US launches 'self-defense strikes' on Iran as Israel orders Hezbollah attacks

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Oil prices dropped in early Asian trading Tuesday after reports that United States and Iran talks could ease tensions in the Middle East and eventually reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Reuters reported that U.S. crude futures fell more than 6% after Japan’s Nikkei newspaper reported that Washington and Tehran are considering a plan to reopen the shipping route roughly 30 days after they reach an agreement to end the war.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down $5.90, or 6.1%, at $90.73 a barrel as of 10:05 p.m. GMT. The benchmark contract had already fallen 6.5% in the previous trading session, the outlet said. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that President Donald Trump would give diplomacy as much time as needed in Washingtons negotiations with Tehran.

Speaking at Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi, India, Rubio downplayed the pace of talks, saying delays were largely due to the time Iran was taking to reply.

“We’re still a work in progress,” Rubio said. “As I said, we thought we might have some news last night, maybe today. I wouldn’t read too much into it. It takes a little while to get back.”

Rubio said negotiators had put forward a strong proposal and was optimistic.

“We have what I think is a pretty solid thing on the table in terms of their ability to open up the straits, get the straits opened,” he said.

He also stressed the urgency of reaching a deal over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“There’s a very real, significant time limit on negotiations on the nuclear matter, and hopefully we can pull it off,” Rubio said.

“It has a lot of support in the Gulf. There’s a lot of support globally,” he added.

“We’re going to give diplomacy every chance to succeed before we explore the alternatives,” Rubio said. “We’d prefer to have a good agreement.”

Iran has relocated its World Cup training base from the United States to Mexico amid security concerns, FIFA confirmed Monday.

Iran had originally chosen a complex in Tucson, Arizona, for its national team's de facto headquarters during the tournament, Reuters reported.

The country looked to change its plans after the U.S. and Israel carried out joint strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.

FIFA published the final list of team base camp locations Monday, with Iran now at Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana.

There are not yet any plans to change the location of Iran's group-stage matches, the outlet said.

As part of Group G, Iran is set to play its first two matches in Los Angeles against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, with a June 26 matchup against Egypt in Seattle. 

Residents in southern Lebanon started to leave Beirut’s suburbs Monday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled an escalation of attacks against Lebanon according to reports.

According to The Times of Israel, a correspondent reported that people were fleeing the region, while Lebanese security sources told Reuters that evacuations were underway.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also updated its defensive guidelines to a partial activity level, with restrictions on gatherings and services.

Netanyahu did not clarify in his video message about the military action whether Israel will resume broader strikes on the Lebanese capital, but said he had “ordered an even greater acceleration of our operations.” 

President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium would either be handed over to the United States for destruction or eliminated under international supervision as part of a potential nuclear agreement with Tehran.

“The Enriched Uranium (Nuclear Dust!) will either be immediately turned over to the United States to be brought home and destroyed or, preferably, in conjunction and coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran, destroyed in place or, at another acceptable location, with the Atomic Energy Commission, or its equivalent, being witness to this process and event,” the president said in a post on Truth Social.

The question of nuclear enrichment has been a sticking point in critical talks between the U.S. and Iran over a potential deal.

Bandar Abbas and multiple coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz were rocked by explosions on Monday, according to reports.

Reuters said Iranian state media reported three explosions in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas.

Similar explosion sounds were also heard near the coastal towns of Sirik and Jask, both located close to the Strait of Hormuz.

The outlet also reported an explosion in Bandar Abbas, adding that the cause of the blasts remained unknown.

Iranian media did not immediately give details on casualties, damage or the cause of the explosions, Reuters said.

President Masoud Pezeshkian invoked one of Iran’s strongest wartime symbols on May 24, signaling Tehran’s resolve to hold its ground against the U.S. and Israel across the region, a counterterrorism expert said.

The Iranian leader's remarks came at a key moment in diplomacy, as President Donald Trump said a deal with Tehran to end the war is "largely negotiated" and warned the U.S. would either sign "a great and meaningful" agreement or walk away entirely.

While Iran signaled broad agreement with Washington on some points, it said a final deal is not imminent and that negotiations over the remaining details are still underway.

In an X post marking the anniversary of the 1982 recapture of Khorramshahr from Iraqi forces during the Iran-Iraq War, Pezeshkian said, "Khorramshahr today is Iran, the Persian Gulf, and the Strait of Hormuz," adding that "resistance, self-sacrifice, and repelling aggression are rooted in the culture of this land."

Analysts claimed Pezeshkian was deliberately invoking one of the deepest ideological touchstones of the Islamic Republic — the battle that came to symbolize national resistance, civilian sacrifice and defiance against invasion.

