U.S. journalist Alex Marquardt has warned that President Donald Trump’s patience over the Iran issue is wearing thin, heightening concerns about a possible new American attack on the country. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Marquardt said Trump had earlier delayed a strike on Iran at the request of close Gulf allies, but the likelihood of reaching any agreement now appears remote.

Marquardt cautioned against relying on Trump’s two-to-three-day deadline given to Iran for reaching a deal, noting that sources in Washington believe the president’s patience is clearly diminishing. He added that a ceasefire has been in place for several weeks, with both sides communicating indirectly through mediators including Pakistan, Gulf allies, and Turkey, but no real progress has been achieved.

According to Marquardt, if the current stalemate continues, there remains a real possibility of renewed U.S. military strikes, which could extend beyond military targets to include civilian infrastructure such as power grids and bridges.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that discussions with Iran are continuing over the May 4 attack on the South Korean-operated vessel HMM Namu in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Yonhap News Agency, ministry spokesperson Park Il stated that necessary measures will be taken once the investigation concludes. The incident caused an explosion and fire on the ship, leaving one crew member slightly injured.

A previous government investigation found that two flying objects struck the vessel, and debris from the site is being analyzed to identify the objects and those responsible. Park Il added that Seoul will maintain communication with Tehran and take appropriate steps, including providing explanations to Iran if new information emerges.

South Korean officials have accused Iran of involvement, but Tehran has denied responsibility. The ministry emphasized that ensuring the safety and free navigation of South Korean ships and crew in the region remains its top priority, with diplomatic efforts ongoing to achieve that goal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin received a ceremonial welcome in Beijing on May 20, 2026, identical in formality to that given to U.S. President Donald Trump a week earlier. Despite expectations of a modest reception, China rolled out a red carpet and fired a 21-gun salute for Putin. Children waved Russian and Chinese flags while chanting greetings. The only difference from Trump’s visit was the welcoming official: Vice President Han Zheng greeted Trump, while Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomed Putin.

Following the arrival, Putin met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People. Xi remarked that in an increasingly chaotic and dominance-driven world, China and Russia had deepened their political trust and strategic cooperation. He also called for a fairer and more rational global governance system.

Xi’s comments underscored Beijing and Moscow’s strong mutual confidence, contrasting with the lack of such trust between China and the United States, and reflected China’s advocacy for a multipolar world with reduced U.S. influence.

Following Iran’s weakening after Israel’s military operations since October 2024 and the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria, Israeli leaders now see an opportunity to consolidate regional dominance. Analysts cited in the report suggest that Israel’s policymakers increasingly view Turkey as the next major obstacle to their ambitions, given Ankara’s growing influence in post-Assad Syria and its opposition to Israeli expansionism.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described Turkey as a new Iran, accusing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of seeking to encircle Israel. Turkish analysts argue that Israel is developing a long-term strategy similar to its decades-long approach toward Iran. They note that Israel’s regional ambitions have expanded across Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Qatar, and Yemen, while Turkey perceives these actions as threats to broader regional stability.

Experts warn that direct confrontation between Israel and Turkey could emerge in Syria or the Mediterranean. However, Israel’s ability to act against Turkey is constrained by Ankara’s NATO membership and U.S. strategic interests. The rise of a Turkey–Egypt–Saudi Arabia–Pakistan alignment could further limit Israel’s regional dominance.

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that the United States and Israel had planned to bring former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad back to power if Iran’s Islamic Republic leadership collapsed following the outbreak of war. The report stated that early in the conflict, then-US President Donald Trump publicly hinted that new leadership could emerge from within Iran if Israeli strikes killed the country’s top leaders.

According to the report, US and Israeli officials specifically considered Ahmadinejad, once known for his hardline stance and anti-US rhetoric, as a potential post-war leader. The plan was reportedly initiated by Israel, which had also made contact with Ahmadinejad. However, after an Israeli strike hit his home in Tehran on the first day of the war, Ahmadinejad became disillusioned with the plan.

