Day 93 | US military ready to resume combat in Persian Gulf if needed, US defense secretary warns

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Read more: Day 94 | Iran signals progress in US talks as 'Israel' pushes deeper into Lebanon

Bahrain’s Public Prosecution on Sunday revealed what it said are the preliminary findings from its investigation into a 41-member network allegedly tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The group, formed from members of a dissolved council of Islamic scholars and their associates, is accused of promoting extremist ideas that prioritize loyalty to Iran’s Supreme Leader over the Bahraini state, according to the statement.

Authorities claim the network sought to exert control over mosques, mourning halls, and religious seminaries to spread incitement, recruit individuals for ideological training in Iran, and undermine national institutions.

According to the statement by the Attorney General, head of the Terrorism Crimes Prosecution, the suspects engaged in several alleged activities: delivering inflammatory sermons against national interests, issuing fatwas and threats — including violent ones — against dissenting clerics, collecting funds for the organization, and transferring money to support terrorist groups in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon.

Some funds were reportedly diverted for personal use, including purchases of gold, real estate, cars, and educational expenses.

The 41 individuals were arrested earlier in May following security operations. They have remained in custody since.

In recent weeks, Bahraini courts have issued life sentences to multiple defendants convicted of collaborating with the IRGC on espionage, information gathering on sensitive sites.

The arrests and prosecutions come amid heightened regional tensions between Gulf states and Iran, as the latter carried out several strikes and attacks saying they are retaliation for US-‘Israeli’ strikes on the Islamic Republic in February.

Iran denied Sunday reports of president Masoud Pezeshkian handing in his resignation to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

The alleged resignation was first reported by the London-based Iranian opposition outlet Iran International.

Elyas Hazrati, the Head of the Government Information Council, in statements cited by Tasnim News Agency, said that Pezeshkian’s resignation is a rumour that “has nothing to do with reality”.

“The president is busy pursuing the affairs of the country and serving the people with all his might,” Hazrati said.

“For the umpteenth time in recent months, some foreign media outlets and networks aligned with them have raised the rumor of the president's resignation, a rumor that has nothing to do with reality and has been denied many times before,” he continued.

Hazrati said the reports are circulated “hoping to create despair, discord, and a gap in national cohesion, which of course will fail”.

The original report claims that Pezeshkian submitted his resignation citing the complete sidelining of civilian authority by commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Pezeshkian, a reformist elected in 2024 with promises of moderation and economic improvement, has faced persistent challenges since taking office.

His administration has contended with economic difficulties, cabinet instability, and resistance from hardline factions, particularly amid the aftermath of regional conflicts involving US and Israeli strikes earlier in February.

According to the report, the president’s letter highlights how the IRGC has effectively blocked his ability to perform executive duties, consolidating control over key military, strategic, and security decisions.

This aligns with longstanding tensions between Pezeshkian’s government and IRGC leadership, including commander Ahmad Vahidi, over issues such as wartime policies and appointments to critical bodies like the Supreme National Security Council.

Earlier reports from March 2026 described similar frustrations, with Pezeshkian reportedly feeling isolated following the death of senior official Ali Larijani and expressing private discontent over the IRGC’s dominance.

‘Israeli’ military footage of troops from the Golani Brigade capturing the Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon.

‘Israeli’ soldiers crossed the Litani River, and made their way toward the castle, which overlooks the Galilee Panhandle in northern ‘Israel’, as well as the Nabatieh area in southern Lebanon.

Smoke billows after ‘Israeli’ strikes on Tyre and Kfar Tebnit.

‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to push deeper into Lebanon after saying his military had taken the 12th-century Crusader-era Beaufort Castle, calling it a "dramatic shift" in the campaign against Hezbollah.

Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that Tehran will not agree to any deal with the United States that fails to secure the rights of Iranians.

"We will not approve any agreement until we are certain that the rights of the Iranian people have been upheld," Ghalibaf said, in a video broadcast on state television.

He added that Iranian negotiators "neither trust the enemy's words nor its promises."

His remarks came as Iran and Washington continue to exchange proposals over a framework for a deal to end the war that broke out on February 28, engulfing the Middle East.

On Saturday, The New York Times and Axios media outlets reported that US President Donald Trump had sent back to Tehran a new framework to be considered by Iran with "tougher" terms.

It was not immediately clear what that entailed.

Iran views sanction relief and the release of its assets frozen in banks abroad as among its key rights to be ensured under any deal with the United States.

Since the outbreak of the war, Iran has kept tight control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy conduit, and sees oversight of shipping through the waterway as within its rights.

US President Donald Trump voiced concerns about Iranian financial relief in the possible US-Iran peace deal that is still under negotiations.

