Middle East: Rubio says Iran deal 'could take days'
What you need to know
- US top diplomat Marco Rubio said an Iran deal could 'take a few days'
- Rubio's comments come after US strikes were launched in southern Iran
Here is a roundup of the latest developments from the Iran war and the wider Middle East on Tuesday, May 26.
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Skip next section Lebanon state media reports at least 12 killed in Israeli strikesPublished 05/26/2026Published May 26, 2026last updated 05/26/2026last updated May 26, 2026Lebanon state media reports at least 12 killed in Israeli strikes
At least 12 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, according to state media.
State-run news agency National News Agency reported that the attacks took place late on Monday in the Bekaa Valley.
The reported strikes come after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had authorized intensified strikes targeting Hezbollah targets across Lebanon.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) didn't comment specifically on this latest report but said that it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in the eastern parts of the country.
The strikes come just days before delegations from Israel and Lebanon are due to meet for direct talks in Washington.
Israel and Hezbollah have carried out strikes on one another repeatedly despite a ceasefire that came into effect on April 17.
Its not clear whether negotiations between Iran and the US over ending the war will include Lebanon.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EK0ySkip next section Rubio says Iran deal still possible despite new strikes05/26/2026May 26, 2026Rubio says Iran deal still possible despite new strikes
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that a deal with Tehran remained within reach despite the US military launching new strikes on Iran.
"There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we'll see if we can make progress," Rubio told reporters during an official visit to India.
"I think it's a lot of talking back and forth going on about specific language in the initial document, so it'll take a few days," he added. "The president's expressed his desire to make it. He's either going to make a good deal or no deal."
Rubio said the Strait of Hormuz was "going to be open one way or the other," adding: "What's happening there is unlawful, it's illegal, it's unsustainable for the world, it's unacceptable."
An Iranian blockade of the vital shipping channel has strangled global fuel supplies and caused oil prices to rocket.
Rubio’s statement came shortly after the US military’s Central Command announced that it had launched "self-defense" strikes against Iran, with targets including missile launch sites and boats laying mines.
Iran and Trump talk down hopes of imminent deal
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https://p.dw.com/p/5EJGbSkip next section US says in southern Iran were 'self-defense' Published 05/26/2026Published May 26, 2026last updated 05/26/2026last updated May 26, 2026US says in southern Iran were 'self-defense'
The US military said it had carried out "self-defense" strikes in southern Iran, including on missile launch sites and boats placing mines.
The strikes were done "to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces," but the military was "using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire," Captain Tim Hawkins, US Central Command spokesman, said in a statement.
Further details were not immediately available.
It was not immediately clear how these strikes would impact ongoing talks between the two sides amid a ceasefire that has been in place since April 8.
There were fluctuations to the price of oil on Tuesday but it remained below $100 (€85.90) per barrel.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EJHKSkip next section Welcome to our coveragePublished 05/26/2026Published May 26, 2026last updated 05/26/2026last updated May 26, 2026
Welcome to our coverage
We're tracking the latest US strikes in southern Iran, which the US military said was necessary to protect US troops from the threats posed by Iranian forces.
Despite the new strikes, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes an agreement with Iran is still possible , although he expects it to take a few days.
The latest actions threaten a ceasefire between the US and Iran that began on April 8. The war has caused significant disruptions to the global economy with a severe blocking of energy flows.
DW will bring you the latest developments from the region. Thank you for joining us.
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