Iran

[Flash] Oil Prices Slide as US-Iran Peace Deal Hopes Reduce Supply Risk Premium International oil prices fell sharply on Monday as progress in US-Iran peace negotiations reduced geopolitical risk premiums, BBC and Al Jazeera reported. Markets anticipate that a deal would significantly lower the risk of shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. For weeks, fears of blocked passage through the strait had kept oil prices elevated. Traders are now repricing that risk. Analysts note that oil could face further downside pressure if the agreement is formally signed. Asian equities rose on the back of lower energy costs. ...

[Flash] Rubio Says Solid Iran Deal May Come Monday, Oil Extends Losses US Secretary of State Rubio said a ‘solid’ peace deal with Iran could be reached as early as Monday, BBC reported. This follows President Trump’s earlier instruction to negotiators ’not to rush’ into an agreement, which had cooled market optimism. Oil prices extended their slide, falling approximately five percent. Asian equities rose broadly as investors bet on a meaningful reduction in Middle East geopolitical risk premium. Hardline Republicans, however, continue to question the terms of the proposed deal. ...

A senior Iranian source says Iran has not agreed to hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, leaving nuclear deal prospects uncertain.

Trump says peace agreement with Iran is ’largely negotiated’ as Pakistan’s PM says the country could host US-Iran talks soon.

Binance has publicly disputed a Wall Street Journal report alleging that Iranian financier Babak Zanjani moved $850 million through its platform. CEO Richard Teng said the claims are inaccurate. The controversy emerges amid heightened geopolitical tensions. The US has paused a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan due to the Iran situation, and a Pakistani field marshal is traveling to Tehran to broker a US-Iran deal. Binance has been strengthening compliance measures in recent years, seeking to distance itself from sanctioned entities. This dispute highlights the compliance challenges crypto exchanges face amid geopolitical conflicts. ...

A Pakistani field marshal has traveled to Tehran in an effort to broker a peace deal between the United States and Iran, according to Axios. Pakistan is seeking a breakthrough in the stalled US-Iran negotiations. The diplomatic push comes after Secretary Rubio said the Iran peace talks had made “slight progress,” while firmly rejecting Iran’s proposed Strait of Hormuz “tolling system.” Pakistan, as a nuclear-armed Muslim-majority country with relatively close ties to Washington, occupies a unique mediating position. ...

The US Navy chief announced that a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan has been paused due to the escalating Iran situation, highlighting the strain on American military resource allocation amid simultaneous tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the Middle East. According to BBC, the Navy chief told Congress that uncertainty surrounding the Iran situation has forced the Pentagon to reassess global weapons supply priorities. Taiwan said it is “closely monitoring” the situation and emphasized that its defense needs remain unchanged. ...

Iran has published a new map claiming “armed forces oversight” across more than 22,000 square kilometers of the Strait of Hormuz waterway, marking Tehran’s latest public assertion of jurisdiction over the strategic passage. The strait is one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes, with roughly a fifth of global petroleum transiting through it. The move is seen as a further strengthening of Iran’s regional control claims and could spark new friction with the U.S. and Gulf states. ...

Senate Takes Historic Step on Iran War Powers The US Senate has advanced a resolution to limit President Trump’s military action authority against Iran, marking the first time the chamber has moved on such a measure. Four Republican senators broke ranks to support the resolution, highlighting growing intra-party divisions over Iran policy. Key Developments: The Senate voted to take up legislation that would force Trump to end military operations in Iran Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy flipped to support the measure This is the first attempt by Congress to legislatively constrain presidential war powers regarding Iran Political Significance: ...

Donald Trump announced on May 19, 2026 that he is halting plans for a “major attack” on Iran, but stated the U.S. remains prepared to strike if Tehran does not abandon its nuclear weapons program. The decision marks the latest turn in U.S.-Iran tensions. The Trump administration has repeatedly warned Iran to cease nuclear weapons-related activities. The pause is seen as leaving room for diplomatic negotiations. Analysts suggest Trump’s statement demonstrates military pressure while preserving negotiation possibilities. The international community is watching closely, concerned about potential further escalation in the region. ...