Iran has called for concrete actions rather than words after US officials said a peace deal extending the ceasefire in the Middle East war is close to finalisation, with the deal now awaiting President Donald Trump’s approval.
US Vice President JD Vance said Washington and Tehran are close to agreeing on a 60-day extension of the current ceasefire, which was first announced in early April before Trump set an open-ended extension prior to its expiration. The tentative deal would also allow traffic to freely flow through the strategic Strait of Hormuz while negotiators continue to address more difficult issues like Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Speaking to reporters, Vance described the Geneva talks on Tuesday as “productive in some ways,” though he cautioned that Iran remains “not yet willing” to engage fully on some elements and that negotiators are still “going back and forth” on language details. He stressed that the ultimate test is whether the deal satisfies Trump’s red line: ensuring Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei acknowledged that progress has been made on many issues but warned that a final agreement is not imminent, accusing Washington of shifting its positions. The latest comments from Tehran come after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiators had a “pretty solid thing on the table” and indicated that a peace deal could be reached soon.
Meanwhile, the US Treasury has slapped fresh sanctions on Iran’s military oil trade, targeting eight vessels involved in transporting Iranian crude oil and petroleum products to global markets. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would tighten pressure on Iran by targeting the country’s airlines, warning that “only a satisfactory outcome in negotiations will end the downward spiral.”
The tentative ceasefire extension deal is being reported by multiple international outlets including Reuters, AFP, CNN, The New York Times, Fox News, and CBS News, all citing sources familiar with the matter. Iran’s Tasnim news agency said the text of the agreement had not been finalised or confirmed, while the White House declined to comment on the reports.
About the author
Super Eagles, Reggae Boyz Set for London Unity Cup Finale
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz in the final of the 2026 Unity Cup after the Caribbean side secured a convincing 2–0 victory over India at The Valley Stadium in South London. Nigeria had already booked their place in the final following Tuesday’s hard-fought win over Zimbabwe in the semi-finals. The North American giants Jamaica controlled large spells of the contest against India, created the better opportunities, and displayed greater attacking quality throughout the evening. Debutant Courtney Clarke and young forward Kaheim Dixon both found the net to hand the Reggae Boyz their ticket to the final for the second consecutive year. Dixon opened the scoring before Clarke added a second, sealing a comfortable 2–0 victory and sending Jamaica into another Unity Cup final against Nigeria. The 2026 Unity Cup final is scheduled for Saturday, May […]
Full List: Clubs That Reached the Champions League Final But Never Won
The UEFA Champions League (formerly the European Cup) has crowned many champions, but a number of clubs have reached the final only to lose and still remain without a title. Below is the full list of clubs that have reached the final but have never won the Champions League. 1. Atlético Madrid (Spain) Atlético Madrid is the only team to reach three Champions League finals without winning the trophy. They lost all three finals, including consecutive losses in 2014 and 2016 to city rivals Real Madrid. The club, founded in 1903, has one of the biggest fanbases and richest histories in Europe. 2. Arsenal (England) Arsenal reached their first and only Champions League final in 2006, losing 2–1 to Barcelona despite taking an early lead. The Gunners, founded in 1886, have never won the Champions League despite being one of […]
Tinubu Has Scored 70 in Security, Defence Minister Says
Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (rtd.) has given President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a 70% security performance score in the fight against insecurity across Nigeria, acknowledging improvements while noting that security challenges remain significant. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, May 29, 2026, the Defence Minister said Nigeria’s security architecture is undergoing a renewed strategic shift, with President Tinubu approving the acquisition of additional military equipment to strengthen ongoing operations against insurgents and bandits across the country. Musa disclosed that President Tinubu has consistently supported the Armed Forces of Nigeria in all ramifications, thereby enhancing the military’s capacity to tackle insecurity across the country. He noted that the President has further reinforced the fight against insecurity by approving additional military hardware and logistical support for the armed forces and security agencies. The Defence Minister stated that Nigeria’s narrative is gradually changing under […]
Iran Calls for Actions Not Words as US–Iran Peace Deal Nears Final Stage
Iran has called for concrete actions rather than words after US officials said a peace deal extending the ceasefire in the Middle East war is close to finalisation, with the deal now awaiting President Donald Trump’s approval. US Vice President JD Vance said Washington and Tehran are close to agreeing on a 60-day extension of the current ceasefire, which was first announced in early April before Trump set an open-ended extension prior to its expiration. The tentative deal would also allow traffic to freely flow through the strategic Strait of Hormuz while negotiators continue to address more difficult issues like Tehran’s nuclear programme. Speaking to reporters, Vance described the Geneva talks on Tuesday as “productive in some ways,” though he cautioned that Iran remains “not yet willing” to engage fully on some elements and that negotiators are still “going back […]
Labour Party Felicitates Otti on Three Years in Office
The Labour Party has congratulated Abia State Governor Alex Otti on his third anniversary in office, describing him as the “finest outcome” of the 2023 political uprising that brought the party to power. In a statement issued Thursday, May 29, the party lauded Otti for his leadership, administrative strides, and efforts to improve the welfare of citizens in Abia State. It highlighted his focus on infrastructure development, public service delivery, and attempts to restore stability in the state’s political environment during his tenure. The party also praised Otti’s role in maintaining cohesion within the Labour Party at the national level, especially amid intra-party crises in other states. It described him as a stabilising figure who has worked to restore harmony and order within the party’s structure. Otti, who assumed office on May 29, 2023, has consistently vowed to complete his […]
