President Donald Trump convened a high-stakes meeting with his national security team on Saturday, May 23, 2026, as the U.S. weighs a return to military strikes against Iran—a development that could reignite a three-month conflict and send global energy markets into further turmoil. With Iran reviewing a final U.S. diplomatic offer and the Pentagon preparing updated strike plans, the clock is ticking on a fragile ceasefire. Trump, who canceled plans to attend his son’s wedding and returned to the White House, has framed the standoff as a test of Tehran’s willingness to abandon its nuclear ambitions, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned of “crushing blows” if attacks resume.
Trump’s Redlines: What the U.S. Demands from Iran
The Trump administration has drawn a hard line in private and public statements, making clear that any deal with Iran must include two non-negotiables: the permanent dismantling of Iran’s nuclear weapons program and the elimination of its stockpiles of enriched uranium. As White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told CBS News, the president has “made his redlines abundantly clear.” The warning was echoed in a Friday social media post where Trump declared, “Iran is dying to make a deal,” while leaving open the possibility of military action if negotiations fail.
The administration’s ultimatum follows a two-week pause in hostilities that began after a temporary ceasefire in early April. During this period, indirect talks—mediated by Pakistan—have stalled over Iran’s refusal to surrender its enriched uranium reserves, a demand the U.S. insists is non-negotiable. Trump has given Tehran “a couple of days” to respond to the latest U.S. proposal, which was delivered Wednesday alongside a veiled threat: rejection would trigger a resumption of strikes. The president’s team, sources say, is “pretty impressed” by Iran’s negotiators but remains skeptical that Tehran will offer concessions substantial enough to prevent a relapse into conflict.
“The President always maintains all options at all times, and it is the job of the Pentagon to be ready to execute any decision the Commander-in-Chief could make.”
—Anna Kelly, White House spokesperson, via CBS News
In a closed-door briefing on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the U.S. position remains unchanged since the April ceasefire, stating that “any agreement must be verifiable and irreversible.” Rubio, who met with Pakistani officials in Islamabad earlier this month to relay the U.S. demands, described Iran’s negotiators as “professionally competent but ideologically inflexible.” Meanwhile, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who attended the Saturday meeting, provided a classified assessment warning that Iran’s domestic political factions are increasingly divided over whether to accept the U.S. offer, with hardliners in the Revolutionary Guard Corps pushing for a rejection to avoid perceived concessions.
The Pentagon’s Strike Plans: Targeting Iran’s Energy Lifelines
The Pentagon has already begun updating its military target plans, with a focus on precision strikes against Iran’s energy infrastructure and internal systems, according to Israeli National News. The preparations come as Trump, frustrated by Tehran’s continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a choke point controlling a fifth of global oil shipments—has grown more receptive to the idea of escalated military action to break the stalemate. While the president has publicly emphasized diplomacy, insiders suggest he is now seriously weighing a resumption of major combat operations, particularly after returning from a state visit to China where Iran’s ties to Beijing remained a contentious issue.
Military sources indicate that hundreds of U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East have already adjusted their schedules in anticipation of potential strikes, with recall rosters being updated for installations overseas. The moves reflect concerns about Iranian retaliation, which could further destabilize the region. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stark warning: any further U.S. or Israeli strikes would provoke a response that would “widen the conflict beyond the Middle East”, delivering “crushing blows… in places you cannot even imagine,” as the IRGC stated Wednesday.
Defense officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the U.S. has pre-positioned additional B-2 Spirit stealth bombers at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in the Persian Gulf to enhance strike capabilities. The Pentagon’s updated contingency plans, reviewed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday, prioritize disabling Iran’s oil export terminals in the Abadan and Kharg Island areas, as well as targeting its uranium enrichment facilities in Natanz and Fordow. Admiral Christopher Grady, commander of U.S. Central Command, briefed Trump on these options during the Saturday meeting, noting that “the window for surgical strikes is narrowing due to Iran’s ongoing military buildup along the Strait of Hormuz.”
Diplomacy on the Brink: Pakistan’s Role and Trump’s Ultimatum
The latest U.S. proposal, delivered via Pakistan—a key intermediary in the talks—was accompanied by a final warning: Iran’s rejection would mean the immediate resumption of military strikes. Trump’s team, according to CBS News, is monitoring Tehran’s response closely, with a decision expected within “a couple of days”. The president’s public remarks—including his claim that Iran is “dying to make a deal”—suggest a mix of diplomatic pressure and military deterrence, a strategy that has left Iran’s negotiators scrambling to meet U.S. demands without triggering a broader conflict.