CNN, citing officials, said Trump is worried about comparisons to the “pallets of cash” that were delivered to Iran under the nuclear deal in the Obama era.

The news comes as the US network also reports that Trump sent back changes to the proposed deal with Iran after meeting with his officials on Friday.

Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warns the United States is not to be trusted, saying Tehran will not agree to any deal with Washington unless it fully secures Iranian rights.

"We will not approve any agreement until we are certain that the rights of the Iranian people have been upheld," Ghalibaf said, in a video broadcast on state television and posted on social media by Ghalibaf.

• Smotrich rejects withdrawals, backs permanent territorial control
• Praises 'Israeli' advance to Beaufort Castle
• Blames past pullouts for later conflicts
• Calls for harsher retaliation against Beirut over drone attacks

'Israeli' Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has forcefully rejected calls for military restraint or withdrawal in the ongoing conflict, asserting that 'Israel''s national security is fortified strictly through military strength rather than "capitulation and retreats."

In a public statement via X, the minister promised residents of northern 'Israel' that the government is acting with unyielding determination to secure permanent safety along the border.

את ביטחון ישראל מבצרים בעוצמה ולא בכניעה ונסיגות. הבטחנו לתושבי הצפון הגיבורים ביטחון לאורך זמן ואנו פועלים בנחישות כדי להשיג זאת.

החזרה לבופור היא ביטוי לתיקון חטאים לאומיים ישנים ותפיסות מעוותות.

ברחנו מלבנון וקיבלנו את אסון לבנון השניה ואת התעצמות חיזבאללה לממדים מפלצתיים… pic.twitter.com/ojpZuA9Yea

— בצלאל סמוטריץ' (@bezalelsm) May 31, 2026

Correcting 'national sins'

Smotrich directly addressed recent battlefield developments, characterizing the military's return to the historic Beaufort Castle (Qalaat al-Shaqif) in southern Lebanon as a vital correction of past political and strategic failures.

"The return to Beaufort is an expression of correcting old national sins and distorted perceptions," Smotrich stated, linking the move to a broader reversal of historic 'Israeli' pullouts.

The Finance Minister drew a straight line between past territorial withdrawals and 'Israel''s current security crises.

He argued that 'Israel''s initial flight from Lebanon allowed Hezbollah to expand its military infrastructure into "monstrous dimensions" that troops are now forced to eliminate through hard work.

Similarly, Smotrich stated that the evacuation of Gush Katif and the wider Gaza Strip directly paved the way for "the disaster of October 7".

Attacking political left

The minister launched a sharp political critique against domestic critics and opposition figures, accusing the political left of offering nothing but weakness and concessions.

He heavily criticized recent public pressure campaigns, stating that "keyboard warriors only recently ran a reckless campaign here calling on us to surrender to Hamas and withdraw from Gaza."

Smotrich affirmed that the government refused to abandon the security of southern residents, declaring, "We did not surrender, and we will not surrender to these weaknesses."

Moving forward, the minister vowed to continuously promote an aggressive military doctrine based on permanent territorial control.

Condolences for fallen soldier

Acknowledging the mounting economic and human toll of the multi-front war, Smotrich admitted that the financial and human costs of the conflict are heavy, but maintained they are entirely necessary for 'Israel''s survival.

During his address, the minister extended his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Staff Sergeant Michael Tyokhin, a Givati Reconnaissance Unit fighter who recently fell in battle in southern Lebanon.

Demands escalation in Beirut

Concluding his statement with a severe warning to Lebanese authorities, Smotrich demanded a fundamental shift in 'Israel''s rules of engagement and retaliatory calculus.

"I reiterate and emphasize: For every explosive drone, ten buildings must fall in Beirut. 'Israel' must change the equation." - Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

The fiery remarks solidify the right-wing minister's stance within the security cabinet, signalizing a push for further escalation against urban centers in Lebanon.

An 'Israeli' airstrike directly targeted the immediate vicinity of Hiram Hospital in the southern city of Tyre, wounding 13 hospital staff members and causing severe structural damage.

The incident was confirmed in an official statement released on Sunday by the Public Health Emergency Operations Center, which operates under Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health.

Heavy casualties, structural damage

The Ministry of Public Health reported that the blast caused severe damage to the medical facility, compounding significant structural wreckage left by previous 'Israeli' military actions targeting the hospital.

Thirteen medical workers and staff members sustained injuries varying in severity during the strike.

Despite the direct threat to their lives and the continuing physical damage to their workplace, the ministry noted that the hospital's medical teams have remained steadfast on the ground to continue treating local residents.

