Iran in May 2026: the most important developments in politics
In May 2026 Iranian politics centred on negotiations with the United States to end the war. Early in the month Iran sent a 14-point proposal through Pakistan, and President Trump rejected it on 3 May as not acceptable. On 6 May he said the two sides had made great progress. After the two sides exchanged fire on 8 May, Trump said the ceasefire still held. On 10 May Iran sent its response to a US proposal, and on 11 May Trump rejected it as "totally unacceptable" and said the ceasefire was on "life support", while Iran called its response generous and demanded an end to the war and to the US blockade.
Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on 13 and 14 May; both said Iran must not have nuclear weapons. Back in Washington he reportedly weighed new strikes and said time was running out. On 19 May he postponed a planned strike, citing requests from Gulf states, while Iran repeated demands for reparations and a US withdrawal. On 21 May reports described a clash between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu over strategy. On 23 and 24 May Trump called a deal "largely negotiated" and Secretary of State Rubio said it could come within hours; reports described Iran giving up enriched uranium in exchange for sanctions relief, and Iran denied Trump's description. After US strikes on 26 and 27 May and mutual accusations of ceasefire violations, a draft memorandum on the strait, with no tolls, and a 60-day ceasefire extension awaited Trump's approval. At month end Trump sent back stricter terms, and Iranian officials said a deal was not closer and that the draft included the release of $12 billion in frozen assets.
Pakistan, Qatar and Oman took mediating roles. In the US, the Senate blocked and the House narrowly rejected attempts to limit Trump's war powers. Inside Iran, internet access was restored on 25 and 26 May after a blackout of about 87 days, and Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf was re-elected parliament speaker.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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