TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) warned that any renewed act of aggression against Iran would trigger a “devastating and hellish” response extending across the region and beyond.
Former US envoy says escalation would have been worse than deal Former US ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, said the reported agreement between Washington and Tehran was a “weak deal” but argued it was preferable to further military escalation. In a post on X, Shapiro said the conflict had been poorly conceived and lacked clear strategic objectives that could be achieved at an acceptable cost. Shapiro said the reported agreement was among the “less terrible” options available to President Donald Trump and welcomed the apparent decision not to intensify the conflict, warning that further escalation could have triggered a deeper global economic crisis.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, The strongest signs yet of a diplomatic breakthrough have emerged after Donald Trump said an agreement between the US, Iran and regional powers has been “largely negotiated”, with only final details left to be settled. Pakistan says another round of talks could take place very soon, while reports suggest the proposed agreement includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and extending the ceasefire.
Iran has not formally responded to President Trump’s announcement that a peace deal was close. But officials suggested the oil choke point in the Strait of Hormuz could reopen.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held separate telephone conversations with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt to discuss the latest diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran.
'Imminent' US-Iran deal not in Tel Aviv's interest, Israeli media says Israeli media outlets have reported growing concern over an "imminent agreement" between Washington and Tehran, with several commentators suggesting the emerging framework may not align with Israel’s strategic objectives. Channel 12 described the coming hours as critical and said details reported so far did not appear to favour Israel. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, concerns are mounting that any agreement may fall short of requiring the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme, limiting its missile capabilities or addressing Tehran’s regional allies.
Video: Berlin activist says police arrested him again over pro-Palestine pin A pro-Palestine supporter in Berlin says police arrested him for the third time over a lapel pin that prosecutors and a judge had already returned to him multiple times. While being escorted away by police, he accused German authorities of repeating the same repression Germany once used against Jews and leftists, saying Muslims and pro-Palestine voices are now being targeted instead. "Their grandfathers did the same thing against Jews and leftists.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the continued brutal attacks by the Zionist regime against Lebanon over the past several days.
Tehran says armed forces remain on highest alert Iranian officials said the country’s armed forces remain at the highest level of operational readiness across missile, air, naval, ground, space and cyber domains, warning that any renewed attack would trigger a forceful response. The statement said Iran’s military maintains active deterrence capabilities and is prepared to respond to threats on both a regional and broader scale. The remarks also invoked the liberation of Khorramshahr during the Iran-Iraq War as a symbol of resistance and military success.
Washington DC [US], May 24 (ANI): A high-stakes memorandum for a 60-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran is in its final stages, with negotiators working to close remaining gaps and avert further escalation in the region, including reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of Iranian oil sales, according to an Axios report citing US officials.
Pakistan foreign minister hails Trump call as step towards regional peace Pakistani foreign minister Ishaq Dar said a phone call led by US President Donald Trump with leaders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan marked a significant step towards regional peace and stability. In a post on X, Dar praised Trump’s leadership and said progress made in the ongoing negotiations provided grounds for optimism about a positive and lasting outcome. He also thanked Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf for their engagement, while commending Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Asim Munir for their roles in the diplomatic effort.
Iran and Saudi Arabia foreign ministers hold talks on regional tensions Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call with Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Saturday to discuss diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions and preventing further escalation. According to Iranian media, Araghchi outlined Tehran’s ongoing diplomatic initiatives to end the conflict involving the United States and Israel. The call followed separate discussions with Qatari Prime Minister and foreign minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, which focused on coordinating regional diplomacy and supporting efforts to restore stability.
Video: Israel kills Palestinian police officers in overnight Gaza strike Israel killed at least five Palestinian police officers after carrying out overnight airstrike attacks on northern Gaza, according to local authorities and international reports. The attack targeted a police position in the Sheikh Radwan area of Gaza City as Israel continues its genocide in Gaza amid worsening famine conditions, mass displacement and the destruction of civilian infrastructure across the territory. Several others were also reported to be wounded in the attack.
Haaretz says Netanyahu’s influence over Trump has declined Relations between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump are no longer as strong as they once were, according to the military and security affairs editor of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The commentator said Israel’s influence over Trump has diminished and argued that signs of a possible agreement between Washington and Tehran are not favourable to Israel. The assessment comes amid growing concern among Israeli political and security figures over reports that the United States and Iran are nearing a diplomatic settlement.
White House to announce Iran agreement on Sunday, says report The White House hopes to resolve remaining disputes with Iran in the coming hours and announce an agreement on Sunday, according to Axios, which cited a US official. The report said the two sides are working towards a memorandum of understanding and that President Donald Trump is prepared to reset relations with Tehran if it meets US demands regarding its nuclear programme. According to Axios, the proposed agreement would include a 60-day extension of the ceasefire, with US forces remaining in the region unless a final deal is reached.
Video: Flotilla activists allege abuse after release from Israeli custody Groups of activists were deported from Israel to their home countries via Turkey after Israeli forces intercepted the boats of the flotilla and kidnapped the activists on board. Upon their return, groups reported abuse in Israeli prisons, including beatings and sexual violence. "We used our bodyweight to stop people from dying of hypothermia," said Dr Margaret Connolly, an activist from the Global Sumud Flotilla and sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly.
Report: US-Iran deal includes 60-day ceasefire extension A proposed agreement between Washington and Tehran would extend the current ceasefire by 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to Axios, citing a US official. The reported deal would provide additional time for diplomatic efforts while reducing tensions in one of the world’s most important shipping routes. According to the report, the agreement would also allow Iran to resume oil sales and enter negotiations on its nuclear programme.
HELSINKI/BALAKLIIA, Ukraine: Visiting mayors from Ukrainian cities are among 800 delegations visiting the Merihaka civil shelter, situated in a vast underground cave carved into the rock beneath Finland's capital, Helsinki. They took photos and were impressed by its size and capacity to hold up to 6,000 people.
Washington DC [US], May 24 (ANI): In a potentially historic shift for West Asian geopolitics, Iran has agreed in principle to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of an emerging, US-led framework aimed at halting regional conflict. The breakthrough, first reported by The New York Times, citing two US officials, marks a dramatic pivot in diplomatic efforts.
Video: Red Cross expands Rafah field hospital amid Gaza crisis The Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah is undergoing development and expansion to increase its capacity to provide vital services for Palestinians in southern Gaza. Initially designed to be a temporary medical centre, the hospital will see improvements to its outpatient clinic, emergency department, operating room and post-operative care facilities, and will increase the number of beds from 60 to 72. Due to Israel's ongoing blockade and genocidal war on Gaza, medical facilities face severe shortages of supplies, equipment and specialised doctors and experts.
