Middle East

Trump says negotiators are getting closer to Iran deal, media interviews show

US President Donald Trump told Axios either the US would make a good deal with Iran, or "I’ll blow them to a thousand hells".

‘Encouraging’ progress made on ending US-Iran war

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf meets with chief of Defence Forces of Pakistan, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Tehran, Iran, May 23, 2026. Iranian Parliament Speaker Office/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS

Pakistan military chief arrives in Tehran, in push to end Iran war

Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, arriving in Iran on May 22.

Third Qatari LNG tanker heads through Strait of Hormuz to China, data shows

A vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Iran, on May 22.

Middle East war casts shadow over million-strong haj pilgrimage

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand Mosque, ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Iran condemns ‘illegal’ US sanctions on Tehran’s ambassador-designate to Lebanon

Lebanon had declared Iranian ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country in March.

Pakistan seeks breakthrough in US-Iran peace talks

The US president also railed against Tehran’s intentions to charge fees on ships using the strait.

News analysis

India’s job engine strains as Iran war hits remittances and trade

Out of nearly 19 million Indians working overseas, about 9 million are in the Gulf.

Garbage bags sell out in parts of Japan as naphtha shortage spurs stockpiling

Japan's Environment ministry said about 20 municipalities have taken alternative measures in response to the shortage of designated bags, based on confirmed reports.

US and Iran still at odds on key issues, but Rubio sees some ‘good signs’

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaking to the press before boarding his plane on May 21 to travel to a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Sweden.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.