(2026-05-19). Trump puts off 'planned Iran strikes' at Gulf request. tribune.com.pk 
US President Donald Trump said on Monday he halted a planned military strike on Iran after urgent appeals from Gulf Arab leaders, while warning that Washington remains prepared for a "large-scale assault" if diplomatic efforts fail. | In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said he had been contacted by senior regional leaders seeking time for negotiations aimed at securing a nuclear agreement with Tehran. He said the leaders were optimistic about a deal. | Trump said that he was asked by Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and United Arab Emirates…
(2026-05-19). Iran says peace proposal includes reparations for war damage, US troop withdrawal. tribune.com.pk 
Tehran's latest peace proposal to the United States involves ending hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, the exit of US forces from areas close to Iran, and reparations for destruction caused by the US-Israeli war, the state news agency IRNA reported on Tuesday. | Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi's report emphasised Iran's "right to enrich and enjoy peaceful nuclear rights", the state-run news agency said. | The report discussed "ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, lifting the US naval blockade, releasing Iran's property and assets,…
(2026-05-19). US on its knees? After China snub & Barakah attack, Pentagon too scared to face Mojtaba's wrath. hindustantimes.com As Trump returns from an underwhelming China trip, Iran declares "final victory" and a top aide warns Washington is stumbling into an Israeli‚Äëset trap. With drones hitting near the UAE's Barakah nuclear plant, Mojtaba's camp mocks a "calculation crisis" in the White House while Trump posts AI battle maps and "clock is ticking" threats as CENTCOM tightens its Hormuz blockade.
(2026-05-19). Tehran moves to tighten Hormuz chokehold. tribune.com.pk 
Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Monday that fibre-optic internet cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz could be brought under a permit system, as Tehran announced the formation of a new body to manage the key waterway. | The strait, through which about 20% of global oil supplies pass, is currently a flashpoint amid tensions between Iran and the United States linked to the wider regional conflict. A tenuous ceasefire announced on April 8 still holds, but the broader peace process remains stalled. | "Following the imposition of control over the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, citing its absolute soverei…
(2026-05-19). Trump threatens renewed attack on Iran as emergency G7 finance summit opens in Paris. wsws.org The bloody US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran and the resulting blockade of the vital Strait of Hormuz threatens workers around the world with economic and financial collapse.
(2026-05-19). How Was Trump's Beijing Visit Received in China? uwidata.com By Oràßun Gà∂ktàºrk, from Beijing, China The world's attention was focused on U.S. President Trump's visit to Beijing on May 13-15. While some commentators argued that a new phase of ceasefire had begun in US-China competition, others focused on Washington's attempt to seek Beijing's assistance in overcoming its difficulties stemming from the war against Iran …
(2026-05-19). US-China Summit Yields No Progress on Iran. juancole.com
(2026-05-19). US extends Russian oil waiver by 30 days. tribune.com.pk 
The US Treasury on Monday extended by 30 days its sanctions waiver for Russian oil cargoes already at sea, as global energy prices continue to surge due to the Iran war. | The latest "temporary 30-day general license" will "provide the most vulnerable nations with the ability to temporarily access Russian oil currently stranded at sea," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a social media post. | Monday's announcement is the second time US authorities have extended the temporary measure, which is meant to address oil supply shortages sparked by the US-Israel war on Iran. | Iran's retaliatory action has targ…
(2026-05-19). Cuba warns of 'bloodbath' if US attacks. tribune.com.pk 
Cuba's leader warned Monday of a "bloodbath" in the event of an American attack, while the US Treasury sanctioned Cuba's main intelligence agency and top leaders as tensions spiked between the arch-foes. | President Miguel Diaz-Canel stressed Cuba's right to defend itself a day after US news site Axios reported that Havana had obtained over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran and is mulling using them against US targets. | The report, which quoted US intelligence officials, came amid growing speculation that the United States is weighing military action to topple Cuba's communist government. | Axios quote…
(2026-05-19). Protesting Attacks on Students, Colleges in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran. juancole.com Volker Tàºrk
| UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
| ohchr-registry@un.org | Khaled El-Enany
| Director-General, UNESCO
| dg.office@unesco.org | Francesca Albanese
| United Nations Special Rapporteur on the oPt
| hrc-sr-opt@un.org . . . | Your Excellencies, High Representative, Special Rapporteurs, and Mr. Secretary: | I write on behalf of the Middle East Studies Association of North America to express grave concern about the widening pattern of attacks on higher…
(2026-05-19). Trump says held off on new Iran attack, upbeat for agreement. geo.tv 
US President Donald Trump delivers remarks about health care costs and affordability from an auditorium on the White House campus in Washington, DC, US, May 18, 2026. — Reuters Trump hopes for securing agreement to end the war.US president says had prepared a new attack for…
(2026-05-19). Iran says new US aggression will result in 'stronger response'. tribune.com.pk 
Spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament's National Security Commission Ebrahim Rezaei stated on Tuesday that "any new aggression against Iran will be met with a stronger response and will make Trump even more ashamed," according to an X post by Iranian state broadcaster IRIB. | üö® "Any new aggression against Iran will be met with a stronger response and will make Trump even more ashamed." – Ebrahim Rezaei, Spokesperson for the Parliament's National Security Commission | — IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) (@iribnews_irib) May 19, 2026 | "The Americans must either surrend…
(2026-05-19). Mexican economy and investment plans founder amid war against Iran. wsws.org On May 12, S&P Global Ratings revised Mexico's credit outlook to negative from stable, citing persistently weak fiscal results, rising debt levels and weak economic growth.
