Monday, May 18Monday, May 18U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that the war with Iran will end soon, despite no clear resolution in sight. On multiple occasions—March 9, March 24, April 14, April 16, May 1, and May 7—Trump has claimed the conflict was nearing its conclusion, with varying degrees of certainty. Most recently, on May 7, he expressed optimism about peace negotiations, citing a "very good chance" the war was ending. A 14-point memorandum under consideration by Tehran includes a key U.S. demand: a moratorium on Iran’s uranium enrichment, in exchange for sanctions relief and the unfreezing of assets .
Negotiations between Washington and Tehran have shifted toward a limited deal rather than a comprehensive peace agreement, sidelining Israel’s priorities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed such a deal, particularly if it restricts Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah. The standoff over the Strait of Hormuz has heightened economic concerns, prompting both sides to prioritize a short-term pact to avert a global crisis .
Iran has asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz, establishing a new government agency to regulate and tax shipping traffic through the critical waterway. U.S. intelligence assessments suggest Iran could withstand a blockade for 3-4 months before facing significant economic pressure, underscoring its leverage in the conflict . Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen publicly since his father’s death in strikes that triggered the war, though Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed meeting with him .
The U.S. has proposed a peace deal that would formally end hostilities while deferring contentious issues, such as Iran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is reviewing the proposal, though its willingness to accept remains uncertain. Earlier U.S. efforts to militarily secure the strait were suspended after one day, with Trump citing an imminent agreement as the reason .
> Background: **Trump Offers Iran Deal Amid Threats of Escalated Military Strikes** — *14 hours ago*
Still no sign of a solution in Iran: US president says the war will be over soon Donald Trump again says the Iran war will be over soon... The US president has said this in some way, shape or form a number of times in recent days.Yet, theres still no solution on the horizon in the Middle East. March 9: Trump said the war was very complete, pretty much. March 24: He reportedly said the U.S. and Israel had won the war. April 14: In a Fox Business interview, Trump said the war was very close to being over. April 16: CBS reported Trump again saying the conflict was very close to over. May 1: In a letter to Congress, he declared the hostilities had terminated. May 7:Trump said there was a very good chance the war was nearing an end and spoke optimistically about peace negotiations. This Thursday, there is word of a 14 point memorandum under consideration by Tehran. Key in the demands being made by Washington is a moratorium on Irans enrichment of uranium. In return thered be a lifting of sanctions against Iran and an unfreezing of assets.
france24 · 10 days ago
#Iran #USA U.S. intelligence suggests that Iran could endure Trumps Hormuz blockade for about 3-4 months before experiencing significant economic pressure. This assessment indicates that Irans control over the Strait of Hormuz provides it with substantial leverage in the ongoing conflict. Subscribe to @OSINTdefender Chat room
telegram bot · 11 days ago
Trump says war to end quickly as Iran claims control of Strait of Hormuz
news.yahoo.com · 11 days ago
Irans president says he has spoken to the countrys Supreme Leader Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says he has met with Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
aljazeera · 11 days ago
Iran creates new agency to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz while reviewing peace deal with US Iran has created a government agency to control and tax vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz
independent · 11 days ago
JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 US intelligence says Iran could withstand President Trumps Strait of Hormuz blockade for months, WaPo reports. @BRICSNews
telegram bot · 11 days ago
Israels war priorities sidelined as Trump pushes toward a limited deal with Iran With the standoff over the frozen Iran war threatening a global economic meltdown, Washington and Tehran have scaled back their efforts to agree a comprehensive peace deal and now seek a limited pact putting off the harder issues. Israel is not directly involved in the peace effort. Netanyahu was eager to continue the war and would also be loath to subject Israels campaign against Hezbollah to a deal between Washington and Tehran. FRANCE 24s Noga Tarnopolsky reports from Jerusalem.
france24 · 11 days ago
IRAN WAR WEEK 10, day 7. Trump Punts and Iterates with Iran
gdeltproject.org · 11 days ago
Iran-US war latest: Tehran issues update on supreme leader as Trump says very good chance war will end soon Supreme leader has not been seen in public since his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in strikes that sparked the Iran war
independent · 11 days ago
What are US proposals to end war, and will Iran agree to them? Iran says it is reviewing a US proposal to end the US-Israel war on it that has caused a global crisis.
aljazeera · 11 days ago
Debate: A chance to end the Iran war? Reports on the progress of the Iran war remain confusing. At the beginning of the week, the US announced an operation to reopen the blocked Strait of Hormuz through military security guarantees, however, this was suspended after just one day. US President Donald Trump explained this by saying that an agreement with Iran was now imminent. Europes press weighs up different interests and power dynamics.
