US-Iran war highlights: In a good spot, says Vance on Iran talks; Trump threatens ‘big hit’

May 20, 2026, 06:55:46 IST

US-Iran war highlights: Tehran's latest peace proposal to the United States involves ending hostilities on all fronts including Lebanon, the exit of US forces from areas close to Iran, and reparations for destruction caused by the US-Israeli war, state media reported on Tuesday.

Tehran's latest peace proposal to the United States involves ending hostilities on all fronts including Lebanon, the exit of US forces from areas close to Iran. (AFP)
Tehran's latest peace proposal to the United States involves ending hostilities on all fronts including Lebanon, the exit of US forces from areas close to Iran. (AFP)

US-Iran war highlights: US President Donald Trump said that he is holding off the scheduled attacks on Iran at the request of the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. However, he said that he has instructed the US military to remain prepared for a full-scale attack on Iran if a deal is not reached....Read More

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  • 20 May 2026, 06:55:28 AM IST

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  • 20 May 2026, 05:46:52 AM IST

    US-Iran war news LIVE: Russia ready to help with peace talks, says deputy foreign minister

    US-Iran war news LIVE: Russia is ready to help out with the US-Iran talks, the deputy foreign minister told TASS news agency.

  • 20 May 2026, 05:28:15 AM IST

    US-Iran war news LIVE: Magnitude 4.7 earthquake strikes Southern Iran region

    A magnitude of 4.7 earthquake struck near Southern Iran on Wednesday. the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said.

    The quake was at a depth of 14 km (8.7 miles), EMSC said.

  • 20 May 2026, 04:53:01 AM IST

    US-Iran war news LIVE: US Senate signals intensifying opposition to Trump's war in Iran

    US-Iran war news LIVE: The Republican-led US Senate signaled mounting opposition to continuing the Iran war in a procedural vote Tuesday, reflecting deepening political unease over a foreign conflict that is taking a financial toll on Americans.

    Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, whose re-election bid President Donald Trump thwarted in a Republican primary Saturday, joined three other GOP senators voting to clear the hurdle and move toward a final vote on a resolution to cease hostilities. It was the first time Cassidy has supported the measure and an indication that Trump’s campaign of retribution against him has freed him to openly oppose the president.

    via Bloomberg

  • 20 May 2026, 03:46:39 AM IST

    US-Iran war news LIVE: UN Security Council condemns attack on UAE's Barakah nuke plant

    US-Iran war news LIVE: UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned the drone strike on the UAE's Barakah nuclear power plant, which Abu Dhabi said originated from Iraq where pro-Iranian proxies are active.

  • 20 May 2026, 03:06:24 AM IST

    US-Iran war news LIVE: Situation at UAE's Barakah nuke plant of 'grave concern', says IAEA

    US-Iran war news LIVE: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said that the Barakah nuclear power plant, in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, has normal radiation levels, adding that the offsite power has also been restored.

    His remarks came in reference to the recent attack on the nuclear plant. Rossi, however, said that the situation is of "grave concern".

  • 20 May 2026, 02:46:31 AM IST

    US-Iran war news LIVE: Tehran dismisses US claims on Iranian school attack

    US-Iran war news LIVE: Iran on Tuesday dismissed the claims by the United States that the Iranian school struck earlier was located within the cruise missile base. Tehran said US's claims were "baseless".

  • 20 May 2026, 02:13:40 AM IST

    US-Iran war news LIVE: Trump was '60 minutes away' from ordering fresh Iran strikes

    US-Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday revealed that he was just "an hour away" from ordering fresh strikes on Iran before he announced the "hold off" at the request of his Gulf allies.

    Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he hoped not to resume the war, but added that the US "may have to give them another big hit."

    The US President had not actually decided to hold off the strikes planned for Tuesday, officials reportedly said. Trump said he had been "an hour away" from giving the order, Axios reported.

  • 20 May 2026, 01:02:28 AM IST

    US-Iran war news LIVE: Oil prices settle after JD Vance cites progress in peace talks

    US-Iran war news LIVE: Oil prices settled on the lower side on Tuesday after Vice President JD Vance said that the US and Iran had made progress in the peace talks, with neither side wanting a resumption of military action.

