The United States is evacuating some diplomatic staff from its embassy in Iraq and authorizing the voluntary return of dependents from Bahrain and other Middle Eastern locations amid deteriorating nuclear negotiations with Iran. The move signals growing concern over regional instability and the potential collapse of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Russia announced on Monday the formation of a new cybersecurity alliance with 11 authoritarian-leaning nations, including Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, North Korea, Iran, and China’s allies. The pact, titled “International Cooperation in the Field of Information Security,” seeks to promote a state-controlled model for internet governance and digital policy under the United Nations.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf declared solidarity with Venezuela’s socialist regime during a visit to Caracas on Sunday, vowing to stand against “global arrogance” — a thinly veiled reference to the United States. The trip marks part of a broader Latin American tour, including stops in Cuba and Brazil, and participation in the Parliamentary Forum of the BRICS bloc.
A confidential International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report has concluded that, as of May 17, Iran has stockpiled 408.6 kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity, representing a 50% increase since February.
The Trump administration has presented Iran with a new nuclear deal proposal, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Saturday. The plan, delivered by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, marks the first formal offer from the U.S. since negotiations restarted in early April.
Iran, China, and Russia have convened to coordinate their positions on Iran's nuclear program, raising concerns about a unified front opposing U.S. efforts.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed skepticism about the success of ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States, stating that while talks are proceeding, they may ultimately prove fruitless.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared on Sunday that Tehran will persist in enriching uranium irrespective of any nuclear agreement with the United States.
A New York court has sentenced Hadi Matar to 25 years in prison, the maximum sentence, on May 16, for the attempted murder of author Salman Rushdie during a 2022 literary event.
On May 17, 2025, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly accused President Donald Trump of dishonesty regarding his stated intentions for peace in the Middle East.
