Trump Says Iran Deal ‘Largely Negotiated’ as Hezbollah Drone Hits Northern Israel and IDF Dismantles Tunnel (May 24, 1533 UTC, 1833 Israel) (Evening Edition)

Ceasefire Deal ‘Largely Negotiated’

President Trump stated that a US-Iran ceasefire deal is ‘largely negotiated’ and would reopen the Strait of Hormuz Times of Israel. The proposed 60-day truce would halt hostilities and initiate talks on unresolved issues, but Israeli officials fear it postpones nuclear dismantlement and does not commit Iran to exporting its enriched uranium stockpile Times of Israel. An Israeli official said Trump assured Netanyahu that the final deal will see Iran’s nuclear program dismantled and all enriched uranium removed Times of Israel. However, a senior Iranian source told Reuters that Iran has not agreed to hand over its highly enriched uranium Haaretz.

Nuclear Terms and Israeli Concerns

Israeli officials described the emerging framework as a ‘very bad’ deal that gives Iran time and money while leaving its nuclear activities for later discussion Times of Israel. Netanyahu publicly stated he agreed with Trump that any final agreement must eliminate the nuclear threat Bint Jbeil News. Iran’s President Pezeshkian said Tehran is ready to reassure the world it is not seeking nuclear arms IRNA.

Strait of Hormuz and Sanctions

The deal would see the US lift some sanctions, enabling Iran to trade oil, and the Strait of Hormuz would be open to all shipping Times of Israel. However, Iranian sources claimed the strait will not return to pre-war status and Iran will maintain oversight Mehr News. The IRGC Navy reported permitting 33 commercial vessels through the strait in the past 24 hours IRNA.

Execution of Alleged Spy

Iran executed Mojtaba Kian, the first person convicted of espionage during the current war with the US and Israel, for sharing information on Iran’s defense capabilities Times of Israel. This brings the number of political prisoners executed since March to 37 Iran International.

IRGC Adviser and Military Posture

Mohsen Rezaei, adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei, said Iran’s fighters and negotiators are both managing the war, and that the US will not return to its former status in the Middle East N12 Chat. A senior Iranian commander warned of a ‘hellish response’ to any new aggression IRNA.

Drone Incidents

A Hezbollah explosive drone detonated in Israeli territory near the Lebanon border, causing no injuries Times of Israel. Sirens sounded in Shomera, Even Menachem, and other northern communities due to suspected drone infiltrations; the IDF confirmed a suspicious aerial target was identified and contact was lost, with the incident concluding without casualties IDF Official. Hezbollah’s Al-Manar reported a fire in the Ramim area from an explosive loitering glider Al-Manar TV.

IDF Tunnel Dismantlement

The IDF located and destroyed a Hezbollah underground tunnel approximately 100 meters long with four hideout rooms in the Mount Dov area of southern Lebanon IDF Official. Troops from the 810th Mountains Regional Brigade operated under the 210th Division to dismantle the tunnel Times of Israel.

Israeli Strikes and Evacuations

The IDF issued evacuation warnings for six villages and towns in southern Lebanon—Kfar Sir, Sir El Gharbiyeh, Zrariyeh, Ansar, Mazra’at Kawthariyat ar Ruzz, and Kharayeb—ahead of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah Times of Israel. Israeli strikes were reported on Zawtar Al-Sharqiya, Arab Salim, Doueir, Jebshit, Abba, and the area between Sohmor and Libbaya Al-Manar TV Quds News Network.

Hezbollah Leadership Speech

Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem is scheduled to deliver a speech at 18:30 Beirut time on Resistance and Liberation Day Al-Manar TV.

Israeli Media on Hezbollah Resilience

Al-Manar cited Israeli Channel 12 reporting that soldiers feel like ‘sitting ducks in a shooting range’ due to Hezbollah’s drone attacks Al-Manar TV.

Israeli Strikes and Casualties

Three people, including a one-year-old child, were reportedly killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza Times of Israel. The IDF did not comment on the specific strike but said it struck and dismantled three Hamas weapon storage facilities in the central Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, containing anti-tank missiles, long-range weapons, RPGs, vests, and other equipment IDF Official. Earlier in the week, an additional Hamas weapons depot was destroyed IDF Official.

Hajj Pilgrimage Blocked

For the third consecutive year, Israel has blocked Gaza Muslims from performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca Al Jazeera.

US-Iran Negotiations

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said significant progress has been made but work remains, and that the world may get ‘good news’ in the coming hours regarding the strait and a process to address nuclear ambitions Behold Israel. An Iranian source told Tasnim that disagreements over one or two clauses of the MOU persist, accusing Washington of creating obstacles Behold Israel. Axios reported that the Supreme Leader has agreed to the broad framework, but a US official said the deal is not expected to be signed on Sunday Bint Jbeil News.

Pakistan Mediation

Pakistan’s army chief continues to mediate in Tehran, with Iran warning that if the US blocks progress, the agreement cannot be finalized Behold Israel.

France Bans Ben-Gvir

France banned Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir following his ‘unspeakable’ behavior against arrested Gaza flotilla activists Al Jazeera.

Russia-Ukraine War

Russia launched a large-scale attack on the Kyiv area using hypersonic Oreshnik missiles and drones, killing at least two people. Russia said the strike was retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on civilian facilities on Russian territory Times of Israel.

Spain Solidarity March

Hundreds marched in Bilbao, Spain, in solidarity with Global Sumud Flotilla activists following a violent assault by Spanish police at the airport Quds News Network.

White House Security Incident

Shots were fired in the vicinity of the White House on May 23; the Secret Service reportedly neutralized the suspect War Monitors.

Pakistan Train Bombing

A suicide car bomb targeting a train carrying military personnel in Quetta, Balochistan, killed at least 20 people and wounded over 50. The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility BBC News Al Jazeera.

Bahrain IRGC-Linked Sentencing

A Bahraini court sentenced nine defendants to life in prison and two others to three years for collaborating with Iran’s IRGC to carry out ‘hostile and terrorist acts,’ including gathering information on sensitive sites and facilitating financial transfers Al Jazeera Al Arabiya Times of Israel.

Syria – Israeli Patrols

An Israeli patrol stormed civilian houses in Jbata Al-Khashab in Quneitra countryside, arresting a young man. Three Israeli tanks advanced into Al-Dar’iyat area for an inspection tour before withdrawing [Syrian Observatory for Human Rights].