Even as President Donald Trump ratcheted up pressure on Tehran, saying he will decide on resuming strikes after holding talks with his envoys and regional leaders, Iran’s state media said on Saturday that the ongoing negotiations for a peace deal will not succeed if the United States does not show flexibility. Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, citing “an informed source close to the negotiating team,” said, “The Americans, although they have retreated from their initial approaches and accepted many of Iran’s positions, still have 3 serious sticking points that, if not resolved, the negotiations will not proceed.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-choose-self-respect-over-green-card-return-home-zoho-founder-sridhar-vembu-urges-indians-in-us-1779550610811">‘Choose self-respect over green card, return home’: Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu urges Indians in US</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🔴تازه‌ترین اخبار از جزئیات مذاکره: آمریکا انعطاف نشان ندهد، مذاکره شکست می‌خورد ۱/۶&mdash; خبرگزاری فارس (@FarsNews_Agency) <a href="https://twitter.com/FarsNews_Agency/status/2058221203354173818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The report said the first sticking point in the talks is the nuclear issue. It claimed that Iran has announced that it will not enter negotiations on the nuclear issue during this period. Tehran has set a condition that discussions on nuclear matters will be held only in the next round if the opposing side implements confidence-building measures fully. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-s-top-negotiator-ghalibaf-warns-us-of-crushing-bitter-consequences-if-it-foolishly-restarts-war-1779538273012">Iran’s top negotiator Ghalibaf warns US of ‘crushing and bitter’ response if it ‘foolishly’ restarts war</a> The second thorn is the issue of Iran’s frozen funds. Tehran has said that the blocked funds must be deposited and released, which is the second and fundamental condition for Iran’s entry into negotiations, and without this happening, it will not enter negotiations at all. The third issue mentioned in a series of posts by Fars News Agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was about Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said that though the United States insists that the strait must fully return to its previous condition, it is willing to commit itself only to returning the number of ships to the prior status. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-there-is-chance-iran-will-accept-a-deal-to-end-war-as-soon-as-today-says-marco-rubio-1779546574416">‘There is chance Iran will accept a deal to end war as soon as today,’ says Marco Rubio</a> The statement means that Iran says that it will determine the number of ships that are permitted to pass the strait. Tehran insists that ships must pass under Iran’s management and precisely along the route that it designates.

Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said in a series of posts on X that the US negotiators have retreated from their initial approaches and accepted many of Iran’s positions, but there are still 3 serious sticking points.

Even as President Donald Trump ratcheted up pressure on Tehran, saying he will decide on resuming strikes after holding talks with his envoys and regional leaders, Iran’s state media said on Saturday that the ongoing negotiations for a peace deal will not succeed if the United States does not show flexibility. Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, citing “an informed source close to the negotiating team,” said, “The Americans, although they have retreated from their initial approaches and accepted many of Iran’s positions, still have 3 serious sticking points that, if not resolved, the negotiations will not proceed.” Also Read: ‘Choose self-respect over green card, return home’: Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu urges Indians in US

Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said in a series of posts on X that the US negotiators have retreated from their initial approaches and accepted many of Iran’s positions, but there are still 3 serious sticking points.

‘Talks will collapse if the US doesn't show flexibility’: Iran’s media

Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir will visit Tehran on Thursday (May 21), as Iran examines the latest proposal by US to end the West Asia conflict, reported Iranian media. Without providing any details, Iran's ISNA news agency said Munir's visit was aimed at "talks and consultations" with Iranian authorities.&nbsp;The visit by Pakistan's army chief comes a day after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday (May 20).&nbsp;Pakistan is trying to mediate and broker a peace deal between US and Iran after the war broke out on February 28 with airstrike on Iran by US and Israeli military.&nbsp;Meanwhile Trump on Wednesday (May 20) warned that ceasefire agreement that is in effect since April 8 could end soon as diplomacy has failed to yield any results so far.&nbsp;Talking to reporters, he said, "If we don't get the right answers, it goes very quickly. We're all ready to go."&nbsp;Soon after the statement by Trump, Tehran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of threatening to start the war.<h2>"Conflict this time will spread beyond West Asia"</h2>&nbsp;While making the accusation, Ghalibaf warned of a "forceful response" from Iran and the Iran Revolutionary Guards said that the conflict if started this time would spread far beyond West Asia.&nbsp;Tehran as it examined latest proposal by US to end the West Asia conflict &nbsp;repeated Iran's demands for the release of its assets frozen abroad and an end to a US naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz and Iranian ports.&nbsp;