Trump’s Saturday meeting with national security advisors, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and special envoy Steve Witkoff, was described by Israeli National News as a critical strategy session to chart the next phase of the confrontation. The gathering followed Trump’s return from China, where the Iran conflict—and Beijing’s potential role in mediating a solution—was a central topic. Sources close to the administration indicate that the delay in definitive action during the China visit was intentional, allowing Trump to assess President Xi Jinping’s willingness to facilitate a breakthrough. With that window now closed, the focus has shifted toward more coercive measures.
“The Clock is Ticking.”
—Donald Trump, in a Sunday ultimatum to Iran, via Israeli National News
Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who has been coordinating the indirect talks, told reporters in Islamabad that Iran’s leadership is “deeply divided” over how to respond to the U.S. proposal. Bhutto Zardari, who met with Iranian officials in Tehran on Thursday, acknowledged that “the Iranian side is under immense pressure from both hardliners and reformists,” adding that “a final decision is expected by Monday.” Meanwhile, Pakistani intelligence sources revealed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has convened an emergency meeting of the Assembly of Experts to discuss the U.S. ultimatum, signaling the gravity of the situation.
Regional Alliances and the Looming Shadow of War
Trump’s decision to reconvene his national security team early this week signals that the U.S. is preparing for multiple scenarios: either a final push for diplomacy or the imminent launch of strikes. The president has already spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to coordinate regional objectives, a move that underscores the growing alignment between Washington and Jerusalem on Iran policy. Netanyahu, in a statement released after the call, reiterated Israel’s stance that “any agreement with Iran must include the complete dismantling of its nuclear program and an end to its regional aggression.”
Meanwhile, intelligence officials cited by Fox News believe Iran is bracing for potential U.S. strikes, with reports suggesting Tehran is preparing for a resumption of hostilities amid frustration over its refusal to abandon nuclear ambitions. Iranian state media has begun airing documentaries glorifying the country’s military resilience, while pro-government rallies in Tehran and Mashhad have featured chants of “Death to America.”
The stakes could not be higher. A resumption of strikes would likely trigger Iranian retaliation, potentially targeting U.S. forces in the region or disrupting global oil supplies further. The Strait of Hormuz—already a flashpoint—could become the epicenter of a broader conflict, with ripple effects on energy markets and global economies. Trump’s public messaging, including a cryptic Truth Social post featuring an AI-generated graphic of stormy waters and a sinking Iranian ship, has amplified the sense of impending confrontation. The image, captioned “It was calm before the storm”, serves as a visual metaphor for the administration’s dual-track approach: diplomacy as a last resort, military force as the ultimate deterrent.
In a separate development, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly sent a private message to Trump expressing concerns about the potential for a wider regional war. According to diplomatic sources, bin Salman warned that “any escalation could destabilize the entire Gulf region and draw in other actors, including Russia and China.” The message was delivered through backchannels during Trump’s recent visit to China, where bin Salman also met with President Xi Jinping to discuss the Iran crisis.
What Comes Next: Three Possible Outcomes
The next 72 hours will be decisive.
- Diplomatic Breakthrough: Iran accepts the U.S. proposal, leading to a negotiated end to the ceasefire and a phased reduction in tensions. The likelihood remains low, given Tehran’s refusal to surrender enriched uranium. However, Pakistani officials have hinted that a last-minute compromise could involve Iran temporarily suspending uranium enrichment in exchange for partial sanctions relief.
- Escalated Military Action: The U.S. launches precision strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, prompting Iranian retaliation and a potential widening of the conflict. This scenario would send global oil prices surging and risk drawing in regional allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia. Defense analysts predict that Iran’s response could include attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, as well as cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.
- Prolonged Stalemate: Neither side acts, but the threat of strikes hangs over negotiations, keeping markets volatile and regional stability fragile. This outcome would allow the U.S. to maintain pressure while avoiding immediate escalation. However, the prolonged uncertainty could lead to economic disruptions, particularly in Europe, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil exports.
Trump’s team is reportedly “pretty impressed” by Iran’s negotiators, a rare acknowledgment that suggests the administration is not ruling out a last-minute deal. However, the president’s public framing—“Iran is dying to make a deal”—carries an implicit threat: time is running out. With the Pentagon’s strike plans already in motion and regional allies on high alert, the question is no longer if the U.S. will act, but when. The answer may come as early as this week.
The world is watching. And the clock is ticking.
The administration’s strategy of giving Iran “a couple of days” to respond will likely keep the military on high alert, ready to resume strikes if necessary, amid tensions between the two nations. Meanwhile, the White House has begun coordinating with European allies, including Germany and France, to ensure unified messaging and avoid unintended escalation. However, differences in approach—particularly France’s reluctance to support unilateral U.S. military action—could complicate diplomatic efforts.
