The growing domestic pressure in the USA, the political questioning of Washington's strategy in the Middle East, and the spike in fuel prices seem to be leading Donald Trump to a forced retreat against Iran. Within an environment of intense social and economic discontent, the American president rushed to declare that "the war with Iran will end very soon", attempting to reassure both the markets and the domestic audience of the USA. At the same time, leaks from Arabic and international media outlets speak of a draft agreement between Washington and Tehran, which provides for an immediate ceasefire, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and a gradual lifting of sanctions against Iran. This information caused an immediate reaction in the international markets, with oil retreating and stock markets recording a strong rise. However, the Iranian side denies the information regarding a final agreement with the USA. Behind the scenes, the Trump administration appears to be seriously worried about the political consequences of a prolonged crisis in the Middle East, as the increase in energy costs hurts the American economy and reinforces discontent even within the base of independent voters. Polls show that the majority of Americans now reject the possibility of a new military involvement with Iran, while pressure on the White House for escalation management and a diplomatic solution is growing before the crisis turns into an uncontrollable geopolitical and economic catastrophe.
Iran denies the leaks about a final agreement with USA - "The conflict can start at any moment"
New information from a source close to the Iranian negotiating team dramatically intensifies the uncertainty surrounding the USA–Iran talks, denying the scenarios regarding an imminent final agreement and revealing a deep impasse in the negotiations. According to the leak, there is no final draft agreement yet, the American demands regarding the Iranian nuclear program have led to a complete impasse, the threats from Washington have caused anger in Tehran, while Iran appears to be losing interest in continuing the talks. The same source warns that "the conflict can start at any moment" and that the fragile truce "hangs by a thread". This information contradicts previous leaks about a "final draft agreement" that had caused intense optimism in the markets, leading to a rise in stock markets and a sharp drop in oil prices. At the same time, international publications confirm that the main point of conflict remains the demand of the USA for the limitation or removal of Iran's enriched uranium, an issue that Tehran categorically rejects.
?? Iranian source close to the negotiating team just dropped this:
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 21, 2026
- No final draft yet
- US nuclear demands created a total deadlock
- US threats have Tehran furious and losing interest in talks
- Conflict could kick off at any moment
The “ceasefire” is hanging by a… https://t.co/xjsfeFmAIP pic.twitter.com/zRJO4K0E4t
Trump: War with Iran ends very soon
Earlier, the American president Donald Trump expressed the assessment that the conflict between Israel, the USA, and Iran is approaching its end, even linking geopolitical developments with the American economy and fuel prices. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump stated that the conflict "will end very soon", implying that Washington considers that the crisis in the Middle East is entering a phase of de-escalation. "More people are working today in the United States than at any other time in history. And this amid the conflict with Iran, which will soon end, very soon", he characteristically stated. The American president added that after the end of the crisis, gasoline prices will drop even further, arguing that stabilization in the Middle East will have a direct positive impact on the American economy and on the global energy market.
"I will destroy Iran's uranium"
Nevertheless, earlier, in yet another statement that captures the uncompromising and aggressive strategy of the USA toward Iran, Trump made it clear that Washington seeks not only to gain control of Tehran's enriched uranium but also to destroy it completely. The statements of the American president caused intense reactions, as many analysts consider them a characteristic example of the American policy of enforcement and unilateral control in the Middle East. Speaking at the White House, Donald Trump on Thursday, May 21, 2026, categorically rejected any possibility of allowing Iran to maintain stockpiles of highly enriched uranium. "No, we're going to take it. We don't need it, we don't want it. We'll probably destroy it after we get it, but we're not going to allow them to have it", he characteristically stated. The statement was considered by many international observers as a direct confirmation that the USA seeks to impose terms of complete geopolitical submission on Iran, treating Iranian nuclear technology not as an object of negotiation but as a matter of unilateral American control.
The USA want control even in the Strait of Hormuz
An even greater sensation was caused by Trump's statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important energy passages of the planet. The American president made it clear that Washington opposes any Iranian charge for the transit of ships through the Strait. "We want it to be open. We don't want to pay for transit. It's an international waterway", he stated. He then proceeded to an even more revealing position regarding the degree of American control in the region: "No ship reaches Iran and nothing is shipped without our approval". This phrase caused fierce reactions in diplomatic circles, as it is interpreted as an open admission that the USA are attempting to operate as a global overseer of international trade and maritime routes, essentially bypassing every concept of sovereignty and international balance. Trump also argued that due to this situation, Tehran is losing up to "500 million dollars daily".
Rubio: "There are positive signs"
The American Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that there are "positive signs" in the talks, although he avoided appearing overly optimistic. "There are certain positive signals, but I don't want to be overly optimistic. Let's see what happens in the coming days", he stated before the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Sweden.
Iran responds by strengthening its armed forces
Amid this climate and the continuous contradictions of the USA, the president of Iran Massoud Pezeshkian sent a clear message of full support toward the armed forces of the country during a meeting with the chief of the Iranian army and Amir Hatami. The Iranian president praised the role of the armed forces against, as he stated, the "aggressive actions of the USA and the Zionist regime", underlining that the military of Iran demonstrated high operational readiness and deterrent power. "The government supports with all its capabilities the strengthening of the armed forces", Pezeshkian stressed. At the same time, he underlined that the reinforcement of defense, the modernization of equipment, the upgrading of operational infrastructure, and the increase of deterrent capability constitute strategic priorities of Tehran.