Calls for international intervention

The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health highly commended the bravery and resilience of Hiram Hospital's personnel for remaining operational amidst extreme dangers.

In its statement, the ministry renewed its urgent appeal to the international community, calling for immediate intervention to halt what it described as expanding and escalating 'Israeli' aggression.

The ministry forcefully condemned the strikes, stating that the military operations are being carried out with complete disregard for international humanitarian law, global resolutions, and long-standing international norms.

France has officially called for an urgent session of the United Nations Security Council to address the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Lebanon.

The call comes after the military escalation in southern Lebanon has reached an unprecedented peak following an announcement by the 'Israeli' military that it has established total operational control over the historic Beaufort Castle (Qalaat al-Shaqif).

In tandem with the capture of the fortress, 'Israel' has expanded the scope of its ground incursion, pushing forces into new areas located north of the Litani River.

Earlier, a spokesperson for the 'Israeli' military confirmed that the latest advance followed a large-scale operation executed days prior across the Shaqif heights and the Salouqi Valley.

According to the military, the objective of the push was to eliminate what it described as a "direct threat" to towns in the Galilee Panhandle and Metula.

The spokesperson noted that a large number of troops have launched an expanded offensive to reinforce what the 'Israeli' military terms its "forward defense line."

This tactical escalation follows a prior declaration by 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated that a large portion of southern Lebanon has effectively transformed into an open combat zone.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy issued a formal statement on Sunday confirming that 28 international vessels navigated through the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours under the direct coordination and explicit authorization of its maritime forces.

The announcement highlights Iran's ongoing efforts to strictly regulate and oversee traffic passing through the vital global energy corridor.

Mandatory clearance for commercial shipping

According to the statement carried by state media, the fleet allowed through the strategic waterway included oil tankers, container carriers, and various other commercial cargo ships.

The IRGC Navy detailed that the transits were executed seamlessly in accordance with pre-arranged organizational protocols.

Iranian military officials reiterated that coordination and formal clearance from the IRGC naval command remain mandatory requirements for all maritime traffic navigating the chokepoint to ensure safe passage.

Persistent "intelligent monitoring"

The naval branch of the Revolutionary Guards firmly underscored that its tactical operations in the Gulf region are expanding in scope.

"Our forces are continuously and firmly maintaining intelligent monitoring and total operational control over the Strait of Hormuz with absolute strength." Official Statement from the IRGC Navy.

The military command added a warning that any unauthorized deviations from established transit routes or any external military interference attempting to disrupt their administration of the Strait would be dealt with decisively, noting that Iranian armed forces are managing the shipping lanes with total capability.

• 'Israel' claims control of Beaufort Castle in south Lebanon
• 'Israeli' forces alleges advance north of the Litani River
• Clashes signal collapse of April 17 ceasefire
• Lebanon accuses 'Israel' of “scorched-earth” tactics

Military escalation in southern Lebanon has reached an unprecedented peak following an announcement by the 'Israeli' military that it has established total operational control over the historic Beaufort Castle (Qalaat al-Shaqif).

In tandem with the capture of the fortress, 'Israel' has expanded the scope of its ground incursion, pushing forces into new areas located north of the Litani River.

Crossing Litani

A spokesperson for the 'Israeli' military confirmed that the latest advance followed a large-scale operation executed days prior across the Shaqif heights and the Salouqi Valley.

According to the military, the objective of the push was to eliminate what it described as a "direct threat" to towns in the Galilee Panhandle and Metula.

The spokesperson noted that a large number of troops have launched an expanded offensive to reinforce what the 'Israeli' military terms its "forward defense line."

This tactical escalation follows a prior declaration by 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated that a large portion of southern Lebanon has effectively transformed into an open combat zone.

Lebanon denounces "scorched-earth" tactics

The Lebanese government met the deeper ground incursion with severe political condemnation.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused 'Tel Aviv' of executing a systematic "scorched-earth" policy designed to completely destroy infrastructure and hilltop villages across the south.

"The fierce clashes signal the definitive collapse of the ceasefire agreement originally announced on April 17, which failed to achieve any real commitment on the ground."

As 'Israeli' forces push past the Litani River line, the intensity of the ongoing battles has effectively erased any remnants of the short-lived April diplomatic framework, plunging the region back into open warfare.

• Uranium transfer and Hormuz terms remain key issues
• New round of US-Iran negotiations underway
• White House willing to delay deal for tougher terms

US President Donald Trump has thrown a wrench into advanced diplomatic proceedings with Tehran, demanding significant revisions to a draft agreement negotiated by his own envoys, according to Axios citing US administration and White House officials.

The unexpected development has abruptly re-opened critical clauses of the document, sparking a fresh round of intense diplomatic back-and-forth between Washington and Tehran as both sides scramble to address the president's new mandates.