eurotopics.net · 11 days ago
Trump sees swift end to war as Iran reviews US peace proposal US President Donald Trump predicted a swift end to the war with Iran as Tehran considered a US peace proposal that sources said would formally end the conflict while leaving unresolved key US demands that Iran suspend its nuclear programme and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
france24 · 11 days ago
US envoy and Trumps son-in-law to travel to Pakistan amid hopes for renewed Iran peace talks – as it happened This live blog is now closed. For the latest, read our full report:Trump sending Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan to resume talks on Iran warThe EUs foreign chief has said that talks with Iran should include nuclear experts otherwise we will end up with a more dangerous Iran.Speaking on Friday ahead of an informal summit of EU leaders in Cyprus, EUs foreign chief Kaja Kallas said: If the talks are only about the nuclear and there are no nuclear experts around the table, then we will end up with an agreement that is weaker than the JCPOA was. Continue reading...
theguardian · 23 days ago
Irans FM Araghchi arrives in Pakistan ahead of planned US ceasefire talks Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Friday to discuss proposals for restarting peace talks with the United States, amid conflicting signals on whether he would meet with US negotiators there. The White House said special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would leave for Pakistan on Saturday morning to continue talks with Iran.
france24 · 23 days ago
Trump sending Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan to resume talks on Iran war White House says its Middle East envoys will meet Tehrans foreign minister in Islamabad Middle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump is sending his Middle East envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan to resume negotiations to end the war with Iran, which has lasted nearly eight weeks.The White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed the travel on Friday, saying that Witkoff and Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, would meet Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, in Islamabad. Continue reading...
theguardian · 23 days ago
US sending envoys to Pakistan, raising hopes of talks with Irans Araghchi Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives in Islamabad, but Tehran yet to commit to more talks with US delegation.
aljazeera · 23 days ago
Witkoff and Kushner to meet Iranian foreign minister in Pakistan: White House U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Pakistan on Saturday for negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the White House said.Iranian state media denied that any meeting had been scheduled.Why it matters: While President Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran, the diplomatic efforts havent made any progress in recent days. The planned trip is an effort to break the stalemate and build momentum for a deal before Trump goes back to exploring military options.What theyre saying: The Iranians want to talk. They want to talk in person and the president is always willing to give diplomacy a chance, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House on Friday.We hope progress will be made and we hope that positive development will come from this meeting. We have certainly seen some progress from the Iranian side in the last few days.The other side: Irans state news agency IRNA reported that no meeting had been scheduled between Araghchi and Trumps envoys. Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, also denied any direct talks between Araghchi and the U.S. envoys were planned at the moment.Driving the news: Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday night for talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir.A Pakistani official told Axios that the meeting with Araghchi will focus on relaunching negotiations with the Trump administration. A trilateral meeting with the U.S. will be assessed after our meeting with Araghchi, the Pakistani official said. IRNA said Araghchi would convey Irans position about the current state of the war.Araghchi is expected to travel from Islamabad to Muscat, Oman, and then to Moscow, so its unclear when he will meet the U.S. envoys.Two sources said the meeting between the U.S. envoys and Araghchi could take place on Monday, after Kushner and Witkoff hold separate bilateral talks with the Pakistani mediators. CNN first reported Witkoff and Kushners planned trip.Behind the scenes: Vice President JD Vance, who led the U.S. negotiating team in the previous round, will not make the trip. The U.S. officials said thats because his counterpart, Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, wont travel with Araghchi.A U.S. official and a source with knowledge said Ghalibaf grew frustrated with the infighting in the Iranian leadership after the previous round of talks, and even threatened to step aside. Its unclear if hes still the lead Iranian negotiator.He was talking to other officials in Iran about resignation and considering it, but he has not done it yet, the source with knowledge said. What to watch: The U.S. officials said Vance will be on standby to travel to Pakistan if talks progress. Hes expected to participate in phone calls with the team on the ground as needed.Vances chief of staff and other members of his team will join Witkoff and Kushner in Pakistan, the U.S. officials said.
axios · 24 days ago
Witkoff and Kushner to travel to Islamabad as hopes rise for Iran peace talks US delegation wants to hear Iranians out as Tehrans foreign minister also confirms trip to Pakistans capital
financial times · 24 days ago
US envoys Witkoff, Kushner to head to Pakistan for Iran talks on Saturday, White House says Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad on Friday night, an official source in Pakistan said, without providing details about who he was likely to meet.
euronews · 24 days ago
Middle East crisis live: US envoy and Trumps son-in-law to travel to Pakistan amid hopes for renewed Iran peace talks Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to travel to Pakistan, White House says; Iranian state media says foreign minister Abbas Araqchi traveling to Islamabad, Muscat and MoscowThe EUs foreign chief has said that talks with Iran should include nuclear experts otherwise we will end up with a more dangerous Iran.Speaking on Friday ahead of an informal summit of EU leaders in Cyprus, EUs foreign chief Kaja Kallas said: If the talks are only about the nuclear and there are no nuclear experts around the table, then we will end up with an agreement that is weaker than the JCPOA was. Continue reading...
theguardian · 24 days ago
Iran foreign minister to embark on three-nation tour as US peace talks remain stalled Abbas Araghchi to visit Pakistan, Oman and Russia to see if talks can be reopened, with both sides still in stalemateMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, is planning a tour of Pakistan, Russia and Oman in an effort to see if there is a basis to reopen peace talks that can end with a permanent US-Israeli commitment to cease its attacks on Iran, now one of Tehrans key demands.Araghchi is also likely to discuss a potential permanent new arrangement on governing the strait of Hormuz with Oman, which oversees the south of the strait. Continue reading...
