The United Nations conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) ended without consensus, partly due to Washington’s attempt to use the forum to address Iran’s nuclear program, according to a US-based nonprofit observer group. The Arms Control Association (ACA) stated that the failure to reach an agreement means there is now no mutually accepted limit on the size of Russian and American nuclear arsenals for the first time since 1972.

ACA Executive Director Daryl Kimball said that NPT member states missed a crucial opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to the treaty’s principles and goals at a time of rising nuclear risks. He noted that the ongoing dispute over Iran’s nuclear activities, complicated by the US withdrawal from the 2018 nuclear deal, could not be resolved within the NPT review framework.

Kimball added that the future of Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran insists is for civilian purposes, must be addressed through more sustainable diplomacy outside the United Nations process.

After four weeks of negotiations focused on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, United Nations member states failed to reach an agreement. The conference, held in New York, concluded without consensus, according to the presiding diplomat, Do Hung Viet of Vietnam. He told reporters that despite maximum efforts, the conference was not in a position to finalize its core mandate and that he would not present the draft document for approval.

A draft text seen by AFP stated that countries without nuclear weapons should never develop them. Delegates had been reviewing the decades-old Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), under which 191 nations agreed that only five countries—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—could possess nuclear weapons as of January 1, 1967. Currently, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea also hold nuclear arsenals.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), as of January 2025, about 90 percent of the world’s 12,241 nuclear warheads were held by the United States and Russia.

International efforts to reach an agreement between the United States and Iran have intensified, with the presence of a Qatari delegation in Tehran underscoring the sensitivity of the current diplomatic moment. Abdullah Bandar Al-Etaibi, an assistant professor at Qatar University, shared this assessment, noting the significance of Qatar’s involvement alongside Pakistan, which has been acting as a key mediator.

In a post on social media platform X, Al-Etaibi stated that several central issues remain unresolved, including the future of the Strait of Hormuz, limits on uranium enrichment, and the mechanisms for linking de-escalation to enforceable guarantees. He emphasized that Qatar’s role does not replace Pakistan’s mediation but rather expands trust and helps prevent communication channels from collapsing.

Al-Etaibi warned that the situation stands at a critical juncture, where either a preliminary agreement could open a political path while preserving the image of all parties, or a failure could escalate tensions further.

International analysts suggest that U.S. President Donald Trump is stepping back from the Iran conflict, interpreting recent diplomatic efforts and ceasefire initiatives as a form of strategic retreat. According to reports, Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington is discussing a letter of intent with Tehran to formally end hostilities and begin 30 days of talks on Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The crisis began in March when Israel attacked Iran’s Pars gas field, prompting Iranian strikes on Qatari energy facilities. Since then, Iran has demanded war reparations, unrestricted uranium enrichment, control over the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of sanctions. The Institute for the Study of War reported that Iran is consolidating control over the strait, signing transit deals with oil-importing nations and imposing fees on others.

Analysts warn that the international sanctions system could weaken as more countries negotiate with Tehran. Netanyahu reportedly expressed concern that Iran may emerge stronger after the conflict, potentially undermining Israel’s security and regional influence.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wedeful announced that Berlin is preparing to participate in a United Kingdom-led mission aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz. He clarified that Germany does not view this as a NATO mission. The statement was made on May 22, 2026, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Wedeful also welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy an additional 5,000 American troops to Poland. He urged the United States to proceed with its original plan to deploy long-range missiles in Germany. The German minister’s remarks came shortly after Trump reversed an earlier decision to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Poland within six to twelve months.

The developments highlight shifting defense alignments in Europe and renewed cooperation among Western allies over regional security and deterrence strategies, particularly concerning the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that no country should accept Iran’s attempt to impose a toll system in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a press conference in Sweden, where he attended a NATO meeting in Helsingborg, Rubio said Iran was trying to persuade Oman to join the proposed toll arrangement. He emphasized that such a move should be rejected by all nations.

Rubio also mentioned that there had been slight progress in discussions with Iran, though he cautioned against overstating it. He described the progress as a positive sign but reiterated that the core issue remained unchanged: Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. He added that the United States needed to continue addressing the matter of Iran’s enriched uranium.

The remarks came amid ongoing diplomatic efforts concerning Iran’s nuclear activities and regional maritime security, with Rubio underscoring the importance of maintaining international consensus on these issues.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran, according to semi-official news agency Tasnim. The two ministers reviewed the latest proposals intended to resolve remaining disagreements between the United States and Iran. Iranian state media IRNA reported that Naqvi also met President Masoud Pezeshkian, who praised Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional stability.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that Tehran is currently examining a new US proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. The proposal seeks to formally conclude hostilities and establish a broader framework for addressing unresolved disputes. One of the key outstanding issues remains the status of the Strait of Hormuz.

The meetings highlight ongoing diplomatic efforts involving regional and international stakeholders to reduce tensions and pursue a structured dialogue between Iran and the United States.

China has called on the United States to refrain from making threats of force and to stop using sanctions and judicial measures against Cuba. The appeal was made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a regular briefing on Thursday, where he emphasized that Washington should cease actions that undermine Cuba’s sovereignty.

Guo stated that China firmly supports Cuba’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and national dignity and opposes any form of external interference. His remarks came after the United States filed charges of murder and conspiracy against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft between Cuba and Florida, an incident that continues to strain U.S.-Cuba relations.

