Today18:35 BSTTrump jokes Hegseth "loves war" during Cabinet meetingWhile introducing members of his Cabinet during a meeting at the White House, President Donald Trump joked that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth “loves war.”“We have great people, and the secretary of war, Pete Hegseth — central casting — he loves war … he’s a good man,” Trump said while introducing his Cabinet.Trump joked that Hegseth 'loved war'(Image: AFP via Getty Images)Today18:30 BSTIranian media claims of draft peace deal 'complete fabrication'The White House says a report on Iranian ⁠state television ⁠citing a draft ⁠of an unofficial framework for ‌a memorandum ‌of understanding between ⁠Tehran and the United States is not true and that the ‌cited memorandum ‌is “a ⁠complete fabrication”.The report said the draft agreement allowed for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened and commercial vessel numbers restored to pre-war levels within a month, and the US military to lift their naval blockade on Iranian ports.Iran and Oman would handle the management and routes of shipping through the Straight of Hormuz, Iranian state TV said.Today18:16 BSTTrump: Stopping Iran getting nuclear weapon is more urgent than fuel pricesDonald Trump has been speaking about rising petrol prices as a result of the blockade of oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz."The primary urgency is that we can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon," the US president says."We have tremendous amounts of energy. We're blessed with something very special. Those prices are going to come down. They're going to come down fast."‌Today17:42 BSTRubio: The US and Iran have made 'some progress' towards peace dealMarco Rubio has said that the US and Iran have made "some progress" towards a peace deal."We'll see over the next few hours and days where the progress could be made," the US secretary of state says, adding that Donald Trump has other options if "the negotiated, diplomatic route" doesn't work."The bottom line is that Iran is never going to have a nuclear weapon," he says during the ongoing cabinet meeting.Today17:11 BSTTrump: Iranians 'very much' want to make a deal but 'haven't gotten there'Donald Trump has been speaking about the war with Iran during a cabinet meeting at the White House.The US president is reiterating his claims about the dire state of Iran’s economy, political leadership and military.He claims Tehran "thought they’d outwait me" over efforts to reach a deal. "They want very much to make a deal," he adds."So far, they haven't gotten there. We're not satisfied with it, but we will be. Either that, or we'll have to just finish the job."President Donald Trump sits next to Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a cabinet meeting at the White House(Image: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)Today17:02 BSTWhite House says Iran talks 'proceeding nicely'White House assistant press secretary Olivia Wales has said that talks between Washington and Tehran "are proceeding nicely".“As President Trump has said, negotiations are proceeding nicely and he has made his red lines clear," Wales told Fox News in an email."President Trump will only make a good deal for the American people, which must ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon."Earlier, the White House rejected Iranian state media reports of a draft interim peace deal between Washington and Tehran, calling the purported memorandum of understanding "a complete fabrication".‌Today16:45 BSTIranian media report incidents at airport and petrochemical plantAs we wait for Donald Trump to begin his cabinet meeting at the White House, reports are emerging from Iran.A fire has broken out in an administrative building at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Airport this afternoon, according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency. The cause of the fire is under investigation, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reports.Shortly afterwards, state media reported that at least one person was killed and two others were injured in an incident at Iran's largest petrochemical complex in the city of Asaluyeh. The nature of the incident is not yet clear.Today15:55 BSTUS says Iranian reports of a 'draft deal' are a 'complete fabrication'The US has rejected Iranian state media reports of an interim peace deal draft between Washington and Tehran, calling the purported memorandum of understanding "a complete fabrication".Iranian state TV claimed that it had obtained a draft of an unofficial framework, which would see the US withdraw its military forces and lift its blockade in exchange for Iran restoring commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within a month.The White House rapid response team said: "This report from Iranian controlled media is not true and the MOU they 'released' is a complete fabrication. Nobody should believe what Iranian state media is putting out. FACTS MATTER."Today15:00 BSTTrump to hold Cabinet meeting as framework for a deal reportedly in placePresident Donald Trump will meet with his Cabinet on Wednesday after Iran's Mizan news agency reported the framework of a deal is in place.As he prepares to talk with his top aides, Trump has been projecting confidence that he’s closing in on a deal that will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and provide him a credible argument that Iran’s nuclear capability has been diminished enough to declare victory, winding down a conflict that’s been politically unpopular for Republicans.Details over a nuclear agreement though remain unclear.“United States has committed to withdrawing its military forces from Iran’s surrounding environment, whether this includes forces deployed to the region or forces stationed at bases requires negotiation,” said the Mizan news agency.“If a final agreement is reached within a 60-day period, this agreement will be approved in the form of a binding UN Security Council resolution.”Iran is understood to be ready to allow commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz but will do nothing until it sees "tangible verification" that the US is following the agreement.‌Today13:54 BST'Framework' for ceasefire with US, says Iran state media There is an "initial unofficial framework for a memorandum of understanding" with the US, says Iranian state media media.It would mean the US military forces withdraws from Iranian proximity and lifts the naval blockade on its ports.At the same time, Iran would not stop commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.Today12:54 BSTIran's president claims "economic war" is the real battleground against the USIran's president claims that economic, rather than military warfare, is the key battleground in its conflict with the United States, and will be the deciding factor in who ultimately claims victory in the war.Speaking at the Tehran Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, President Masoud Pezeshkian told those in attendance: “The main battleground today is the economic war.“We believe the more capable, agile, and active the private sector is, the stronger the country’s economic foundation will become, and the greater our national power will be in the face of external pressures and threats.”Pezeshkian said that after failing to defeat Iran militarily, the US and Israel are now attempting to cripple the country's economy.“After failing to achieve its objectives on the military front, the enemy has focused on damaging the country’s economic resilience and disrupting the livelihoods of the people,” he added.Today11:39 BSTTrump war with Iran risks triggering global financial meltdownDonald Trump's unpredictable trade policies and reckless war with Iran could spark a global financial meltdown, the European central Bank warned this morning.Writing in a biannual Financial Stability Report, ECB Vice President Luis De Guindos said the conflict with Iran is stretching the resiliance of the world's financial system to its limits, and could have long-term effects on global stability even after the immediate conflict ends."While the full impact of the war is unclear at this stage, the repercussions for the global economy and financial stability are becoming graver the longer it lasts," he wrote."Uncertainty surrounding the commitment of the US administration to multilateral co-operation is also increasing the risk that policy shocks will disrupt the international order and spur geoeconomic and regulatory fragmentation around the globe."Trump's recklessness could spark a global financial crisis(Image: Getty Images)‌Today11:24 BSTTurkish President Erdogan labels Netanyahu a 'tyrant'Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to Netanyahu as a "tyrant" on Wednesday, who will "learn the necessary lesson at the hands of the world’s Muslims” during a speech commemorating the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.Speaking to reporters following prayers at the Camilla Mosque, Erdogan said the situation in the Gaza Strip cast a long shadow over Eid celebrations for Muslims both in Turkley and around the world.“Above all, holidays are days of love, respect, unity, togetherness, and solidarity,” he said."I also believe that the tyrant known as Netanyahu will learn the necessary lesson at the hands of the world's Muslims,"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rebuked the Israeli president and said he would 'learn the necessary lesson at the hands of the world's Muslims.'(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)Today10:18 BSTBrits face energy bill spikeBritish households will face higher energy bills averaging £1,862 a year from July after regulator Ofgem hiked its price cap by 13% on soaring wholesale gas prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East.The increase, up around £221 from the previous cap of £1,641 for April to June, will hit millions of households on variable tariffs, with analysts warning bills could climb further if disruption to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz persists.Today08:40 BSTOil prices return to 100 dollars a barrel as hopes of Iran peace talks waneOil prices have risen to 100 dollars a barrel as waning optimism over a US-Iran peace deal weighs on global energy markets.It was nonetheless a mixed morning for the financial markets with UK stocks climbing higher and government borrowing costs falling to the lowest in a month.The price of Brent crude oil was rising by about 3.5% on Tuesday morning after falling back slightly over the Bank holiday weekend.Investors have been pinning their hopes on talks between the US and Iran that may be edging closer to a peace deal and lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.‌Today07:37 BSTFour-fifths of UK firms impacted by Iran war fallout – reportEight in 10 UK firms are suffering a hit from the Iran war and a fifth of businesses are putting investment plans on hold because of the geopolitical uncertainty, according to a report.The latest Barclays Business Prosperity index revealed 80% of UK businesses reported a negative impact from the Middle East conflict.More than two-thirds (64%) said energy and fuel costs were impacting on their business, with 34% hit by higher shipping and logistics costs and a third suffering supply chain disruption, the report found.In a sign of the knock-on effect on consumers, 37% of the 1,000 senior company decision makers surveyed for the report between April 17 and May 5 said they expect to pass on cost hikes to customers through higher prices.Today06:51 BSTLebanese locals explore devastation caused by Israeli airstrikes - photoLocals have been exploring the devastation the caused by the Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon.Two neighbours take photos and videos of the damage after an Israeli airstrike on May 26, 2026 in Tyre, Lebanon(Image: Getty Images)Today05:05 BSTAmerica no longer has safe haven left in the Middle East, says Iran's Supreme Leader Following American strikes in southern Iran, Supreme Leader of the embattled Middle Eastern nation, Mojtaba Khamenei, has warned that US military installations across the Gulf region may potentially face new security risks.Khamenei indicated that neighbouring nations may refuse to provide security cover for American military bases moving forward.“The clock cannot be turned back, and the nations and lands of the region will no longer be a shield for American bases,” Khamenei said.“America will no longer have a safe place in the region for mischief and the establishment of military bases.”‌Today03:38 BSTThree killed and 12 injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza CityIsrael carried out two airstrikes on Gaza City on Tuesday, May 26, killing three people and injuring 12 others, according to hospital officials.The strike took place on the eve of Eid al-Adha, a major Muslim holiday.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the strikes, which took place on the eve of a major Muslim holiday, targeted the new leader of Hamas' military wing.The Hamas official was identified as Mohammed Odeh, "one of the architects" of the October 7 attacks, they said.Today01:59 BSTIran says US violated ceasefire after strikes near Strait of HormuzIran said on Tuesday, May 26 that the US violated the ceasefire by striking targets near the Strait of Hormuz.Iran's foreign ministry said the strikes in southern Iran represented a "gross violation" of a tenuous ceasefire in place for nearly seven weeks.The US said its attacks were defensive, targeting missile sites and boats attempting to lay mines.Today01:35 BSTAftermath of Israeli strikes - photographPhotographs have captured the devastation caused by Israeli strikes on Lebanon.Aftermath of an Israeli airstrike is seen on May 26, 2026 in Tyre, Lebanon(Image: Adri Salido/Getty Images)‌Today00:17 BSTLebanon's state-run news agency says 31 killed in Israeli strikes, including childrenLebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) has reported that Israeli strikes on the country on Tuesday killed 31 people and wounded 40 others:Strikes on Burj Shemali killed 14 people were killed, including two children, and wounded 16 othersA strike on Kawthariyat al-Ruz killed five people and wounded six others, including two childrenStrikes on Habboush killed four people, including two children, while 10 others were woundedSix people were killed and six others were wounded, including one child, in MaarakehTwo people were killed and two others injured in Selaa26th May21:52 BSTIRGC says 25 vessels passed through Strait of HormuzThe IRGC has said that 25 vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with its navy and with Tehran’s permission, according to a statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.The vessels included oil tankers, container ships and other commercial vessels, the statement said. "Any aggression will be responded to with crushing blows," it added.An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) speedboat sails in the Persian Gulf in April 2024(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)26th May20:58 BSTTrump slams US media coverage of Iran warIn his latest Truth Social post, Donald Trump has slammed the "Dumacrats and Media" for their coverage of the Iran war.He claimed that even if Iran were to shout "I surrender, I surrender" and "admit their defeat to the great power and force of the magnificent U.S.A.", The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN and other media outlets would "headline that Iran had a Masterful and Brilliant Victory over The United States of America".‌26th May19:34 BSTCENTCOM denies reports of US Navy escorting vessels through straitUS Central Command (CENTCOM) has denied reports that the US Navy has restarted escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz again.It stressed that 'Project Freedom' - which the US launched on May 4 - has not resumed.Content cannot be displayed without consent26th May19:29 BSTMore than 3,200 killed in Israeli strikes in LebanonIn Lebanon, at least 3,213 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since March 2, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.A further 9,737 people have been wounded, the ministry said.26th May18:01 BSTIran takes 'first step' in restoring full internet accessIran's vice president Mohammad Reza Aref says the country has taken the "first step" towards restoring full internet access, ending one of the longest-running national internet shutdowns ever recorded worldwide."In line with the government’s promise, the first step towards free and regulated access to cyberspace has been taken," Aref said on X.Iran cut internet access after joint US-Israeli attacks on February 28. Officials suggested the aim was to prevent surveillance, espionage and cyber-attacks.‌26th May17:56 BSTQatar and Egypt call for sustainable agreementQatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani discussed the US-Iran war in a call with Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, according to a statement from Doha.The officials touched on Pakistan's mediation efforts and how their countries can "support and enhance them", the statement said.The two countries stressed the need to "address the roots of the crisis through peaceful means and dialogue, leading to a sustainable agreement that prevents the renewal of escalation," it added.Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty(Image: Getty Images)26th May15:50 BSTIran warns of "heavier" and "stronger" military response if US continues to violate ceasefireAn Iranian military chief has warned that any further violations of the ceasefire by US-Israeli forces would see the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps respond with even "heavier" and "stronger military force.“If the region enters another round of war, Iran’s response will extend beyond regional borders and will be much heavier and stronger,” senior military spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi told Iranian state media on Tuesday.His words come after US forces carried out a series of airstrikes in Southern Iran on Monday evening, despite agreeing to a 40 day ceasefire on April 8.26th May12:42 BSTFormer Trump advisor claims US heading for "catastrophic loss" in IranDonald Trump's former national security advisor says he believes the United States is heading towards a "catastrophic loss" in its war with Iran, and hopes that the ongoing peace talks "fail."John Bolton, a longtime Iran hawk who pressured Trump to withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Deal during the president's first term, told CNN host Pamela Brown that the current ceasefire was a "mistake" that will give the Islamic Republic time to regroup and rearm.“Are you feeling optimistic about this memorandum, given that we’ve seen negotiations break down before when it comes to the finer points of Iran’s nuclear program?” Brown asked the former advisor.“Well, I hope the negotiations break down, because every day that goes by is a gift to Iran,” Bolton responded. “It gives them 24 more hours to recover from the pummeling they took during the six weeks of U.S.-Israeli attack. It gives them time to try and reconstitute their government, which increasingly looks dysfunctional in decision-making capability. And it postpones the day of reckoning.”Bolton went on to call the negotiations a "mistake," adding “I think we’re on the verge of something that ultimately history will decide was a catastrophic loss for the United States.“We have done significant damage to the Islamic Republic of Iran. And right now, we’re letting them undo the damage. And that is a real tragedy, not just for us, but for the people in the region, too.”‌‌