President Trump is facing mounting pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), global superpowers like China and Russia, and even apprehensive Gulf states to halt any military plans against Iran. Even American citizens are growing increasingly vocal as they witness the economic toll of the ongoing conflict. During his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping insisted that the war with Iran must end immediately, emphasizing that any resumption of military operations by the US and Israel would be unacceptable. Meanwhile, the IRGC has issued a chilling warning: should the US attack, the conflict will not be confined to the Persian Gulf but will expand to locations that "no one can imagine." Despite the military option remaining on the table, it is unclear who truly desires a renewed war—a reality that Trump is grappling with as he realizes the conflict has exposed the limitations and vulnerabilities of American hegemony on the global stage.
Mojtaba Khamenei's message: Iran's unique resistance against the US and Israel
Iran's supreme leader has declared that the nation is putting up a "unique" resistance against the US and Israel. Mojtaba Khamenei honored the second anniversary of the death of former President Ebrahim Raisi, who perished in a helicopter crash, stating that the country is demonstrating a "unique historical resistance against two global terrorist armies," referring to Israel and the US, as reported by the Fars news agency. "Today, we are facing the epics created by the Iranian people through this unique historical resistance against two global terrorist armies. This makes the burden of responsibility on the officials of the Islamic Republic—from the leadership and heads of branches to all levels of administration—heavier than ever," Khamenei stated in his message, emphasizing the importance of unity between the people, the government, and all institutions of the Islamic Republic to overcome economic and living challenges.
IRGC warning: We will take the war to places you cannot imagine
The IRGC has issued a clear warning to the US that if it repeats its attack on Iran, the war will extend far beyond the Persian Gulf. "The Zionist American enemy, which has not learned from the major strategic defeats it suffered at the hands of the Islamic Revolution and is once again resorting to threats, should know that while they attacked us with all the capabilities of two of the most expensive armies in the world, we have not yet used all the capabilities of the Islamic Revolution against them. If an attack on Iran is repeated, the regional war previously announced will this time extend beyond the region, and our crushing blows, in places you cannot even imagine, will lead you to absolute destruction," the Revolutionary Guard stated in their announcement, emphasizing that they are a nation of war and their power will be demonstrated on the battlefield rather than through empty statements.
Iran denies Ghalibaf's resignation
Iran has dismissed reports regarding the departure of Mohammad Ghalibaf from the leadership of the country's negotiating team. Iman Shamsaei, head of the Communication, Media, and Cultural Affairs Center of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, took to social media to refute claims from certain individuals and political circles that Ghalibaf had stepped down. "The new claim by certain persons regarding the removal of Dr. Ghalibaf from the leadership of the negotiating team is absolutely false and a blatant lie. It is a continuation of the same undermining line that until yesterday targeted military commanders and today turns against honored martyrs," Shamsaei stated, reaffirming that Ghalibaf continues to lead the negotiating team and has also been appointed as a special representative of the system for China affairs by the President and the Supreme Leader.
China-Russia joint message: Return to negotiations
The presidents of China and Russia have called on the parties involved in the Middle East to return to negotiations. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, issued a joint statement condemning the military strikes by the US and Israel against Iran. Russia and China characterized these military attacks as a violation of international law and the fundamental principles of international relations, stressing that they seriously undermine stability in the Middle East. Both nations underscored the need for the parties involved in the conflict to return to dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible to prevent further escalation of tension.
Al Manar: The end of US hegemony
One of the primary outcomes of the war with Iran has been the exposure of the limitations and weaknesses of American hegemony worldwide and its leadership position within NATO. According to Al Manar, the war launched by the US and Israel against Iran has revealed deeper shifts in the international order and the Western alliance system. The crisis highlights a gradual transition from unipolar leadership to a more multipolar and complex international order, where the role of rising powers is strengthened. The report suggests that the US's ability to impose strategic consensus is diminishing, as allies increasingly seek greater autonomy. Studies from the Harvard Kennedy School and the Council on Foreign Relations are cited to suggest that the US now struggles to mobilize broad international consensus even within its traditional spheres of influence.
