offered a payment to secure an agreement to end the war, describing the claims as rumours spread by parties seeking to derail diplomatic efforts. In a post on X, al-Ansari said the allegations were being circulated by actors attempting to “sabotage the deal” and undermine ongoing efforts to reduce tensions in the region. He added that Qatar’s diplomatic role, carried out in coordination with regional partners, is well established and publicly documented.
Fifa confirms Iran World Cup base camp in Mexico instead of US The international football governing body, Fifa, has confirmed that Iran’s national team will be based in the Mexican border city of Tijuana during the upcoming World Cup rather than in Arizona in the United States. In its final list of team base camps, Fifa identified the Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana as Iran’s training location. The confirmation follows remarks by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who said Mexico had agreed to host the Iranian team after the United States declined to do so.
Iranian security official calls for unity 'against US and Zionist enemies' Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolqadr called for national unity and cohesion, saying the country’s military, diplomatic efforts and public mobilisation had demonstrated resilience in the face of external pressure. In a statement, Zolqadr said preserving unity was as important as achievements on the battlefield and in diplomacy. He urged Iranians to avoid words or actions that could undermine national cohesion, describing solidarity as “another field of struggle” and arguing that collective efforts would help the country overcome challenges and achieve what he called a final victory.
Trump says Iran uranium must be handed over or destroyed in deal US President Donald Trump has said Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile must either be transferred to the United States or eliminated under international supervision as part of any agreement. In a post on Truth Social, Trump outlined his conditions for handling Iran’s nuclear material. “The Enriched Uranium (Nuclear Dust!
Trump calls for 'mandatory' adherence to Abraham Accords in Iran ceasefire talks US President Donald Trump on Monday threw a new wrench into any deal to end the war on Iran , saying that Saudi Arabia and other Muslim-majority nations must normalise ties with Israel as part of efforts to reach a deal. The remarks took a US diplomat and an Arab diplomat by surprise. Both said that it was unlikely there would be any movement on normalisation.
Trump calls for 'mandatory' adherence to Abraham Accords in Iran ceasefire talks Submitted by Sean Mathews on Mon, 05/25/2026 - 21:26 An Arab diplomat told MEE that Trump appeared to be trying to find a 'lubricant' in the Iran ceasefire deal for Israel US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on 25 May 2026 (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/AFP) Off US President Donald Trump on Monday threw a new wrench into any deal to end the war on Iran , saying that Saudi Arabia and other Muslim-majority nations must normalise ties with Israel as part of efforts to reach a deal. The remarks took a US diplomat and an Arab diplomat by surprise. Both said that it was unlikely there would be any movement on normalisation.
Iran-US deal nears as talks advance on frozen assets A source familiar with negotiations between a senior Iranian delegation and officials in Doha says Qatari mediation has helped bridge gaps with Washington over Iran’s frozen financial assets, Al Jazeera reported. The source said progress on the issue, a key demand for Tehran, has increased the chances of a breakthrough agreement. They added there is now a strong possibility that a deal between the United States and Iran could be announced as soon as tomorrow.
Saudi Arabia says only ‘irreversible pathway’ to Palestinian state enables normalisation with Israel Saudi Arabia’s position on Palestine remains unchanged, with a Saudi source saying any regional deal must include a clear path towards statehood. Speaking to Al Arabiya English, the source said “there needs to be an irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state”. The remarks come as US President Donald Trump told Muslim-majority countries to normalise ties with Israel in exchange for ending the war with Iran.
Mexico to host Iran team after US refusal ahead of World Cup Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her government has agreed to host Iran’s national football team during the upcoming World Cup after the United States refused to accommodate the squad. Speaking at her daily news conference, Sheinbaum said Fifa approached Mexico following Washington’s decision not to allow the Iranian team to stay in the US throughout the tournament, despite their group matches being scheduled there. “We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico,” she said.
US and Israel 'actively working' to strip Jordan of Al-Aqsa custodianship, sources say Submitted by Faisal Edroos on Mon, 05/25/2026 - 09:45 The plan has sparked fears that regional and international actors are seeking to sideline Jordan's role in Jerusalem in favour of a new arrangement closely aligned with Israeli interests This aerial image taken on 22 March 2023 shows the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque on the compound in Jerusalem's Old City (Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters) On The US and Israel are "actively working" to strip Jordan of its historic custodianship of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, and are pursuing a new arrangement that would see the management of the revered Muslim site closely align with Israeli interests, multiple sources have told Middle East Eye. US, Jordanian and Palestinian officials, as well as western and Gulf Arab sources, told MEE that under the plan, championed by President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and the US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, the authority of the Jordanian-backed Islamic Waqf would abruptly end and a new body created by the Israeli government would declare the Al-Aqsa Mosque a "multi-faith centre". According to the officials, all of whom requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, the "new arrangement" would grant Jews "equal access" to the Muslim site and formally allow large-group Jewish prayer.