The visit by Pakistans army chief comes a day after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir will visit Tehran on Thursday (May 21), as Iran examines the latest proposal by US to end the West Asia conflict, reported Iranian media. Without providing any details, Iran's ISNA news agency said Munir's visit was aimed at "talks and consultations" with Iranian authorities. The visit by Pakistan's army chief comes a day after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday (May 20). Pakistan is trying to mediate and broker a peace deal between US and Iran after the war broke out on February 28 with airstrike on Iran by US and Israeli military. Meanwhile Trump on Wednesday (May 20) warned that ceasefire agreement that is in effect since April 8 could end soon as diplomacy has failed to yield any results so far. Talking to reporters, he said, "If we don't get the right answers, it goes very quickly. We're all ready to go." Soon after the statement by Trump, Tehran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of threatening to start the war. "Conflict this time will spread beyond West Asia" While making the accusation, Ghalibaf warned of a "forceful response" from Iran and the Iran Revolutionary Guards said that the conflict if started this time would spread far beyond West Asia. Tehran as it examined latest proposal by US to end the West Asia conflict repeated Iran's demands for the release of its assets frozen abroad and an end to a US naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz and Iranian ports.

The visit by Pakistan's army chief comes a day after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Pakistan army chief Asim Munir to visit Iran as Tehran examines latest US proposal

Global oil prices fell more than 5% on Wednesday after President Trump told reporters the US is in “final stages of Iran.” Trump had said, “We’ll see what happens. We’ll either have a deal or we’re going to do some things that are a little bit nasty, but hopefully that won’t happen.”&nbsp;US crude oil prices fell below $100 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate futures fell more than 6% to $97.74 per barrel by 12:58 p.m. ET. International benchmark Brent futures also lost nearly 6% to $104.62 per barrel.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-talks-in-final-stages-says-trump-warns-of-nasty-action-as-tehran-threatens-wider-war-1779296152964">‘Iran talks in final stages,’ says Trump, warns of ‘nasty’ action as Tehran threatens wider war</a>&nbsp;<h2>Stocks surge, S&amp;P 500 breaks three-day losing streak</h2>&nbsp;Meanwhile, stocks surged and the S&amp;P 500 broke a three-day losing streak. With Nvidia’s sales estimated to have grown at the fastest clip in more than a year, the shares led a rally in chipmakers. The advance in Treasuries sent long-term yields down from the highest since 2007.&nbsp;The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.9% as of 11.37 am. New York time, while the Nasdaq 100 rose 1.5%.&nbsp;The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9% while the Stoxx Europe 600 rose 1.5%. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index also rose 4.1%&nbsp;It all started when Trump, before boarding Air Force One to deliver a commencement address at the US Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut, said, “We’re in final stages of Iran.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-is-seeking-to-start-new-war-will-regret-it-says-iran-s-chief-negotiator-mohammad-ghalibaf-1779287982751">US is seeking to ‘start new war’, will regret it, says Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Ghalibaf</a><h2>Efforts to finalise US-Iran deal have entered decisive stage: Reports</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;Arab media outlets claimed that efforts to finalise a US-Iran agreement have entered a decisive stage. They reported that diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran intensified on Wednesday, with reports suggesting a draft agreement between Washington and Tehran could be finalised within hours.Al Arabiya, citing sources, reported that negotiations over the wording of the agreement were nearing completion. The report added that Pakistan’s army chief is expected to visit Tehran on Thursday to help announce the framework of the deal, while another round of negotiations may be held in Islamabad after the Haj season.&nbsp;However, no official confirmation has been issued by Washington or Tehran.Some reports even suggested that the announcement could come within hours as negotiations reach a critical point, but the development remains unverified by official sources.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-drawing-up-plans-to-counter-high-intensity-us-strikes-if-war-resumes-1779215850724">Iran drawing up plans to counter high-intensity US strikes if war resumes</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">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… <a href="https://t.co/1AVT0MudKY">pic.twitter.com/1AVT0MudKY</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2057144264526598381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;<h2>US Marines board, search Iranian-flagged tanker: CENTCOM</h2>&nbsp;US Marines on Wednesday boarded and searched an Iranian-flagged oil tanker that was suspected of trying to violate the US blockade of Iranian ports, US Central Command said on X.The tanker, M/T Celestial Sea, was heading toward an Iranian port.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistani-officer-claims-to-have-successfully-hit-2-non-existent-airbases-in-india-with-fatah-1-missile-1779221782711">Pakistani officer claims to have hit 2 non-existent airbases in India with Fatah-1 missile</a>&nbsp;US forces later released the vessel and told the crew to alter their course, according to CENTCOM.“US forces continue to fully enforce the blockade and have now redirected 91 commercial ships to ensure compliance,” CENTCOM posted.

