Middle East Update: US-Iran Negotiation Gap Narrows but Agreement Still Challenging, Trump Once Again Threatens to Obtain Enriched Uranium

May 22: Earlier today, Iranian media outlets reported that a final draft of the U.S.-Iran agreement has been completed and is expected to be announced in the next few hours. However, Al Arabiya later disputed the reports, calling them fabricated. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo then clarified that while there has been progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations, a deal is not certain, and he doesn’t want to appear overly optimistic. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi firmly stated that Iran will not back down in the talks. ### United States U.S. Media: American intelligence indicates that Iran is rapidly rebuilding its military capabilities, which would pose a significant threat if bombing were to resume. U.S. Officials: Iran’s stance on the nuclear issue remains tough. Secretary of State Pompeo: “We have made some progress on the Iran issue and have seen some positive signs.” Former President Donald Trump has reiterated his threat, demanding Iran hand over its enriched uranium, and suggesting it be destroyed once received. ### Iran A political deputy with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy: “All armed forces are on high alert and fully prepared to respond to any aggressive actions by the enemy at any time.” Iranian President Raisi: The government will fully support the armed forces, and the military is demonstrating the country’s defense capabilities in this high state of readiness. A senior Iranian official refuted reports of “retaining enriched uranium,” stating that Iran’s position remains consistent and that dilution work will be carried out. ### Ceasefire Negotiations Iranian Media: Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Araghchi met with Pakistan’s Interior Minister to discuss indirect U.S.-Iran negotiations. Iranian President Raisi: There will be no concessions in the negotiations. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that they are evaluating the latest negotiation proposals from the U.S. Reuters, quoting Iranian officials, reports that no agreement has been reached yet, though the differences between the two sides have narrowed. Al Jazeera: The U.S. and Iran are very close to reaching an agreement, but it is still too early to determine if a final deal will be finalized. ### Strait of Hormuz – Iranian Revolutionary Guard Thirty-one vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours, per Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The Iranian side has noted that roughly 30 ships are currently seeking to pass through the strait. U.S. Central Command: As of May 21, Central Command has forced 94 merchant ships to change course and disabled 4 merchant vessels. Iran’s Ambassador to France: Iran and Oman are discussing the permanent imposition of a toll for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and reopening the strait will require all countries to pay this fee.