World

Iranian media pushes back against Trump's claims as US-Iran deal awaits approval

31 May 2026 | 2:22 AM

Washinton/Tehran, May 30 (UNI) A potential agreement between the US and Iran remains under review in Tehran, as Iranian state-linked media has disputed several of the conditions laid down by President Donald Trump as negotiations enter what both sides describe as a critical final phase.

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US ready to respond militarily if Iran talks fail, says Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth

31 May 2026 | 1:47 AM

Singapore, May 30 (UNI) US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Saturday that negotiations with Iran were moving in a positive direction, though he stressed that the US military remains prepared for further action if diplomacy fails to deliver a deal acceptable to President Donald Trump.

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US provided stealth guidance to ships to traverse Strait of Hormuz as part of 'Project Freedom'

30 May 2026 | 10:30 PM

Washington, May 30 (UNI) Despite the heavy Iranian blockade of the vital Strait of Hormuz corridor, some ships have surprisingly managed to traverse the blockaded Strait via turning off their lights and navigation beacons, and relying instead on the US military guidance to avoid collisions, said shipowners and US officials in a report by The Wall Street Journal.

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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Washington seized nearly USD $1bn worth of Iranian assets in cryptocurrency

30 May 2026 | 10:03 PM

Washington, May 30 (UNI) US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that Washington has seized almost US$1 billion worth of Iranian assets in cryptocurrency, describing the move as part of an escalating economic campaign by Washington, geared towards cutting off all of Tehran's access to international finance.

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US-Iran agreement 'closer than ever' : Turkish FM Fidan

30 May 2026 | 7:53 PM

Ankara, May 30 (UNI) The United States and Iran are closer than ever to reaching an agreement in ongoing negotiations, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, adding that discussions have made significant progress despite lingering tensions over maritime security and sanctions enforcement.

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East Timor’s Ramos-Horta urges South China Sea ‘zone of peace’ amid rising tensions

30 May 2026 | 7:48 PM

Singapore, May 30 (UNI) East Timor President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate José Ramos-Horta on Saturday urged countries in the Asia-Pacific to consider declaring the South China Sea a “zone of peace,” calling for a bold diplomatic initiative to reduce tensions in one of the world’s most contested waterways.

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US, allies urge UN action over alleged North Korea sanctions violations at sea

30 May 2026 | 7:35 PM

Washington/Tokyo, May 30 (UNI) The United States and a group of allied countries called for stronger United Nations action against alleged North Korean sanctions evasion at sea, urging the UN Security Council to move against vessels accused of facilitating prohibited exports.

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Vietnam’s To Lam warns of eroding rules-based order

30 May 2026 | 7:16 PM

Singapore, May 30 (UNI) Vietnam's general Secrtetary and President To Lam issued a veiled warning against the erosion of the international rules-based order, drawing global attention at the Shangri-La Dialogue as he highlighted a widening "trust deficit" and the dangers of selective adherence to international norms amid mounting geopolitical tensions.

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AUKUS partners finalise submarine rotation deal, launch first unmanned undersea weapons project

30 May 2026 | 5:37 PM

Arti Bali
Singapore/ New Delhi, May 30 (UNI) Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom have finalised key arrangements to establish a permanent allied submarine presence in Western Australia and announced their first joint advanced unmanned undersea systems programme under the AUKUS security partnership.

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SOUTHCOM commander Gen Donovan meets Cuban military chief Gen Sotolongo, other senior officials near Guantanamo Bay

30 May 2026 | 5:09 PM

Washington/Havana, May 30 (UNI) The head of the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) held a rare face-to-face meeting with senior Cuban military officials at the periphery of the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, amid the increasing ongoing diplomatic strain between Washington and Havana.

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