The Trump administration is reportedly preparing for a new round of military strikes against Iran. Military and intelligence officials have cancelled their Memorial Day weekend plans in anticipation of possible actions, sources told CBS News. A White House spokesperson affirmed that the President always maintains all options, and the Pentagon is ready to execute any decision from the Commander-in-Chief. As of Friday afternoon, no final decision to launch strikes had been made, but such a move would threaten the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, with peace talks stalled for nearly three months.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated there has been ‘slight progress’ in discussions with Iran, but admitted ‘more work to be done.’ He emphasized the need for NATO allies to prepare a ‘Plan B’ regarding the Strait of Hormuz, questioning what would happen if Iran decided to control and toll the vital waterway. Rubio also noted that while Trump prefers a good deal, concerns about Iran’s potential access to nuclear weapons, future uranium enrichment, and the Strait of Hormuz remain critical, and ‘if it doesn’t change, then the president’s been clear he has other options.’
Meanwhile, a four-week United Nations conference reviewing the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) concluded without an agreement, largely due to clashes between the US and Iran over Iran’s nuclear program. The US accused Iran of showing ‘contempt’ for its treaty commitments, while Iran countered that US and Israeli attacks on its nuclear facilities violated international law. Iran, a party to the NPT, has not granted IAEA inspectors access to nuclear sites reportedly bombed by the US last June.
In a related development, six Lebanese paramedics were killed in two Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon within 24 hours, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. This brings the total death toll in Lebanon to over 3,100 since Hezbollah entered the conflict on March 2nd. The Israeli military stated it struck Hezbollah infrastructure and militants, and is examining claims of harm to ‘uninvolved individuals.’
President Trump reportedly chose to skip his eldest son’s wedding celebration to remain in Washington, D.C., focusing on government business, including the ongoing situation with Iran. Peace talks between the US and Iran continue to be fraught, with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar involved in efforts to broker a peace agreement.
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