US officials cited in the report said that the broader regime-change plan in Iran quickly collapsed and became ineffective before it could be implemented.

At least nine people, including one woman, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon’s Nabatieh district, according to the country’s state news agency NNA. The attack also left at least 12 others injured, including two women. In a separate strike on the city of Hanaway in Tyre district, ten people were wounded, one of them critically. Another airstrike in the city of Marakeh injured seven people, including a child and three women.

The series of attacks comes amid rising tensions along the southern Lebanese border, where Israeli strikes and cross-border hostilities have intensified in recent weeks. The escalation has heightened regional concern over the growing instability in the area.

According to the report, the continued airstrikes and mounting casualties have deepened fears of further conflict spreading across southern Lebanon.

The ongoing war with Iran has exposed long-standing weaknesses in the United States’ weapons production and military supply systems. Despite possessing advanced technology, the US defense industry is struggling to meet battlefield demands quickly. A New York Times report cited that producing a Patriot interceptor missile takes about 36 months and costs roughly $4 million each, while Iran produces hundreds of low-cost drones monthly at around $35,000 apiece. The US has already used more than 1,200 interceptors, raising concerns about supply shortages.

The situation has revived former Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates’s criticism of the Pentagon’s expensive and slow weapons programs. Current Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is responding with a $1.5 trillion defense budget and plans to accelerate production. However, experts argue that increasing the budget alone will not solve the problem, emphasizing the need for structural reforms in procurement and production systems.

Analysts warn that without rapid reform, the US may struggle to maintain its “unmatched military capability” in future conflicts.

The bodies of four expatriate brothers who died mysteriously inside a car in Oman’s South Al Batinah region have arrived in Bangladesh. The remains reached Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. Member of Parliament Hummam Quader Chowdhury handed over the bodies to their relatives at the airport, expressing condolences and praising the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and the embassy for arranging the repatriation swiftly.

According to the report, the ministry provided financial assistance of 35,000 taka per body for transportation and burial. The four brothers—Rashedul Islam, Sahedul Islam, Sirajul Islam, and Shahidul Islam—were sons of the late Jamal Uddin from Banderaj Para village in Lalangar Union, Rangunia, Chattogram. Their bodies were taken to Rangunia on Tuesday night, and they were scheduled to be buried after funeral prayers on Wednesday morning.

Earlier, on May 13, the brothers reportedly died from suffocation caused by toxic air conditioner gas inside their car in Oman’s Al Muladdah area.

The United Nations has reiterated its call for all parties to respect the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, following reports of deadly Israeli strikes and retaliatory attacks by Hezbollah. At a briefing in New York, UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that while the situation is relatively less violent, the organization continues to urge adherence to the ceasefire and not to disregard it.

Dujarric stated that by 4 p.m. local time, the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL, had recorded 206 artillery rounds fired from Israeli positions and tracked seven attacks believed to have originated from Hezbollah. UNIFIL also detected five airstrikes within its operational area.

The UN’s renewed appeal highlights ongoing tensions despite the existence of a ceasefire, as both sides exchange fire in southern Lebanon. The organization emphasized the importance of maintaining calm and preventing further escalation.

Iran has presented a new peace proposal to the United States, according to Iranian state media reports on Tuesday. The proposal includes halting hostilities on all fronts including Lebanon, withdrawing U.S. troops from areas surrounding Iran, and compensating for damages caused by the recent U.S.-Israel conflict. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that Tehran also demands the lifting of sanctions, release of frozen Iranian funds, and an end to the U.S. naval blockade.

Iranian officials said the proposal aims to reduce regional tensions and end ongoing conflicts. Analysts noted that the conditions are not significantly different from Iran’s previous positions. Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump had rejected an earlier Iranian offer, calling it “garbage.” However, after receiving the new proposal, Trump announced that a planned strike on Iran had been temporarily suspended and expressed optimism about reaching an agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear program.

