Trump says U.S. and Iran nearing a peace deal. And, Pope Leo weighs in on AI's rise

May 25, 2026 8:31 AM ET

By Brittney Melton

Today's top stories

US-Iran Negotiations

President Trump, along with other officials from his administration, is tempering expectations regarding an imminent agreement aimed at concluding the conflict in Iran. Although Iran has not issued an official response to the proposed accord, semi-official news agencies indicate that disputes over "one or two" key issues could jeopardize the potential agreement. Following discussions with leaders from several Gulf nations and Israel on Saturday, Trump asserted that the U.S. and Iran have "largely negotiated" a memorandum of understanding aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, he later clarified via social media that the U.S. would take its time before finalizing any deal. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, stated that should a deal be reached, negotiations surrounding nuclear issues with the U.S. would commence over a period of 60 days. Senior official Hossein Nooshabadi elaborated that this 60-day timeframe would commence after an initial 30-day agreement focused on the Strait.

NPR correspondent Mara Liasson informed Up First that Iran is firmly opposed to any discussions concerning its nuclear program. Republican voices who had previously supported military action against Iran appear critical of the potential deal, with Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina advising Trump to "stick to your guns in getting a good deal with Iran." Liasson notes that a successful agreement could serve to bolster Republican candidates in the forthcoming elections. The Democratic Party, while enjoying an advantage in generic ballot polling, continues to grapple with its overall unpopularity, compelling Democrats in competitive districts to distinguish themselves from their party while Republicans navigate their own separation from Trump.

The U.S. has made it clear that Iran must permit the passage of ships through the Strait as a core stipulation of the deal, according to NPR's Aya Batrawy. Conversely, Iran has put forth conditions of its own: the U.S. should unfreeze its assets held in foreign banks, and Israel must terminate its military operations in Lebanon targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah. Gulf Arab states continue to bear the brunt of the ongoing conflict, having faced severe repercussions from Iran's actions. Currently, approximately two million pilgrims are participating in the hajj in Saudi Arabia, intensifying the urgency of reaching a peaceful resolution to ensure their safety. Increasing pressures for a deal persist, particularly as the war does not appear to have moderated Iran's stance, as Batrawy reports.

Ebola Outbreak in Congo

Recent data from the Congolese government indicates that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in over 200 fatalities, with health officials logging more than 900 suspected cases. The virus is rapidly disseminating throughout eastern Congo, a region surpassing the size of Florida. Ongoing conflicts among various armed factions and national armies are hampering efforts to curb the spread of the disease. The World Health Organization has raised alarms about the very high risk of the virus proliferating rapidly across the country. This outbreak is associated with a rare strain of Ebola for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists.

The chaotic conditions and fragile infrastructure in eastern Congo are exacerbating the outbreak amidst severe violence, according to reporter Emmet Livingstone. Multiple national armies are engaged in combat, with the M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, being the most prominent group involved. Confirmed cases of the virus have emerged in these areas. Aid organizations are grappling with distrust in healthcare systems, historical grievances, misinformation, and critical shortages of personal protective equipment and medical supplies. Additionally, cuts to U.S. aid have further worsened the prevailing circumstances, Livingstone reports.

California Chemical Tank Crisis

In Garden Grove, California, an estimated 50,000 residents remain under evacuation orders as emergency response teams contend with a potentially explosive situation at the GKN Aerospace manufacturing facility. On Saturday, firefighters detected a possible crack in a tank at the plant. Orange County Fire Division Chief Craig Covey commented that such a crack could be deemed a favorable outcome, as it would allow for slower chemical leaks rather than a sudden explosion. The affected tank is filled with approximately 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a highly toxic and flammable substance utilized in the production of resins and plastics. Emergency responders reported that the incident originated on Thursday when chemicals in the tank began to exceed safe temperature thresholds. Authorities implemented evacuation measures to safeguard residents from the risk of a large-scale explosion and the dangerous fumes it could emit, necessitating a wide perimeter clearance around the facility due to the unpredictable dispersion of potential fumes.

Pope Leo XIV on Artificial Intelligence

In his inaugural encyclical, Pope Leo XIV has addressed the rising prominence of artificial intelligence, a significant statement directed at the global Catholic community of 1.4 billion. The encyclical, titled "Magnificent Humanity," calls upon Catholics to take an active role in shaping the ethics surrounding AI rather than allowing the domain to be governed exclusively by affluent technology leaders.

Pope Leo voices concern regarding the Silicon Valley narrative that promotes a hybrid human-machine reality, as reported by Claire Giangrave, Vatican correspondent for NPR's affiliated organization Religion News Service. He likens the advancement of AI to a new Industrial Revolution and expresses the belief that the Catholic Church has a crucial role in steering society toward a more human-centric, humane future. The pope highlights a contemporary form of colonialism, where individuals' data and information are exploited, declaring it "one of the most urgent moral challenges of our time." He advocates for governments and international bodies to enact laws and regulations governing AI utilization. While certain AI companies resist any form of regulation in AI development, others within Silicon Valley are seeking insights from religious perspectives as they navigate the complexities of unprecedented technological evolutions, Giangrave notes.