"The enemies failed"
Pezeshkian argued that the armed forces of Iran thwarted the plans of the country's adversaries. "The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran demonstrated the defensive power of the country during recent developments and threats and did not allow the enemies to achieve their malicious goals against the Iranian nation", he stated. This position reflects the growing conviction in Tehran that the pressures from the USA and Israel are part of a broader strategy of destabilization of the country.
Hatami: "Iran is ready to respond decisively"
For his part, Hatami presented a report on the operational status of the Iranian armed forces and argued that all military units are in full readiness. As he stated, Iran utilizes the experience from recent crises for the upgrade of operational readiness, the reinforcement of coordination between the branches of the armed forces, and the modernization of military capabilities. On behalf of the armed forces of the country and the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), Hatami stressed that: "The army of the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully ready to give a decisive and powerful response against any threat or aggressive action against the country". At the same time, he praised the "revolutionary and self-sacrificcing spirit" of the Iranian armed forces, stating that the soldiers are ready to sacrifice themselves for the security, independence, and territorial integrity of Iran.
IRGC: 31 ships crossed Hormuz in the last 24 hours
The IRGC report that 31 commercial ships, including tankers and container ships, crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours in coordination with the Iranian forces. According to the IRGC, safe transit routes were maintained amid increased tensions and military activity in the Persian Gulf.
Reuters: The IRGC have full control in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran and the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) seem to be gradually strengthening their control over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, implementing a new multi-layered transit system for ships, at a time when the global energy market remains under pressure due to war and geopolitical instability. According to Reuters, Tehran has created a control mechanism that includes surveillance points, diplomatic agreements, and in certain cases an economic "cost" for the transit of ships through the critical maritime passage. The new system gives priority to ships linked to allies of Iran, such as Russia and China, followed by countries with close relations with Tehran, such as India and Pakistan. The remaining states are placed next. The USA have expressed concern regarding the compliance of states and shipping companies with the Iranian controls, however, several countries seem to accept the risk in order to secure their energy supply.
New CIA report exposes Trump: Iran reconstituted its military forces rapidly
A new report by American intelligence agencies directly challenges the claims of the Pentagon regarding the "destruction" of the Iranian military infrastructure, revealing that Iran has already proceeded at a rapid pace with the restoration of its critical military capabilities. According to the publication, Tehran took advantage of the six-week truce period to restart drone production lines, restore missile installations, and reinforce the production capacity of basic weapons systems. American estimates even mention that Iran can fully recover its capabilities in drones within just six months. The revelations come in complete contrast to the statements of the commander of CENTCOM, Brad Cooper, who had argued before the House Armed Services Committee that the American and Israeli attacks "destroyed 90% of Iran's defense industry" and that Tehran would not be able to recover for years. However, according to sources cited by CNN, the real estimates of the American intelligence agencies show that the damage may delay the full reconstitution of Iran only for a few months and not for years. The same sources emphasize that a significant part of the Iranian defense industry remains operational, allowing Tehran to accelerate the restoration of military capabilities.
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Washington Post: The USA drained half of THAAD stockpiles to save Israel from Iranian missiles
Serious questions about the real size of the American military involvement in favor of Israel are raised by a revealing publication of the Washington Post, according to which the USA consumed nearly half of the stockpile of interceptor missiles of the THAAD systems during the conflict with Iran. According to the information, Washington launched more than 200 THAAD interceptor missiles for the protection of Israel from the Iranian attacks, a quantity that corresponds to approximately 50% of the total stockpiles of the Pentagon. At the same time, the USA used over 100 SM-3 and SM-6 missiles from American warships in the eastern Mediterranean, while Israel itself used fewer than 100 Arrow and about 90 David's Sling. An American official admitted to the Washington Post that: "The United States launched about 120 more interceptor missiles and secured the downing of double the number of Iranian missiles". Even more revealing was the statement of a second official of the American government, who argued that: "Israel is not capable of conducting wars and winning alone. Nobody knows this because they don't see what really happens behind the curtains".
Russia in the role of guarantor
At the same time, Russia appears to be assuming an increasingly active role as a mediator between Tehran and Washington. The spokesperson of the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that the Russian proposal for transferring the enriched Iranian uranium to Russia remains on the table and must be discussed by both Iran and the USA. At the same time, he revealed that the Russian leader Vladimir Putin personally discussed the idea with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, in a closed conversation that, according to the Kremlin, concerned the future of the nuclear management of Iran. The intervention of Moscow is considered by many analysts as an effort to prevent a new military crisis in the Middle East, but also as a move to limit the American monopoly in international negotiations.
The Americans themselves reject the war against Iran
Particular political significance is gained by a new poll of the New York Times, which captures a deep shift of the American public opinion against the policy of the USA in the Middle East.
According to the data:
1) 95% of Democratic voters oppose any military conflict with Iran,
2) 75% oppose sending military aid to Israel,
3) while 60% declare greater sympathy toward the Palestinians rather than toward Israel.
The poll also records an increase by 30% in opposition against weapon shipments to Israel within just three years. The findings are considered a serious blow to the pro-war strategy of Washington and show that a large part of American society appears tired of continuous military interventions and extreme support toward Israel.
The Middle East in a new phase of geopolitical conflict
Developments reveal that the confrontation around the Iranian nuclear program does not exclusively concern security issues, but constitutes part of a much larger geopolitical battle for the control of the Middle East, energy routes, and the global balance of power. The USA are attempting to maintain absolute control in the region through economic pressures, military presence, control of maritime routes, and political pressures toward Tehran. Against this strategy, Russia and China appear increasingly active, seeking to shape a multipolar system of balances that will limit American influence. The crisis around the Iranian uranium is thus evolving into yet another field of conflict between the old American monopoly and the new global geopolitical reality that is being shaped.
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