Iran’s Supreme Leader orders enriched uranium to remain in country, deepening diplomatic impasse as Republican leaders pull War Powers vote
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a directive that the country’s near-weapons-grade uranium must not be transferred abroad, directly challenging one of Washington’s core demands and threatening to derail ceasefire negotiations, two senior Iranian sources told Reuters. The move comes as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged “good signs” in peace talks, while Republican leaders in the House of Representatives abruptly cancelled a scheduled vote that would have curtailed President Trump’s war powers over Iran.
War Powers Vote Pulled at the Last Moment
Republican leaders withdrew a planned War Powers Resolution vote after several party members were absent, leaving the measure on course to pass with bipartisan support. Had it succeeded, the resolution would have legally required the President to end military operations in the Middle East.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar issued a joint statement condemning the decision. “Republicans cowardly pulled a scheduled vote on a War Powers Resolution — legislation that would have passed with bipartisan support and required the President to end the conflict in the Middle East,” they said.
Democrats have pressed for such votes in both chambers in recent weeks, with a growing number of Republicans joining the effort as the conflict in Iran continues.
Rubio Cautiously Optimistic, But Warns on Hormuz Tolls
Speaking ahead of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Sweden, Rubio told reporters there had been measurable progress in indirect talks with Tehran. “There’s some good signs,” he said. “I don’t want to be overly optimistic… So, let’s see what happens over the next few days.”
However, Rubio identified Iran’s proposal to impose a tolling system on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz as a significant obstacle to any agreement. “No one in the world is in favour of the tolling system. It can’t happen. It would be unacceptable. It would make a diplomatic deal unfeasible,” he said, adding that such a precedent would be replicated in waterways around the world.
The New York Times reported that Iran and Oman are in active discussions over a payment mechanism for Hormuz transit, despite explicit warnings from the Trump administration.
Pakistan Mediating Ceasefire Text Exchanges
Indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran are ongoing, with Pakistan serving as intermediary. Iran’s ISNA news agency reported that the two sides are exchanging draft texts and messages in an effort to establish a framework for agreement, with negotiators described as “very close.”
Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir is travelling to Tehran to support mediation efforts. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, on his second visit to the Iranian capital in under a week, met Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to review the latest proposals.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that message exchanges had taken place on the basis of Iran’s 14-point framework. “We have received the views of the American side and are reviewing them,” he said.
Trump Warns of Escalation; White House Threatens Further Strikes
President Trump struck a characteristically ambiguous tone on Wednesday, telling reporters at Joint Base Andrews that talks were in their “final stages” while simultaneously threatening harsher military action. “We’ll see what happens. Either have a deal or we’re going to do some things that are a little bit nasty,” he said.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller was more explicit, warning on Fox News that Iran would “face punishment from our military, the likes of which has not been seen in modern history” if it failed to agree to terms satisfactory to Washington.
Trump separately told the US Coast Guard Academy that American forces had destroyed the bulk of Iran’s military capacity. “Their navy’s gone. Their air force is gone. Just about everything. The only question is, do we go and finish it up?”
Shipping and Energy Markets Under Strain
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that 35 vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours — a fraction of the pre-war average of more than 100 ships per day. The IRGC insisted the route remained open “with coordination and security provided by the IRGC Navy,” a formulation that implicitly asserts Iranian control over an internationally recognised waterway.
Brent crude for July delivery rose to $107.98 per barrel on Thursday, up from $105.26 at Wednesday’s London close, as International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol warned that global oil supplies could be “entering the red zone” without progress on reopening the strait.
The FTSE 100 closed up 11.13 points at 10,443.47, with gains in mining stocks offsetting broader uncertainty.
Military and Intelligence Developments
A Congressional Research Service report found that 42 US aircraft have been lost or damaged in the Iran conflict, including three F-15E Strike Eagle jets worth a combined $300 million downed by friendly fire.
NATO intelligence officials believe Russia is developing underwater nuclear missile systems potentially concealed on the Arctic seabed, according to separate reports — a development that adds a further layer of complexity to the alliance’s strategic calculus.
Iran executed two individuals on charges including forming armed groups to destabilise national security and membership of a terrorist organisation, according to the Tasnim news agency.
Allied Tensions and NATO Frictions
Rubio used his journey to Sweden to criticise NATO allies for “going into hiding” during the Iran conflict, saying the White House was “very upset” with the alliance’s passivity. While he declined to name specific countries, President Trump has previously attacked the UK’s reluctance to participate, deriding the Royal Navy and accusing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of weakness. Reports subsequently emerged that Washington was considering revisiting its position on British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands in response.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was among those expected to attend the NATO meeting in Sweden.
Trump announced on Thursday that the United States would deploy an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, citing his relationship with newly elected Polish President Karol Nawrocki. The announcement reversed signals from Vice President JD Vance just two days earlier, who had indicated the deployment had been delayed.
Lebanon and Regional Spillover
Hezbollah claimed more than 20 attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, 20 May. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli forces struck eight towns with air strikes and heavy gunfire. Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,089 people in Lebanon and injured at least 9,397 since 2 March, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
Israeli forces also reportedly targeted an area in the western countryside of Syria’s Deraa province, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency, with no immediate casualty figures available.
Iran’s Internet Blackout Enters 83rd Day
Iran’s near-total internet shutdown has now lasted 83 days, according to global monitor NetBlocks. Authorities first cut access for the country’s 92 million citizens on 8 January as domestic protests intensified, partially easing restrictions on 28 January before imposing a fresh blackout when US-Israeli strikes began on 28 February.