May 18, 2026, 3:03 PM EDT
Death toll in Lebanon tops 3,000
At least 3,020 people have died in Lebanon and another 9,273 have been injured since the Iran war began, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
AFP via Getty Images
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Iran live updates: Trump says he's postponing strikes on Iran at Middle East allies' request
Trump said "serious negotiations are now taking place."
Last Updated: May 18, 2026, 7:58 PM EDT
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.
Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan in April failed to reach a peace deal.
Trump later announced the open-ended extension of the ceasefire and the continuation of a U.S. blockade until negotiations are concluded "one way or the other."
Key Headlines
- May 18, 2026, 7:58 PM EDT
- May 18, 2026, 3:21 PM EDT
- May 18, 2026, 3:03 PM EDT
- May 18, 2026, 12:27 PM EDT
- May 18, 2026, 6:08 AM EDT
Here's how the news is developing.
May 18, 2026, 12:27 PM EDT
National security meeting on Iran planned for Tuesday: Official
President Donald Trump is expected to hold a meeting of his top national security advisors in the Situation Room on Tuesday, according to an administration official familiar with the plans.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss next steps on Iran and the potential for new military action against the country, the official said.
Over the weekend, Trump met with members of his national security team at his golf club in Virginia to strategize on Iran, the official said, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff participated in the meeting, the official said.
Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images
-ABC News’ Shannon Kingston
May 18, 2026, 6:08 AM EDT
Iran responds to latest US peace proposal, Baghaei says
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said in a press briefing on Monday that Tehran had responded to the latest American negotiation proposal.
The mediation process continues through Pakistan, Baghaei told reporters.
"What can be said with certainty is, first of all, that rights are not something we are to negotiate or compromise over," Baghaei said, including Iran's right to enrichment as set out by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"There is no need for another party to recognize this right for Iran. This right already exists," he added.
-/AFP via Getty Images
-ABC News' Victoria Beaule
May 18, 2026, 5:43 AM EDT
IDF orders south Lebanon evacuations amid ongoing strikes
Israel Defense spokesperson Avichay Adraee on Monday issued evacuation orders for the southern Lebanese towns of Harouf, Burj el-Shamali and Dibal ahead of planned Israeli strikes.
Adraee said the IDF would act "forcefully" against alleged Hezbollah targets in those areas, accusing the Iran-aligned militia of "violating the ceasefire."
Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health said on Sunday that the death toll from Israeli strikes on the country since March 2 had risen to 2,988 people. Another 9,210 people have been wounded, the ministry said.
Kawnat Haju/AFP via Getty Images