A Pakistani source indicated that Islamabad has been mediating between the two sides and helped deliver Tehran’s new proposal to Washington after hosting a round of peace talks last month.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting Beijing to mark the 25th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. The visit follows a long history of close ties between Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who have described each other as best friends. Despite the ceremonial tone, analysts note that the relationship is increasingly unequal, with China setting most of the terms due to its stronger economy and global position.

Experts cited in the report describe Russia as being heavily influenced by China, particularly in trade, technology, and energy, as Western sanctions have pushed Moscow closer to Beijing. China remains Russia’s largest trading partner, while Russia supplies vital energy resources and military technology. The two countries avoid criticizing each other on human rights or political issues, maintaining a pragmatic partnership based on shared opposition to Western dominance.

Although the partnership is asymmetrical, analysts believe it remains stable in the short term. Both sides see continued cooperation as essential, given limited alternatives and mutual strategic benefits, especially in energy and defense sectors.

Qatar has stated that more time is needed for the ongoing diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran to achieve success. The statement was made on Tuesday, May 19, during a press conference in Doha, according to a report by Al Jazeera. Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Qatar supports the diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan to bring both sides closer and reach a resolution.

Al-Ansari emphasized that Qatar continues to support initiatives aimed at uniting the parties and finding a solution to the crisis. He reiterated that the process requires additional time to yield results. Qatar also confirmed that it maintains regular communication with both Washington and Tehran and intends to continue these contacts in the future.

The statement reflects Qatar’s ongoing role as a facilitator in regional diplomacy, underscoring its commitment to dialogue and mediation between conflicting parties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin released a special video message before departing for a two-day state visit to China. The Kremlin published the message on Tuesday, according to BBC Farsi. In the video, Putin praised Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling him a 'good and old friend,' and stated that relations between Russia and China have reached an 'unprecedented high.' He emphasized that the close strategic partnership between the two nations plays a vital and stabilizing role on the global stage.

Putin said the cooperation between Moscow and Beijing is not directed against any other country but aims to promote peace and prosperity worldwide. The visit comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump’s trip to Beijing. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow is highly optimistic about the visit, which is expected to further advance the countries’ 'special partnership.'

This marks Putin’s 25th visit to China as president. Despite Western calls for Beijing to pressure Moscow over the war in Ukraine, the trip underscores the depth and strength of the Russia-China partnership.

Despite continuing talks aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis, Iran and the United States remain far apart on major issues. In a recent statement to Iran’s parliamentary national security commission, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi reaffirmed that Iran will not relinquish its right to enrich uranium. This stance has become a major obstacle, as the U.S. proposal requires Iran to halt uranium enrichment for the next two decades, a condition Tehran has rejected as excessively long.

Iran has also demanded that the U.S. guarantee an end to conflicts across all fronts, including Lebanon, before any nuclear discussions proceed. Washington has refused, saying such assurances depend on progress in the talks. The two sides remain deadlocked over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran calling for the removal of U.S. blockades and the U.S. insisting that Iran must first ensure full freedom of navigation.

Additionally, Iran has demanded compensation for war damages, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Gulf region, and the lifting of all sanctions related to its nuclear program, human rights, and alleged terrorism financing. The U.S. has rejected these demands.

Bangladesh has joined several countries in condemning Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound humanitarian mission known as the Global Sumud Flotilla. The flotilla, carrying aid and over 50 vessels, was stopped by Israeli forces in international waters off western Cyprus, according to pro-Palestinian activists. The incident has drawn sharp reactions from multiple nations.

A joint statement released by Jordan’s Foreign Ministry included Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Spain, Brazil, Colombia, Libya, and the Maldives. The statement expressed deep concern for the safety of the flotilla’s civilian participants and called for the immediate release of all detained workers. Jordan’s ministry added that repeated attacks on peaceful humanitarian initiatives reflect Israel’s continued disregard for international law and freedom of navigation.

The participating countries urged the international community to take effective measures in response to the incident, emphasizing the need to protect humanitarian missions and uphold maritime rights.