The U.S. military carried out “self-defense strikes” on Monday in southern Iran against targets including boats attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said. The strikes were designed “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” CENTCOM said in a statement to The Epoch Times.“U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” CENTCOM spokesman Navy Captain Tim Hawkins said in a statement.The attack took place south of Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, with several Iranian personnel killed, Iran’s state-run Nour News reported, without providing further details. Trump had earlier said negotiations with Iran over an agreement to extend their ceasefire and reopen the strait were “proceeding nicely.”Trump, in a Truth Social post on Monday, had also urged Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other countries to join the Abraham Accords and recognize Israel. In a later statement, the president said Iran’s enriched uranium would either be handed over to the US or, preferably, destroyed in Iran.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would intensify attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah after striking sites in southern Lebanon. The escalation followed Hezbollah drone attacks that landed in Israeli territory and a rocket fired toward Israel that the Israeli air force intercepted.Iran has demanded an end to hostilities against Hezbollah in Lebanon as part of any peace agreement with the US. Axios reported that a draft of a potential deal between the US and Iran includes language ending the war between Israel and Hezbollah.Fresh US-Israeli Military Action in Hormuz StraitThis is either a sign of US talks falling apart (once again), or else some last minute leverage building by Washington and the Israelis: there are emerging reports that US and Israeli jets have targeted Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz in the late night hours (local).US-ISRAELI STRIKES TARGET IRAN VESSELS IN HORMUZ STRAIT: NOURFew details have been confirmed, but IRGC channels say as follows (unconfirmed):Unofficial channels affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards: Fighter jets attacked two boats in the port of Bandar Abbas, killing four peopleEarlier there were reports of explosions heard in the same area, and local reports of a missile having targeted the runway at Bandar Abbas airport.Trump latest Truth Social:Iranian Presidency Orders Reopening of International Internet Access After Nearly 90-Day BlackoutIn a huge development, Iran has reportedly lifted its nationwide internet ban, which suggests a deal with the US could actually be close - after much premature reporting and back and forth. Per Reuters:Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued an order to reopen international internet ‌access, Iranian state media reported on Monday, citing an official after a near-90-day blackout in the wake of the war against U.S. and Israel.The report cited the head of public relations at Iran’s Communications Ministry.But strange war-like things are still happening - though little is confirmed:Iranian outlet Tabnak reports that the runway at Bandar Abbas airport was struck by a missile. https://t.co/HQ8or6UgYh— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) May 25, 2026Some latest on talks:Iranian Chairman of the National Security Committee of the Parliament says until the Americans take 5 confidence-building measures, there is no meaning in the so-called understanding with the US, Irib News reportsMeasures include:Ending the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon.Lifting the US blockade and piracy.Transit of civilian ships through the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian arrangementsSuspension of oil sanctions for 30 or 60 daysReleasing Iran's frozen fundsAdds, even if an agreement is reached, it will not mean the end of its challenge with America.Israel Ramps up Bombing of LebanonIsrael has drastically ramped up its military campaign across Lebanon, hitting many dozens of 'Hezbollah sites' - and seriously escalating the long-running conflict, despite there officially being a US-mediated ceasefire in place.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed on Monday that instructed the military to "press the pedal even harder" against Hezbollah, reportedly upon a greenlight being given by Washington, following increased drone attacks from the Shia paramilitary group backed by Iran on northern Israel. Over 70 sites have been struck on Monday.Iran Ready to Transfer Enriched Uranium to China: Arabiya Saudi-backed Al Arabiya has issued a new Monday report saying that Iran is prepared to transfer its highly enriched uranium stockpile abroad, but only if it is sent to China. "Iran is seeking guarantees from China before proceeding with the agreement with America," the fresh reporting claims...High-level sources for Al Arabiya: Iran is prepared to remove highly enriched uranium from its territories.But this flies in the face of recent official statements from Tehran leadership, which has repeatedly insisted it will never allow its nuclear material to be moved out of Iranian territory, seeing the issue as central to national sovereignty. Arabiya itself has of late issued headlines which later prove to be fake or exaggerated, and so has not had the best track record. And so the report should be taken with a grain of salt.Massive Memorial Day Truth Social Post On Iran Talks From TrumpBelow is the Truth Social post in full where in proclaims that talks are moving 'nicely' but that if there's no deal there is likely to be a bigger conflict than ever before. Strangely, he is also pushing that Iran become part of the Abraham Accords after a grand peace deal is signed, and is urging all Gulf countries to join.Negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran are proceeding nicely! It will only be a Great Deal for all or, no Deal at all — Back to the Battlefront and shooting, but bigger and stronger than ever before — And nobody wants that! During my discussions on Saturday with President Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, of The United Arab Emirates, Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and Minister Ali al-Thawadi, of Qatar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah, of Pakistan, President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, of Türkiye, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, of Egypt, King Abdullah II, of Jordan, and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, of Bahrain, I stated that, 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. Those Countries discussed are Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates (already a Member!), Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain (already a Member!). It may be possible that one or two have a reason for not doing so, and that will be accepted, but most should be ready, willing, and able to make this Settlement with Iran a far more Historic Event than it would, otherwise, be. The Abraham Accords have proven to be, for the Countries involved (The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and Kazakhstan), a Financial, Economic, and Social BOOM, even during this time of Conflict and War, with the current Members never even suggesting leaving, or taking so much as even a pause. The reason for this is that the Abraham Accords have been great for them, and will be even better for everybody, and bring true Power, Strength, and Peace to the Middle East for the first time in 5,000 years. It will be a Document respected like no other that has ever been signed, anywhere in the World. Its level of Importance and Prestige will be unparalleled! It should start with the immediate signing by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and everybody else should follow suit. If they don’t, they should not be part of this Deal in that it shows bad intention. In speaking to numerous of the Great Leaders mentioned above, they would be honored, as soon as our Document is signed, to have the Islamic Republic of Iran as part of the Abraham Accords. Wow, now that would be something special! This will be the most important Deal that any of these Great, but always in Conflict Countries, will ever sign. Nothing in the past, or in the future, will surpass it. Therefore, I am mandatorily requesting that all Countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords, and that, if Iran signs its Agreement with me, as President of the United States of America, it would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition. The Middle East would be United, Powerful, and Economically Strong, like perhaps no other area, anywhere in the World! By copy of this TRUTH, I am asking my Representatives to begin, and successfully complete, the process of signing these Countries into the already Historic Abraham Accords. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAIran's Top Negotiating Team in Qatar 'For Talks to End War'Iran has said that an agreement with the US is ‘not imminent’ despite progress; however, one of the clearest signs yet that things have actually advanced to some degree is that Iran's foreign minister Araghchi and parliament speaker Ghalibaf are in Doha for talks to end the war. This strongly suggests something big is in the works:IRAN FM, NEGOTIATOR IN QATAR FOR TALKS TO END WAR: AFPIRAN TOP NEGOTIATOR GHALIBAF TRAVELED TO DOHA FOR TALKS: IRNAReuters also writes of the delegation being in Doha: "The discussions are focused primarily on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, the official told Reuters." The report adds: "Iran’s central bank governor is also part of the delegation to discuss the potential release of frozen Iranian funds as part of a final agreement, according to the official."But as we previewed below, Iran's foreign ministry has issued a message of caution and patience, wishing to bat down what's become typical premature and exaggerated assessments of where things stand from the US side, and international press:Iran's Foreign Ministry:The fact that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the topics under discussion is correct. However, to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent. No one can make such a claim.Policymaking and decision-making in the… pic.twitter.com/32csLiyobC— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 25, 2026'Consensus Reached on Many Topics': Foreign MinistryAsian and European equities climbed on Monday, while U.S. equity futures jumped and Brent crude fell, as signs of a possible U.S.-Iran deal boosted risk appetite. To note, the U.S. is on holiday.Both sides appear to be moving closer to ending the three-month conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, overnight comments from senior Iranian officials suggest gaps remain, particularly over the future of Iran's nuclear program and uranium enrichment."It is true that a consensus was reached on many of the topics discussed, but no one can claim that the signing of an agreement is imminent," Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei told reporters in response to a question on the progress in negotiations.According to Baghaei, "It is fair to say that we have reached understandings on many issues, but whether this means an agreement is imminent is something no one can claim at this stage." #US #Iran https://t.co/sQhizVBYBl— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 25, 2026Earlier today, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump team had expected more details on progress in the US-Iran deal and may still have an update soon."We thought we might have some news last night. Maybe today," Rubio told reporters in New Delhi during his multi-day visit to India.President Trump on Sunday said, "Our relationship with Iran is becoming a much more professional and productive one. They must understand, however, that they cannot develop or procure a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb."US Naval Blockade Remains in PlaceTrump added that the US naval blockade of the Hormuz maritime chokepoint would remain in place until a peace deal is signed and that both sides must take their time to "get it right."Al Jazeera quoted Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency, which said Iran will discuss its nuclear program with U.S. negotiators once the Trump team fulfills its commitments under a potential MOU being negotiated.BREAKING: Iran says it would discuss its nuclear programme with the US if Washington fulfils its commitments under a potential MOU being negotiated, a senior diplomat told the semi-official ISNA news agency.???? More on https://t.co/5H0QqpfIYw pic.twitter.com/5xAZohOx5W— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) May 25, 2026Bloomberg noted that major gaps remain in the peace talks:Still, the broad agreement described by US officials does not address Iran's missile stockpile nor does it contain an explicit ban on uranium enrichment — two of Trump's most important goals.Nothing says "no deal" quite like a future promise to keep talking. By ZerohedgeMore Top Reads From Oilprice.comOil Prices Jump After U.S. Strikes Iranian Missile SitesEurope’s Gas Prices Drop 5% On Renewed U.S.-Iran Talks OptimismU.S.-Iran Deal Delayed as Trump Refuses to “Rush” Agreement