Mumbai [India], May 26 (ANI): Domestic equity markets closed lower on Tuesday as investor sentiment weakened sharply after renewed US military operations involving Iran dampened optimism surrounding a possible peace agreement in West Asia. The NSE Nifty 50 index closed at 23,913. 70, down 118.
New Delhi [India], May 26 (ANI): Highlighting a unified stance among Quad partners on maintaining global maritime stability, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday stated that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio updated members on the progress of crucial diplomatic negotiations with Iran over the volatile Strait of Hormuz.
Trump calls for 'mandatory' adherence to Abraham Accords in Iran truce 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.
Iran and Iraq discuss role of 'dialogue and diplomacy' in the region Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his Iraqi counterpart Nizar Amidi in a call on Tuesday discussed regional issues, Tehran's state-media reports. They discussed enhancing regional security and stability through mutual understanding, and emphasised " the importance of stopping the war and ending tensions in the region through dialogue and diplomacy".
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – China and Pakistan on Tuesday pledged to make a "positive contribution" for peace and stability in the Middle East as efforts continue to secure a lasting end to the war in the region.
Rising prices for menstrual hygiene products and persistent social stigma are worsening conditions for women in Iran, with many forced to miss school, reuse disposable products or forgo basic care altogether, the Shargh newspaper reported ahead of World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
Internet monitors unsure if political or technical issues behind delay after access was cut off during anti-government protests in January Middle East crisis – live updates An Iranian government announcement on Tuesday that an 88-day internet blackout was being brought to an end did not have any immediate noticeable impact, according to internet monitors. It was not clear if technical or political issues were delaying the end of the clampdown, the longest in Iran’s history, which was imposed during brutally suppressed protests in January. Continue reading...
Civil defense and rescue centre in Lebanon struck by Israel, killing two An Israeli strike targeting the a civil defense and rescue centre in southern Lebanon killed two paramedics and wounded several others, the National News Agency reported. The Islamic Message Scouts Association, whose centre was hit, earlier mourned the first member killed, saying he "was martyred while performing his humanitarian duty in his hometown".
Nashik (Maharashtra) [India], May 26 (ANI): Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Tuesday sparked a political controversy after making objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi while criticising the Centre's foreign policy and relations with neighbouring countries.
Iran says its charging fees for 'services' in Hormuz Strait, not tolls Iran has stressed that it does not impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but rather a "certain fee" for services and measures that protect the environment Esmaeil Baghaei, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the fees would be allocated to "services that are provided, navigational services, in addition to measures to protect the environment" of the waterway, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. He stressed once again that these fees "should not be described as tolls or duties". At a presser on Monday, Esmaeil Baghaei says Iran is “not charging tolls” on passage through the Strait of Hormuz but rather a “certain fee” for “navigational services” and measures to “protect the environment of the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman”.
UAE and Bahrain fail to join GCC condemnation of Somaliland opening embassy in Jerusalem Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Tue, 05/26/2026 - 09:48 A range of Arab and Muslim states denounce 'illegal' move by the breakaway Somali state Somaliland prison guards parade at the 35th Independence Day celebrations near the presidential palace in Hargeisa's Shap neighbourhood on 18 May 2026 (Kang-Chun Cheng/AFP) Off The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain have failed to join fellow Gulf states in condemning Somaliland's plan to open a new embassy in Jerusalem. Somaliland’s ambassador to Israel , Mohamed Hagi, said on Tuesday that the move came after Israel became the first and only state to recognise the breakaway Somali region in 2025. “Israel will also establish its embassy in Hargeisa, reflecting growing friendship, mutual respect, and strategic cooperation between our two peoples,” he added, referring to the Somaliland capital.
Israel killed over 900 in Gaza since start of ceasefire Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip have killed 906 Palestinians and injured 2,747 others since the ceasefire began in October. A total of 72,803 people have been killed during the over two years of Israel's genocidal war on the territory. Thousands more are missing and presumed dead under the rubble.
Tehran [Iran], May 26 (ANI): The Iranian government announced plans to restore international internet access in the 'coming days', following a decision by a special cyberspace task force formed to review restrictions imposed on connectivity.
New Delhi [India], May 26 (ANI): Amidst US-Iran conflict and ongoing deliberations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Quad Foreign Ministers who met in New Delhi on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the Iranian closure of the crticial strategic waterway. Further the Quad ministers also announced a landmark joint port project in Fiji to counter 'deteriorating' strategic circumstances in the Indo-Pacific.
Tehran [Iran], May 26 (ANI): As the security situation continues to evolve in the West Asia and Gulf region, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned on Tuesday that the area would no longer serve as a shield to American military bases. He made the statement while delivering remarks as the Hajj pilgrimage commences.
Iran seeks to release $24bn funds frozen overseas in potential deal with the US Iran is seeking to release around $24bn of its funds frozen overseas in a potential deal with the US, the Tasnim news agency reported. According to source close to Tehran's negotiation team, the frozen funds must be released under a memorandum of understanding that is being discussed with Washington. The report added that Iran's leading negotiator Mohammad Baqr Qalibaf's visit to Qatar aimed to reach an agreement to implement this demand.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An informed source provided details on Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf’s visit to Doha, saying the trip focused on efforts to secure the release of $12 billion in Iran’s frozen funds at the start of implementation of a possible Iran-US memorandum of understanding.
Israel drops white phosphorus bombs in Lebanon: Report Lebanese state-media is reporting Israel's use of white phosphorus bombs in Shebaa, south east of Lebanon, on Tuesday. White phosphorous is an incendiary chemical that ignites when in contact with air and can cause severe burns in people or structures it comes into contact with. Leading human rights groups have slammed Israel's use of such chemicals as "unlawful", with evidence of it being utilised in Lebanon in recent times.
Iran's Supreme Leader vows Middle East will no longer be 'safe haven' for the US Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Tuesday that countries in the region will no longer be a "safe haven" for the US and its military bases. He called on Muslim states and international governements to "pursue shared interests" for creating a new regional and global order. "I sincerely invite all Islamic countries and governments to friendship and cooperation for the common good," Khamenei added.
Israel issues displacement threats in Lebanon's Nabatieh Israel's Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee on Tuesday issued expulsion orders for residents of Nabatieh, south Lebanon. The threats come amid reports of the Israeli army readying itself to expand its offensive in the country.