"This is the Iran-Iraq War reference, and the timing is the point," said Dr. Omar Mohammed, director of the Antisemitism Research Initiative Program on Extremism at George Washington University.

This is a report excerpt.

An Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Qatar on Monday for a meeting centered on details of an agreement to end the war between the United States and Iran.

"Intense talks on the details of an agreement to end the regional conflict have been ongoing in Doha since this morning and are continuing,” a diplomat told Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst.

According to Reuters, the talks focused on the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the possible release of frozen Iranian funds as part of a final deal.

Iran had said nuclear negotiations would only proceed after a framework agreement is reached. Disagreements remain over sanctions relief, frozen oil revenues and regional tensions involving Hezbollah and Israel’s war in Lebanon, Reuters reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he had ordered the military to “intensify the blows” against Hezbollah signaling an escalation in Israel’s campaign in Lebanon as cross-border drone attacks surged.

“We are at war with Hezbollah,” Netanyahu said in a video released on X.

“Just in recent weeks, our brave fighters have eliminated more than 600 terrorists. I want you to know that — more than 600 terrorists,” he said.

“But we are not taking our foot off the gas. On the contrary, I said we must press the pedal even harder. We will strike them,” the Israeli leader warned.

“Yes, they are launching drones at us — fiber drones. We have a special team working on this, and we will solve that too,” he explained before describing how Israeli citizens in the north “are showing resilience.”

“I want to commend the residents of the north — the resilience that inspires all of us,” he said.

“But what this requires from us now is to intensify the blows, to increase the force. We will strike them hard, decisively,” Netanyahu added.

The remarks came as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), said it was striking Hezbollah sites in the Beqaa Valley and other areas across Lebanon.

In a statement on Monday, the IDF said it had struck more than 70 Hezbollah infrastructure sites using 85 munitions in several areas across Lebanon.

The IDF also said the Israeli Air Force had “eliminated Hezbollah terrorists” operating on motorcycles in the south.

Israel warned Monday that Hezbollah’s continued attacks have made the situation unsustainable, with an official telling Fox News the Iran-backed terror group has ignored demands to stop firing.

The official also warned the group was trying to derail negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.

“Hizballah has ignored repeated requests to stop firing at Israel, including a recent ultimatum,” the official said.

“Israel will never be expected to passively absorb attacks on its forces and civilians. This is not the Biden Administration,” they added.

Since April 17, Hizballah has fired more than 1,000 drones and more than 700 rockets in an effort to derail ongoing negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, the official said, describing the status quo as “untenable.”

“Hizballah is entirely responsible for the current situation.”

Citing the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement, the official said the deal was broken on March 2, with the militant group now “intent on denying the Lebanese people a path to peace and reconstruction.”

“The idea that the Lebanese government is negotiating directly with Israel and stands to get significant support from the United States, all while Hizballah is having its narrative of resistance challenged, is an existential threat to Hizballah,” they said.

The comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel is at war with Lebanon’s Hezbollah and would intensify strikes against the group in Lebanon, according to Reuters.

Fox News' Lillian Lecroy contributed to this report.

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, the new secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, issued a statement to the Iranian public Monday urging unity before warning that Iran would not step back.

“There will be no retreat,” Zolghadr said in the message, according to Reuters, adding that this had been shown on the military front, in diplomacy, and by Iran’s supporters in the streets through what he called the population’s “resistance.”

He also said Iranian citizens needed “unity and cohesion” so “the Americans and Zionists would also be disappointed on that front,” Iran International reported.

Zolghadr succeeded Ali Larijani in March as head of the country’s Supreme National Security Council after Larijani was killed in an airstrike.

International internet access looked set to be restored to Iranian citizens after President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an order Monday to reopen it, according to reports.

Citing Iranian state media, Reuters reported that the news came from the head of public relations at Iran’s Communications Ministry.

Most Iranians have not been able to access the worldwide web for months, with only a few citizens having access to expensive and advanced VPNs that circumvent the restrictions.

NetBlocks said Monday that it was now the "87th consecutive day of #Iran’s internet blackout, which has been in place for more than 2,064 hours."

“The measure has eliminated any transparency around executions, adding to the inhumane conditions and daily uncertainty faced by jailed critics, dissidents and tourists,” the firm said in a post shared on X.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth honored America's fallen service members, including those who died due to Operation Epic Fury, during Memorial Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us to remember our fallen warriors, from the sacred names of bygone eras to the 13 souls of Epic Fury. On this sacred occasion for our nation, we take the day for memories of our very best," he said.

