Last UpdateMay 18, 2026, 10:00 PM EDT

President Donald Trump says the U.S. is pausing a planned strike on Iran as “serious negotiations” continue, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insists talks with Washington do not signal the regime’s surrender.

Covered by: Anders Hagstrom, Eric Mack and Emma Bussey

WHAT TO KNOW

• President Donald Trump warned Iran that the “clock is ticking” on it proposing an acceptable nuclear deal that will ensure Tehran never obtains a nuclear weapons Monday.
• The U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords designed to counter Iran in the Middle East is showing signs of strain amid tensions between Israel and the United Arab Emirates this week.
• Trump is expected to hold a Situation Roommeeting on the potential revival of military action against Iran on Tuesday.
• President Donald Trump said that the United States is holding off on a planned attack on Iran that had been scheduled for Tuesday, citing what he described as “serious negotiations”
• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that any talks with Washington do not signal surrender by the regime.
• Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announced the launch of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to manage transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
• The commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi, warned the United States and its allies against a “strategic miscalculation.” 
• President Donald Trump said the delay on strikes against Iran would be for about “two or three days” as discussions with Tehran restarted.

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Coverage for this event has ended.

10 hours ago

PINNED

Trump says US put off ‘very major attack’ on Iran ‘for a little while’

Donald Trump / AP Photo / Alex Brandon

President Donald Trump said Monday that Gulf allies had asked him to put off an attack on Iranfor a few days because they felt they were close to a deal with Tehran.

“Well, other countries have come to me, and they’ve said we were getting ready to do a very major attack tomorrow,” Trump told reporters at a Healthcare Affordability event.

“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.

“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, and if we can do that, where there’s no nuclear weapon going into the hands of Iran,” he added. 

Posted by Emma Bussey

8 hours ago

Adm. Brad Cooper praises US service members in CENTCOM video, highlights Middle East operations

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) shared a video on X on Monday showing U.S. military personnel serving across the Middle East.

“Thousands of brave Americans in uniform continue to serve across the Middle East,” the X post said.

In the montage, CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said no task was too great for the command.

“It’s long been my belief that every success we have begins and ends with our people” Cooper said in the video.

“There is no adversary too determined, no mission too difficult, and no task too great for our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, guardians, and coast guards,” he said. 

Posted by Emma Bussey

8 hours ago

Israeli envoy to US calls J Street a ‘cancer’ amid aid dispute

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter branded J Street as a “cancer within the Jewish community” while taking aim at the dovish Middle East lobby over its calls to restrict U.S. aid to Israel because of its treatment of Palestinians.

“The worst thing about J Street is its duplicitousness,” Leiter said at a gathering of the National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism at Washington’s Museum of the Bible, according to the Times of Israel.

“How can you be pro-Israel and advocate for an arms embargo on a state that’s fighting a seven-front war against Iranian proxies?” he added, referring to J Street’s description of itself as the “political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans.”

“If they said that they were pro-Palestinian, I wouldn’t have a problem meeting with them. I meet with pro-Palestinian groups,” Leiter said.

Earlier this month, Leiter also criticized several mainstream American Jewish organizations for co-sponsoring an event with the Spanish government, which has been critical of Israel.

Posted by Emma Bussey

9 hours ago

Iranian news presenter fires Kalashnikov rifle at UAE flag in live TV broadcast

A video showing Iranian news presenters firing Kalashnikov rifles during live TV broadcasts has emerged, with one presenter seen firing at a UAE flag.

Footage from one programme on the Ofogh channel showed an instructional segment on handling a rifle, in which a masked trainer in military-style clothing demonstrated how to prepare and fire the weapon to the host.

The first segment shows a presenter being trained with the gun in the studio.

In the footage, the presenter can be heard saying: “I’m ready,” with the trainer telling him to “establish your sight alignment.”

“Yes. Let me aim at the UAE flag,” the presenter says before the trainer congratulates him.

“Alright,” the presenter says. After he is told to establish his sight alignment, the trainer says: “Hold your breath. In the name of God.”

“In the name of God,” the presenter replies before asking if he should test the gun.

“Test it,” the trainer says before the presenter fires the gun at the flag.

“Alright,” the trainer adds.

In another TV segment two presenters from Iranian State TV are also shown handling another gun.