Araghchi (Iran FM): New surprises await the Americans
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also spoke of "surprises" for American soldiers should a new attack on Iran occur. He noted that Tehran has "many more surprises" for the US if Washington seeks to restart "unprovoked aggression" against the Islamic Republic. In a post on X, the Iranian Foreign Minister noted that Iran will unleash these surprises by leveraging the "lessons and knowledge gained" from previous clashes with the US. Araghchi cited a recent US Congressional report, which he claimed records the massive financial cost sustained by the US Air Force during the last military confrontation with Iran.
42 aircraft lost in 40 days of war
According to the report, during Iranian retaliation, the US Air Force lost at least 42 aircraft within 40 days of conflict, with total losses estimated at approximately 2.6 billion dollars. American lawmakers warned that the actual economic cost might be significantly higher, as it remains "unclear" if the US Department of Defense has fully recorded all combat losses. The report also mentions that the long-term replacement cost may exceed 7 billion dollars, noting that some of the destroyed systems are no longer in production and manufacturing lines might need to be restarted.
Just one hour before the order
According to the narrative presented by President Donald Trump, he was just one hour away from ordering new attacks against Iran when he unexpectedly announced via social media on Monday, May 18, that he would give diplomacy more time. "They are fully equipped," he said on Tuesday, May 19, referring to the US fleet in the region, "and we were ready to launch." The exact proximity to renewed war remains ambiguous. While Trump claimed Gulf officials asked him to avoid new strikes, other sources indicated that new strikes were expected early this week, while others estimated they were not expected until the end of the week. Regardless of the timeline, Trump's decision to back down serves as another example of his tactic of threatening Iran with overwhelming force before suddenly changing course.
New… ultimatums
One day after his latest retreat, speaking in front of a massive construction site on the south lawn of the White House, the President set a new timeline for Tehran to reach an acceptable agreement that would end the war. "I'm saying two or three days, maybe Friday, Saturday, Sunday, maybe the beginning of next week," Trump said. Whether this new deadline will be met remains to be seen. Officials report that Trump is hesitant to restart the war, clearly preferring a deal, as military options would extend an unpopular and costly conflict that has already caused his approval ratings to plummet.
Trump is hesitant
However, despite Trump's claims of progress in negotiations, Iran has not publicly withdrawn some of its key demands. Moreover, with its enriched uranium stockpile hidden deep underground and part of its missile capabilities still intact, the war has not yet achieved Trump's goals, placing him in a difficult position as he considers his next steps. Attack plans have been discussed in the White House for at least the past week, but any action was "frozen" while the President was in China. Upon returning to the US, Trump discussed these plans with top advisors, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and special envoy Steve Witkoff at his golf club in Virginia.
Targets ready
The US military has already drawn up detailed operational plans for a new multi-phase air campaign against Iran, including selected targets, their coordinates, and the phases of the operation, according to two sources who spoke to CNN. "They were not kidding at all," one source stated regarding the advanced state of military preparation. As his frustration with the negotiation process grew, Trump began moving toward new strikes after receiving a list of options from senior military advisors, according to a person familiar with the plan.
Blocked… by the Gulf
As Trump prepared to give final approval, his administration contacted the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates individually, who pressured the US to avoid military action and give diplomacy a chance. A regional source indicated that the request related to the assessment that Iran would retaliate against Gulf countries if Trump restarted bombings, as it had done at the start of the war. While regional countries state they can still defend themselves, there is concern that a prolonged resurgence of conflict would deplete resources and leave both themselves and their critical energy infrastructure vulnerable. Trump admitted that the possibility of Iranian retaliation remains real. "They still have some capabilities," he said regarding Iran's ability to attack targets in the Middle East. "Not many, but they have a few."
No to further escalation
Saudi Arabia temporarily restricted US access to bases and airspace in response to Project Freedom—the short-lived American ship escort mission in the Strait of Hormuz—and lifted restrictions when Trump unexpectedly suspended the operation. Several Gulf countries have indicated they may become stricter regarding the use of their military bases and airspace by US forces if Trump ultimately decides on new strikes, a US official told CNN. Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia host significant US airbases in the region and may restrict access. The United Arab Emirates has also expressed opposition to new US military operations and may similarly restrict base access, complicating US operations significantly.
Unified front
In their recent calls for restraint, Gulf leaders presented a "unified front" against the Trump administration, according to another regional official. They emphasized to the US that there was "positive momentum" in mediation efforts led by Pakistan and that it would be wise to give diplomacy more time. The pressure seems to have worked. "I had already made the decision. They called me, they had heard that I had decided, and they said: 'Sir, can you give us a few more days? We think they are reasonable,'" Trump said.
