Day 82 | Trump says attack on Iran possible in ‘two or three days’ if no deal is reached

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Read more: Day 83 | Iran accuses US of secret moves toward new assault

Iran announced on Wednesday the creation of a “controlled maritime zone” in the Strait of Hormuz.

The announcement came by what Iran calls the “Persian Gulf Strait Authority”; a newly formed body that Iran says will manage the vital waterway.

According to the published photo, the zone is the “line connecting Kuh-e Mobarak in Iran and southern Fujairah in the UAE at the eastern side of the strait, to the line connecting the end of Qeshm Island in Iran and Umm Al Quwain in the UAE at the western side of the strait.”

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جمهورى اسلامى ايران محدوده نظارتى مديریت تنگه هرمز را به این شرح تعيین کرده است: «خط اتصال كوه مبارك درايران وجنوب فجيره درامارات در شرق تنگه تاخط اتصال انتهاى جزيره قشم درايران و ام القيوین امارات درغرب تنگه.» pic.twitter.com/3ELSwYx5Bp

— PGSA | نهاد مدیریت آبراه خلیج فارس (@PGSA_IRAN) May 20, 2026

Footage from May 19 released today by Hezbollah showing what it says is an attack drone targeting an ‘Israeli’ Iron Dome battery near the ‘Israeli’-Lebanese border.

The US military said Marines had boarded an Iranian-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday in the Gulf of Oman that was suspected of attempting to violate Washington's blockade of Iran.

"American forces released the vessel after searching and directing the ship's crew to alter course," said Central Command, which oversees US forces in the region, in a post on X. 

It said that US forces have now redirected 91 commercial ships to ensure compliance with the blockade.

US President Donald Trump and ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a “difficult” phone call on Tuesday while discussing Iran, according to Axios.

One source cited by the US website said Netanyahu’s “hair was on fire”.

The phone call comes after a revised peace memo was drafted by Qatar and Pakistan to try and close the gap between the United States and Iran.

It was “lengthy and difficult”, says the report, adding that Trump told Netanyahu that mediators were working on a “letter of intent” that would end the war and begin a 30-day period of negotiations.

“Bibi's hair was on fire after the call,” says Axios, citing a US source.

Netanyahu remains skeptical and wants to resume the campaign and destroy Iran’s critical and military infrastructure, while Trump still sees a window to strike a deal.

The US military said Marines had boarded an Iranian-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday in the Gulf of Oman that was suspected of attempting to violate Washington's blockade of Iran.

"American forces released the vessel after searching and directing the ship's crew to alter course," said Central Command, which oversees US forces in the region, in a post on X.

It said that US forces have now redirected 91 commercial ships to ensure compliance with the blockade.

Earlier today in the Gulf of Oman, U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded M/T Celestial Sea, an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker suspected of attempting to violate the U.S. blockade by transiting toward an Iranian port. American forces released the… pic.twitter.com/1AVT0MudKY

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 20, 2026

Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday that it is examining a response from the United States within the framework of talks aimed at ending the war, as it welcomed Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, whose country is leading mediation efforts between the two sides.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told state television, “We have received the views of the American side and are currently reviewing them. The visit of the Pakistani interior minister is intended to facilitate the exchange of messages with the United States.”

Baqaei also reiterated the conditions set by the Islamic Republic, including “a definitive end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon,” in addition to “the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to acts of piracy against Iranian commercial ships,” referring to the US blockade on Iran’s ports.

US President Donald Trump claimed he is “at 99% in Israel” and joked that he could “run for prime minister” there after leaving office, while also praising Benjamin Netanyahu as a “great guy” who “does whatever I want him to do” and criticizing 'Israeli' President Isaac Herzog for treating Netanyahu “very poorly” amid the 'Israeli' leader’s ongoing corruption trial.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “will do whatever I want him to do”.

When asked on what he said to Netanyahu about holding off the strike on Iran, Trump said: “He’s fine. He’ll do whatever I want him to do. He’s a very... very good man. Uh, he’ll do whatever I want him to do and he’s... he’s a great guy.”

“To me, he’s a great guy. Don't forget, he was a warrior.”

Trump also added that he and Netanyahu are on “the same page” regarding Iran.

The 'Israeli' military said an officer was severely injured and two others were wounded, including a reserve officer moderately and a non-commissioned officer lightly, after an explosive drone struck southern Lebanon on Wednesday, with all injured soldiers evacuated to hospital and their families notified.

Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Wednesday said the United States was seeking to restart the war and still hoped the Islamic republic would surrender.

"The enemy's movements, both overt and clandestine, show that despite economic and political pressure, it has not abandoned its military objectives and is seeking to start a new war," Ghalibaf said in an audio message carried by Iranian media.

"Close monitoring of the situation in the United States reinforces the possibility that they still hope for the surrender of the Iranian nation," he said.