Global oil prices fell more than 5% on Wednesday while stocks surged, as the S&P 500 broke a three-day losing streak. The S&P 500 rose 0.9% as of 11.37 am. New York time, while the Nasdaq 100 rose 1.5%. The advance in Treasuries sent long-term yields down from the highest since 2007.

Global oil prices fell more than 5% on Wednesday after President Trump told reporters the US is in “final stages of Iran.” Trump had said, “We’ll see what happens. We’ll either have a deal or we’re going to do some things that are a little bit nasty, but hopefully that won’t happen.” US crude oil prices fell below $100 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate futures fell more than 6% to $97.74 per barrel by 12:58 p.m. ET. International benchmark Brent futures also lost nearly 6% to $104.62 per barrel. Also Read: ‘Iran talks in final stages,’ says Trump, warns of ‘nasty’ action as Tehran threatens wider war Stocks surge, S&P 500 breaks three-day losing streak Meanwhile, stocks surged and the S&P 500 broke a three-day losing streak. With Nvidia’s sales estimated to have grown at the fastest clip in more than a year, the shares led a rally in chipmakers. The advance in Treasuries sent long-term yields down from the highest since 2007. The S&P 500 rose 0.9% as of 11.37 am. New York time, while the Nasdaq 100 rose 1.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9% while the Stoxx Europe 600 rose 1.5%. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index also rose 4.1% It all started when Trump, before boarding Air Force One to deliver a commencement address at the US Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut, said, “We’re in final stages of Iran.” Also Read: US is seeking to ‘start new war’, will regret it, says Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Ghalibaf Efforts to finalise US-Iran deal have entered decisive stage: Reports Arab media outlets claimed that efforts to finalise a US-Iran agreement have entered a decisive stage. They reported that diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran intensified on Wednesday, with reports suggesting a draft agreement between Washington and Tehran could be finalised within hours. Al Arabiya, citing sources, reported that negotiations over the wording of the agreement were nearing completion. The report added that Pakistan’s army chief is expected to visit Tehran on Thursday to help announce the framework of the deal, while another round of negotiations may be held in Islamabad after the Haj season. However, no official confirmation has been issued by Washington or Tehran. Some reports even suggested that the announcement could come within hours as negotiations reach a critical point, but the development remains unverified by official sources. Also Read: Iran drawing up plans to counter high-intensity US strikes if war resumes

Global oil prices fell more than 5% on Wednesday while stocks surged, as the S&amp;P 500 broke a three-day losing streak. The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.9% as of 11.37 am. New York time, while the Nasdaq 100 rose 1.5%. The advance in Treasuries sent long-term yields down from the highest since 2007.

