Donald Trump has threatened to “blow up” the country of Oman – an ally of the US in the Middle East – if it doesn’t bow to his wishes around control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The President was speaking at a cabinet meeting earlier today after a reporter asked about a potential short-term deal that would allow for shared control of the key shipping route between Iran and Oman.
He said nobody would control the Strait and added: “It’s international waters, and Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow them up. They understand that.”
Trump also said the Iranians want to make a peace deal but “haven’t gotten there”. He said: “We’re not satisfied with it [a proposed deal] – but we will be. Either that, or we’ll have to just finish the job.”
The US President’s remarks came shortly after the White House rejected Iranian state media reports of a draft interim peace deal between Washington and Tehran.
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Iranian authorities have announced that Isfahan International Airport has reopened.
Operations at the airport were disrupted for more than 80 days as a result of the US-Israel war on Iran, the ISNA news agency reported, citing the Isfahan governor.
Eliana NunesToday21:36 BST
The Israel Defence Forces have ordered people in Lebanon living south of the Zahrani River to evacuate – marking a significant expansion of Israel’s offensive in the country.
This means people in around 14 per cent of Lebanon’s territory, spread across roughly 300 towns and villages, have been told to leave their homes, Sky News reports.
Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,269 people since March 2, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said. At least 9,840 others have been injured, the ministry added.
People sit at the beach as smoke rises from the site of an Israeli strike near the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on May 27(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
During a cabinet meeting earlier today, Donald Trump reiterated his demand that Iran’s Arab neighbours join the Abraham Accords.
The Abraham Accords are a series of diplomatic and commercial agreements brokered with US backing between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco in 2020, during Trump’s first term.
Trump said it would be “historic” if the countries that have not signed were to join, adding: “They owe that to us.” He continued: “I’m not sure we should make the deal, if they don’t sign.”
He refused to confirm whether the Iran deal would be contingent on other countries joining the Abraham Accords.
Eliana NunesToday20:26 BST
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has spoken with with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to mark Eid al-Adha celebrations.
Sharif said in a post on X that he reiterated “Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people of Iran over the tragic loss of precious lives during the current crisis and emphasized that Pakistan will always stand by Iran as a sincere friend and neighbour”.
“I expressed hope that the ongoing peace efforts would soon lead to an enduring agreement, paving the way for regional stability, prosperity and cooperation,” he said.
Sharif also said that Pezeshkian expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s “sincere efforts for peace in the region”.
Eliana NunesToday19:32 BST
Donald Trump threatened to attack Oman if the Gulf country partners with Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz.
“Nobody’s going to control it. We’re going to watch over it. We’ll watch over it, but nobody’s going to control it. That’s part of the negotiation that we have. They would like to control it,” Trump said at the cabinet meeting earlier today.
“Nobody’s going to control [the strait]. It’s international waters, and Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow them up. They understand that. They’ll be fine.”
Read more on this story here.
Eliana NunesToday18:35 BST
While introducing members of his cabinet during a meeting at the White House, President Donald Trump joked that Secretary of Defence 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)
As a reminder, the White House earlier said Iranian state media’s report of a draft of an unofficial framework for a memorandum of understanding between Tehran and the United States was 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.
Christopher MallettToday18:16 BST
Donald 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.”
Eliana NunesToday17:42 BST
Marco 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.
Eliana NunesToday17:11 BST
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)
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”.
Eliana NunesToday16:45 BST
As 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.
Eliana NunesToday15:55 BST
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.”
Eliana NunesToday15:00 BST
President 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.
Tim HanlonToday13:54 BST
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.
Tim HanlonToday12:54 BST
Iran’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.
Tom SandersToday11:39 BST
Donald 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)
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)
British 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.
Ethan BlackshawToday08:40 BST
Oil 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.
Ethan BlackshawToday07:37 BST
Eight 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.
Ethan BlackshawToday06:51 BST
Locals 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)
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.”
Rachel Vickers-PriceToday03:38 BST
Israel 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.
Tannur AndersToday01:59 BST
Iran 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.
Tannur AndersToday01:35 BST
Photographs 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)
Lebanon’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 others
- A strike on Kawthariyat al-Ruz killed five people and wounded six others, including two children
- Strikes on Habboush killed four people, including two children, while 10 others were wounded
- Six people were killed and six others were wounded, including one child, in Maarakeh
- Two people were killed and two others injured in Selaa
Tannur Anders26th May21:52 BST
The 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)
In 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”.
Eliana Nunes26th May19:34 BST
US 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.