Thursday, May 21Thursday, May 21Iran-U.S. Negotiations and Escalating Tensions Iran submitted a revised proposal to end the war via Pakistani mediators on Sunday, but U.S. officials dismissed it as insufficient, with only "token improvements" over previous versions. The counter-proposal lacked detailed commitments on suspending uranium enrichment or surrendering highly enriched uranium stockpiles, despite expanded language on Iran’s non-nuclear-weapon pledge. A senior U.S. official warned that without meaningful concessions, the U.S. would "continue the negotiations through bombs," while President Trump stated Iran would face "much harder" strikes if it failed to show flexibility. Trump is scheduled to convene his national security team on May 19 to discuss military options, reflecting frustration over stalled diplomacy . Iran’s demands include the release of frozen assets, sanctions relief, and maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz, though the U.S. insists no sanctions will be lifted without reciprocal action .
Strait of Hormuz and Maritime Control Iran established a new body to manage the Strait of Hormuz amid stalled U.S. talks, requiring vessels to apply for transit permits and disclose ownership, insurance, crew, and cargo details. The move follows Iran’s proposal to offer Bitcoin-based ship insurance for Hormuz transit, a plan likely to raise global maritime concerns . The strait’s strategic importance is underscored by rising oil prices, which surged as diplomatic efforts faltered and Trump’s threats of military action intensified .
Military Escalation and Regional Fallout A drone strike near a UAE nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, suspected to be Iranian, triggered a fire but caused no casualties or radiological release. The attack prompted Trump to convene national security advisers to discuss military responses, further straining U.S.-Iran relations . Domestically, the U.S. war in Iran is growing increasingly unpopular, complicating Trump’s push for a decisive resolution . Meanwhile, the conflict has disrupted global energy markets, with oil prices rising and geopolitical tensions threatening petrodollar dominance .
Nuclear Program and International Monitoring Since 2025, the U.S. and Israel have conducted airstrikes on Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions. The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) monitors Iran’s nuclear activities monthly, assessing progress toward six potential scenarios, though recent diplomatic setbacks suggest heightened risks of further military action .
> Background: **Iran-UAE tensions rise after drone strike near nuclear plant sparks regional escalation** — *6 hours ago*
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![Irans new offer is insufficient, risks war resumption: Senior U.S. official Iran has given an updated proposal for a deal to end the war, but the White House believes it is not a meaningful improvement and is insufficient for a deal, a senior U.S. official and a source briefed on the issue told Axios. Why it matters: U.S. officials say President Trump wants a deal to end the war, but is considering resuming it due to Irans rejection of many of his demands and refusal to make meaningful concessions on its nuclear program.Trump is expected to convene his top national security team in the Situation Room on Tuesday to discuss military options, two U.S. officials said.The senior U.S. official said that if Iran wont shift its position, the U.S. will have to continue the negotiations through bombs.Trump told Axios in a phone call on Sunday, before the U.S. had received Irans later offer, that the clock is ticking and if Iran doesnt show flexibility, they are going to get hit much harder.Zoom in: The senior U.S. official said the Iranian counter-proposal, which was shared with the U.S. on Sunday night via the Pakistani mediators, has only token improvements on the last version.The new proposal includes more words on Irans commitment not to pursue a nuclear weapon, but no detailed commitments about suspending uranium enrichment or handing over its existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium.While Iranian state media reported that the U.S. had agreed to waive some oil sanctions on Iran during the negotiations, the U.S. official said no sanctions relief will happen for free without reciprocal action by Iran.What theyre saying: We are really not making a lot of progress. We are at a very serious place today. The pressure is on them to be responsive in the right way, the senior U.S. official said. Its time for the Iranians to throw bit of candy out. We need some real, sturdy, and granular conversation [regarding the nuclear program]. If thats not gonna happen, we will have a conversation through bombs, which will be a shame.Between the lines: The senior U.S. official said the U.S. and Iran arent having direct negotiations on the substance of the agreement, but are engaged in indirect talks to try and develop consensus around what these negotiations will look like.The U.S. official claimed the fact that Iran made a new counter-offer, despite the very modest changes, suggests the Iranians are concerned about further U.S. military action.The Iranians have long claimed it is Trump who is desperate for a deal, and that time is on their side.Go deeper: Trumps killer quote exposes his bind on Iran and inflation](https://images.axios.com/XCg9BMbN9sNJMH02V1dIez1AWKY=/0x179:4795x2877/1366x768/2026/05/18/1779116210493.jpeg)