What we know so far about the US-Iran deal Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 05/25/2026 - 15:34 Agreement would begin with 60-day ceasefire, during which Strait of Hormuz would open again US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media after returning to the White House in Washington on 15 May 2026 (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images via AFP) Off US President Donald Trump has indicated that a potential deal between the US and Iran is “largely negotiated”. If agreed, it could bring to an end a regional conflict which has lasted almost three months. Markets were upbeat about the prospect of a deal on Monday morning, with Brent crude oil prices dropping nearly 6 percent to $97 a barrel.
Trump demands countries to normalise ties with Israel as part of Iran deal US President Donald Trump has urged several Muslim-majority countries to normalise relations with Israel as part of an Iran peace deal. In a social media post, Trump listed countries whose leaders he spoke with on Saturday about efforts to end the war on Iran. "After all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords.
'Failure': Israel reacts with alarm as emerging US-Iran deal draws criticism Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Mon, 05/25/2026 - 12:45 Israeli analysts and hawkish US politicians say proposed agreement falls far short of war aims and signals weakening Israeli influence in Washington A woman reacts as people gather at the Tel Aviv 360, a giant beachfront stage in Tel Aviv on 16 May 2026, to watch the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 (Jack Guez/AFP) Off The emerging agreement between the United States and Iran to permanently end the war has been met with scepticism and growing alarm in Israel . Reports over the weekend said the deal centres on a memorandum of understanding establishing a preliminary 60-day ceasefire, which reportedly does not address Iran’s nuclear programme. The initial framework is also said to include ending wars “on all fronts”, including Lebanon.
Huckabee tells Lebanese being bombed to thank Israel for seedless watermelons Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 05/25/2026 - 09:34 The US ambassador to Israel has previously said Israel has the right to take over ‘all' of the Middle East Mike Huckabee visits the Israeli-occupied Palestinian village of Taybeh in the West Bank in July 2025 (AFP) Off Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel and a passionate advocate of its wars in the region, has told the people of Lebanon to be grateful for Israeli contributions to its society. Video of Huckabee speaking at the Atlas Awards in Tel Aviv on 12 May is being shared online after it was picked up by Chris Menahan of the news site Information Liberation. In the speech, Huckabee extolls the various purported Israeli contributions to society, including USB drives, cherry tomatoes and seedless watermelons.
Iran downplays prospect of imminent US agreement Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that Tehran and Washington have reached conclusions on several issues discussed as part of a potential memorandum of understanding. However, he stressed that this should not be interpreted as meaning that Iran is close to signing any agreement with the U. S.
Iranian analyst says Trump retreated from two key elements in proposal Iranian affairs analyst Hassan Ahmadian said the media attention surrounding recent diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran has exceeded the actual progress achieved in negotiations, Al Jazeera Arabic reported. Ahmadian said that US President Donald Trump retreated from two key elements of proposals that had initially received acceptance from both sides through mediators. According to the analyst, the changes involved a ceasefire provision that was expected to cover Lebanon and the issue of unfreezing certain Iranian assets.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Hopes for a breakthrough in US-Iran negotiations remain high as Donald Trump says most elements of a deal have been negotiated, but has instructed his team not to rush, insisting Washington has time to secure the right outcome. Iran says progress has been made but mistrust remains, while reports suggest an emerging framework could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and extend the ceasefire. Meanwhile, fighting continues in Lebanon despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Financial Times details emerging Tehran-Washington framework A proposed agreement between Tehran and Washington would extend the current ceasefire by 60 days, creating time for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme and the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Financial Times reported, quoting a diplomat. The report said the ceasefire period would be used to work through outstanding issues, including a mechanism for Iran to relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. A senior US administration official told the newspaper that the draft memorandum of understanding also envisages the gradual removal of mines from the Strait of Hormuz and a proportional easing of the current blockade.
Iran says mistrust of US remains despite ongoing talks Iran remains deeply distrustful of the United States despite ongoing negotiations, and no final understanding has yet been reached between the two sides, Tasnim News Agency reported, quoting a source. The source said exchanges through Pakistani mediators continue to be conducted with significant scepticism towards Washington and that disagreements remain over several provisions under discussion. “Even if an initial understanding is reached, it does not mean Iran has changed its view of America or that it trusts the current administration to fulfil its obligations,” the source said.
Rubio says ‘solid’ Iran proposal remains on the table US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there is a “pretty solid” proposal under discussion that would address Iran’s reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and launch what he described as a serious, time-limited negotiation on nuclear issues. “And hopefully, we can pull it off. It has a lot of support in the Gulf.