Oil prices plunge 5% on US-Iran peace deal likelihood, stock markets go green

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said that the Islamic Republic had received a new US proposal on Wednesday (May 20). Further adding that the country is currently in the process of examining it, also noting a minister from mediator Pakistan visited Tehran. "We received the points of view of the American side, and we are currently examining them. The presence of Pakistan's interior minister is aimed at facilitating the exchange of messages," Baqaei told state television and was quoted by news agency AFP.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-ghalibaf-blockade-economic-pressure-will-not-compel-iran-to-surrender-1779291957516/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-ghalibaf-blockade-economic-pressure-will-not-compel-iran-to-surrender-1779291957516/embed</a>&nbsp; The statement signals that diplomatic back channels between Washington and Tehran remain active, with Islamabad playing a key intermediary role in shuttling communications between the two sides. Pakistan's interior minister's visit to the Iranian capital underscores the significance Islamabad has assumed as a go-between in what has proven to be a complex and delicate diplomatic process.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-is-seeking-to-start-new-war-will-regret-it-says-iran-s-chief-negotiator-mohammad-ghalibaf-1779287982751">‘US seeking to start new war, will regret it’: Iran’s chief negotiator Ghalibaf</a> Baqaei reiterated Iran's core demands in the ongoing talks, including the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad and an end to the US blockade on Iranian ports. These conditions have long formed the backbone of Tehran's position, and their restatement signals that Iran intends to hold firm on its key requirements as the two sides continue to trade proposals.&nbsp;The examination of the new American proposal suggests the negotiations remain in motion, even as the gap between the two sides' positions continues to define the pace and tone of the diplomatic process. Tehran's willingness to formally acknowledge receipt of the American points of view and to publicly confirm it is studying them could be read as a measured signal that dialogue remains a live option. Iran and the US have not held direct talks, with third-party nations such as Pakistan stepping in to bridge communication between the two governments. The role of mediators in such a high-stakes diplomatic process reflects both the depth of the mistrust between Washington and Tehran and the shared interest in finding a path toward a resolution that could ease tensions in the region. &nbsp;

Pakistan has officially transferred Iran's newly revised 14-point peace proposal to the US in a bid to rescue a fragile West Asia ceasefire. While Tehran’s draft focuses on ending hostilities and securing sanctions relief.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said that the Islamic Republic had received a new US proposal on Wednesday (May 20). Further adding that the country is currently in the process of examining it, also noting a minister from mediator Pakistan visited Tehran. "We received the points of view of the American side, and we are currently examining them. The presence of Pakistan's interior minister is aimed at facilitating the exchange of messages," Baqaei told state television and was quoted by news agency AFP. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-ghalibaf-blockade-economic-pressure-will-not-compel-iran-to-surrender-1779291957516/embed The statement signals that diplomatic back channels between Washington and Tehran remain active, with Islamabad playing a key intermediary role in shuttling communications between the two sides. Pakistan's interior minister's visit to the Iranian capital underscores the significance Islamabad has assumed as a go-between in what has proven to be a complex and delicate diplomatic process. Also read: ‘US seeking to start new war, will regret it’: Iran’s chief negotiator Ghalibaf Baqaei reiterated Iran's core demands in the ongoing talks, including the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad and an end to the US blockade on Iranian ports. These conditions have long formed the backbone of Tehran's position, and their restatement signals that Iran intends to hold firm on its key requirements as the two sides continue to trade proposals. The examination of the new American proposal suggests the negotiations remain in motion, even as the gap between the two sides' positions continues to define the pace and tone of the diplomatic process. Tehran's willingness to formally acknowledge receipt of the American points of view and to publicly confirm it is studying them could be read as a measured signal that dialogue remains a live option. Iran and the US have not held direct talks, with third-party nations such as Pakistan stepping in to bridge communication between the two governments. The role of mediators in such a high-stakes diplomatic process reflects both the depth of the mistrust between Washington and Tehran and the shared interest in finding a path toward a resolution that could ease tensions in the region.

Pakistan has officially transferred Iran's newly revised 14-point peace proposal to the US in a bid to rescue a fragile West Asia ceasefire. While Tehran’s draft focuses on ending hostilities and securing sanctions relief.

Iran ‘examining’ new US peace proposal in presence of Pakistani mediator: Esmaeil Baqaei

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‘Talks will collapse if the US doesn't show flexibility’: Iran’s media

Pak army chief Asim Munir to visit Iran as Tehran examines latest US proposal

Oil prices plunge 5% on US-Iran peace deal likelihood, stock markets go green

Iran ‘examining’ new US peace proposal in presence of Pakistani mediator: Baqaei