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Iran war

Week of May 18–24, 2026

21 entries, newest first. Days are in U.S. Mountain Time.

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Sunday, May 24, 20263 entries

  1. 11:03 PM in London

    Brent drops below $100 on U.S.-Iran deal hopes, then slides to about $96

    ConfirmedShipping, energy & marketsBackgroundLondon, United Kingdom

    When trading resumed on Sunday evening Brent futures fell $4.64 to $98.90 a barrel by 22:03 GMT and U.S. crude to $92.18; by Monday afternoon Brent was down nearly 7% at $96.30. CBS reported that a draft proposal had Iran reopening the strait immediately and restoring pre-war traffic within 30 days.

    Why it matters Prices were retreating from a four-year high set about three weeks earlier on expectations that Hormuz could reopen.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS News

  2. 5:50 PM in Jerusalem

    Netanyahu says Trump agreed a final deal must remove Iran's enriched uranium

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsBackgroundJerusalem, Israel

    Netanyahu said that in a call the previous night he and Trump agreed any final agreement must dismantle Iran's enrichment sites and remove its enriched material, and that Trump reaffirmed Israel's right to act "on every front, including Lebanon". An Iranian source told Al Jazeera Washington was retreating on the frozen-assets mechanism and the scope of a Lebanon ceasefire.

    Why it matters Israel's insistence on freedom of action in Lebanon collided with Iran's demand that any deal end fighting on all fronts.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS News, Al Jazeera (2)

  3. 10:10 AM in New York

    Trump says the U.S. blockade will stay until an Iran deal is signed and he will not rush

    OfficialShipping, energy & marketsBackgroundWashington, D.C., United States

    Trump wrote that he had told negotiators not to rush and that the naval blockade "will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed". A senior administration official said Iran had agreed in principle to dispose of its highly enriched uranium, with Hormuz reopening in exchange for lifting the blockade.

    Why it matters Trump made lifting the blockade, a central Iranian demand, conditional on a signed agreement.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS News, CBS News (2)

Saturday, May 23, 20261 entry

  1. 4:30 PM in New York

    Trump says an Iran deal is 'largely negotiated' and Hormuz will reopen; Iran disputes it

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsBackgroundWashington, D.C., United States

    After a call with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, Trump said an agreement had been "largely negotiated", subject to finalisation, and that "the Strait of Hormuz will be opened". Iran's Fars agency said the strait would remain under Iranian management even if traffic returned to pre-war levels.

    Why it matters It set expectations of an imminent memorandum while the two sides still disagreed publicly over who would control Hormuz.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS News, Al Jazeera (2), CBS News (2)

Friday, May 22, 20263 entries

  1. 9:00 PM in New York

    NPT review conference ends without agreement as a clause on Iran proves a sticking point

    ConfirmedDiplomacy & politicsBackgroundNew York, United States

    The four-week review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty ended without consensus, its president Do Hung Viet of Vietnam said, citing as "a very important reason" a draft provision that Iran "can never seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weapons". It was the third consecutive review conference to fail.

    Why it matters The U.S.-Iran dispute spilled into the main global non-proliferation forum.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS News, Al Jazeera (2)

  2. 7:56 PM in Tehran

    Pakistan army chief Munir holds Tehran talks; Islamabad cites 'encouraging progress'

    ConfirmedDiplomacy & politicsBackgroundTehran, Iran

    Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Tehran and met Foreign Minister Araghchi late into the night, then Speaker Ghalibaf, President Pezeshkian and Interior Minister Momeni. Pakistan's military said on May 23 the intensive talks had brought "encouraging progress towards a final understanding", and Reuters said Iran and Pakistan then sent a revised proposal to Washington.

    Why it matters Munir, a key U.S.-Iran mediator, was trying to close the remaining gaps before Trump decided whether to resume strikes.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS News, CBS News (2), Al Jazeera (2)

  3. 4:55 PM in Brussels

    EU widens its Iran sanctions regime to target those blocking Hormuz navigation

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsBackgroundBrussels, Belgium

    The European Council amended its existing Iran sanctions framework so it can impose travel bans and asset freezes on people responsible for undermining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the blockade contrary to international law; no names were listed yet.

    Why it matters It gave Brussels a legal tool to punish Iranian officials over the strait, beyond its earlier Iran listings tied to Russia and regional armed groups.