Enriched uranium, Hormuz: Sticking points

According to a US official speaking to Axios, Trump's intervention centers primarily on structural execution and precise legal language.

Specifically, the president wants explicit, granular details regarding the exact mechanism by which Washington will take possession of Iran's stockpiles of enriched uranium.

Furthermore, Trump is seeking to amend specific phrasing in the draft concerning the formal reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which has been under a tight maritime quarantine.

Officials emphasized that Trump remains completely unyielding on his core geopolitical "red lines." He has reportedly made it clear to his team that he will not sign any accord that falls short of permanently guaranteeing Iran cannot acquire a nuclear weapon.

White House seeking delay

Despite the sudden diplomatic friction, the broader consensus within the executive branch is that the overarching architecture of the deal remains intact.

"There will be an agreement with Iran," a US official stated confidently, though they acknowledged that the exact timing of the final signing is now entirely up in the air.

The White House has indicated it has no intention of rushing the process at the expense of the president's new directives.

A White House official stated that the administration is fully prepared to wait an additional week or more if necessary to ensure that Iran concedes to every one of Trump's latest demands.

Nonetheless, a sense of urgency remains among some pockets of the administration.

Another US official expressed hope that negotiators could iron out the new wrinkles and produce a finalized, signed framework by early next week.

US President Donald Trump defended his approach toward Iran while reflecting on past US military interventions during an interview with Fox News.

Trump criticized the 2003 Iraq War, calling it a "foolish thing" and saying the United States should not have been in Iraq in the first place.

He also argued that the US should not have been involved in Iran but claimed American military action was necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

"If we didn't hit them with B-2 bombers, nine months ago, they would have a nuclear weapon right now," Trump said, adding that the region could have faced far greater instability.

The US president further claimed that Washington largely avoided targeting Iran's military, describing it as "somewhat moderate" compared with other elements of the Iranian leadership.

Trump said previous wars had shown the dangers of completely dismantling a country's institutions, arguing that such actions can leave nations unable to recover for decades.

US President Donald Trump said he believes the United States can reach a "great deal" with Iran but warned that Washington is prepared to pursue military action if negotiations fail.

Speaking about the ongoing talks, Trump said a diplomatic agreement would save lives and could lead to the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments.

He described Iranian officials as "very tough negotiators" but said the United States was gradually securing its objectives through the talks.

"It takes a long time. I'm in no hurry," Trump said, arguing that rushing negotiations could undermine the chances of reaching a successful agreement.

The US president added that if Washington does not obtain the outcome it seeks through diplomacy, it would "end it a different way," signaling that military options remain under consideration.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said Iranian forces intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-1 drone, claiming the aircraft was attempting to carry out what it described as a “hostile operation.”

The report did not provide details on the time or exact location of the alleged incident.

The MQ-1 Predator drone, used for surveillance and combat missions, has long been deployed by US forces across the Middle East.

Iran has unveiled a new naval attack craft during a ceremony in Tehran, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

The vessel, named “27 Rajab,” was presented in Enqelab Square and is described as part of Iran’s expanding maritime military capabilities.

Fars reported that the craft can reach speeds of up to 100 knots, or about 185 kilometers per hour, and is equipped with systems capable of launching long-range cruise missiles.

The unveiling was presented as a demonstration of Iran’s naval strength amid ongoing regional tensions and heightened military activity in surrounding waters.

Donald Trump is considering whether to approve a proposed agreement with Iran, as US officials warn that Washington remains prepared for military escalation if diplomacy fails.

The United States has warned it is “more than capable” of resuming military operations against Iran, even as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes to secure a potential agreement.

Unnamed US officials told AFP that a draft deal is awaiting final approval from President Donald Trump, who did not reach a decision following a White House Situation Room meeting on Friday.

According to Trump’s stated position, any agreement must meet strict conditions, including a permanent ban on Iran developing nuclear weapons and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.

A White House official said, “President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines,” adding, “Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon.”

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a security summit in Singapore that Washington remains “more than capable” of restarting military action if required, noting that “our stockpiles are more than suited for that.”

The Pentagon has maintained a heightened posture, while US Central Command said American forces “remain present and vigilant across the region,” signaling continued military readiness as negotiations proceed.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington is fully prepared to resume military strikes against Iran if ongoing diplomatic efforts fail to produce an agreement.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Hegseth stressed that the military option remains available despite continued negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

He said President Donald Trump is showing "patience" at this stage but remains committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Hegseth added that the US defense industry is operating at full capacity, underscoring Washington's readiness to act should diplomatic efforts collapse.