(2026-05-19). US ends civil, criminal cases against Adani. tribune.com.pk 
The Trump administration on Monday moved to dismiss criminal fraud charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, while also settling alleged Iran sanctions violations involving one of his companies. | The resolution of outstanding cases against one of the world's richest people came after Adani's attorney, who is also a personal attorney of US President Donald Trump, said last month his client wanted to invest $10 billion in the United States but could not do so while the cases proceeded, according to a source familiar with the matter. | It is the latest example of Trump's Justice Department abandoning a hi…
(2026-05-19). Bond Market Is Flashing a Warning Over Iran, Former White House Official Warns. indybay.org Summary: | Bond markets are flashing stress signals as Iran tensions push oil higher and long-term yields surge toward 5%, raising fears that inflation and borrowing costs are entering a new, more permanent phase.
(2026-05-19). Dar reaffirms Pakistan's commitment to stronger Iran ties ahead of envoy's departure. tribune.com.pk 
Pakistan on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to deepening ties with Iran as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Pakistan's Ambassador-designate to Iran, Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, ahead of Siddiqui's departure for Tehran. | According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the deputy prime minister recalled the "deep-rooted historical, cultural, and fraternal bonds between Pakistan and Iran" and reaffirmed "Pakistan's commitment to further expanding bilateral cooperation in all spheres, particularly in trade, connectivity, people-to-people exchanges, and regional…
(2026-05-18). Headlines for May 18, 2026. democracynow.org Trump Escalates Threats Against Iran as Ceasefire Negotiations Remain Deadlocked, Israel Kills at Least Six People in Southern Lebanon, Including Three Paramedics, Israel Assassinates Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the Head of Hamas's Military Wing, Israeli Cabinet Approves Plans to Build Military Compound at Former UNRWA Site, Israeli Forces Begin Intercepting Ships with the Global Sumud Flotilla, World Health Organization Declares Ebola Outbreak a Global Health Emergency, GOP Senator Cassidy Loses Primary After Trump Backs His Opponent, New Financial Disclosures Show Trump Made Between $220M and $750M in Securitie…
(2026-05-18). Trump Claims He Called Off Imminent Iran Bombing Campaign At Behest Of Allies (Updated). twz.com 
The president says the strikes were set for tomorrow, but it's one of many times Trump made grand threats then supposedly pulled back at the last moment.
(2026-05-18). Is UAE Paying the Price for Its Alliance With Israel and the West? thinktank.pk The latest drone strike near the UAE's Barakah nuclear plant has once again exposed a dangerous geopolitical reality in the Middle East: the United Arab Emirates is increasingly facing strategic isolation inside the Arab world while simultaneously becoming a primary target in Iran's regional confrontation with the United States and Israel. The attack, which triggered …
(2026-05-18). Nuclear double standard as the pretext for war against Iran in alliance with Israel. wsws.org Israel's nuclear programme dates to the 1950s, when Prime Minister David Ben‚ÄëGurion established the Dimona reactor with French assistance, supplemented by heavy water from Norway and the UK.
