Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, US-Iran diplomacy has entered what may be its most decisive phase yet, with Donald Trump saying he will make a “final determination” on a proposed agreement to end the conflict. Tehran insists no final understanding has been reached and says actions, not promises, will determine whether a deal succeeds. Meanwhile, fighting in Lebanon continues to exact a heavy toll on civilians, even as diplomatic efforts accelerate.
Tasnim: Hormuz would remain under Iran’s authority under proposed US deal According to details reported by Tasnim News Agency and cited by Mehr News, a possible preliminary understanding between Iran and the United States would not restore the Strait of Hormuz to its pre-war status and would leave Iran's authority over the strategic waterway unchanged. The report said that if a memorandum of understanding is finalised, the main change would be the gradual restoration of shipping traffic. The number of vessels transiting the strait would be allowed to return to pre-war levels over a 30-day period, rather than any change in the legal or operational status of the waterway.
Iran rejects ‘should and must’ language from Western powers, Baghaei says Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, said the United States and other Western countries have no right to use “should and must” language when dealing with Tehran. “Iran categorically rejects any ‘should and must’ language from Western parties,” Baghaei said, adding that “the Islamic Republic of Iran makes decisions based on the interests and rights of its own nation”. Addressing the US naval blockade, Baghaei described it as “illegal from day one”, arguing that it violates both the ceasefire and freedom of navigation.
White House says Trump will accept only a deal that meets US red lines A White House official said that a meeting of the US-Iran task force concluded after about two hours of discussions, stressing that President Donald Trump “will not make any agreement with Tehran unless it is good for the United States and meets its red lines”, Al Jazeera reported. Meanwhile, an Israeli official told CNN there is genuine concern that Trump could agree to what the official described as a “bad” interim deal with Iran. According to the official, any acceptable agreement must include the removal of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.
Petition forces UK debate on Israeli lobbying in British politics British lawmakers are set to debate concerns about Israeli lobbying and its potential influence on UK politics after a public petition attracted more than 116,000 signatures, surpassing the threshold required for parliamentary consideration. The debate is scheduled for 22 June and will focus on what campaigners describe as “reported Israeli state-linked and pro-Israel lobbying activity in UK politics” and its possible impact on political decision-making. “We feel that the horrific devastation in Gaza, the ongoing suppression of Palestinians in the West Bank, and the UK’s political response underline the urgent need to scrutinise how pro-Israel organisations, networks, and lobbying efforts may shape government decisions, party policy, and public debate,” the petition states.
Hegseth: Era of US subsidising wealthy nations is over Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the “era of US subsidising wealthy nations is over”. Hegseth said that “a Pacific dominated by any hegemony would unravel” the regional balance of power, adding that the US remains committed to maintaining a “free and open Indo-Pacific” despite months of focus on the war with Iran. He also warned that “no state, including China, can impose hegemony and hold security of our nation and allies”.
Pakistani officials hold talks with Rubio in Washington Pakistani officials held what Islamabad described as a “warm and cordial” meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, DC, amid ongoing efforts to mediate between Washington and Tehran. According to Pakistan’s foreign ministry, Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s diplomatic and mediation efforts during the discussions. Deputy Prime Minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar said he remained confident that Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote peace and stability, supported by friendly countries, would produce positive outcomes.
Iranian opposition news site got $800m in debt relief: Report An $870m debt-relief deal suggests that Iran International, an Iranian opposition outlet, has ties to Saudi Arabian investors, according to a Financial Times report on Thursday. The links stem from documents related to a debt-for-equity swap that Iran International conducted in December to shore up its finances. Iran International has spent hundreds of millions of dollars since its founding in 2017 by British-Saudi investors, the FT reported.
Why Pakistan will likely refuse to join the Abraham Accords Submitted by Zia Ur Rehman on Fri, 05/29/2026 - 18:31 Despite Trump's pressure, costs of normalising ties with Israel are higher in Pakistan than in Arab states due to its more vibrant and contested political landscape US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in the Treaty Room of the State Department in Washington, DC, on 29 May 2026 (Mandel Ngan/AFP) Off For decades, Pakistani passports have carried a simple but striking inscription: “Valid for all countries of the world except Israel . " This position is more than a diplomatic formality. It reflects one of Pakistan’s longest-standing foreign policy principles: Pakistan does not recognise Israel.
Iran says no final deal reached despite ongoing talks with US Iran has pushed back against comments by US President Donald Trump, saying negotiations between Tehran and Washington remain under way and have yet to produce a final agreement. Esmaeil Baghaei rejected Trump's assertion that Iran “must” agree never to possess a nuclear weapon. “None of the Western parties, when speaking about the Islamic Republic of Iran, can use the language of ‘must’,” Baghaei said.
Iran says no agreement reached with US, Strait of Hormuz decision must be joint Iran says no agreement has been finalised with the United States, pushing back against reports of a breakthrough in ongoing talks. Esmaeil Baghaei said in a statement that negotiations have yet to produce a deal. He added that any decisions on managing the Strait of Hormuz must be made jointly by Iran and Oman, underscoring Tehran’s position on control of the strategic waterway.
'Conspiracy of silence': Parliament set to debate Israeli influence on British politics Politicians are set to discuss Israeli influence on British politics and democracy after a government petition garnered more than 100,000 signatures, mandating a debate in parliament. The petition has been scheduled for debate in parliament on 22 June after receiving more than 116,000 signatures. The petition raises concerns about "reported Israeli state-linked and pro-Israel lobbying activity in UK politics” and emphasises the importance of “determin[ing] the scope and impact of such influence campaigns”.
Iranian opposition news site got $800bn in debt relief: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 05/29/2026 - 16:30 Debt-for-equity deal suggested ties to a person linked to Saudi Arabian state-backed media group A woman walks past a billboard bearing images of the late founder of the Islamic Revolution, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (L), late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, assassinated in February 2026, and his son, current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, right, along a street in Tehran, on 28 May 2026 (AFP) Off An $870m debt-relief deal suggests that Iran International, an Iranian opposition outlet, has ties to Saudi Arabian investors, according to a Financial Times report on Thursday. The links stem from documents related to a debt-for-equity swap that Iran International conducted in December to shore up its finances. Iran International has spent hundreds of millions of dollars since its founding in 2017 by British-Saudi investors, the FT reported.
Iranian opposition news site got $800m in debt relief: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 05/29/2026 - 16:30 Debt-for-equity deal suggested ties to a person linked to Saudi Arabian state-backed media group A woman walks past a billboard bearing images of the late founder of the Islamic Revolution, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (L), late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, assassinated in February 2026, and his son, current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, right, along a street in Tehran, on 28 May 2026 (AFP) Off An $870m debt-relief deal suggests that Iran International, an Iranian opposition outlet, has ties to Saudi Arabian investors, according to a Financial Times report on Thursday. The links stem from documents related to a debt-for-equity swap that Iran International conducted in December to shore up its finances. Iran International has spent hundreds of millions of dollars since its founding in 2017 by British-Saudi investors, the FT reported.
Kazakhstan open to storing Iran’s enriched uranium in nuclear deal Kazakhstan has indicated it could take custody of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile if Washington and Tehran reach an agreement on the nuclear file, according to the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog. Rafael Grossi told the Financial Times that the proposal was discussed during talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana earlier this week. He said Kazakhstan signalled its readiness to host the material as part of a broader deal aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iran sources say Trump remarks on deal are ‘mixture of truth and lies’ Iranian sources have pushed back against comments by US President Donald Trump on a potential agreement, calling his remarks inaccurate. State-affiliated Fars News Agency cited informed sources as saying Trump’s statements on the proposed deal amounted to a “mixture of truth and lies”. The agency said Trump had suggested Iran would be required to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, adding that “no such clause appears in the text of the agreement”.
'Conspiracy of silence': Parliament set to debate Israeli influence on British politics Submitted by Fleur Hargreaves on Fri, 05/29/2026 - 14:00 Government agrees to debate on ‘pro-Israel lobby activity in UK politics’ after more than 116,000 sign petition Protesters take part in a march organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in central London on 11 October 2025 (Henry Nicholls/AFP) Off Politicians are set to discuss Israeli influence on British politics and democracy after a government petition garnered more than 100,000 signatures, mandating a debate in parliament. The petition has been scheduled for debate in parliament on 22 June after receiving more than 116,000 signatures. The petition raises concerns about "reported Israeli state-linked and pro-Israel lobbying activity in UK politics” and emphasises the importance of “determin[ing] the scope and impact of such influence campaigns”.
Trump says making ‘final determination’ on Iran deal US President Donald Trump says he is preparing to make a final decision on a potential agreement with Iran as talks reach a critical stage. In a post on social media, Trump said he would meet in the Situation Room to decide whether to proceed with the deal. “I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination,” he wrote, reiterating that any agreement must ensure Iran never obtains nuclear weapons and must include the reopening of shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
Higher proportion of pro-Palestine than Labour candidates won at local elections Submitted by Imran Mulla on Fri, 05/29/2026 - 12:26 Candidates with a pro-Palestine platform were more likely to win seats than candidates for any major party besides Reform, according to data shared exclusively with MEE Protesters take part in a march in central London on 11 October 2025 organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (AFP) Off Pro- Palestine candidates were more likely to win their seat than candidates from any major party besides Reform at the recent local elections in England, Middle East Eye can reveal. New data shared exclusively with MEE indicates that opposition to British cooperation with Israel remains a salient political issue and is a predictor for electoral success in many areas in England. At the 7 May local elections, candidates who signed the “Pledge for Palestine”, created by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), won 27 percent of the seats they contested, while Reform candidates won 30 percent.
Are we witnessing a 21st century homeland crusade? Submitted by Amina Shareef on Wed, 05/27/2026 - 09:26 Emboldened by the language of national security, a far-right vigilante politics is emerging in the West, its rise in parallel with military campaigns against Muslim populations abroad Marchers at the Unite the Kingdom rally dressed in medieval Crusader costumes are pictured in London on 16 May 2026 (Toby Shepheard/AFP) Off A stream of speakers crossed the stage. “Islam is our real enemy .