    "We think that we've made a lot of progress. We think the Iranians want to make a deal," Vance told reporters at a White House briefing.

    Brent futures for July settled down at $111.28 per barrel, while the US West Texas Intermediate crude contract for June delivery settled at $107.77 per barrel.

  • 20 May 2026, 12:22:56 AM IST

    US-Iran war news LIVE: Tehran conflict will not last forever, says Vance

    US-Iran war news LIVE: Vice President JD Vance said that regardless of what President Donald Trump decides on Iran, "it (war) will not last forever".

  • 20 May 2026, 12:05:15 AM IST

    US-Iran war news LIVE: US seized Iran-linked oil tanker in Indian Ocean, says report

    US-Iran war news LIVE: The United States seized an Iran-linked oil tanker in the Indian Ocean, reported the Wall Street Journal.

  • 19 May 2026, 11:25:04 PM IST

    US-Iran war news LIVE: Trump says he'll continue war, even if it's popular, "or not"

    US-Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended the continuation of the war with Iran, saying he would not allow Tehran to develop nuclear weapons regardless of whether the decision is politically popular or not.

    "Look, everyone tells me it's unpopular, but I think it's very popular when you, when they hear that it's having to do with nuclear weapons, weapons that could take out Los Angeles, could take out major cities very quickly," Trump said.

  • 19 May 2026, 11:16:30 PM IST

    US-Iran war news LIVE: Takes two to Tango, says Vance as he spells out Trump's option B in peace talks

    US-Iran war news LIVE: JD Vance said that there are two options with regards to the war with Iran. First is a good deal, which definitely includes Tehran not having nuclear weapons.

    Second option, Vance said, is that the US restarts its military campaign against Iran. However, the vice president said that it is not something that President Trump wants and neither do the Iranians want that.

    “It takes two to Tango,” Vance said, referring to the negotiations to end the war. Nevertheless, he added, that the US is “locked and loaded”.

    Vance said that Washington does not want to go down the pathway of restarting the offence, but it will if a deal is not reached.

  • 19 May 2026, 11:13:19 PM IST

    US-Iran war news LIVE: Have made a lot of progress, says JD Vance

    US-Iran war news LIVE: US Vice president JD Vance said that Tehran and Washington have made a lot of progress in the peace negotiations to end the ongoing war.

    “We have made a lot of progress and we think that the Iranians want a deal too. We are in a pretty good spot,” Vance said.

  • 19 May 2026, 11:08:10 PM IST

    US-Iran war news LIVE: JD Vance addresses press conference at White House

    US-Iran war news LIVE: US Vice President JD Vance is addressing a press conference at the White House.

  • 19 May 2026, 10:31:38 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Israel launches fresh strikes across south Lebanon, issues evacuation warnings

    US Iran war news LIVE: The Israeli military on Tuesday carried out a series of strikes across Lebanon, particularly in the country’s south, while warning residents in around a dozen towns to evacuate ahead of further attacks despite an existing truce with Hezbollah.

  • 19 May 2026, 09:02:04 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: UAE says drones targeting Barakah nuclear plant originated from Iraq

    US Iran war news LIVE: The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday said the drones that targeted its Barakah nuclear power plant last week were launched from Iraq, where Iran-backed groups have carried out multiple attacks since the start of the Middle East conflict.

    An unclaimed drone struck an electrical generator near the Barakah plant in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, sparking a fire without causing injuries or any radiation leak. Authorities said two other drones were intercepted before reaching their targets.

  • 19 May 2026, 08:29:23 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Trump says US may need to strike Iran again, was ‘an hour away’ from attack decision

    US Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States may have to strike Iran again, adding that he was “an hour away” from approving military action before deciding to delay the move.

    “I was an hour away from making the decision to go today,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

  • 19 May 2026, 07:35:16 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran says ready to respond to any military aggression

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister said Tehran is prepared to confront any form of military aggression, amid heightened regional tensions and warnings of possible escalation involving the United States and Israel.

  • 19 May 2026, 07:07:49 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: US urges allies to intensify crackdown on Iran financing networks

    US Iran war news LIVE: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday urged allied nations to take stronger action against Iran’s financing networks, saying Washington would also update its sanctions list to help financial institutions better identify and disrupt sophisticated terror financing operations.