(2026-05-18). Gas prices are rising. So is public transit ridership. grist.org Higher gas prices are bringing some Americans back to public transit. | The increase in ridership comes as the war in Iran has disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing the national average price of gasoline beyond Rising fuel prices have historically pushed at least some Americans toward buses and trains, particularly commuter rail. But experts caution that decades of car-oriented development and inconsistent…
(2026-05-18). Iran war saddles global companies with $25 billion bill — and counting. tribune.com.pk 
The US-Israeli war with Iran has already cost companies around the world at least $25 billion, and the bill is climbing, according to a Reuters analysis. | A review of corporate statements since the start of the conflict by companies listed in the United States, Europe and Asia shows businesses grappling with soaring energy prices, fractured supply chains, and trade routes disrupted by Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz. | At least 279 companies have cited the war as a trigger for defensive actions to blunt the financial hit, including price increases and production cuts, the analysis shows. Others have…
(2026-05-18). Alexander Zevin: Trump's Gulf War. newleftreview.org Asymmetries of the US-Israeli assault on Iran, as an uneasy balance holds between Tehran's tourniquet on the Strait of Hormuz—and the world economy—and the enormous firepower of the aggressors, at the end of the first round.
(2026-05-18). Ghalibaf Named China Envoy: Are Iran-Beijing Ties Deepening? juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — On May 16, Iranian speaker of Parliament Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf "The world stands at the cusp of a new order. | As President Xi said 'The transformation unseen in a century is accelerating across the globe,' and I emphasize that the Iranian nation's 70-day resistance has accelerated this transformation. | The future belongs to the Global South." | Ghalibaf was referring to a passage in the
(2026-05-18). Iran War Economic Impact: Gulf States Count the Cost. juancole.com The Conversation) — The US and Israel's war on Iran has cast a long shadow over the Gulf. It has placed many of the economies that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regional grouping — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia — under substantial strain. | Since the war began in February, the World Bank has downgraded its 2026 GDP growth forecast for the reg…
(2026-05-18). After Offering 'No Tangible Concessions' in Iran Peace Talks, Trump Issues Latest Violent Threat. scheerpost.com Julia Conley for Common Dreams With the economic impact of the war on Iran linked to President Donald Trump's plummeting approval rating, the president issued his latest threat to destroy the Middle Eastern country Sunday as he demanded negotiators "get moving, FAST" to end the conflict the US and Israel began by choice in February. "For Iran, …
(2026-05-18). Explained: Multi-dimensional Implications of US/Israel War on Iran. ummid.com Far from reviving American supremacy, the Iran conflict exposed the limits of coercive power in an age where history is no longer shaped by a single empire, but by competing centres of influence struggling to define a new world order.
(2026-05-18). US weighs drone threat from Cuba: report. tribune.com.pk 
Cuba has obtained more than 300 military drones and recently began discussing plans to use them to attack the US base at Guantanamo Bay, US military vessels and possibly even Florida, Axios reported Sunday, citing classified intelligence. | The report comes as tensions simmer between Washington and Havana and amid speculation that the United States may be building an argument for military action against the communist-run island. | The development underscores the Trump administration's concern with the threat from Cuba because of developments in drone warfare and the presence of Iranian military advisers in Hav…
(2026-05-18). Trump calls off new Iran attack at request of Gulf states. scmp.com US President Donald Trump said he has called off strikes on Iran planned for Tuesday at the urging of Gulf leaders as "serious negotiations" for a deal to end the war were underway. | Trump said in a social media post on Monday that leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have asked that the US "hold off on our planned Military attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow, in that serious negotiations are now taking place".
(2026-05-18). Iran court to hear case against director Panahi after return. newarab.com 
(2026-05-18). Kenyan police kill 4 protesters amid nationwide shutdown over fuel hikes prompted by US war against Iran. wsws.org In working-class areas, anger spilled into the streets. Protesters blocked the Nairobi-Tanzania road in Kitengela and Githurai, while demonstrations also erupted in Madaraka, Nyandarua, Rongai and Narok, where protesters pelted police with stones.
(2026-05-18). How the failure of Trump's Caucasus corridor helped spare Armenia. responsiblestatecraft.org Among the many unintended consequences of President Donald Trump's disastrous decision to launch a war on Iran is the
(2026-05-18). Soccer- Azmoun left out of preliminary Iran World Cup squad. newarab.com 
(2026-05-18). 'Staggering' Iran toll drives up global executions: Amnesty. newarab.com 
Amnesty said it had confirmed the executions of at least 2,707 people globally in 2025. Of these cases, 2,159 were in Iran, a figure more than double that of 2024, Amnesty said. | But the UK-based rights group said that, as in previous years, its total "does not include the thousands of executions" that it believed were carried ou…