    Sources: CBS News, Al Jazeera

Thursday, May 21, 20263 entries

  1. 1:20 AM in Beirut, May 22

    Israeli strikes on Hannaouiyeh and Deir Qanoun en-Nahr kill 10, including six paramedics

    ConfirmedMilitary & securityBackgroundHannaouiyeh, Lebanon

    An overnight strike on an ambulance centre of the Hezbollah-linked Islamic Health Committee in Hannaouiyeh killed four paramedics, and a strike on Deir Qanoun en-Nahr near Tyre later on Friday killed six people including two Amal-affiliated Risala Scouts rescuers and a Syrian girl, Lebanon's Health Ministry said. The ministry called both attacks violations of international law.

    Why it matters The WHO had counted 169 attacks on health workers and facilities in Lebanon since March 2, and Israel has accused Hezbollah of using ambulances as cover.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS News, CBS News (2), Al Jazeera (2)

  2. 1:30 PM in New York

    U.S. sanctions Hezbollah-linked Lebanese officers and Iran's envoy-designate to Beirut

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsBackgroundWashington, D.C., United States

    Treasury sanctioned nine people in Lebanon it accused of obstructing the peace process and Hezbollah's disarmament, including army Colonel Samir Hamadi and security officer Khattar Nasser Eldin, the first Lebanese officers it has sanctioned, and also targeted Iran's ambassador-designate Mohammad Reza Sheibani, whom Beirut had declared persona non grata in March. Lebanon's army said it had not been told in advance and that its soldiers were loyal.

    Why it matters The move put direct pressure on Lebanese state institutions while Washington hosted Israel-Lebanon talks.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera (2), CBS News

  3. 5:21 PM in Tehran

    Iranian sources say Khamenei barred sending uranium abroad; Trump says 'we will get it'

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsBackgroundTehran, Iran

    Reuters, citing two senior Iranian sources, reported that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had formally ordered that the highly enriched uranium stockpile stay in Iran; a senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera the report was "propaganda" and that Iran would downblend the material itself. Trump told reporters "we will get it" and would probably destroy it.

    Why it matters The stockpile, believed to be close to 900 pounds of 60% uranium, was the core unresolved demand in the talks.

    Sources: CBS News, Al Jazeera

Wednesday, May 20, 20264 entries

  1. 11:24 PM in Tehran

    Iran's strait authority maps a Hormuz control zone reaching Fujairah and Umm al-Quwain

    OfficialShipping, energy & marketsBackgroundStrait of Hormuz

    The Persian Gulf Strait Authority defined its zone as running from Kuh-e Mubarak in Iran to south of Fujairah at the strait's eastern end and from Qeshm Island to Umm al-Quwain in the west, saying any transit requires its authorisation. On May 21 Rubio said a toll system would make a deal unfeasible and Trump said "we don't want tolls".

    Why it matters The zone extends Iranian permit claims to waters off the UAE coast, a direct clash with U.S. and Gulf insistence on free passage.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS News, Al Jazeera (2), CBS News (2)

  2. 8:35 PM in Tehran

    Iran studies a new U.S. proposal as Pakistan's interior minister returns to Tehran

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsBackgroundTehran, Iran

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran had received "the points of view of the American side" and was examining them, and that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's second visit in a week was to help exchange messages and clarify texts. He repeated Iran's demands for the release of frozen assets and an end to the U.S. blockade; Naqvi met President Pezeshkian the same day.

    Why it matters Pakistan was shuttling texts between the two sides within the few days Trump said he would allow before deciding on renewed strikes.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS News, Al Jazeera (2)

  3. 4:35 PM in London

    Brent falls 5% to about $105 after Trump says Iran talks are in their 'final stages'

    ConfirmedShipping, energy & marketsBackgroundLondon, United Kingdom

    Brent crude fell 5.2% to $105.47 a barrel and U.S. crude 5% to $98.94 after Trump told reporters "We're in final stages of Iran", adding that there would be either a deal or "some things that are a little bit nasty".

    Why it matters U.S. crude slipped below $100 on hopes of a deal even though Hormuz remained largely shut.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS News, CBS News (2)

  4. 1:59 PM in Tehran

    IRGC warns a renewed U.S. or Israeli attack would spread the war 'beyond the region'

    OfficialMilitary & securityBackgroundTehran, Iran

    In a statement the Revolutionary Guards said Iran had not yet brought "all the capacities" of the country into action, and that if aggression were repeated the war "will this time spread beyond the region" with blows "in places you cannot even imagine".

    Why it matters The threat widened the target set Iran was signalling, two days after Trump said he had called off a scheduled strike.