• Hezbollah utilized a drone strike an 'Israeli' military Iron Dome platform.
• The group launched another drone attack against an 'Israeli' Merkava tank.
• Hezbollah targeted 'Israeli' soldiers and military vehicles.

Hezbollah announced a series of targeted military operations against Israeli forces along the southern Lebanese border, using artillery and unmanned aerial systems.

The group stated that its fighters deployed artillery shells to target Israeli soldiers and military vehicles operating in the vicinity of the town of Deir Siriane in southern Lebanon.

In a separate engagement within the southern border region, Hezbollah forces utilized an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) to target an 'Israeli' Merkava tank in the town of Taybeh, asserting that the strike achieved a confirmed hit.

Additionally, Hezbollah confirmed a specialized operation directed at Israeli defense infrastructure.

The group used a loitering munition (suicide drone) to target an Iron Dome platform belonging to the 'Israeli' military at the Jal al-Allam site, located directly on the southern Lebanese border.

• The 'Israeli' military struck Hezbollah surveillance equipment to monitor and direct operations.
• 'Israeli' forces claimed it eliminated a weapons storage warehouse, which triggered secondary explosions.

The 'Israeli' military claimed on Wednesday that its soldiers identified and destroyed Hezbollah surveillance equipment embedded within a civilian structure in southern Lebanon during operations conducted on Tuesday.

According to military statements accompanying footage of the strike, the targeted surveillance equipment was being utilized by Hezbollah to monitor the movements of 'Israeli' troops and directly coordinate hostile activities against 'Israeli' soldiers and 'Israel'.

Weapons cache strike

In a separate engagement during the same operational window, 'Israeli' military targeted a warehouse being used by the group to store military hardware.

The strike successfully eliminated a Hezbollah operative who was actively operating from within the facility.

Following the initial impact, the 'Israeli' military reported a series of secondary explosions emanating from the structure, which military officials stated confirms the definitive presence of stored weapons inside the warehouse.

• UAE MoFA condemned the 'terrorist' drone attacks launched from Iraq.
• One of the drones targeted Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant last Sunday.
• UAE demanded Iraqi government of unconditional halt to all hostile actions.

The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned a series of treacherous terrorist drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory, revealing that one of the strikes targeted the nation's nuclear energy infrastructure.

In an official statement released by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) via X, authorities confirmed that an attack carried out last Sunday targeted the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant.

الإمارات تدين بشدة الاعتداءات الإرهابية التي استهدفت محطة براكة بطائرات مسيرة من الأراضي العراقية pic.twitter.com/zlYZ1D8zW5

— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) May 20, 2026

The drone struck an electrical generator positioned just outside the facility’s internal perimeter.

The Ministry expressed its absolute rejection and condemnation of these sinful terrorist assaults originating from Iraq.

The UAE framed the strikes as a direct targeting of vital civilian installations across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, calling the operations a flagrant violation of UAE sovereignty, its airspace, international law, international humanitarian law, and the United Nations Charter.

Immediate, unconditional action

In response to the aerial breach, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs placed direct accountability on the Iraqi state, urging immediate intervention to secure its borders and curb proxy actions.

The Ministry stressed the critical necessity for the government of the Republic of Iraq to prevent all hostile acts emanating from its territories immediately, urgently, and without any conditions or restrictions.

Furthermore, the UAE emphasized that Iraq must deal with these ongoing threats in an urgent, immediate, and responsible manner that aligns fully with relevant international and regional laws and pacts.

Concluding its statement, MoFA underscored the vital importance of Iraq fulfilling its role in anchoring security and stability across the region.

The Ministry noted that taking decisive action against these threats is essential to preserving Iraq's own sovereignty and reinforcing its standing as an active, responsible partner within its regional environment.

• Mojtaba Khamenei honored a long lineage of slain Iranian officials.
• Khamenei highlighted the outstanding traits of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
• Khamenei declared that the nation is witnessing a historic resistance by Iranian people.

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei delivered a powerful address honoring the legacy of the nation's fallen officials and praising the Iranian people's ongoing confrontation against foreign military forces.

In his remarks, the Supreme Leader emphasized the ultimate sacrifices made by key political and religious figures throughout the history of the Islamic Republic.

He stated that from Motahhari, Beheshti, Rajai, and Bahonar, to Raisi, Al-Hashem, Amir-Abdollahian, and Larijani, these individuals have decorated the registry of sincere and jihadist service with their own bloody signatures.

Raisi legacy

Khamenei placed special emphasis on the governance model of the late President Ebrahim Raisi, outlining the specific traits that defined his tenure.

He noted that among the most prominent characteristics of the martyred Raisi were his high sense of responsibility, his focus on youth-driven leadership, his dedication to justice, and his execution of an active and beneficial diplomacy.