    Speaking at an anti-terrorism financing conference in Paris following the G7 finance ministers’ meeting, Bessent called on partners to “stand with us in full measure” against Iran, according to remarks prepared for delivery.

  • 19 May 2026, 07:05:56 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: US urges allies to intensify crackdown on Iran financing networks

    US Iran war news LIVE: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday urged allied nations to take stronger action against Iran’s financing networks, saying Washington would also update its sanctions list to help financial institutions better identify and disrupt sophisticated terror financing operations.

    Speaking at an anti-terrorism financing conference in Paris following the G7 finance ministers’ meeting, Bessent called on partners to “stand with us in full measure” against Iran, according to remarks prepared for delivery.

  • 19 May 2026, 06:41:00 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: UK set to finalise trade deal with Gulf nations amid global tensions

    US Iran war news LIVE: The United Kingdom is expected to finalise a long-awaited trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Wednesday, according to Saudi Arabian state media, as London moves to strengthen ties with the oil-rich bloc amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic challenges.

  • 19 May 2026, 06:05:20 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran warns of ‘new fronts’ if US resumes attacks

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran’s army warned on Tuesday that it would “open new fronts” against the United States if Washington resumes attacks, after President Donald Trump said he had paused a planned offensive in hopes of reaching a deal.

    “If the enemy is foolish enough to fall into the Zionist trap again and launches new aggression against our beloved Iran, we will open new fronts against it, with new equipment and new methods,” army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said, according to Iran’s ISNA news agency.

  • 19 May 2026, 05:29:58 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran among key issues discussed at G7 finance ministers’ meeting, says Bessent

    US Iran war news LIVE: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that he held “constructive discussions” on Iran, critical minerals, cybersecurity and global economic imbalances during a meeting of G7 finance ministers in Paris.

  • 19 May 2026, 04:44:04 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran stages mass weddings for couples pledging sacrifice in war with US, Israel

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iranian authorities organised mass public wedding ceremonies in Tehran for couples enrolled in a state-backed programme declaring their willingness to sacrifice their lives in the conflict with the United States and Israel.

    The ceremonies, held late Monday, involved hundreds of couples gathered in several major squares across the capital, including more than 100 couples in the sprawling Imam Hossein Square in central Tehran, Iranian media reported.

    State television broadcast the events as part of efforts to bolster wartime morale, as US President Donald Trump continued to threaten fresh military action against Iran despite a fragile ceasefire that halted fighting which erupted on February 28.

  • 19 May 2026, 04:23:41 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Qatar says Hormuz tensions complicating regional energy supply chains

    US Iran war news LIVE: Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that no special arrangements had been introduced for the export of energy products, but warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had made regional supply chains more complex.

  • 19 May 2026, 04:04:19 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran launches public weapons training amid fears of renewed US attacks

    US Iran war news LIVE: In Tehran’s Haft-e Tir Square, crowds gathered around a member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as he demonstrated how to use an AK-47 rifle, amid growing fears of renewed US strikes.

    Using illustrated boards, the soldier spent nearly 30 minutes explaining different types of ammunition and showing how to assemble and dismantle the Kalashnikov assault rifle.

    Iranian authorities have recently set up military training booths across the capital to teach civilians basic weapons handling, part of efforts to prepare the public for the possibility of fresh conflict.

  • 19 May 2026, 03:35:15 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Israeli army releases fresh evacuation alerts for areas in south Lebanon

    US Iran war news LIVE: Israeli army releases fresh evacuation alerts for areas in south Lebanon.

  • 19 May 2026, 03:25:43 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Gold slips near 1.5-month low on inflation worries

    US Iran war news LIVE: Gold prices declined on Tuesday, hovering close to a one-and-a-half-month low touched in the previous session, as persistent inflation concerns and expectations of higher U.S. interest rates weighed on the metal.

    Spot gold fell 0.5% to $4,542.07 per ounce by 0922 GMT, after dropping to its lowest level since March 30 at $4,479.54 on Monday.

    Meanwhile, US gold futures for June delivery slipped 0.3% to $4,545.50.

  • 19 May 2026, 03:09:22 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: What is happening in the US-Iran war?