"They now lie in silent rows here at Arlington, in more than 170 national cemeteries throughout our nation and across 17 countries around the world. They answered the call when it mattered the most, and they gave the last full measure of devotion so that this great republic of ours might endure," he declared.

President Donald Trump honored the service members killed due to the U.S. war against Iran.

"In Operation Epic Fury we lost 13 wonderful souls, wonderful, special people," Trump said.

"These incredible men and women gave their lives to ensure that the world's number-one state sponsor of terror will never have a nuclear weapon. Oh and they won't. They will never have a nuclear weapon," he declared.

During remarks at a Memorial Day event at Arlington National Cemetery, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine honored the U.S. servicemembers who lost their lives due to Operation Epic Fury.

"The patriots buried here connect the frozen encampments of Valley Forge to the cold forests of Europe; the sands of the Pacific, to the mountains of Korea; and the jungles of Vietnam, to the deserts of the Middle East. Across the centuries, the character, courage, and commitment of the American warfighter has never wavered. And it never will. It's that same war fighting spirit we recently saw in Operation Epic Fury, and we remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, adding their names to the story of American heroism," Kaine declared.

"To the Gold Star families here today and those watching across this great nation, we know that for you, Memorial Day is not a single date on a calendar. It's literally every single day. You bear a burden that most of us cannot comprehend. But you do so with a grace and resilience that inspires an entire nation. We cannot replace what you've lost, but we can promise you this: Your loved ones names will never be forgotten. Their names are etched into the stones in this great cemetery, but more importantly, woven into the fabric" of the country's story, he said.

As Americans mark Memorial Day on Monday, the Democratic National Committee utilized the somber occasion to target President Donald Trump while remembering U.S. service members who lost their lives supporting the war against Iran.

"Today, we honor the American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in Trump’s war with Iran," the post declared.

The post included a graphic that featured photos of the fallen U.S. service members below the words, "REMEMBERING THE AMERICANS WHO HAVE DIED IN TRUMP'S WAR WITH IRAN."

A prior post on the X account offered a message that did not reference Trump.

"This Memorial Day, we remember and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country and defend our freedoms," that post stated.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., praised President Donald Trump's push for more nations to join the Abraham Accords.

"President Trump’s most recent proposal requiring expansion of the Abraham Accords as part of a negotiated settlement to the Iran conflict is simply brilliant and would result in the most significant change in the Middle East in thousands of years," Graham wrote in a post on X.

"With Saudi Arabia and others like Pakistan making peace with Israel, the region will know a level of stability never dreamed of before President Trump and will eventually lead to regional integration making the Middle East a powerhouse for economic opportunity and good instead of a powder keg. I expect our Arab allies to embrace this, as well as our friends in Israel, focusing on this task as failure is not an option - which would be a correct analysis," the senator added.

Trump, whose administration is working to strike a peace deal with Iran, issued a Truth Social post on Monday calling for several nations to join the Abraham Accords.

He indicated in the post that while speaking Saturday with figures from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain, "I stated that, after all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords."

"Those Countries discussed are Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates (already a Member!), Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain (already a Member!). It may be possible that one or two have a reason for not doing so, and that will be accepted, but most should be ready, willing, and able to make this Settlement with Iran a far more Historic Event than it would, otherwise, be," Trump asserted in the post.

The president added, "I am mandatorily requesting that all Countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords, and that, if Iran signs its Agreement with me, as President of the United States of America, it would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition."

The AAA national average price for regular gas is just above $4.50 as the lingering U.S. conflict with Iran remains unresolved nearly three months since it began and Americans around the nation mark Memorial Day.

The AAA national average figure for regular gas is $4.507 as of Monday. That figure is significantly higher than the month ago average of $4.086 and the year ago average of $3.181, but only a slight decline from yesterday's average of $4.515.

The U.S. is continuing to conduct a blockade against Iran.

President Donald Trump's administration is working to strike an agreement with the foreign nation, but the commander in chief said in a Sunday Truth Social post that the blockade will persist until Iran and the U.S. ink a deal.

As Americans honor fallen service members this Memorial Day, President Donald Trump marked the somber occasion by blasting "Dumocrats."

"Happy Memorial Day to all, including the Dumocrats, who disrespect our Military and all of the tremendous success that it has had over the last year," the president declared in a Monday morning Truth Social post.

"God Bless those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. I love you all!" he added.