“Why are you pointing it at people?” one presenter asks.

“Can you fire one-handed? Like this?” the other says.

“No, it’s loaded. Hey, don’t do anything.”

“Come on, I know it’s loaded,” the other replies.

Local media reported that the TV segments were linked to the presenters’ readiness to volunteer in a “Sacrifice Life for Iran” campaign, Reuters reported.

More than 31 million people have already signed up for the voluntary programme in response to the war with the U.S. and Israel, according to reports.

The footage was released around the time of drone attacks on the UAE, including a strike targeting a nuclear power plant in the country. 

Iran’s strikes on Gulf states in response to the U.S.-Israeli attacks have targeted the UAE more than its neighbours, hitting civilian infrastructure and energy facilities.

Posted by Emma Bussey

9 hours ago

Trump says ending Iran conflict will send gasoline prices ‘tumbling down’

President Donald Trump / Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP

President Donald Trump said Monday that gas prices would fall sharply once the conflict with Iran comes to an end, while also vowing that Tehran would never obtain a nuclear weapon.

Speaking during a call-in to Rep. Andy Barr’s rally in Kentucky, Trump sought to reassure supporters that the U.S. would prevent Iran from developing nuclear capabilities.

“Gasoline is going to come tumbling down as soon as the war is over,” Trump said.

“Iran wants it to end soon,” he added before stating Tehran “cannot have a nuclear weapon to blow up Kentucky and to blow up every place else.”

“We’re not going to let that happen. As soon as we get this finished, you’re going to see gasoline and energy prices come tumbling down because we have the highest stock market we’ve ever had,” he said.

Trump went on to say that Washington has to “get rid of Iran’s nuclear capacity.”

“We can’t let that happen to the world. We can’t,” he said.

Posted by Emma Bussey

10 hours ago

Trump calls San Diego mosque shooting a ‘terrible situation,’ vows to look into it ‘very strongly’

President Donald Trump said Monday he would be looking into the San Diego mosque shooting “very strongly.”

Speaking to reporters at a healthcare affordability event, Trump described Monday’s shooting at a California mosque complex as a “terrible situation” after two gunmen killed three people at the Islamic Center of San Diego.

“At the mosque, they’re giving a briefing. It’s a terrible situation,” Trump said. “I’ve been given some early updates, but we’re going to be going back and looking at it very strongly.”

Posted by Emma Bussey

11 hours ago

Graham insists Congress approves any Iran deal as Trump halts strikes for ‘two or three days’

Lindsey Graham / Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images

Sen. Lindsey Graham said Monday that any agreement between the United States and Iran must be submitted to Congress for approval.

“As I have said previously, any agreement reached between the United States and Iran must come before Congress for approval, as was the case for the JCPOA under President Obama,” Graham said in a post shared on X before adding that ending the conflict through “diplomatic means that achieve our national security objectives” would be a “major accomplishment.”

Graham went on to clarify President Donald Trump’sposition, which included “no enrichment, American control of the approximately 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz without interference from Iran.”

Iran must abandon its long-range ballistic missile program and any effort to develop a nuclear weapon, and Iran must end its support for all terrorist proxies in the region, Graham said.

“But to say that I am skeptical that Iran will actually agree to the things necessary to make the deal substantially different than the JCPOA or enter into a deal that will withstand the test of time is an understatement. Time will tell,” he added.

This came as Trump told reporters Monday the delay on strikes against Iran would be for about “two or three days” as discussions with Tehran appeared to have restarted. 

Trump also said Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE “think that they are getting very close to making a deal.”

Posted by Emma Bussey

11 hours ago

Senate Republicans credit Trump’s maximum pressure strategy, accuse Obama, Biden of Iran appeasement

The Republican majority in the U.S. Senate said the Obama and Biden administrations handed Iranbillions in sanctions relief while letting its nuclear program advance unchecked.

“The Obama and Biden administrations chose to appease Iran, handing over billions in sanctions relief while allowing their nuclear infrastructure to advance,” the Republican majority in the U.S. Senate said in a post shared on X.

“President Trump has decimated their military and is using maximum economic pressure. Peace requires strength,” it added.

Posted by Emma Bussey

12 hours ago

Iran says military is ready ‘with hands on the trigger’ in warning to US, allies

IRGC / Morteza Nikoubazl / NurPhoto via Getty Images

The commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi, warned the United States and its allies against what he described as a “strategic miscalculation,” according to reports.