    Sources: CBS News, Al Jazeera

Tuesday, May 19, 20263 entries

  1. 5:58 PM in New York

    Senate advances Iran war powers resolution 50-47 after seven failed attempts

    ConfirmedDiplomacy & politicsBackgroundWashington, D.C., United States

    Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul and Bill Cassidy joined most Democrats to discharge the resolution from committee, with Democrat John Fetterman opposed and three Republicans not voting; the measure needs further votes and would face a veto. On May 21 House Republican leaders called off a vote on a similar resolution.

    Why it matters It was the first time the Senate voted to advance limits on the Iran war.

    Sources: CBS News, Al Jazeera, CBS News (2)

  2. 8:15 PM in Beirut

    Israeli strikes kill 19 in south Lebanon, 10 of them in Deir Qanoun en-Nahr

    ReportedMilitary & securityBackgroundDeir Qanoun en-Nahr, Lebanon

    An Israeli air strike on Deir Qanoun en-Nahr in the Tyre district killed 10 people including three women and three children, the National News Agency said, and the Health Ministry put Tuesday's toll across the south at 19 dead, with others killed in Nabatieh city and Kfar Sir. Israel had warned residents of about a dozen towns to flee.

    Why it matters Israel was still striking daily across the Tyre and Nabatieh districts despite the truce.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera (2), Al Jazeera (3), CBS News

  3. 11:45 AM in New York

    U.S. sanctions Iran's Amin Exchange network and 19 vessels in 'Economic Fury' push

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsBackgroundWashington, D.C., United States

    Treasury and the State Department sanctioned the Iran-based Amin Exchange and front companies in the UAE, Turkey and Hong Kong that they said laundered money for sanctioned Iranian banks, plus 19 vessels carrying Iranian oil and petrochemicals. Treasury said it may impose secondary sanctions on foreign banks, including those tied to China's independent "teapot" refineries.

    Why it matters The designations kept financial pressure on Tehran while Trump held back the military option for talks.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS News

Monday, May 18, 20264 entries

  1. 3:01 PM in New York

    Trump says he called off a strike on Iran set for May 19 at Gulf leaders' request

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsBackgroundWashington, D.C., United States

    Trump said Qatar's emir, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed asked him to hold off the attack "scheduled for tomorrow" because serious negotiations were under way, and that he told Hegseth and Gen. Daniel Caine to be ready for a "full, large scale assault" at a moment's notice. On May 19 he said he had been "an hour away" from deciding and would give talks two or three days.

    Why it matters It was the first public word that renewed U.S. strikes had been scheduled, and it put a short, open-ended clock on the Pakistan-mediated talks.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS News, CBS News (2), Al Jazeera (2)

  2. 12:29 PM in New York

    U.S. renews 30-day waiver for Russian oil at sea two days after letting it lapse

    OfficialDiplomacy & politicsBackgroundWashington, D.C., United States

    Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a new 30-day general licence would let the most vulnerable nations buy Russian oil stranded at sea, after the earlier waiver introduced to ease the Hormuz supply shock expired on May 16 without renewal. He said it would also reduce China's ability to stockpile discounted oil.

    Why it matters India had raised Russian crude purchases to about 2.3 million barrels a day under the exemption, so its lapse had raised fears of tighter supply.

    Sources: CBS News, Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera (2)

  3. 1:09 PM in Tehran

    Iran sets up a Persian Gulf Strait Authority, calls unpermitted Hormuz passage illegal

    OfficialShipping, energy & marketsBackgroundTehran, Iran

    Iran's Supreme National Security Council announced a new body to manage the Strait of Hormuz; the authority said passage without its permission "will be considered illegal", and the IRGC said fibre-optic cables under the strait could also be made subject to permits. Iran said its technical teams were negotiating a transit mechanism with Oman.

    Why it matters The authority formalised Iranian control claims over the strait that Washington and the Gulf states had rejected.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera (2), CBS News, Al Jazeera (3)

  4. 11:17 AM in Tehran

    Iran sends new positions via Pakistan; Tasnim says U.S. floated an oil-sanctions waiver

    ReportedDiplomacy & politicsBackgroundTehran, Iran

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran had reviewed "corrective notes" relayed by Pakistan and sent its own positions back, and Tasnim said a 14-point proposal had been submitted while Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi extended his visit to Tehran to a third day. Tasnim also reported, citing an unnamed source, that the latest U.S. draft offered to waive oil sanctions during talks, which Washington did not confirm.

    Why it matters The unconfirmed waiver report moved oil and stock markets on the day Trump later said a strike had been scheduled.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, CBS News, Al Jazeera (2), CBS News (2)

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