    US Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump said that he is holding off the scheduled attacks on Iran at the request of the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

    However, he said that he has instructed the US military to remain prepared for a full-scale attack on Iran if a deal is not reached.

    This comes after President Trump turned down Iran's fresh peace proposal to stop ongoing West Asia crisis, saying that it it falls short of expectations and does not represent any meaningful progress towards a deal, reported Axios, citing a senior US official and a source briefed on the matter.

  • 19 May 2026, 02:54:48 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Oil falls after Trump says US paused planned Iran strike amid Gulf-led talks

    US Iran war news LIVE: Oil prices fell after US President Donald Trump said he had called off a planned military strike on Iran scheduled for Tuesday following appeals from Persian Gulf allies.

    Brent crude slipped toward $110 a barrel after rising 2.6% on Monday, while West Texas Intermediate for July traded below $104.

    In a social media post, Trump said the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates had urged him “to hold off on our planned Military attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran” as “serious negotiations are now taking place.”

  • 19 May 2026, 02:39:58 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Pakistan deploys 8,000 troops, fighter jets to Saudi Arabia under defense pact

    US Iran war news LIVE: Pakistan has deployed nearly 8,000 troops, fighter jets and an air defense system to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defense agreement, Reuters reported on Monday, citing unnamed officials.

    The deployment includes around 16 JF-17 fighter jets sent to Saudi Arabia in early April, two squadrons of drones, and a Chinese-made HQ-9 air defense system, apart from the troops, according to the report.

    The equipment is being operated by Pakistani personnel and financed by Saudi Arabia.

  • 19 May 2026, 02:22:27 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Trump likely to meet top national security team today, says report

    US Iran war news LIVE: Even though US President Donald Trump delayed the strikes against Iran following request from the premiers of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the Republican leader is expected to meet his top national security team in the Situation Room on Tuesday, Axios reported.

  • 19 May 2026, 01:56:34 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Senior Advisor of Iran's Supreme Leader warns Trump, says,'Will force them to retreat and surrender'

    US Iran war news LIVE: Senior Advisor of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, Mohsen Rezaee, has warned US President Donald Trump over the latter's repeated threats of attack, stating that the "iron fist of Iran's armed forces will force the US to retreat and surrender."

    Taking shots at Trump over the US President's claim of "putting off" a planned attack on Iran, Mohsen Rezaee pointed out the indecisive nature of the US President and stated that he has a "vain hope" of making Iran surrender.

    "He sets a deadline for a military strike and then cancels it himself! With this vain hope of making the Iranian nation and officials surrender! The iron fist of the powerful armed forces and the great Iranian nation will force them to retreat and surrender," Rezaee said in a post on X.

    Trump on Monday said that he has "put off" a planned attack on Iran for a short period amid "big discussions" with the country over the ongoing West Asia crisis. (ANI)

  • 19 May 2026, 01:34:38 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Tehran's new offer is insufficient, says senior US official in report

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran's latest proposal to end the war to the US is not a meaningful improvement and is insufficient for a deal, the White House believes, Axios reported, citing a senior US official and source briefed on the matter.

    US President Donald Trump is expected to meet his top national security team in the Situation Room on Tuesday to discuss military options against Iran, the report said.

  • 19 May 2026, 01:28:57 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Trump says holding off on new Iran strikes after Gulf appeal

    US Iran war news LIVE: President Donald Trump said he called off a strike on Iran planned for Tuesday after an appeal by the leaders of Persian Gulf allies, who called for more time to pursue a diplomatic resolution.

    “I put it off for a little while, hopefully maybe forever, but possibly for a little while, because we’ve had very big discussions with Iran, and we’ll see what they amount to,” Trump said at a White House event on Monday evening, hours after his announcement in a social media post.

    “I was asked by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and some others if we could put it off for two or three days, a short period of time, because they think that they are getting very close to making a deal,” Trump added. “If we can do that, where there’s no nuclear weapon going into the hands of Iran, I think, and if they’re satisfied, we will be probably satisfied also.” (Bloomberg)

  • 19 May 2026, 01:08:02 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran says peace proposal includes reparations for war damage, US troop withdrawal

    US Iran war news LIVE: Tehran's latest peace proposal to the United States involves ending hostilities on all fronts including Lebanon, the exit of U.S. forces from areas close to Iran, and reparations for destruction caused by the US-Israeli war, state media reported on Tuesday.

