Trump says he is in 'no hurry' to make a deal with Iran, warns military options still on table

Trump says he is in 'no hurry' to make a deal with Iran, warns military options still on table
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the signing ceremony for an executive order on mail ballots, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington,U.S., 31 March 2026.
Reuters

Donald Trump said he is “in no hurry” to reach a deal with Iran, insisting the U.S. is slowly getting what it wants. He warned military action remains an option if talks fail. Meanwhile, U.S. forces said they fired a missile at a vessel trying to breach Washington’s blockade of Iran.

Summary

We are wrapping up our live coverage for the evening. Here is a summary of today's key developments on the Middle East conflict:

  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has instructed the military to deepen and expand its control in areas previously held by Hezbollah.
  • U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly "toughened the terms" of a proposed nuclear framework with Iran and sent revised conditions back to Tehran, according to The New York Times.
  • U.S. Central Command said it struck the engine room of the Gambia-flagged Lian Star with a Hellfire missile as it headed towards an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman.

Our main news desk will continue tracking updates through the night. Read our full, detailed analysis on the latest news about the Ebola outbreak HERE.

Live coverage will resume tomorrow morning. Thank you for following along.

⦿ 21:30 GMT | UPDATE

Germany warns Israel’s Southern Lebanon push risks escalation and displacement

Reuters

Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, warns that Israel’s advance deeper into southern Lebanon is “cause for serious concern”, urging all sides to halt hostilities and avoid further escalation that could worsen tensions and drive new displacement.
 

⦿ 18:43 GMT | UPDATE

Drone strike from Lebanon injures four in northern Israel

Anadolu

Four people have been injured after an explosive drone launched from Lebanon struck the town of Beit Hillel in northern Israel, according to Israeli media.

The incident comes hours after Israel announced a “large-scale” offensive in southern Lebanon, marking one of its deepest incursions in years, despite an existing ceasefire.

⦿ 17:40 GMT | UPDATE

Iran says talks with U.S. ongoing, urges caution over speculation

Reuters

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has said discussions and message exchanges with the United States are continuing, as efforts to reach an agreement remain underway.

Speaking to state media, Araqchi cautioned against drawing premature conclusions, stressing that the outcome of the negotiations is still uncertain.

He said speculation should be disregarded and that the talks cannot be judged until a clear result is reached.

⦿ 14:03 GMT | UPDATE

Iran targets 'separatist' bases in northern Iraq, state media reports

Reuters

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have carried out strikes against bases belonging to what they described as separatist groups in northern Iraq, according to Iranian state media.

No further details were immediately provided, and it remains unclear which specific locations were targeted in the operation.

⦿ 13:36 GMT | UPDATE

Israel orders expansion of operations in Lebanon

Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has instructed the military to deepen and expand its control in areas previously held by Hezbollah.

“I have instructed the Israeli military to expand the manoeuvre in Lebanon,” he said, signalling a broadening of operations.

Defence Minister Israel Katz added that Israeli troops will remain in key positions, including Beaufort, as part of what he described as a continued security zone inside Lebanon.

⦿ 10:53 GMT | UPDATE

Iran restores production at three South Pars facilities

Reuters

Iran has resumed production at three offshore platforms in the South Pars gas field after output was halted by disruptions caused by Israeli strikes on nearby processing facilities, state media reported.

Touraj Dehqani, chief executive of Pars Oil and Gas Company, said the platforms were not damaged and are now sending gas to alternative processing plants while repairs continue at affected sites, including the Phase 14 refinery, according to IRNA.

⦿ 09:48 GMT | UPDATE

Qalibaf says Iran rights must be secured before any deal

Reuters

Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said Tehran would not accept any agreement unless Iran's national rights were secured, according to state news agency IRNA.

He also said Iran had "no trust" in the promises or guarantees of its adversaries and that only concrete actions would be taken as proof of commitment.

⦿ 09:21 GMT | UPDATE

Israeli troops capture Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon

Reuters

Israel says its troops have captured the historic Beaufort Castle and the surrounding ridge in southern Lebanon, marking a significant advance against Hezbollah despite a ceasefire announced more than six weeks ago.

The Israeli military said the operation targeted Hezbollah positions on the strategic Beaufort Ridge and in the Wadi al-Saluki area following one of the heaviest days of cross-border fire from the group since the truce took effect.

One Israeli soldier was killed during the operation. The capture gives Israeli forces a commanding position overlooking parts of southern Lebanon and northern Israel.

Hezbollah and Lebanese authorities have not yet commented.

Buildings lie in ruin, as an Israeli flag and a Golani Brigade flag fly at the Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, as seen from Metula, in northern Israel, 31 May 2026.
⦿ 04:50 GMT | UPDATE

Trump sends tougher Iran deal terms back to Tehran

New York Times

U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly "toughened the terms" of a proposed nuclear framework with Iran and sent revised conditions back to Tehran, according to The New York Times.

The report follows Axios saying Trump requested "several amendments" to a preliminary agreement reached by his envoys.

⦿ 04:26 GMT | UPDATE

Israel launches large-scale operation in south Lebanon

X/@CaptainElla1

Israel's military says it has launched a "large-scale operation" in southern Lebanon, aimed at destroying "terrorist infrastructure" and eliminating "saboteurs", while expanding attacks north of the Litani River and around Nabatieh.

⦿ 03:30 GMT | UPDATE

UK FM to visit China and India for talks on security, trade and global crises

Reuters

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will visit China and India this week for talks on global security, trade and technology.

In China, she is due to meet Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng, with discussions expected to cover issues including the Strait of Hormuz, the war in Ukraine and the Ebola outbreak.

⦿ 02:46 GMT | UPDATE

U.S. says missile strike halted ship bound for Iran

Reuters

U.S. Central Command said it struck the engine room of the Gambia-flagged Lian Star with a Hellfire missile as it headed towards an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman.

Centcom said the vessel ignored more than 20 warnings over alleged violations of the U.S. blockade and is no longer bound for Iran.

⦿ 02:34 GMT | UPDATE

'I’m in no hurry': Trump eyes 'great deal' with Iran, military backup possible

Fox News

Donald Trump has said he is “in no hurry” to reach a nuclear deal with Iran, arguing that rushing negotiations would risk a poor agreement.

Speaking to Fox News, the U.S. president said he still expected a 'great deal' to be reached but warned that if talks failed, Washington could “finish it off military”.

Trump said Iran’s leaders were “very tough negotiators” and claimed the U.S. was slowly getting what it wanted from the talks.

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