President Donald Trump on Monday said negotiations with Iran are “proceeding nicely” and urged multiple Middle Eastern countries to sign onto the Abraham Accords, saying Iran could also eventually join the agreement if a deal is reached with the United States.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said it “should be mandatory” for countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to join the Abraham Accords as part of any broader agreement involving Iran, arguing the pact would bring “Power, Strength, and Peace to the Middle East.”

"Negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran are proceeding nicely! It will only be a Great Deal for all or, no Deal at all — Back to the Battlefront and shooting, but bigger and stronger than ever before — And nobody wants that!" Trump wrote in part.

Trump held a conference call at the White House on Saturday with leaders and senior officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain to discuss the Iran conflict.

"I stated that, after all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords. Those Countries discussed are Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates (already a Member!), Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain (already a Member!)," Trump wrote Monday, referencing the call. "It may be possible that one or two have a reason for not doing so, and that will be accepted, but most should be ready, willing, and able to make this Settlement with Iran a far more Historic Event than it would, otherwise, be."

"The Abraham Accords have proven to be, for the Countries involved (The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and Kazakhstan), a Financial, Economic, and Social BOOM, even during this time of Conflict and War, with the current Members never even suggesting leaving, or taking so much as even a pause," Trump wrote. "The reason for this is that the Abraham Accords have been great for them, and will be even better for everybody, and bring true Power, Strength, and Peace to the Middle East for the first time in 5,000 years. It will be a Document respected like no other that has ever been signed, anywhere in the World. Its level of Importance and Prestige will be unparalleled!"

Trump continued, "It should start with the immediate signing by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and everybody else should follow suit. If they don’t, they should not be part of this Deal in that it shows bad intention. In speaking to numerous of the Great Leaders mentioned above, they would be honored, as soon as our Document is signed, to have the Islamic Republic of Iran as part of the Abraham Accords. Wow, now that would be something special! This will be the most important Deal that any of these Great, but always in Conflict Countries, will ever sign. Nothing in the past, or in the future, will surpass it."

"Therefore, I am mandatorily requesting that all Countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords, and that, if Iran signs its Agreement with me, as President of the United States of America, it would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition. The Middle East would be United, Powerful, and Economically Strong, like perhaps no other area, anywhere in the World! By copy of this TRUTH, I am asking my Representatives to begin, and successfully complete, the process of signing these Countries into the already Historic Abraham Accords. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he added.

President Donald Trump declared in a Monday morning Truth Social post that the U.S. will either strike a “meaningful” deal with Iran or there will not be any agreement made at all, insisting that his administration will make a much better deal than the President Barack Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

“The deal with Iran will either be a great and meaningful one, or there will be no deal. It will be the exact opposite of the JCPOA disaster negotiated by the failed Obama Administration, which was a direct and open path to a Nuclear Weapon for Iran. No, I don’t do deals like that!” Trump asserted in the post. 

The president targeted several GOP lawmakers in his post.

“I laugh at all of the Dumocrats, RINOS, and Fools who know nothing about the potential deal I am making with Iran, things that haven’t even been negotiated yet, weak and ineffective people like failed Senator Thom Tillis (Soon out of office!), Bill Cassidy, who just suffered a massive Primary loss, really bad Congressman Thomas Massie, a major sleazebag who lost in a landslide to a great American Patriot (Endorsed by 'TRUMP') after showing tremendous disloyalty to his Party (and Country!), and almost all Dumocrats, people that have totally lost their way, constantly supporting bad policy and even worse candidates, but are constantly critical of each and every fantastic win I have,” Trump declared in the post. 

“These people should go home and rest, they do nothing but create division and loss. In other words, they are losers!” he asserted. 

Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sunday that the U.S. blockade against Iran will continue until a deal is signed.

Hundreds of British sailors are preparing to deploy to the Strait of Hormuz to help clear mines, according to The Associated Press.

The outlet reported Sunday that, once a deal is reached between the U.S. and Iran, the RFA Lyme Bay, docked off the coast of Gibraltar, will leave for the Middle East.

The vessel is being loaded with ammunition and mine-hunting sea drones equipped with sonar. It is expected to join the British destroyer HMS Dragon and allied ships providing air support before transiting the Suez Canal en route to the Persian Gulf.

Iran could deploy a “huge” variety of mines throughout the strait, Cmdr. Gemma Britton, head of the Royal Navy’s Mine and Threat Exploitation Group, told the outlet.

The mines could be rocket-propelled, tethered by cables or placed on the seabed and may be triggered by sound, movement or light.

The autonomous systems aboard the Lyme Bay use sonar to scan the seabed and surrounding waters, mapping potential threats in roughly half the time of traditional ships.