No agreement
Whatever momentum exists in the negotiations is evolving mainly behind the scenes. Publicly, neither side shows a willingness to concede on issues such as uranium enrichment or Iran's ability to maintain stocks of near-military-grade uranium. After weeks of exchanging proposals, the latest Iranian proposal included no significant concessions on critical points, according to a source familiar with the talks. The issue of uranium enrichment remains a key point of deadlock.
Military plans remain ready
Despite Trump's decision to delay the attacks, plans against Iran remain available to military commanders and can be implemented at any time. The operation is expected to be renamed from "Operation Epic Fury"—which the administration stated is completed—to "Operation Sledgehammer," according to sources. NBC first reported the information. The name change may be an attempt to bypass the War Powers Act, which requires Congressional approval for the use of military force after 60 days, effectively resetting the 60-day clock for a new operation. Asked if the administration would seek approval from Congress in the event of resuming military operations, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the ceasefire, announced in early April and subsequently extended, effectively "froze" the 60-day countdown. "With the ceasefire, the clock stops. If operations restart, that will be the president's decision," Hegseth said in a press briefing earlier this month. "That option is always there, and Iran knows it."
Americans do not want war, costs hit 41.5 billion
The war in the Middle East has led to unexpected expenses for ordinary Americans. They are now paying more for literally everything, but authorities seem to ignore the risks and are not in a hurry to address the problem. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), gasoline prices increased by 51% on Sunday—the highest rate among G7 countries—reaching $4.51 per gallon. Diesel is also approaching historic highs: it increased by 54%, with an average price now at $5.65 per gallon. According to estimates by the Thomas Watson School of International and Public Affairs at Brown University, the total burden on consumers amounts to 41.5 billion dollars, or 316 dollars for every American household.
Increases everywhere
These costs exceed the budget of many federal programs. For example, the construction and repair of bridges and crossings across the country require 40 billion dollars, the modernization of air traffic control systems requires 31.5 billion, while full funding for the canceled electric vehicle charging infrastructure development plan would have cost 18.9 billion. Brown University Political Science Professor Jeff Colgan points out that the billions lost due to higher fuel prices could have been used much more effectively to modernize the transportation system, which is in real need of support. After fuel, prices increased for everything else—from food to airline tickets. Retail prices in April are rising at the fastest rate in three years, while wholesale prices are rising at the highest rate in four years, according to the Financial Times.
Ambiguous stance
The paradox is that the situation is not improving through domestic reserves or recently restored access to Venezuelan resources. "On one hand, the country acts as an oil exporter, but on the other as an importer, while domestic prices are determined based on the export netback principle, i.e., the price of the resource in the international market minus transport costs. Thus, the global rise in oil prices is partly beneficial for the US, as exporters earn more," notes Igor Yushkov, an expert at the Financial University under the Russian government. The problem, however, is that everything is becoming more expensive within the country, while the President's popularity is declining. Under Joe Biden, prices had also approached five dollars per gallon, a fact for which Trump had heavily criticized him. Today, prices are slightly lower, around 4.5 dollars. "As long as the psychological barrier is not exceeded, Trump remains a winner: with expensive oil, domestic production is strengthened and state revenues from exports increase, while in the event of a price drop, his promise for cheap fuel is fulfilled," Yushkov explains.
A different plan
To a large extent, it seems that Washington's main goal in the Middle East is restricting Beijing's access to oil, Yushkov estimates. "US intelligence agencies have identified China as the biggest threat to the United States, while Trump has repeatedly spoken about the need to contain China. And China was the main buyer of Venezuelan oil, while most of the exports from Persian Gulf countries were also directed toward Asia. By having stable access to cheap energy resources, China was gaining a strong industrial advantage over the US. Under these conditions, the restoration of American productive superiority becomes difficult," the expert estimates. However, the economic consequences of the conflict with Iran pushed Washington into dialogue with Beijing. "This creates the opportunity to limit the economic impacts of the war with Tehran, ensure support in negotiations, and avoid further deterioration of the situation," states Andrey Kogan, president of the China Cooperation Committee of the Association of Exporters and Importers.
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