    In Tehran's first comments on the proposal, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran also sought the lifting of sanctions, the release of frozen funds and an end to the U.S. marine blockade on the country, according to IRNA news agency.

    The terms as described in the Iranian reports appeared little changed from Iran's previous offer, which U.S. President Donald Trump rejected last week as "garbage".

  • 19 May 2026, 12:38:07 PM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Tehran working with Oman on new mechanism to manage Hormuz

    US Iran war news LIVE: The Iranian foreign ministry said on Monday that Tehran is working with Oman to establish a new mechanism for managing the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing tensions over the waterway's control.

    Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, at a press conference, said, "The Strait of Hormuz is an important waterway for the entire world, and we have always worked to protect safe traffic through this route."

    "We continue to strive to ensure that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is carried out in complete safety. Iran and Oman consider themselves obligated to fulfil their responsibilities in this regard," he added.

  • 19 May 2026, 12:13:11 PM IST

    US-Iran war LIVE updates: Israel strikes Lebanon again amid ceasefire

    US-Iran war LIVE updates: The Israeli military said it launched an interceptor after detecting a suspected aerial target in the airspace over areas it occupies in southern Lebanon. It added that no warning sirens were activated, in line with standard protocol. (Al Jazeera)

  • 19 May 2026, 12:11:52 PM IST

    US-Iran war LIVE updates: Israel raids occupied West Bank

    US-Iran war LIVE updates: Israeli forces raided the Far’a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. They entered with military vehicles, searching homes and arresting several Palestinian residents, according to Wafa outlet. In a separate operation, a child was also detained during a raid in Silwad, northeast of Ramallah.

  • 19 May 2026, 12:02:14 PM IST

    US-Iran war LIVE Updates: Trump halts strikes on Iran planned for Tuesday at Arab leaders' request

    US-Iran war LIVE Updates: US President Donald Trump has said he halted fresh strikes on Iran at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, asserting that serious discussions were underway with Tehran that could lead to an acceptable deal.

    Trump made the announcement on Truth Social on Monday late afternoon, without any reference to Pakistan, the mediator in the US-Iran war.

    "I have been asked by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to hold off on our planned Military attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday)," Trump said. (PTI)

  • 19 May 2026, 11:29:30 AM IST

    US-Iran war LIVE Updates: Oil rises on doubts over US, Iran stance to end conflict

    US-Iran war LIVE Updates: Oil edged higher in choppy trading as fresh doubts emerged over the fate of peace negotiations between the US and Iran that could secure the reopening of the critical Strait of Hormuz.

    West Texas Intermediate futures rose 3% to close above $108 a barrel and Brent futures closed around $112 a barrel as both sides deemed fresh proposals insufficient to ending the war. Oil pared some gains post settlement when US President Donald Trump said he had called off planned attacks on Iran set for Tuesday at the request of other Middle Eastern countries.

    Traders have been bracing for a possible resumption of the fighting that roiled the Middle East earlier in the conflict, prolonging the closure of Hormuz to vital energy flows and risking further damage on infrastructure.

    Oil has risen almost 50% since the US and Israel first attacked Iran at the end of February, with deeply reduced flows of crude and liquefied natural gas making its way to buyers around the world. Prices have been extremely volatile, however, with steep drops at times when a peace hopes seem to be taking shape. (Bloomberg)

  • 19 May 2026, 10:53:19 AM IST

    US-Iran war LIVE Updates: Iran remains defiant

    US-Iran war LIVE Updates: Iran remained defiant in statements issued on state media after Trump's announcement, warning the U.S. and its allies against making any further "strategic mistakes or miscalculations" in attacking Iran, while contending the Iranian armed forces were "more prepared and stronger than in the past."

    Iran's top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, said Iran's armed forces are "ready to pull the trigger" in the event of any renewed U.S. attack, according to Iran's Tasnim news agency.

