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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, 11:59 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 11:59 PM

Iran and armed forces 'more prepared and stronger than ever before,' state media says

"Iran and its armed forces are more prepared and stronger than ever before," according to a statement Monday from Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.

The statement, published on Iran's semi-official state media outlet Fars, comes on the same day that President Donald Trump said on social media that the U.S. will hold off on attacks on Iran, planned for Tuesday, at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

"We will cut off the hand of any aggressor," the Iranian statement continued. "We urge the United States and its allies not to make strategic mistakes and miscalculations again."

"They should know that Islamic Iran and its armed forces are more prepared and stronger than ever before, they are on the trigger, and they will respond quickly, decisively, powerfully, and extensively to any renewed aggression or aggression by the enemies of the proud land and nation," the statement further said.

President Donald Trump said on social media Monday that “serious negotiations are now taking place” to end the war in Iran and that a deal acceptable to the U.S. “will be made," but that he had asked the Pentagon to prepare for “a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached.”

-ABC News' Will Gretsky


May 18, 2026 11:59 PM

Iranian president says 'Dialogue doesn't mean surrender'

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a social media post on Monday that dialogue with the United States "doesn't mean surrender."

Pezeshkian's social media post came after Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei announced that Iran had responded to the latest American proposal for ending the war.

"Dialogue does not mean surrender. The Islamic Republic of Iran enters into dialogue with dignity, authority, and the preservation of the nation's rights, and under no circumstances will it retreat from the legal rights of the people and the country," Pezeshkian said in his social media post. "We will serve the people with logic and with all our might, to the end, and safeguard the interests and honor of Iran."

PHOTO:  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during a gathering of public relations officials in Tehran, May 18, 2026.
Sopa Images/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during a gathering of public relations officials in Tehran, May 18, 2026.
Sopa Images/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett

Earlier on Monday, Baghaei said at a press briefing that Iran had sent a response to the U.S. proposal through a Pakistani mediator after reviewing the proposal "over the past several days.

“So the process continues through the Pakistani mediator," Baghaei said. "What can be said with certainty is, first of all, that rights are not something we are to negotiate or compromise over. Iran’s right to enrichment is recognized under the NPT agreement, or the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. There is no need for another party to recognize this right for Iran. This right already exists."

-ABC News William Gretsky and Victoria Beaule


May 18, 2026 7:22 PM

Trump says he's postponing strikes on Iran, at Middle East allies' request, in hopes of deal

President Donald Trump said on social media that the U.S. will hold off on attacks on Iran, planned for Tuesday, at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, because “serious negotiations are now taking place” and that a deal acceptable to the U.S. “will be made.”

Trump said he has asked the Pentagon to prepare for “a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached.”

-ABC News' Fritz Farrow



May 18, 2026 7:03 PM

Death toll in Lebanon tops 3,000

At least 3,020 people have died in Lebanon and another 9,273 have been injured since the Iran war began, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

PHOTO: Smoke rises following Israeli bombardment on the village of Arnoun in southern Lebanon on May 16, 2026.
AFP via Getty Images
Smoke rises following Israeli bombardment on the village of Arnoun in southern Lebanon on May 16, 2026.
AFP via Getty Images

May 23, 2026 9:19 PM

Trump says agreement 'largely negotiated,' includes Strait of Hormuz reopening

President Donald Trump said Saturday that a framework for a peace deal with Iran will be announced shortly and it will include opening the Strait of Hormuz.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks at Rockland Community College, May 22, 2026, in Suffern, N.Y.
Alex Brandon/AP Photo
President Donald Trump speaks at Rockland Community College, May 22, 2026, in Suffern, N.Y.
Alex Brandon/AP Photo

In a lengthy social media post, the president said he spoke with several Middle Eastern leaders and "an Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries."

"Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly," he said.

The post added: "In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened."

-ABC News' Selina Wang


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