Above all, the Supreme Leader lauded Raisi's deeply populist nature and connection to the citizens.

Khamenei observed that in the relationship between public officials and the people, it is these types of positive, impactful traits that foster mutual appreciation between the government and the public.

Historic resistance

Concluding his address, the Supreme Leader framed the current geopolitical landscape as a monumental struggle, praising the resilience of the domestic population under immense pressure.

"Now, we stand before the epic achievements of the Iranian nation," Khamenei declared, describing the current mobilization as a "unique historic resistance against two global terrorist armies."

• Russia-China declaration partnership is not a formal bloc, carries no confrontational intent, not aimed at any third countries.
• Moscow, Beijing to strengthen military cooperation.
• Both nations formally condemned the US "Golden Dome" project as a serious threat to global security.
• The joint statement calls for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Russia and China have issued a comprehensive joint declaration outlining an expansive vision for a multipolar world while sharply criticizing Western defense projects and unilateral political dominance.

According to the joint statement, the two superpowers officially pledged to strengthen their mechanisms for military cooperation.

Concurrently, the declaration took aim at Washington’s strategic defense footprint, stating explicitly that the American "Golden Dome" project exerts a serious negative impact on international security.

Despite pledging closer defense ties and vowing to continuously confront various threats and challenges, Moscow and Beijing insisted their relationship is not an aggressive alliance.

The statement clarified that bilateral ties between Russia and China do not represent a formal bloc, do not carry a confrontational character, and are not directed against any other nations.

Middle East negotiations, Gaza ceasefire

Addressing the ongoing global instability, the joint text dedicated significant focus to the current crises impacting the Middle East.

Moscow and Beijing issued a direct call to all conflicting parties in the region, urging them to immediately halt hostilities and enter negotiations.

Furthermore, the two global powers called for the implementation of a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The declaration also expressed joint anxiety over maritime trade disruptions, voicing formal concern regarding the actions of certain unnamed countries and alliances that are currently hindering international shipping movements.

Exploitation of human rights

The joint declaration laid out a broad philosophical rejection of unilateral global leadership, asserting that there are no "first-class" nations or peoples in the world and that hegemony in any form is entirely unacceptable.

"Nations that operate according to the logic of hegemony actively obstruct the development of others and hinder the natural evolution of a multipolar world." stated the joint Russia-China Declaration.

The statement concluded with a firm diplomatic warning against Western political pressure, with both nations voicing their strict opposition to using human rights as a pretext to interfere in the sovereign internal affairs of other countries.

Instead, both capitals maintained that their deepening partnership serves as a positive force to promote a fair, just, and multipolar international system.

Pakistan's Interior Minister, Senator Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, has departed for Tehran to meet with officials from the Islamic Republic of Iran.

This marks his second visit to the country in less than a week, knowledgeable diplomatic sources in Islamabad reported today.

US President Donald Trump and 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a lengthy telephone conversation last night regarding the Middle East crisis, 'Israeli' media reported.

The extended discussion between the two leaders has been described by media sources as "decisive" as the situation continues to unfold.

This is a developing story.

• IRGC warned that Tehran has yet to deploy the full strength.
• IRGC warned any repeated aggression will expand conflict beyond Middle East.
• IRGC asserted they are "men of war" whose true power will be demonstrated directly on battlefield, not rhetoric.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stern military statement warning the United States and 'Israel' against renewing hostilities, declaring that any repeated aggression against Iran will expand the current conflict far beyond the borders of the Middle East.

In the official statement, the IRGC claimed that the "American-Israeli enemy" has failed to learn from its repeated strategic defeats at the hands of the Islamic Revolution and has once again resorted to threats.

The military branch asserted that even though the joint forces attacked Iran using the full capabilities of two of the most expensive militaries in the world, Tehran has not yet activated all the capacities of the Islamic Revolution against them.

Promises of unexpected blows

The statement outlined severe consequences should the military standoff escalate further, shifting the scope of potential warfare to a global scale.

"If aggression against Iran is repeated, the regional war that was promised will this time expand beyond the region, and our crushing blows will bring you down to the dark earth in places you cannot even imagine." IRGC stated.

Challenge to battlefield

Concluding the communique, the IRGC dismissed verbal posturing and online commentary, challenging its adversaries to a direct military confrontation.

"We are men of war," the statement read, emphasizing that Iran's true power will be proven directly on the battlefield rather than through "empty statements and virtual pages."

The 'Israeli' Home Front Command has activated incoming alert sirens across Kiryat Shmona and its surrounding perimeters following the infiltration of a hostile drone.

Simultaneously, sirens were triggered in the Upper Galilee locality of Al-Malikiyah after a separate drone target was detected crossing into the airspace.

This is a developing story.