    "Any renewed aggression and invasion ... will be responded to quickly, decisively, powerfully, and extensively," the commander of Khatam al-Anbiya, Ali Abdollahi, was quoted as saying. The Iranian peace proposal, as described by a senior Iranian source, appeared similar in many respects to Iran's previous offer, which Trump rejected last week as "garbage".

    It would focus first on securing an end to the war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz - a major oil supply route that Iran has effectively blockaded - and lifting maritime sanctions.

  • 19 May 2026, 10:46:37 AM IST

    US-Iran war LIVE Updates: Trump halts strikes on Iran planned for Tuesday at Arab leaders' request

    US-Iran war LIVE Updates: US President Donald Trump has said he halted fresh strikes on Iran at the request of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, asserting that serious discussions were underway with Tehran that could lead to an acceptable deal.

    Trump made the announcement on Truth Social on Monday late afternoon, without any reference to Pakistan, the mediator in the US-Iran war.

    "I have been asked by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to hold off on our planned Military attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday)," Trump said. (PTI)

  • 19 May 2026, 10:35:38 AM IST

    US-Iran war LIVE Updates: Trump’s tough-talk foreign policy hits a wall as Iran grips Strait of Hormuz

    US Iran war news LIVE: President Donald Trump has considered himself an effective dealmaker above all else, but he appears to have hit a wall with Iran as his tough talk, threats and even military action have not moved Tehran from its long-established positions.

    With shifting goals that make it difficult to judge the status of the U.S. effort, Trump and his top aides have insisted the United States has already won the war and that Iran is ready to reach an agreement in the wake of escalating U.S. threats during a tenuous ceasefire.

    But Trump once again backed down, saying Monday that he had put plans for an imminent resumption of attacks on hold at the request of Gulf Arab states because “serious negotiations are now taking place, and that, in their opinion, as Great Leaders and Allies, a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond.”

    Although he said he had called off strikes planned for Tuesday, Trump kept up the bravado, saying he told military leaders “to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached.” Trump has repeatedly set deadlines for Tehran and then backed off.

    Despite growing internal unrest, a crippled economy and the deaths of many of its leaders, there is no evidence Iran is set to meet Trump's demands — many of which it has long rejected. In fact, it has dug in. That has left Trump’s stated top objectives unrealized: Iran has yet to agree to abandon its nuclear program or its ballistic missile development, or cease support for its proxies in the region, including those in Gaza, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen.

  • 19 May 2026, 10:30:05 AM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: US proposal on one operational nuclear site

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran's Fars news agency earlier said Washington had presented a five-point list, which included a demand for Iran to keep only one nuclear site in operation and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States.

  • 19 May 2026, 10:27:17 AM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran defends it demands

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran has defended its demands, including the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad and the lifting of long-standing sanctions. "The points raised are Iranian demands that have been firmly defended by the Iranian negotiating team in every round of negotiations," Baqaei was quoted as saying. As Baqaei dubbed the conflict as illegal and baseless, he also defended an Iranian stipulation that the US pay war reparations.

  • 19 May 2026, 10:26:35 AM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran says US offered oil waiver

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on Monday that the US had agreed to waive sanctions on Tehran's oil exports during the negotiation period. The oil waiver is among Tehran's key demands to agree to a peace deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, the US hasn’t confirmed offering a waiver, which would be in place until a final agreement is achieved, according to Tasnim news agency.

  • 19 May 2026, 09:25:56 AM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: Update on Hormuz

    US Iran war news LIVE: Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was slightly higher last week, returning to levels in line with the average recorded since the start of the Middle East conflict after hitting a wartime low.

    A total of 55 commodity vessels crossed the strategic waterway between May 11 and 17, according to data from Kpler, marking a sharp increase from the previous week, when just 19 vessels crossed.

  • 19 May 2026, 09:25:33 AM IST

    US Iran war news LIVE: What did Iran propose now?

    US Iran war news LIVE: Iran submitted its latest 14-point proposal to the US after making some amendments.

    A Pakistani source told Reuters on Monday that Islamabad has shared a revised proposal with the US, warning that the two sides "don't have much time" to narrow their differences.

    While there aren't any details available on Iran's revised proposal, the source reportedly told the news agency that Tehran and Washington "keep changing their goalposts". "We don't have much time," they said.

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