Key development: The US struck Iranian missile sites and mine-laying boats during the ceasefire—the first American attacks on Iran since the truce started—even as both sides say they’re close to a deal.
Military Operations
(Update) The US hit Iranian missile sites and boats laying mines in southern Iran yesterday. First strikes since the ceasefire began over a month ago. US Central Command called them “self-defense strikes” on May 25, while Iran says they violate the truce and warned it’s ready to retaliate. (France24, Al Jazeera, Euronews)
Context: US Central Command targeted missile launch sites and boats placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz on May 25. Iran immediately accused the US of breaching the ceasefire. Awkward timing: this happened while Trump posted that negotiations were “proceeding nicely” and Rubio said a deal could come within days.
Sources: France24 | Al Jazeera | Euronews
Diplomacy
(Update) Iran’s delegation in Qatar is finalizing a 14-point framework to end the war. US is anxious to close a deal before midterms, while Iran wants frozen assets released and sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz recognized. (France24)
Context: Despite the overnight strikes, both sides insist they’re close to an agreement. Iran is pushing for unfreezing of Iranian funds as part of the deal and wants sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz recognized. The US wants the strait reopened. Trump is reportedly moving closer to Iran’s position on destroying enriched uranium. Growing American opposition to the war ahead of midterm elections is putting pressure on Washington to wrap this up, though Trump has also said he told diplomats not to “rush into a deal.”
(Update) Trump now says it should be “mandatory” for Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to join the Abraham Accords. He wants this as part of any Iran deal, which could complicate negotiations. (France24)
Context: Trump explicitly named five countries that would need to normalize ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords framework as a condition of any agreement with Iran. This is a new, specific requirement that goes beyond previous general statements about regional normalization. It’s unclear how this demand—which involves multiple other governments—would fit into bilateral US-Iran talks.
Sources: France24
Inside Iran
(Update) Iran’s new supreme leader gave his longest statement yet, vowing no US military bases in the region. Still hasn’t appeared in public since taking over. (Euronews)
Context: Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei continues to avoid public appearances but issued his most extensive remarks since assuming power. The statement came the same night US Central Command acknowledged striking Iranian targets. He’s clearly trying to project strength while staying out of sight.
Sources: Euronews
(Update) President Pezeshkian ordered global internet restored, but an Iranian court suspended the order before it fully kicked in. Live metrics show partial connectivity coming back anyway on day 88 of the blackout. (France24, Euronews)
Context: Pezeshkian issued a concrete order to reopen international internet access after authorities imposed a blackout starting January 8 during protests, then reimposed it when US-Israeli strikes began February 28. But a court intervened before full restoration, leaving Iranians in legal and digital limbo. Some connectivity is flickering back regardless, according to live monitoring.
(Update) Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are mass-training Basij militia members to shoot down US and Israeli planes with shoulder-fired missiles. France 24 obtained documents and videos showing the training. (France24)
Context: The IRGC is deploying more man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and training its paramilitary Basij force on how to use them, apparently applying lessons from recent combat where multiple US and Israeli aircraft were downed. The obtained materials provide concrete evidence of Iran preparing for a potential new round of airstrikes beyond just rhetoric about military readiness.
Sources: France24
Regional Actors
Israel killed two people in southern Lebanon over the weekend despite the Hezbollah ceasefire. Hezbollah’s leader rejected any talks with Israel, opposed disarmament, and called for protests against Lebanon’s government. (France24)
Context: Israeli strikes are testing the fragile truce. Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem is taking a hard line: no negotiations with Israel, no disarmament, and he’s encouraging demonstrations against the Lebanese government. The US condemned his remarks.
Sources: France24
What to watch: Whether the overnight US strikes derail the 14-point framework Iran says it’s finalizing in Qatar, or whether both sides ignore the attack and keep negotiating.