Cuba has rejected the U.S. charges as politically motivated, while China’s comments signal its alignment with Havana and opposition to U.S. pressure tactics in the region.

On May 21, China and Pakistan celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations, highlighting a partnership that began in 1950 when Pakistan became the first Muslim-majority nation to recognize Beijing’s communist government. The anniversary was marked in Islamabad’s Senate, where Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized the countries’ unified vision in the presence of a visiting Chinese parliamentary delegation. A resolution reaffirming their friendship was unanimously adopted, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to begin a four-day state visit to Beijing on May 23.

The relationship, analysts note, has been driven by strategic necessity rather than ideological alignment. It began with Pakistan’s 1963 border agreement transferring control of the Shaksgam Valley to China, signaling early trust rooted in mutual rivalry with India. Over the decades, cooperation expanded to nuclear and defense sectors, with China supplying up to 80 percent of Pakistan’s arms imports. Economically, the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has deepened ties but also increased Pakistan’s debt burden and security challenges.

In May 2026, Pakistan issued its first 250 million dollar “Panda Bond” in China’s domestic market, underscoring Beijing’s continued financial influence and strategic commitment to Islamabad.

The United States reportedly used about half of its advanced missile defense interceptors while defending Israel during its war with Iran, according to a Washington Post report published on May 22, 2026. The report stated that US forces launched more than 200 THAAD interceptors to destroy Iranian missiles targeting Israel, representing nearly half of the Pentagon’s total stockpile. Additionally, over 100 Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6 interceptors were fired from US naval vessels in the eastern Mediterranean.

The report added that Israel relied less on its own defense systems during the conflict. Israeli forces launched fewer than 100 Arrow interceptors and around 90 David’s Sling missiles. A US official, speaking anonymously, told the Washington Post that if another war with Iran breaks out, the United States may need to deploy even more interceptors because Israel has decided to withdraw some of its missile defense batteries for maintenance.

The information was originally cited by Middle East Eye, which referenced the Washington Post’s findings.

Iran has strongly condemned a joint US-Israeli attack on the Pasteur Institute of Iran, a historic medical research center in Tehran, calling it a clear war crime. The statement came from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, who said the assault targeted Iran’s civilian health, science, and basic survival rights. The attack reportedly occurred in March and left the facility completely inoperative.

Baghaei’s remarks followed a report in the medical journal The Lancet, which warned that the destruction of the institute posed a major threat to regional health security. According to the journal, the World Health Organization confirmed that the institute was rendered fully nonfunctional after the bombing and could no longer provide health services.

The report also noted that Iran’s public health system was already fragile due to years of international sanctions, and the airstrike further devastated its capacity to serve the population.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has released videos showing rescue operations following US and Israeli airstrikes in Iran. The footage, made public for the first time, depicts volunteers and workers pulling survivors from the rubble of multi-story residential buildings destroyed before the current ceasefire took effect.

According to a social media post by the IRCS, its relief teams rescued more than 7,200 people alive from beneath the debris between February 28 and April 8, during the period of active conflict. The videos highlight the scale of destruction and the humanitarian response amid the attacks.

The IRCS’s disclosure provides a rare glimpse into the aftermath of the strikes and the extent of civilian rescue efforts prior to the ceasefire.

Iran and Oman are continuing discussions on imposing tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, despite warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking at the White House, Trump said the waterway should remain free and described it as an international passage, rejecting any toll imposition. The Trump administration has condemned Iran’s potential move to charge for transit through the strait.

In an interview with Bloomberg in Paris, Iran’s ambassador to France, Mohammad Amin-Nejad, said both Iran and Oman must combine their capabilities to ensure maritime security and manage navigation efficiently. He added that providing these services would incur costs, and those benefiting from the traffic should contribute their share. Amin-Nejad emphasized that the proposed system would be transparent and aimed at addressing underlying issues affecting the region.

The discussions highlight ongoing tensions over control and security in one of the world’s most strategic maritime routes, with Iran and Oman seeking a cooperative framework despite U.S. opposition.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group, stationed in the Arabian Sea, is maintaining peak combat readiness amid the ongoing war with Iran. CENTCOM shared images on social media showing F-35 stealth fighter jets taking off from the carrier’s deck, underscoring the high operational alert of US forces in the region.

According to CENTCOM, US forces are fully prepared while enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports. The statement came as Pakistan continues mediation efforts aimed at ending the conflict between the United States and Iran. The timing of the announcement highlights the heightened military posture despite diplomatic initiatives.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned that Iran would face severe consequences if it refused to hand over its uranium stockpile to the United States, further intensifying tensions between the two nations.

The United States has temporarily suspended a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan in order to conserve ammunition for its ongoing conflict with Iran. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao informed lawmakers of the decision during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing on Thursday. The suspension follows a recent meeting in Beijing between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where the arms deal was a key topic of discussion.

Cao stated that the pause is intended to ensure sufficient ammunition for Operation Epic Fury, adding that the sale could resume when the administration deems appropriate. The final decision will rest with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Although the U.S. Congress approved the package in January, it still requires President Trump’s signature to take effect. Taiwan’s Prime Minister Cho Jung-tai said the island will continue efforts to purchase the weapons.

Analyst William Yang warned that the suspension could heighten doubts about U.S. support for Taiwan and complicate future defense budget requests. Trump also suggested the deal might serve as a bargaining tool in talks with Beijing.