Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia \u2013 Tensions between the United States (US) and\nIran have again reached a nadir after the fragile ceasefire threatened\nto collapse within days. President US Donald Trump issued hardline\nthreats to launch a new, massive military strike into Iranian territory\nif a peace agreement is not reached. On the other hand, Tehran\u2019s\nmilitary leadership did not sit idly by, and prepared to retaliate by\nopening multiple new deadly fronts.<\/p>\n
Quoting a report from Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Tuesday (20 May\n2026), the war that erupted on 28 February has now entered a crucial\nphase after the ceasefire that has been in place since 8 April.\nRelations between the two nations have grown hotter as the negotiation\ndeadline tightens. The conflict has grown more complex, involving\nescalations in Lebanon and strategic attacks targeting nuclear\nfacilities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).<\/p>\n
Here are 11 crucial update points on the latest developments in the\nUS-Iran war:<\/p>\n
Trump Gives Two-Day Deadline<\/p>\n
Donald Trump revealed that he nearly ordered renewed air strikes on\nIran, but cancelled the order only an hour before execution to allow\ndiplomacy to proceed. Nevertheless, he emphasised that Washington\u2019s\npatience has a limit and set a very brief deadline for Tehran to agree a\npeace accord. If no deal is reached, the US is ready to deliver a much\nlarger follow-up strike.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said two or three days, maybe Friday, Saturday, Sunday, something,\nperhaps early next week, a limited time frame,\u201d Trump told reporters at\nthe White House on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know what it feels like negotiating with a country where you\ndefeat them comprehensively. They come to the negotiating table, they\nbeg to make a deal. I hope we do not have to go to war, but we may have\nto deal them another big blow. I am not sure,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Iran Ready to Open a New Front<\/p>\n
In response to the threat, Iran\u2019s military immediately replied with a\nequally terrifying warning. Teheran rejected Trump\u2019s bargaining position\nand asserted that the ceasefire has been used by them to build new\nmilitary capabilities. Iran also leveraged full control of the Strait of\nHormuz as a bargaining chip to choke global oil supplies in order to\npressure the US economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the enemy is foolish enough to fall into the Zionist trap again\nand launch a new aggression against Iran, which we love, we will open a\nnew front against it, with new equipment and new tactics,\u201d said Iranian\nArmy spokesman Mohammad Akraminia to ISNA.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Iranian military has used the ceasefire as an opportunity to\nstrengthen its combat capabilities,\u201d Akraminia added.<\/p>\n
US on High Alert<\/p>\n
US Vice President JD Vance, who has been central in negotiations that\nstalled in Pakistan, stated that the US military is now on full alert\nand ready for combat. While sceptical about a war unpopular with the\nAmerican public, he said channels of communication were being pursued to\nthe fullest extent to avoid armed confrontation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has been a lot of progress, but we will keep pursuing it, and\nin the end we will reach an agreement or not at all,\u201d Vance told\nreporters at the White House on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
This alert status aligns with Vance\u2019s earlier statements that the US\nmilitary position is locked and loaded and ready to blow at any moment\nif Iran violates commitments or refuses to negotiate.<\/p>\n
Domestic Pressure Reshaped for Trump<\/p>\n
In domestic political corridors, Donald Trump faces heavy pressure\nover the continuation of this war which has undermined his popularity\nahead of November\u2019s congressional elections. In the midst of a stagnant\neconomy, Americans are growing frustrated at rising living costs,\nincluding fuel for their vehicles.<\/p>\n
In light of this, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi\noffered sharp sarcasm on his official X account regarding the rhetoric\nissued by the US President. He said Trump is intentionally twisting\nfacts to mask domestic political anxiety.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrump\u2019s comments mean the US leader is calling a \u2018threat\u2019 an\n\u2018opportunity for peace\u2019!\u201d wrote Gharibabadi.<\/p>\n
US Senate Blocks War Powers<\/p>\n
The protracted escalation in the Middle East has also triggered\npolitical rifts in Washington, with the US Senate taking a symbolic yet\nstrong step to limit Trump\u2019s power to wage war. The resolution cleared\nan important procedural vote for the first time since the war began 11\nweeks ago, reflecting deep concerns over the cost of the conflict which\nhas thus far swollen beyond US$30 billion (Rp 531 trillion).<\/p>\n
\u201cThis president is like a toddler playing with a pistol with live\nammunition,\u201d said Senate Minority Leader from the Democratic Party,\nChuck Schumer, ahead of the vote on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there is a time to back our War Powers Resolution to pull troops\nback from hostility with Iran, now is the time,\u201d Schumer asserted.<\/p>\n
UN Security Council Condemns Nuclear Attacks<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, regional tensions rose further after a drone struck a\npower generator near the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE, in Abu\nDhabi, on Sunday. Abu Dhabi said the attack originated from Iraqi\nterritory, where pro-Iran groups have operated during the war.<\/p>\n
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) convened a session on\nTuesday to strongly condemn the attack.<\/p>\n
Even Russia, which has long been known as<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-iran-war-update-trump-presses-harder-un-responds-to-arab-nuclear-issue-1779545967", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }