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ABC News

Rubio says 'significant progress' made in Iran talks

PHOTO: Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses a press conference at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on May 24, 2026.
2:23
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
US, Iran inch closer to peace deal 
By David Brennan, Nadine El-Bawab
Last Updated: May 18, 2026, 4:27 PM

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.

Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan in April failed to reach a peace deal.

Trump later announced the open-ended extension of the ceasefire and the continuation of a U.S. blockade until negotiations are concluded "one way or the other."

Key Headlines

  • US and Iran making progress on interim agreement, official says
  • Trump says his proposal Iran deal 'the exact opposite' of former President Obama's
  • Trump posts AI image of US drone destroying Iranian ships after announcing 'agreement' with Iran
  • Rubio says 'significant progress' made in Iran talks
  • Trump says agreement 'largely negotiated,' includes Strait of Hormuz reopening
Here's how the news is developing.

May 18, 2026 4:27 PM

National security meeting on Iran planned for Tuesday: Official

President Donald Trump is expected to hold a meeting of his top national security advisors in the Situation Room on Tuesday, according to an administration official familiar with the plans.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss next steps on Iran and the potential for new military action against the country, the official said.

Over the weekend, Trump met with members of his national security team at his golf club in Virginia to strategize on Iran, the official said, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff participated in the meeting, the official said.

PHOTO: Donald Trump speaks to reporters after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 15, 2026.
Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images
Donald Trump speaks to reporters after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 15, 2026.
Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images


-ABC News’ Shannon Kingston


May 18, 2026 10:08 AM

Iran responds to latest US peace proposal, Baghaei says

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said in a press briefing on Monday that Tehran had responded to the latest American negotiation proposal.

The mediation process continues through Pakistan, Baghaei told reporters.

"What can be said with certainty is, first of all, that rights are not something we are to negotiate or compromise over," Baghaei said, including Iran's right to enrichment as set out by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"There is no need for another party to recognize this right for Iran. This right already exists," he added.

PHOTO: A woman holds a placard with photos of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and his predecessor and late father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a protest at the Hafte Tir Square in Tehran on May 17, 2026.
-/AFP via Getty Images
A woman holds a placard with photos of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and his predecessor and late father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a protest at the Hafte Tir Square in Tehran on May 17, 2026.
-/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule


May 18, 2026 9:43 AM

IDF orders south Lebanon evacuations amid ongoing strikes

Israel Defense spokesperson Avichay Adraee on Monday issued evacuation orders for the southern Lebanese towns of Harouf, Burj el-Shamali and Dibal ahead of planned Israeli strikes.

Adraee said the IDF would act "forcefully" against alleged Hezbollah targets in those areas, accusing the Iran-aligned militia of "violating the ceasefire."

Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health said on Sunday that the death toll from Israeli strikes on the country since March 2 had risen to 2,988 people. Another 9,210 people have been wounded, the ministry said.

PHOTO: Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Tourzai on May 17, 2026.
Kawnat Haju/AFP via Getty Images
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Tourzai on May 17, 2026.
Kawnat Haju/AFP via Getty Images


May 18, 2026 8:03 AM

Saudi Arabia, UAE condemn fresh drone attacks

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates reported fresh drone attacks on Sunday amid the continued U.S.-Israeli ceasefire and standoff with Iran.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office in the UAE said on Sunday that a drone attack of unspecified origin caused a fire in an electrical generator "outside the inner perimeter" of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra Region.

The UAE Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the attack came "from the western border direction."

"These attacks constitute a dangerous escalation, an unacceptable act of aggression and a direct threat to the country's security," the statement said. The UAE, it added, "will not tolerate any threat to its security and sovereignty under any circumstances" and reserves the right "to respond to any threats, allegations or hostilities."

Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said on Sunday that its air defenses intercepted three drones "coming from Iraqi airspace."

The ministry said in a post to X that it "reserves the right to respond at the appropriate time and place."


May 23, 2026 5:38 PM

CENTCOM says it redirected 100 vessels during blockade

U.S. forces have now re-directed 100 commercial vessels as part of its blockade against Iran, according to U.S. Central Command.

PHOTO: Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, May 22, 2026.
Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency via Reuters
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, May 22, 2026.
Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency via Reuters

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