United States President Donald Trump announced a postponement of a planned attack on Iran, citing requests from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. He added that “serious negotiations are now taking place” behind the scenes, suggesting a renewed push for diplomatic solutions amidst weeks of escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Iran’s Stance and Actions
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended Tehran’s participation in talks, firmly rejecting any notion that the country was succumbing to pressure. “Dialogue does not mean surrender,” he stated, emphasizing that Iran entered negotiations “with dignity, authority, and the preservation of the nation’s rights.”
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that its forces struck groups linked to the US and Israel in the western province of Kurdistan, near the border with Iraq. A statement carried by the ISNA news agency claimed these groups, originating from “northern Iraq and acting on behalf of the US and the Zionist regime, were attempting to smuggle a large shipment of American weapons and ammunition” into Iran.
The IRGC also indicated that fiber-optic cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz could be subjected to a permit system as Tehran asserts tighter control over the vital waterway. “Following the imposition of control over the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, citing its absolute sovereignty over the bed and subsoil of its territorial sea… could declare that all fiber-optic cables passing through the waterway are subject to permits,” the IRGC posted on social media.
Mohsen Rezaei, a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council, openly mocked Trump for setting and then canceling a deadline for a military attack on Iran, reiterating that Tehran would not surrender under pressure. In a post on X, he asserted that the “iron fist” of Iran’s armed forces and people would compel the US “to retreat and surrender.”
Major-General Ali Abdollahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, issued a stern warning to the US and its allies against making another “strategic mistake or miscalculation,” according to the Tasnim news agency. He affirmed that Iranian forces were stronger and more prepared than ever, adding that any renewed aggression would face a response “far more powerful” than previous confrontations.
Diplomatic Efforts
Pakistan has emerged as a central player in indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with Iran confirming it delivered its response to the latest US proposal through Islamabad. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has also voiced support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts aimed at resolving the crisis through diplomatic channels.
Developments in the US
President Trump hailed a “very positive development” in talks with Iran, which he said convinced him to postpone the planned military attack. He mentioned that allies in the Middle East informed him “they are getting very close to making a deal” that would ensure Iran does not possess nuclear weapons.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the US has extended its sanctions waiver for Russian oil cargoes already at sea by 30 days, as global energy prices continue to surge due to the ongoing conflict. This latest “temporary 30-day general license” aims to “provide the most vulnerable nations with the ability to temporarily access Russian oil currently stranded at sea,” he explained in a social media post.
Matt Duss, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy, criticized Trump’s insistence that Iran accept zero uranium enrichment, calling it a “poison pill” pushed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and “warmongers” in Washington who “wanted a war.” He suggested on X that negotiations could resume if Trump reversed this position.
Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna, reporting from Washington, DC, highlighted that the conflict is becoming a growing political problem for Trump, as Americans face rising living costs and economic pressure linked to the war. While Trump has dismissed these concerns, Hanna noted that many voters remain unconvinced, with dissatisfaction potentially impacting the November midterm elections and Republican prospects.
Henry Ensher, a former US ambassador to Algeria, told Al Jazeera that Trump is under increasing pressure not to launch further attacks on Iran because there are “no good military options.” He warned that a large-scale attack could “draw major criticism if it fails to change Iran’s behavior.”
Regional Impact and Incidents
Lebanon death toll: The Ministry of Public Health reported that Israeli strikes have killed more than 3,000 people in Lebanon since March 2. “The total cumulative toll of the aggression from March 2 to May 18 is now as follows: 3,020 martyrs and 9,273 wounded,” the ministry stated, noting that 211 people aged 18 and below and 116 healthcare workers were among those killed.
Hezbollah’s drone attack on Israeli troops: The Lebanese group claimed it attacked Israeli soldiers with drones in the southern town of Rachaf, in retaliation for deadly Israeli strikes on villages in the south. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.
Western Iraq operations intensify: Iraqi forces conducted large-scale sweeps in western desert areas following unconfirmed reports of covert Israeli military sites in the region. Iraqi authorities have denied the existence of any unauthorized foreign bases on their territory.
Israeli raids in Ramallah: Israeli forces stormed several areas in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, including the villages of al-Mughayyir and Abu Falah. According to the Wafa news agency, confrontations erupted in al-Mughayyir after Israeli troops fired toxic gas canisters.
Gaza-bound aid ships seized: Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla reported that Israeli forces continued to intercept vessels heading to Gaza in international waters. They stated that the vessel Perseverance, carrying volunteers from Australia, Belgium, Canada, and France, was attacked and its crew detained. The organizers claimed Israeli forces raided 41 of their boats in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, while 10 vessels continue to sail towards the besieged Palestinian enclave. Malaysia, Qatar, and Turkiye have condemned the Israeli action.
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