Thursday, May 21Thursday, May 21US-Iran tensions and stalled negotiations The US and Iran remain deadlocked in negotiations, with key issues unresolved despite recent diplomatic efforts. Tehran has demanded the lifting of sanctions as part of any peace deal, while the US insists Iran must end its nuclear program—a condition Iran has refused to accept . President Trump described the talks as "very positive" but acknowledged that both sides remain far apart . Analysts suggest Trump’s strategy of applying maximum pressure has not yielded concessions from Iran .
Military posturing and threats Trump has repeatedly warned that the US could launch further military strikes against Iran, though he claims Tehran is "begging for a deal" . He postponed a planned attack on Iran at the request of Gulf allies, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, who urged restraint to avoid escalation . Iran has responded with threats of its own, warning it will "open new fronts" against the US if attacks resume, including potential retaliation against US interests beyond its borders .
Strategic warnings and regional dynamics Trump claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him China would not supply weapons to Iran, though this assertion has not been independently verified . The US president also warned Iran that it had "two or three days" to reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments . Meanwhile, Iran’s military spokesperson stated that any new aggression would trigger an expanded response, framing the conflict as a defense against "Zionist" (Israeli) influence . The 81st day of the conflict saw renewed momentum in talks, but Iran reiterated it would not "surrender" to US demands .
> Background: **Trump delays Iran strike as Gulf states push for nuclear deal talks.** — *11 hours ago*
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theguardian · 1 day ago
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france24 · 1 day ago
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france24 · 1 day ago
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