Current Updates on Iran
Iran downplays chances of deal despite Pakistani top general's arrival
Summary
• Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, referring to the Pakistani top general's trip to Tehran, said on Friday, "Despite becoming more frequent, such exchanges are a continuation of the same diplomatic process. We cannot necessarily say we have reached a point where a deal is near."
• Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Friday for meetings with senior Iranian officials, state media reported on Friday. A Qatari negotiating team arrived in Tehran on Friday in coordination with the United States to help secure a deal aimed at ending the war.
• Iran’s state-affiliated ISNA news agency reported that the ongoing exchange of messages between Tehran and Washington is intended to establish a framework for a possible agreement.
• The United States sanctions nine individuals, including Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, accusing them of obstructing Lebanon’s peace process and helping preserve Hezbollah’s influence over state institutions.
• Republican leaders postponed a War Powers vote on Iran on Thursday, drawing criticism from Democratic Congressman Mike Levin, who said the move was meant to avoid a likely bipartisan rebuke.
• President Donald Trump told reporters the United States will "get the highly enriched" uranium stockpiles from Iran. He also ruled out Iran's Hormuz toll plan.
31 minutes ago
US cancels some troops’ Memorial Day weekend leave as precaution - NY Post
At least some US troops’ Memorial Day weekend leave has been canceled as a precaution, sources familiar with military planning have told The New York Post on Friday.
At least some US troops’ Memorial Day weekend leave has been canceled as a precaution, sources familiar with military planning told The Post. https://t.co/2CPBynuEPa
— Caitlin Doornbos (@CaitlinDoornbos) May 22, 2026
53 minutes ago
US signals on Iran are less responsible than Tehran’s, Russia envoy says
Russian envoy Mikhail Ulyanov said on Friday on X Moscow is receiving “very controversial messages” about the situation with Iran, suggesting that Tehran’s assessments are closer to the actual state of affairs than the messaging coming from the United States.
We get very controversial messages. It looks like the Iranian assessments are closer to actual states of affairs. The messages from the the US are less responsible at this point. https://t.co/KrpUT3Vd7Q
— Mikhail Ulyanov (@Amb_Ulyanov) May 22, 2026
1 hour ago
US prepares for new military strikes against Iran as talks continue - CBS
The Trump administration was preparing on Friday for a fresh round of military strikes against Iran, according to sources familiar with the planning, even as indirect diplomacy continues over the longer‑term standoff, CBS reported.
“No final decision on any new strikes had been reached by Friday afternoon, but defense and intelligence officials began updating recall rosters for US bases overseas and some military personnel cancelled Memorial Day weekend plans in anticipation of possible action,” the report added.
Administration officials said that the Pentagon is kept on constant standby to carry out any decision the president may issue, warning that there would be serious consequences if Iran fails to reach a deal, the report said.
1 hour ago
Iran restricts civil flights at western Tehran‑area airports to daylight hours
Iranian air traffic authorities on Friday suspended all previous clearances for civil passenger flights at airports in the western part of the Tehran flight information region (FIR), allowing only eight sites—Tehran Mehrabad, Tehran Imam Khomeini, Qazvin, Shahid Sattari (Tehran), Payam, Yazd, Isfahan, and Arak—to remain open.
These airports are now restricted to daylight‑only operations, from sunrise to sunset, and airlines must request new permission from the Civil AviationOrganization to operate civil instrument‑flight‑rules (IFR) flights into or out of them.
This change effectively limits regular passenger traffic at these western Tehran‑area airports to the specified hours and requires fresh approval from Tehran before any scheduled or charter operations can resume.
2 hours ago
Trump meets senior national security team to discuss Iran war - Axios
US President Donald Trump met his senior national security team on Friday to discuss the Iran war, Axios reported citing two US officials.
(https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202605153417