GRANTS, N.M. – The United States and Iran remain at an impasse as negotiations continue without a clear breakthrough, while Iran is taking new steps to formalize its claimed authority over transit through the Strait of Hormuz – the strategic shipping corridor at the center of this war’s economic and security pressure.
According to the latest daily updates from the Institute for the Study of War and the Critical Threats Project, Iran’s newest counterproposal does not appear to meet U.S. demands, and U.S. officials told Axios on May 18 that Iran’s proposal contains no commitment to suspend uranium enrichment or hand over its existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium. ISW-CTP reported that U.S. demands have been that Iran must give its highly enriched uranium to the United States, dismantle nuclear facilities, and pause uranium enrichment for at least 20 years.
Against that backdrop, President Donald Trump announced May 18 that he canceled a scheduled U.S. military strike planned for May 19, after leaders in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates asked for a short pause due to ongoing negotiations and concerns over Iranian retaliation. Trump said he directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the U.S. military to remain ready to launch a “full, large-scale assault” on short notice if negotiations fail.
While talks remain uncertain, ISW-CTP reported Iran is continuing to institutionalize its claimed “control” over the Strait of Hormuz. A newly established body – the Persian Gulf Strait Authority – stated May 18 that it is the legal authority for managing transit and warned that passage without authorization would be considered illegal. ISW-CTP noted this is presented by Iran as “legal” under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, while the update cites the convention’s provisions guaranteeing transit passage through international straits and prohibiting bordering states from hampering passage. Iranian state media, according to ISW-CTP, highlighted that 1,500 vessels are waiting for Iranian permission to transit.
ISW-CTP also reported that Iranian state-linked outlets are threatening commercial and digital activity connected to Hormuz, including discussion of permits and fees related to subsea fiber-optic cables that support communications between Asia, the Gulf, and Europe.
On enforcement at sea, ISW-CTP reported U.S. Central Command said May 18 that U.S. forces have redirected 85 commercial vessels and disabled four since the blockade of Iranian ports began April 13.
Elsewhere in the region, ISW-CTP reported a major Israeli airstrike in Lebanon that killed a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander near Baalbek, and reported drone activity linked to Iraqi militias targeting Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, in recent days.
In Remembrance
The following 13 U.S. service members gave their lives for our Freedom in this conflict. The Cibola County community honors their service and holds their families in our thoughts.
Drone attack in Kuwait March 1, 2026
• Capt. Cody A. Khork
• Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens
• Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor
• Sgt. Declan J. Coady
• Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien
• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan Attack in Saudi Arabia March 1, 2026
• Sgt. Benjamin Pennington KC-135 crash in Iraq March 12, 2026
• Maj. John A. Klinner
• Capt. Ariana G. Savino
• Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt
• Capt. Seth R. Koval
• Capt. Curtis J. Angst
• Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons