On the 87th day of the American-Israeli war on Iran on Monday, May 25, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said ongoing discussions with the United States were aimed at ending the conflict rather than addressing nuclear issues.
Baghaei said Tehran and Washington had reached conclusions on several matters under discussion, but stressed that this did not mean an agreement was close. Reuters reported that Iran also had no current plans to send a delegation to Pakistan.
He also said Iran had no current plans to send a delegation to Pakistan and added that proposals linked to the Strait of Hormuz still lacked clear implementation details.
Tehran criticises shifting US positions
Baghaei accused Washington of repeatedly changing its stance during negotiations and said Tehran remained focused on protecting its national interests.
He added that Iran was coordinating with countries bordering the Strait of Hormuz to maintain maritime security and protect regional interests.
The spokesperson also said Iran was not seeking to impose transit fees through the strategic waterway, though environmental protection charges remained possible.
US and Iran remain divided on key demands
The United States and Iran continue to disagree over sanctions relief, frozen oil revenues, uranium stockpiles and demands linked to the conflict involving Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Reuters quoted a US official as saying Iran had agreed in principle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for easing naval restrictions and resolving issues related to highly enriched uranium.
Rubio signals readiness for fresh Iran talks
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was prepared to enter “very serious talks” if maritime traffic resumed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to The New York Times during a visit to New Delhi, Rubio said future discussions would focus on uranium enrichment and guarantees that Iran would not pursue nuclear weapons.
He also warned that military options would remain available if diplomacy failed within 60 days.
Hormuz uncertainty keeps oil markets cautious
The New York Times reported that a preliminary understanding concerning the Strait of Hormuz remained vague, with no clear timeline or mechanism for restoring normal navigation.
Economist Carl Weinberg said continuing uncertainty in global energy markets would likely prevent oil prices from falling rapidly.
Oil prices nevertheless dropped nearly five per cent to two-week lows amid hopes that prolonged supply disruptions could be avoided.
Israeli strikes hit southern Lebanon towns
Israeli air raids and drone strikes targeted several towns across southern Lebanon, including areas in the Nabatieh, Bint Jbeil and Tyre districts.
Al Jazeera also reported bombardment using incendiary weapons in Al-Haniyah and nearby areas in the Tyre district.
Lebanese leaders demand Israeli withdrawal
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Liberation Day could not be celebrated while Israeli forces remained in occupied territory and displaced residents were unable to return safely.
President Joseph Aoun said Lebanon remained committed to securing a full Israeli withdrawal through negotiations that would preserve national sovereignty.
He added that the Lebanese army and official security institutions would remain solely responsible for national security and territorial integrity.
China urges continued dialogue
China’s Foreign Ministry said the conflict involving Iran should not continue and called for diplomatic channels between Tehran and Washington to remain open.
Beijing also stressed the importance of restoring secure shipping routes and stabilising global supply chains.
Araghchi to miss UN Security Council meeting
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will not attend a United Nations Security Council meeting in New York because of visa-related issues, Iranian officials quoted by Al Jazeera said.
Iran executes man over protest-related charges
Iran’s state media reported the execution of Abbas Akbari over charges linked to anti-government protests held earlier this year.
Ghalibaf re-elected as Iran parliament speaker
Fars News Agency reported that Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had been re-elected as Speaker of the Iranian Parliament.
Trump says Iran deal would be opposite of Obama-era pact
US President Donald Trump said any potential agreement with Tehran would be fundamentally different from the nuclear deal negotiated under former president Barack Obama.
In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump said that if a deal is reached with Iran, it would be a “good and proper” agreement and “the exact opposite” of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed during the Obama administration.
Trump criticised the earlier accord, alleging it provided Iran with large amounts of cash and created what he described as “a clear and open path” to developing a nuclear weapon.
He also stressed that negotiations over a possible agreement witþ Tehran were still ongoing and had not yet been finalised.m
“It isn’t even fully negotiated yet,” Trump wrote, while dismissing criticism surrounding the discussions and urging opponents not to speculate about details that have not been publicly disclosed.
Trump did not provide details about the proposed framework or indicate when negotiations could be completed.
The remarks come amid continued reports of indirect diplomatic engagements between Washington and Tehran following months of heightened regional tensions and military escalation across the Gulf region.
Hezbollah backs possible US-Iran agreement
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem expressed hope that negotiations between Tehran and Washington would lead to a comprehensive agreement and wider regional calm.
In a televised speech on Sunday, Qassem said Lebanon hoped to benefit from what he described as a “full cessation of hostilities”, according to AFP.
Gulf diplomats review Tehran-Washington talks
Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held discussions with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on ongoing US-Iran negotiations, Al Jazeera reported.
The meeting reflected continued Gulf engagement in diplomatic efforts linked to the regional conflict.
Axios says negotiations could face delays
Axios quoted a senior US administration official as saying efforts to secure an agreement with Iran may require several more days.
The official attributed the delay to what was described as Tehran’s slow internal decision-making process.
Rubio blames Hezbollah for Lebanon tensions
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Hezbollah of attempting to destabilise Lebanon during continued cross-border tensions with Israel.
Rubio said Washington supported Lebanon’s reconstruction and stability efforts while warning against actions that could deepen unrest.
Iran President says diplomacy requires approval
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said all major diplomatic decisions in Iran require coordination with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
He said state institutions must present a unified position once decisions are approved through official channels.
India increases petrol and diesel prices
Fuel retailers in India raised petrol and diesel prices for the fourth time this month amid higher global crude costs linked to the regional conflict.
Dealers said diesel prices increased by 2.71 rupees per litre, while petrol rose by 2.61 rupees.
Duemocrat senator attacks Trump’s handling of war
US Senator Chris Murphy criticised President Donald Trump’s approach to the conflict despite welcoming signs of a possible end to hostilities.
Murphy said the war had caused major economic and humanitarian damage and argued Iran remained strategically stronger despite US pressure.
Khamenei communication tightly restricted
CBS News reported that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is operating from a secure undisclosed location with limited direct communication.
US officials cited by the network said messages were being relayed through intermediaries, complicating diplomatic contacts with Tehran.
Iran military remains on high alert
Iran’s armed forces said they would maintain full military readiness regardless of the outcome of negotiations with the United States.
Tasnim News Agency quoted military officials warning of a different form of confrontation if fresh military action is launched against Iran.
Trump shares military-themed post on Truth Social
President Donald Trump posted an image of a bomb attached to a military aircraft on Truth Social alongside the phrase: “THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!”
The post added to uncertainty surrounding negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
US denies mine activity in Hormuz
The Associated Press quoted a US official as saying American forces had not discovered or destroyed mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
The official also said no vessels had been damaged in the waterway.
Progress on Hormuz framework
Reuters quoted a senior US official as saying Iran had agreed in principle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under a proposed understanding with Washington.
The report said discussions were continuing over technical nuclear matters, including the handling of enriched uranium stockpiles.
Tehran reviewing proposal
The The Washington Post reported that Iran was reviewing the latest proposal related to a memorandum of understanding with the United States.
According to the report, Tehran would move to restore shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz after signing the agreement.
Final wording still under discussion
CNN reported that negotiators were still working through the wording of several points in the draft memorandum between Washington and Tehran.
A US official said an in-person signing ceremony could follow once both sides approve the final text.
Iran insists on access to frozen assets
Tasnim News Agency reported that Tehran wants part of its frozen assets released at the beginning of any agreement with the United States.
The report added that differences remain over several provisions and that no final deal has yet been reached.
