Smoke rises from a site in southern Iran struck by US attacks, May 25, 2026 (WION)

EA on BBC and Monocle Radio: Will Iran’s Proposal End Trump’s War?

EA on Pat Kenny Show: The Latest Chaos in TrumpLand

UPDATES: US-Israel War, Day 88 — Iran and Trump Camp Close On “Framework Agreement” — But What Are The Details?

UPDATE 1858 GMT:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel is “intensifying” its military operations in Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces are operating with “large forces on ​the ‌ground” to take control of “strategic areas”, said Netanyahu.

A military official confirmed that Israeli forces are deployed beyond the “yellow line”, Israel’s 10-km (6-mile) deep zone of occupation inside southern Lebanon.

UPDATE 1401 GMT:

Iran’s judiciary has suspended a Presidential agency that had ordered the restoration of internet access.

Iranian authorities restricted the internet during nationwide protests in January and shut down access at the start of the US-Israel War on February 28. The blackout is the longest national cutoff in history.

The Special Headquarters for Organising and Governing the Country’s Cyberspace, formed on May 12 by President Masoud Pezeshkian, decided on Monday to “restore the internet”.

The monitor Netblocks posted on Tuesday about a partial restoration of internet connectivity.

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref maintained, “The first step toward free and regulated access to cyberspace has been taken.” He said the demands of Iranians “will be fulfilled”.

UPDATE 1356 GMT:

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has said of the US attacks late Monday, “The United States committed a gross violation of the ceasefire in the Hormozgan region in the past 48 hours….Iran holds the US regime responsible for all the consequences resulting from these aggressive and unjustified actions.”

UPDATE 1101 GMT:

Iranian officials are calling for the release of around $24 billion of Tehran’s frozen assets in a framework deal to end the US-Israel War.

The officials said Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqr Qalibaf is in Qatar to reach agreement on a mechanism to implement the release.

Qatar has denied that it offered Iran $12 billion, but sources said Doha has proposed a $12 billion loan to Iran for humanitarian purposes (see 0800 GMT).

UPDATE 0829 GMT:

Iran has executed another detainee, Gholamreza Khani Shekarab, on claims of espionage and intelligence cooperation with Israel.

UPDATE 0800 GMT:

Qatar has denied that it “offered” Iran $12 billion for completion of a framework agreement to end the US-Israel War.

Sources said on Monday that Qatar, which is hosting senior Iranian officials in discussions (see Original Entry), proposed a $12 billion loan to Iran for humanitarian purposes.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari posted:

UPDATE 0659 GMT:

Lebanese rescue workers have recovered 12 bodies following Israeli strikes on the town of Mashghara in the south of the country.

Health authorities say other people have been wounded.

The Israelis also bombarded the towns of Arnoun, Yahmar al-Shaqif, Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Mayfadoun, Shahour, and Srifa. Airstrikes targeted Kawthariyat al-Ruz, Sarafina, Kafr, and Majdal Salm.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: The Trump camp has attacked missile sites and ships in southern Iran, even as talks continue on a framework deal to end the US-Israel War.

US Central Command claimed that the strikes were “defensive”, including against vessels attempting to lay mines, “to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire”.

Iranian media identified four Revolutionary Guard troops killed in the strikes on the boats. Blasts were reported around the port of Bandar Abbas, but officials said the situation was “completely under control” and there was no reason for residents to be concerned.

Iran’s senior officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati traveled to Doha on Monday for discussions with Qatari mediators.

A regional diplomat said, “The focus of the delegation’s visit to Doha is on issues relating to the Strait of Hormuz and highly enriched uranium.”

The Iranians are also seeking the earlier release of some of Tehran’s frozen assets, said the source. Claims circulated that Qatar has proposed extension of a $12 billion loan to Iran for humanitarian purposes.

Speaking during a visit to India this morning, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that despite Central Command’s strikes, a deal is still possible.

There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we’ll see if we can make progress. I think it’s a lot of talking back and forth going on about specific language in the initial document.

Rubio declared that the Strait of Hormuz will open “one way or another”: “What’s happening there is unlawful, it’s illegal, it’s unsustainable for the world, it’s unacceptable.”

Iran is in talks with Oman on a system to oversee passage of ships through the Strait. There will be no toll; however, vessels will pay maritime fees such as an “enviornmental charge”.