US President Donald Trump on Monday tied any future Iran nuclear deal to a sweeping expansion of the Abraham Accords, calling for Saudi Arabia and other key regional states to normalise ties with Israel as diplomacy with Tehran gathers pace. The comments came as senior Iranian officials arrived in Qatar for talks covering peace terms, frozen assets and security guarantees around the Strait of Hormuz, amid ongoing efforts to narrow differences in the negotiations. Markets reacted to the shifting signals, with oil slipping back below $100 a barrel and global stocks rallying as investors priced in rising expectations of a possible deal and the potential reopening of a critical shipping route through the Gulf. Follow our live coverage for the latest updates.10:03 PM, 25 May 2026Iran’s president orders the reopening of international internet accessIranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the reopening of international internet access, state media reported on Monday, following a near-90-day blackout imposed in the aftermath of the war involving the United States and Israel. The report, citing the head of public relations at Iran’s Communications Ministry, said the directive has been issued but did not clarify how or when connectivity to the global web would be restored.According to internet monitoring group NetBlocks, the blackout has now lasted 87 consecutive days, amounting to more than 2,000 hours of restricted access. The organisation said the shutdown has significantly reduced transparency and deepened uncertainty for detainees, dissidents and other affected groups inside the country.09:42 PM, 25 May 2026Qatar, Oman leaders highlight importance of regional stabilitySheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, received a phone call on Monday from Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, according to QNA.During the call, the two leaders exchanged Eid Al Adha greetings and discussed bilateral relations as well as key regional and international developments.The discussion also touched on ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions, with the Omani Sultan praising the Emir’s role in promoting dialogue and supporting peaceful solutions amid the current crisis.Both leaders stressed the importance of reaching a swift resolution to help safeguard regional security and stability.09:15 PM, 25 May 2026Trump’s own Iran hawks fear he’s about to caveJust weeks after demanding Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,” President Donald Trump is now facing a very different political problem: Some of his own fiercest Iran hawks fear he is preparing to settle for a deal they believe leaves Tehran stronger, richer and still dangerous.As reports emerge of a possible US-Iran agreement to gradually end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, alarm is spreading across the Republican national security establishment that once strongly backed Trump’s military campaign.What began as a war aimed at crushing Iran’s strategic power now risks becoming a messy compromise that critics say could hand Tehran leverage it never had before the conflict.Read more here.09:01 PM, 25 May 2026Iran says FIFA promised players will get World Cup visasIran's sports minister said FIFA has promised the country's men's football team will receive visas to play in the United States at the World Cup this summer despite the ongoing Middle East war, local media reported on Monday.Iran's participation at the global spectacle has been in question for months because it is being co-hosted by the US, which along with Israel began bombing Iran on February 28, sparking a wider regional war."The FIFA president promised us that all our players would receive visas. There is no reason why our players should not receive visas," said minister Ahmad Donyamali, quoted by local news agency ISNA."I hope that all the conditions will be met so that the national team can participate in the tournament in a calm and orderly manner."The Iranian squad will now be based in Tijuana on the Mexican border with the United States during the tournament, according to the Islamic republic's football federation.07:42 PM, 25 May 2026Mexico says will host Iran during World CupMexico has "no problem" in hosting the Iranian squad for the 2026 World Cup, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday.Iran had announced on Saturday they wanted to be based in the Mexican border city of Tijuana and not in Tucson, Arizona, as originally planned."The United States did not want the Iranian squad on their territory," she said at a press conference."They (Iran) therefore asked us: 'can we be based in Mexico? and we replied yes, no problem'."07:16 PM, 25 May 2026Trump links normalising ties with Israel to Iran dealUS President Donald Trump on Monday said Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations must normalise ties with Israel as part of efforts to reach a deal with Iran, adding fresh uncertainty into protracted peace negotiations.Progress over a deal to end the conflict that broke out in late February has slowed as both sides talked down the prospect of an imminent agreement, with Tehran saying they were not close to signing and Trump warning he was in no hurry.Read more here.05:20 PM, 25 May 2026Iran says 32 vessels cleared Hormuz after IRGC approvalIran’s navy said 32 vessels have transited the Strait of Hormuz after receiving clearance “in coordination with the security arrangements of the IRGC Navy,” according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency.The report said the approved ships included oil tankers, container vessels and other commercial traffic. 05:20 PM, 25 May 2026Israel military issues new evacuation warning for 10 Lebanon villages