Iran war: Trump toughens terms for potential deal — reports

Iran war: Trump toughens terms for potential deal — reports Published May 30, 2026last updated May 31, 2026What you need to know - Trump's meeting with top aides to discuss potential framework for an end to Iran war ended without conclusion - US and Iranian officials appeared to have reached a multipart framework to end the war earlier this week, news outlets said - But Trump appears to have asked for edits to the deal and has sent it back to Iran for consideration, news reports say Keep reading for the developments on Iran and across the Middle East from Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31: Tired of missing our real-time updates? Click here to add us as a Preferred Source on Google. Then tap the "Star" or "Preferred" to keep DW News at the top of your feed. What to know if you're joining us on Sunday We're looking at developments related to a possible framework for an end to the Iran war and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Multiple news outlets reported earlier this week that US and Iranian negotiators had reached a tentative agreement to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and launch negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. But the final text of the emerging document known as the memorandum of understanding is yet to be decided. President Donald Trump met with top aides for two hours on Friday and the meeting concluded without clarity on the next steps. The New York Times and Axios have reported that the US president asked for several amendments to the document and has sent it back to Tehran for its consideration. Before the meeting, Trump had said on Truth Social that Iran must agree to never have a nuclear weapon or bomb, that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened for unrestricted shipping traffic "in both directions" and that any mines in the strait be "terminated." Lebanese PM slams Israel's airstrikes, defends direct talks Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has warned that Israel will not be able to ensure its security through a "scorched-earth policy." His remarks on Saturday came after renewed Israeli airstrikes against what it says are Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Israel has intensified its bombing campaign this week, killing dozens of people. Despite the strikes, the prime minister defended the decision to directly negotiate with Israel. Senior military commanders from both nations met in Washington DC on Friday, with more talks scheduled for next week. Israeli and Lebanese officials also met in the US capital in April, when they signed a ceasefire which was extended in mid-May. Salam said the talks were "the least costly path" for Lebanon. His comments come after two Lebanese soldiers were seriously injured in what the Lebanese military described as an Israeli drone strike. Separately, Lebanese television station LBC reported at least three deaths, though those casualties have not been officially confirmed. Two Lebanese soldiers seriously wounded in Israel strike, Lebanon says Two Lebanese soldiers sustained serious injuries in an Israeli airstrike on Saturday, a day after military officers met for talks in Washington. The soldiers were "targeted inside a vehicle by a hostile Israeli drone" near the southern city of Nabatieh, the Lebanese military said. According to a report by Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA), Israel also hit several targets in the south of the country, including near the historic Beaufort castle. Earlier on Saturday, Israel had ordered new evacuations in southern Lebanon. A wave of Israeli airstrikes in recent days has killed hundreds of people in Lebanon and displaced thousands. Despite a truce being in place since April, the cross-border fire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia has continued, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire. Hezbollah is based in Lebanon, but not subordinate to the Lebanese government. The militia opposes the talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials, which are due to continue next week. WATCH: Iran reconnects to the internet After one of the longest internet blackouts in modern history, Iranians are coming back online — but only partially. DW has heard from people inside Iran and asks why Tehran is easing access now. IN DEPTH: Oman stuck between Trump and Tehran US President Donald Trump said if Oman attempts to control the Strait of Hormuz in conjunction with Iran, the US would launch a military strike against it. The country at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula is one of the most important mediators between Washington and Tehran. So why did Donald Trump threaten the sultanate? Read more about the story here. Israel orders new evacuations in southern Lebanon Israel's military has issued evacuation warnings for residents of seven villages in southern Lebanon ahead of planned strikes on Hezbollah targets. Military spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed the army was "compelled to take decisive action" following alleged ceasefire violations, naming villages including areas near Nabatieh. The warnings signal a further escalation in cross-border tensions despite a truce intended to halt the fighting. Hegseth: US 'more than capable' of resuming war with Iran Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States had enough weapons to restart the war against Iran if needed. "Our ability to recommence if necessary ... we are more than capable, our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe, because of how we balance exquisite and more plentiful munitions," he said on Saturday while addressing a defense conference in Singapore. Hegseth said the United States had a global obligation to ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons. Regarding the ongoing discussions of a potential ceasefire, Hegseth said that any deal with Iran would be a good deal. US praises 'productive' talks between military officials from Israel, Lebanon Military officials from Israel and Lebanon held "productive" talks in Washington on Friday, Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's second-in-command, wrote on X. "Today at the Pentagon, I hosted military delegations from Israel and Lebanon for the security track supporting the ongoing peace talks between their two countries," Colby wrote. He added that the meeting would complement upcoming diplomatic discussions. "We held productive military-to-military discussions which will inform the Department of State-led political track next week," he wrote. Talks between senior Israeli and Lebanese officials have been ongoing since April. However, the talks are complicated by the fact that Iran-backed Shiite militant group Hezbollah, Israel's target, is not participating and has refused to accept their results. Welcome to our coverage Welcome to DW's ongoing coverage of the conflict in the Middle East. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States had sufficient weapons stockpiles to restart military operations against Iran if necessary. Meanwhile, military officials from Israel and Lebanon held what US officials described as productive talks in Washington. Stay tuned for more news and analysis.