Vance Says Progress Made as US–Iran Deal Awaits Trump Green Light
US Vice President JD Vance says Washington and Tehran have made significant progress on a deal to extend their ceasefire in the Middle East war, but cautioned they are “not there yet” and that President Donald Trump has not yet given his green light. Speaking to reporters, Vance described the Geneva talks on Tuesday as “productive in some ways,” though he noted Iran remains “not yet willing” to engage fully on some elements of the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU). The pending MOU centres on Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and limits on further enrichment activities. Vance said a few issues remain unresolved, including language details in the draft agreement. He stressed that the ultimate test is whether the deal satisfies President Trump’s red line: ensuring Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon. Vance acknowledged uncertainty over whether Trump will endorse […]
Related
Vance Says Progress Made as US–Iran Deal Awaits Trump Green Light
US Vice President JD Vance says Washington and Tehran have made significant progress on a deal to extend their ceasefire in the Middle East war, but cautioned they are “not there yet” and that President Donald Trump has not yet given his green light. Speaking to reporters, Vance described the Geneva talks on Tuesday as “productive in some ways,” though he noted Iran remains “not yet willing” to engage fully on some elements of the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU). The pending MOU centres on Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and limits on further enrichment activities. Vance said a few issues remain unresolved, including language details in the draft agreement. He stressed that the ultimate test is whether the deal satisfies President Trump’s red line: ensuring Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon. Vance acknowledged uncertainty over whether Trump will endorse […]
Oil Prices Bounce Higher After New US Strikes on Iran
Oil prices jumped higher after the United States launched fresh self-defense strikes on Iranian targets, shattering earlier hopes for an imminent peace deal and raising fears of further disruption to global energy supplies. Brent crude, the international benchmark, reclaimed nearly all of Monday’s losses, climbing by $1.40 or 1.5 per cent to settle at $97.56 per barrel shortly after the US military action began. US crude (WTI) also rose, recovering part of the sharp selloff that had seen prices drop nearly 7 per cent earlier in the session. The US strikes targeted missile launch sites and a drone control facility near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, as well as vessels attempting to lay mines close to the Strait of Hormuz. The renewed escalation reignited concerns about the security of the vital waterway, which Iran has effectively blocked since March and […]
US Strikes Iran, Drawing Retaliatory Attack on American Base
The United States has carried out fresh airstrikes on Iranian targets, prompting a retaliatory attack by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard on an American military base as tensions over the 2026 Iran war escalate again. According to US officials, American forces conducted “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran targeting a drone control facility near the port city of Bandar Abbas, as well as missile launch sites and vessels attempting to lay mines close to the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command said four Iranian one-way attack drones were shot down before the ground control station was struck. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accused Washington of violating a fragile ceasefire that has been in place since April and vowed to retaliate. Iranian state media reported that the IRGC launched missiles and drones at a US airbase it described as the “source of the […]
US Treasury Sanctions Iran Authorities Overseeing Strait of Hormuz
The United States Treasury has announced new sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority, the body created by Tehran to oversee and charge tolls on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority, launched on May 18, is responsible for approving vessel passage and collecting fees reportedly as high as $2 million per ship, forming part of Iran’s bid to consolidate control over the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant share of global oil and gas shipments, and Iran has been enforcing a multi-tiered clearance system for vessels using checkpoints on islands in the Gulf. Under the new measures, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority has been added to the US Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, meaning any assets it holds under US jurisdiction are frozen and US persons are barred from dealings with it. […]
Iran Begins Restoring Internet Access
Internet access has begun to return across Iran after being restricted for nearly three months, according to the country’s first vice-president. Mohammad Reza Aref announced on Tuesday via X that what he described as the “first step toward free and regulated access to cyberspace” had been implemented. Internet monitoring organisations Netblocks and Kentik confirmed that partial connectivity was restored around 13:00 GMT, although most networks were still experiencing significant disruptions. Kentik noted that widespread access had not yet fully returned. Iran had imposed a nationwide internet shutdown following the start of US and Israeli military strikes on 28 February. Authorities said the measure was intended to reduce risks linked to surveillance, espionage, and cyber-attacks during the conflict. The shutdown has been described by monitoring groups as one of the longest national internet blackouts recorded globally. Netblocks warned that it remains […]
Israel Intensifies Strikes Across Lebanon
Israel carried out a large-scale wave of air strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon overnight, intensifying military operations against Hezbollah despite ongoing ceasefire efforts. The Israeli military said more than 100 Hezbollah-linked sites and fighters were targeted during one of the heaviest bombardments since a US-mediated ceasefire took effect in mid-April. Lebanese health officials reported that at least 11 people, including two children, were killed in strikes on the village of Mashghara in the Bekaa Valley. Several others were injured after homes were destroyed during the attacks. Israel said the strikes targeted areas where Hezbollah fighters and military infrastructure had been identified. The escalation follows remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who announced that he had ordered the military to “increase pressure” on Hezbollah in response to continued attacks from the Iran-backed group. “We will strike them with force,” […]
Be the first to leave a comment