“Iran’s military forces are more prepared and stronger than before and are ‘with hands on the trigger,’” Iranian state media cited Abdollahi as saying on Monday, according to Iran International.

“Any further miscalculation would be met with a response far beyond previous conflicts,” he said. 

The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, based in Tehran, serves as the top operational command center for Iran’s armed forces.

Posted by Emma Bussey

12 hours ago

Nearly 80% of Gazans want to leave the Strip as Hamas rejects disarmament: report

Hamas / TPS-IL

Nearly 80% of Gazans are interested in leaving the Gaza Strip, according to a recent survey shared by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) with Israeli officials.

The findings, reported by The Jerusalem Post, point to growing frustration among Gaza’s civilian population as Hamas continues to reject disarmament.

As part of the survey, respondents were asked which topics they wanted “additional information about for the Palestinian public.”

Roughly 80% said they wanted more information about relocation options to third countries via the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings.

Another 17.5% expressed interest in food supplies and humanitarian aid, while only about 2.5% expressed interest in security and political issues, the report said.

Posted by Emma Bussey

12 hours ago

Lebanon’s death toll from Israel-Hezbollah conflict rises above 3,000, health ministry says

Lebanon / AP Photo / Bilal Hussein

The death toll from fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has risen above 3,000, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Monday.

The ministry said the number of people killed has reached 3,020 amid the fragile ceasefire brokered by the United States.

Officials did not specify how many of the dead were fighters but said the toll includes 292 women and 211 children.

Reuters also reported May 4 that several thousand Hezbollah fighters were killed during the war, citing casualty estimates from within the group.

Posted by Emma Bussey

13 hours ago

Iran activates air defense systems on Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz: reports

Hormuz / Photo enhanced and published by maps4media via Getty Images

Air defense systems were activated Monday on Iran’s Qeshm Island and near the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports.

Mehr News Agency said air defense systems were activated on the island late Monday, Reuters reported.

Tasnim News Agency also said air defense units were activated to destroy what it described as “hostile targets” and as “micro drones” had been detected in the sky.

Posted by Emma Bussey

13 hours ago

Iran’s addiction treatment crisis deepens, opium syrup supplies dry up

Severe shortages of opium syrup are disrupting addiction treatment across Iran, according to reports.

The shortages, according to a report by Shargh, came amid disruptions in the production and distribution of opium syrup, which is used in treating patients.

“These medications are essential for patients, and stopping access does not mean they stop using drugs,” addiction expert Habib Bahrami told the outlet.

“In many cases, they return directly to narcotics use, bringing social, economic, and family consequences.”

Drug prices have also jumped by 400% as shortages strain pharmacies.

Some clinics, according to the report, have seen supplies fall so sharply that only one out of every 100 eligible patients can obtain opium syrup.

Posted by Emma Bussey

14 hours ago

Pezeshkian says dialogue with Washington ‘does not mean surrender’

Pezeshkian / Iran leaders / Atta Kenare / AFP via Getty Images

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that any talks with Washington do not signal surrender by the regime.

“Dialogue does not mean surrender,” Pezeshkian said in a post shared on X. 

“The Islamic Republic of Iran enters into dialogue with dignity, authority, and the preservation of the nation’s rights, and under no circumstances will it retreat from the legal rights of the people and the country,” he said. 

“We will serve the people with logic and with all our might, to the end, and safeguard the interests and honor of Iran,” Pezeshkian added. 

His remarks came ahead of President Donald Trump saying he had called off a planned strike on Iran on Tuesday after an appeal from Arab leaders.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump also warned he had instructed the U.S. military to be prepared to launch a “full, large-scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached.”

Posted by Emma Bussey

BREAKING NEWS14 hours ago

Trump says US has paused planned Iran strike as ‘serious negotiations’ unfold

President Trump / AP Photo / Jose Luis Magana

President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States is holding off on a planned attack on Iran that had been scheduled for Tuesday, citing what he described as “serious negotiations” involving key Middle Eastern allies.

“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, in that 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,” Trump said in a post shared on Truth Social.

“This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!” Trump said.

