US strikes Iran amid Qatar talks; Rubio: 'good deal or no deal'

Tuesday, May 26, 2026Developing

Politics Desk

What we know

U.S. Central Command said American forces carried out "self-defense" strikes in southern Iran targeting missile launch sites and boats attempting to lay mines, just as Iranian negotiators were in Qatar for talks on extending the fragile April ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's foreign ministry denounced the overnight action as a show of "bad faith and unreliability" and a ceasefire violation, warning Washington would bear responsibility for "all consequences."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in India on Tuesday, said negotiators were still haggling over "specific language in the initial document" and that a deal could "take a few days." He said President Donald Trump wants either "a good deal or no deal," insisting the strait "has to be open — one way or the other." Iranian state TV said Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Qatar the same day as authorities began partially restoring fixed broadband after a months-long wartime blackout.

What's confirmed

AP/Al Jazeera: CENTCOM said Monday's strikes hit southern Iranian missile sites and mine-laying boats with "restraint" during the ceasefire; Iran called them a grave violation and "bad faith" (AP/Al Jazeera).
AP/Reuters: Rubio said Qatar talks on wording would take a few days and Trump will accept only a good deal or none; Hormuz "has to be open" (AP/Reuters).
CBS/AFP: Iranian negotiators were in Doha focused on Hormuz, uranium stockpiles and frozen funds even as strikes hit near Bandar Abbas (CBS/AFP).
AP: Iran began restoring fixed internet after a long wartime shutdown; Qalibaf and Araghchi left Qatar Tuesday (AP).

What's still developing

Whether the Qatar track yields a draft memorandum Trump will sign despite the latest strikes.
How Iran answers the CENTCOM action and whether further exchanges reopen wider fighting.
Whether Trump's push to link any deal to broader Abraham Accords access gains partners or stalls talks.

Sources

AP News — Iran condemns US strikes as a show of 'bad faith' link
Al Jazeera — Rubio says Iran deal could take days after US forces launch new attacks link
Reuters — US launches fresh strikes on Iran as talks to end war proceed link
CBS News — Iran accuses U.S. of grave violation of ceasefire as Trump seeks good deal or no deal link
Foreign Policy — U.S. strikes Iran in 'self-defense'; Tehran calls cease-fire violation link