Middle East War Day 80》Trump Cites Positive Progress in US-Iran Talks, Latest Developments at a Glance
This report summarizes the latest in an 80-day Middle East conflict (Note: this may be a hypothetical scenario). U.S. President Trump announced a delay in military action against Iran, citing "very positive progress" in negotiations. Meanwhile, Iran has declared the establishment of a new authority to manage the Strait of Hormuz, heightening tensions. As a result of these developments, global energy prices continue to surge.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 13:03
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 13:31 (27 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 19, 2026 at 13:37 (5 min after Collected)
(CNA, Paris, May 18, Comprehensive Foreign Report) As the US and Israeli military action against Iran enters its 80th day, US President Donald Trump announced today that he has postponed the planned military attack on Iran scheduled for tomorrow at the request of Middle Eastern leaders, and cited "very positive progress" in US-Iran negotiations.
President Trump announced today on his social media platform, Truth Social, that at the request of several Gulf state leaders, he has delayed the attack on Iran planned for tomorrow, and subsequently claimed there has been "very positive progress" in US-Iran talks.
Trump stated that Middle Eastern allies told him that the parties are very close to reaching an agreement for Iran to give up its nuclear weapons. "This is very positive progress, but we need to see if it yields substantial results."
With the conflict in the Middle East causing global energy prices to continue soaring, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced today that Washington has decided to extend the sanctions waiver for Russian oil tankers at sea for another 30 days, "to allow the most vulnerable countries to temporarily access Russian crude oil currently stranded at sea."
Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz saw a slight rebound last week. According to shipping tracker Kpler, a total of 55 commercial vessels passed through between May 11 and 17, a significant increase from just 19 the previous week.
Iran's top security body announced the formation of a new institution, the "Persian Gulf Strait Authority" (PGSA), to manage the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has effectively closed and plans to charge tolls for passing ships. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also indicated plans to charge fees for submarine cables laid in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council shared a post from the PGSA on the social media platform X, stating it will provide "real-time updates on operations and latest developments in the Strait of Hormuz."
The IRGC said its forces attacked several armed groups linked to the US and Israel in Iran's western Kurdistan province, near the Iraqi border.
A statement from the IRGC published by the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) said these "armed groups from northern Iraq, acting on behalf of the US and the Zionist regime, were attempting to smuggle a large quantity of US weapons and ammunition" into Iran.
Investors are digesting the volatile developments in the Middle East, including Trump's announcement to delay the attack on Iran. The world's two major crude oil benchmark prices both rose today, while US stocks closed mixed.
West Texas Intermediate crude for June delivery rose $3.24, or 3.07%, to $108.66 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for July delivery rose $2.84, or 2.6%, to $112.10 a barrel.
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Lebanon war on March 2, Israeli airstrikes have killed over 3,000 people in Lebanon, and fighting continues despite a ceasefire agreement that took effect on April 17.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health stated that from March 2 to May 18, a total of 3,020 people were killed and 9,273 were injured, including 211 children aged 18 and under and 116 medical personnel.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that with neither ceasefire talks nor direct dialogue between the two countries able to end the war, he will do everything in his power to stop the war.
Despite the extended ceasefire, Israel continues to launch airstrikes on southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah claimed to have launched a drone at a military target in northern Israel.
In a statement, Hezbollah said it targeted an Iron Dome platform in a military camp in northern Israel, targeting "the enemy Israeli army's Iron Dome system" in response to Israel's "violation" of the ceasefire agreement. (Translator: Chang Ming-hsuan) 1150519
President Trump announced today on his social media platform, Truth Social, that at the request of several Gulf state leaders, he has delayed the attack on Iran planned for tomorrow, and subsequently claimed there has been "very positive progress" in US-Iran talks.
Trump stated that Middle Eastern allies told him that the parties are very close to reaching an agreement for Iran to give up its nuclear weapons. "This is very positive progress, but we need to see if it yields substantial results."
With the conflict in the Middle East causing global energy prices to continue soaring, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced today that Washington has decided to extend the sanctions waiver for Russian oil tankers at sea for another 30 days, "to allow the most vulnerable countries to temporarily access Russian crude oil currently stranded at sea."
Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz saw a slight rebound last week. According to shipping tracker Kpler, a total of 55 commercial vessels passed through between May 11 and 17, a significant increase from just 19 the previous week.
Iran's top security body announced the formation of a new institution, the "Persian Gulf Strait Authority" (PGSA), to manage the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has effectively closed and plans to charge tolls for passing ships. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also indicated plans to charge fees for submarine cables laid in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council shared a post from the PGSA on the social media platform X, stating it will provide "real-time updates on operations and latest developments in the Strait of Hormuz."
The IRGC said its forces attacked several armed groups linked to the US and Israel in Iran's western Kurdistan province, near the Iraqi border.
A statement from the IRGC published by the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) said these "armed groups from northern Iraq, acting on behalf of the US and the Zionist regime, were attempting to smuggle a large quantity of US weapons and ammunition" into Iran.
Investors are digesting the volatile developments in the Middle East, including Trump's announcement to delay the attack on Iran. The world's two major crude oil benchmark prices both rose today, while US stocks closed mixed.
West Texas Intermediate crude for June delivery rose $3.24, or 3.07%, to $108.66 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for July delivery rose $2.84, or 2.6%, to $112.10 a barrel.
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Lebanon war on March 2, Israeli airstrikes have killed over 3,000 people in Lebanon, and fighting continues despite a ceasefire agreement that took effect on April 17.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health stated that from March 2 to May 18, a total of 3,020 people were killed and 9,273 were injured, including 211 children aged 18 and under and 116 medical personnel.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that with neither ceasefire talks nor direct dialogue between the two countries able to end the war, he will do everything in his power to stop the war.
Despite the extended ceasefire, Israel continues to launch airstrikes on southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah claimed to have launched a drone at a military target in northern Israel.
In a statement, Hezbollah said it targeted an Iron Dome platform in a military camp in northern Israel, targeting "the enemy Israeli army's Iron Dome system" in response to Israel's "violation" of the ceasefire agreement. (Translator: Chang Ming-hsuan) 1150519