theguardian · 24 days ago
Witkoff and Kushner expected to meet Iranian foreign minister in Pakistan U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Pakistan in the coming days for negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghch, two U.S. officials tell Axios. Why it matters: While President Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran, the diplomatic efforts havent made any progress in recent days. The trip is an effort to break the stalemate and build momentum for a deal before Trump goes back to exploring military options.Driving the news: Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad on Friday night for talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir.A Pakistani official told Axios that the meeting with Araghchi will focus on relaunching negotiations with the Trump administration. A trilateral meeting with the U.S. will be assessed after our meeting with Araghchi, the Pakistani official said. Araghchi is expected to travel from Islamabad to Muscat and then to Moscow, so its unclear when exactly he will meet the U.S. envoys.CNN first reported about Witkoff and Kushners planned trip.Behind the scenes: Vice President Vance, who led the U.S. negotiating team in the previous round, will not make the trip. The U.S. officials said thats because his counterpart, Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, wont travel with Araghchi.A U.S. official and a source with knowledge said Ghalibaf grew frustrated with the infighting in the Iranian leadership after the previous round of talks, and even threatened to step aside. Its unclear if hes still the lead Iranian negotiator.He was talking to other officials in Iran about resignation and considering it, but he has not done it yet, the source with knowledge said. What to watch: The U.S. officials said Vance will be on standby to travel to Pakistan if talks progress. Hes expected to participate in phone calls with the team on the ground as needed.Vances chief of staff and other members of his team will join Witkoff and Kushner in Pakistan, the U.S. officials said.
axios · 24 days ago
Hegseth warns Iran to make wise deal ahead of possible talks Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad on Friday night, an official source in Pakistan said, without providing details about who he was likely to meet.
euronews · 24 days ago
Middle East crisis live: Hopes rise for renewed US-Iran talks as Tehrans foreign minister reported to be heading to Pakistan Iranian state media says Abbas Araqchi due to begin a trip today that includes visiting Islamabad, Muscat and MoscowThe EUs foreign chief has said that talks with Iran should include nuclear experts otherwise we will end up with a more dangerous Iran.Speaking on Friday ahead of an informal summit of EU leaders in Cyprus, EUs foreign chief Kaja Kallas said: If the talks are only about the nuclear and there are no nuclear experts around the table, then we will end up with an agreement that is weaker than the JCPOA was. Continue reading...
theguardian · 24 days ago
Trump declares Iranian regime is only alive so it can negotiate ahead of peace talks - Live updates LIVE: Read the Daily Mails coverage of the crisis in the Middle East as JD Vance warned Iran not to try and play us as he set off to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran
dailymail · about 1 month ago
JD Vance warns Iran against trying to play the US in peace talks US vice-president flies to Islamabad for negotiations as Iranians insists Israel end its offensive in LebanonMiddle East crisis – live updatesJD Vance has warned Iran not to try and play the US at talks planned for Saturday in Islamabad, while Tehran said it would not take part until Israel stopped bombing of Lebanon.The US vice-president made the comments as he boarded a plane to Pakistan for negotiations that could determine whether a ceasefire holds or the war on Iran resumes with grave implications for the global economy. Continue reading...
theguardian · about 1 month ago
High stakes US Iran peace talks to begin in Islamabad Islamabad, April 10, 2026 — Brussels Morning Newspaper — High-stakes US Iran peace talks are set to convene in Islamabad, Pakistan, as negotiators attempt to resolve a volatile conflict currently rattling global energy markets. Led by Vice President J.D. Vance … Read more Continue reading High stakes US Iran peace talks to begin in Islamabad at Brussels Morning Newspaper.
brussels morning · about 1 month ago
JD Vance expects positive US-Iran war talks as he departs for Pakistan Vice president says Trump gave pretty clear guidelines on talks, which will be productive if Iran does not play US.
aljazeera · about 1 month ago
Middle East crisis live: Trump warns of fresh strikes on Iran if talks fail as Vance heads to Pakistan US president says that warships are being reloaded with weaponry to strike Iran if Saturdays Islamabad talks fail to produce a dealNetanyahu says there is no ceasefire in Lebanon as Israel launches fresh strikesThe streets of Islamabad are on strict lockdown as Pakistans capital prepares to play host to historic negotiations between Iran and the US that have dangled the promise of an end to war that has devastated the Middle East.Even as the US-Iran ceasefire looked increasingly precarious, amid Israels continued bombardment of Lebanon and disputes over the terms of the talks, Pakistani officials insist that the make-or-break peace negotiations will be going ahead over the weekend as planned Continue reading...
theguardian · about 1 month ago
Vance expects positive Iran talks as he heads to Islamabad US VP JD Vance says Trump gave clear guidelines for Iran talks in Pakistan and expects positive negotiations.
aljazeera · about 1 month ago