US forces struck Iranian missile launch sites and mine-laying vessels in southern Iran on May 25 in what Centcom called "self-defense" operations, even as Iranian negotiators travelled to Qatar for talks on ending the three-month war. Negotiators are weighing the fate of Iran's nuclear programme and access to frozen assets, the Guardian reported, while 
Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that talks were "proceeding nicely."
What did Trump add to the deal? Trump said Monday it should be "mandatory" for Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to join the Abraham Accords normalising ties with Israel as part of any agreement to end the war, France 24 reported — a demand that could further complicate negotiations with Tehran. Sen. Lindsey Graham called the expansion "simply brilliant" and said it would result "in the most significant change" in the region, The Hill reported. On Iran's enriched-uranium stockpile, Trump outlined options for it to be "immediately turned over to the United States" for destruction or handled in coordination with other parties.
How are both sides managing expectations? Iranian and US officials agreed progress had been made but said any agreement was "not imminent," per PBS NewsHour's Doha-dateline report. In a debate segment, France 24 reported both Washington and Tehran are walking back the deal language, with Hormuz access and nuclear destruction still the load-bearing sticking points.
Who is attacking the deal? Former national security adviser John Bolton called the negotiations "a mistake" on CNN and said he hopes the talks "break down," The Hill reported. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid told PBS NewsHour the deal "fails to achieve any of Israel's goals" and accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to influence a better agreement.
How is Iran responding? Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei posted on his Telegram channel that Gulf powers can "no longer be a shield" for US bases, the Guardian reported — language interpreted as a direct threat to US installations across the region following the May 25 strikes.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump. — JudgeMarket.