“Based on my respect for the above mentioned Leaders, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, The Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Daniel Caine, and The United States Military, that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow, but have further instructed them 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,” he added.

Posted by Emma Bussey

14 hours ago

Mamdani defends Nakba Day video after  Jewish organizations condemn messaging

Mamdani / AP Photo / Seth Wenig

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has defended a video he posted for Nakba Day after Jewish organizations condemned its messaging, according to reports.

“Nakba,” the Arabic word for “catastrophe,” refers to the displacement of Palestinians during Israel’s 1948 War of Independence. Critics of the Nakba narrative argue it challenges Israel’s existence as a Jewish-majority state.

Nakba Day demonstrations in New York City on May 15 and 16 also included protesters waving Hezbollah and Hamas flags, the Times of Israelreported.

Mamdani had shared a City Hall-produced video on May 15 featuring a “Nakba survivor” who said the “catastrophe” associated with Israel’s founding “continues to this day.”

Jewish leaders criticized the video as a one-sided account of Israel’s War of Independence that fuels antisemitism. National Jewish organizations also joined the backlash

“I was proud to commemorate Nakba Day, which is an annual day on May 15, that commemorates the expulsion of more than 700,000 Palestinians from 1947 to 1949 during the creation of the State of Israel and for the year that followed,” Mamdani said at a press conference.

“We wanted to ensure that the focus of this was just to hear from a New Yorker herself, on her own memories about what it means to be expelled, what her life has been like, and how she has found a home in New York City,” Mamdani said.

He added that he had intended to appear in the video himself, but “did fall sick” and did not want to “create any kind of complications” for the woman featured in the video.

Posted by Emma Bussey

15 hours ago

Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze leaders lead peace march toward Jerusalem’s Old City

Hundreds of participants, led by Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Druze religious leaders, marched toward Jerusalem’s Jaffa Gate on Monday in an interfaith demonstration calling for “human rights and peace,” according to reports.

The Times of Israel reported that the march, in its fourth year, is organized by progressive religious groups as an alternative to the annual Jerusalem Day Flag March, which has often been marked by nationalist rhetoric and violence in the Old City.

Several hundred coexistence activists gathered at the Jerusalem YMCA before proceeding along King David Street.

Many carried signs reading “Justice,” “Peace” and “Soul” in Hebrew, Arabic and English.

Posted by Emma Bussey

15 hours ago

Trial opens for Romanians accused of stabbing British-Iranian reporter allegedly on behalf of Tehran

A group of Romanians allegedly acting on behalf of the Iranian government carried out a knife attack on a London-based journalist working for the Persian-language media outlet Iran International, British prosecutors told a court Monday.

The journalist, Pouria Zaratifoukolaei, is a British-Iranian reporter. He was stabbed three times in the leg near his home in southwest London in March 2024, according to reports.

Opening the trial of two of the three suspects accused in the attack, prosecutor Duncan Atkinson said the men specifically targeted Zeraati because of his work for Iran International.

The Saudi-backed broadcaster has been labeled a terrorist organization by Tehran.

Iran denied any involvement in the incident.

Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, both deny charges of wounding with intent and unlawful wounding.

The third man accused of involvement, David Andrei, was arrested in Romania but is not involved in the trial.

Posted by Emma Bussey

15 hours ago

Iran launches Persian Gulf Strait Authority to control transit through the Strait of Hormuz

Hormuz / Amirhossein Khorgooei / ISNA / AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announced the launch of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) on Monday.

The PGSA’s first post on X read: “In the name of God. The official X account of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority is now live. Follow us for real-time updates on Hormuz Strait operations and latest developments.”

The PGSA later posted that it would serve as “the legal and official representative authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran responsible for managing transit through the Strait of Hormuz.”

“Navigation within the introduced boundaries of the Strait of Hormuz, which were previously determined by the Armed Forces and authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran, is contingent upon full coordination with these entities, and passage without permission will be considered illegal,” the PGSA said. 

Meanwhile, Maritime intelligence firm Windward AI also said Iran would “soon unveil a transit toll mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz via the new PGSA.”

“With reported fees hitting $2 million and new OFAC warnings on secondary sanctions, the corridor is a high-stakes compliance minefield,” the firm said in a post shared on X. Iran’s Press TV had earlier described the body as “a system to exercise sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.”

Posted by Emma Bussey