Irans new offer is insufficient, risks war resumption: Senior U.S. official Iran has given an updated proposal for a deal to end the war, but the White House believes it is not a meaningful improvement and is insufficient for a deal, a senior U.S. official and a source briefed on the issue told Axios. Why it matters: U.S. officials say President Trump wants a deal to end the war, but is considering resuming it due to Irans rejection of many of his demands and refusal to make meaningful concessions on its nuclear program.Trump is expected to convene his top national security team in the Situation Room on Tuesday to discuss military options, two U.S. officials said.The senior U.S. official said that if Iran wont shift its position, the U.S. will have to continue the negotiations through bombs.Trump told Axios in a phone call on Sunday, before the U.S. had received Irans later offer, that the clock is ticking and if Iran doesnt show flexibility, they are going to get hit much harder.Zoom in: The senior U.S. official said the Iranian counter-proposal, which was shared with the U.S. on Sunday night via the Pakistani mediators, has only token improvements on the last version.The new proposal includes more words on Irans commitment not to pursue a nuclear weapon, but no detailed commitments about suspending uranium enrichment or handing over its existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium.While Iranian state media reported that the U.S. had agreed to waive some oil sanctions on Iran during the negotiations, the U.S. official said no sanctions relief will happen for free without reciprocal action by Iran.What theyre saying: We are really not making a lot of progress. We are at a very serious place today. The pressure is on them to be responsive in the right way, the senior U.S. official said. Its time for the Iranians to throw bit of candy out. We need some real, sturdy, and granular conversation [regarding the nuclear program]. If thats not gonna happen, we will have a conversation through bombs, which will be a shame.Between the lines: The senior U.S. official said the U.S. and Iran arent having direct negotiations on the substance of the agreement, but are engaged in indirect talks to try and develop consensus around what these negotiations will look like.The U.S. official claimed the fact that Iran made a new counter-offer, despite the very modest changes, suggests the Iranians are concerned about further U.S. military action.The Iranians have long claimed it is Trump who is desperate for a deal, and that time is on their side.Go deeper: Trumps killer quote exposes his bind on Iran and inflation
axios · 2 days ago
Iran sets up new Strait of Hormuz managing body amid stalled talks with US Iran has formed a new body to manage the Strait of Hormuz. It comes as peace talks with the United States appeared to remain stalled. Its not clear what the new body will do, but earlier this month Iranian media said vessels seeking transit would have to apply to it for a permit - disclosing ownership, insurance, crew, and cargo.
france24 · 2 days ago
How the War in Iran Is Shaking the World Economy and Global Order The war in Iran is unfolding in one of the most critical areas for the global energy market.…
europesays.com · 2 days ago
Iran sends response to US proposal to end war via mediator Pakistan Iran demands the release of assets frozen abroad, the lifting of sanctions, and maintaining control of Strait of Hormuz.
aljazeera · 3 days ago
Iran plans to offer insurance for Hormuz transit: Will it work? Iran proposes Bitcoin-based ship insurance for the Strait of Hormuz, a move likely to raise global maritime concerns.
aljazeera · 3 days ago
Oil prices jump as Iran tensions persist, UAE nuclear plant hit Oil prices continued to rise on 18 May as momentum towards ending the Iran conflict appeared to falter…
europesays.com · 3 days ago
Live Updates: Iran war re-escalation risks, new Trump threat drive up oil prices as diplomacy staggers on World shares mostly retreated and oil prices jumped Monday after President Trump warned Tehran the clock is ticking…
europesays.com · 3 days ago
Geopolitical Tensions Threaten Petrodollar Dominance as Iran War Shifts Oil Trade The global oil trading landscape faces a significant challenge due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, notably the Iran war…
europesays.com · 3 days ago
Modis grand tour: India links up with UAE, Europe to hedge global shocks With oil prices spiralling amid the fallout from the US-Israel war on Iran and the Middle Easts diplomatic…
europesays.com · 3 days ago
UAE nuclear power plant targeted in likely-Iranian attack The UAE says a drone strike triggered a fire near a nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi. There were no reported casualties or radiological release from the strike, whose origin is currently unknown, but all eyes are on Iran. In the wake of the attack, US president Donald Trump is reportedly set to convene top national security advisers on May 18 to discuss military options.
france24 · 3 days ago
Iran nuclear monitor: Month by month America and Israel have bombed Iran since 2025 to block Tehrans path to nuclear weapons. ECFRs interactive dashboard, updated monthly, assesses current evidence about Irans nuclear activities to determine which of six possible scenarios is most likely.
european council · 3 days ago
War against Iran is growing more unpopular by the day in the US A drone strike close to a UAE nuclear plant raised concerns of an escalation in the conflict. Amid stalled talks, Trump is expected to meet national security advisers to discuss options for military action on May 19 and warned the clock is ticking for Iran. But domestically, the US president also has to deal with a war that is growing more unpopular by the day, as FRANCE 24s Kethevane Gorjestani explains.
france24 · 3 days ago