17.05.2026 00:30
As military and political tensions between the US and Iran rise once again, a striking post came from US President Donald Trump. He shared an AI-generated image showing Iranian-flagged warships advancing in a stormy sea behind him. The phrase 'This was the calm before the storm' in the image stood out.
Military and political tension between the US and Iran is rising again.
TRUMP'S "CALM BEFORE THE STORM" POST While claims in the US press suggest that attacks on Iran could resume soon, US President Donald Trump made a notable post on his social media account. The AI-generated image shows Iranian-flagged warships advancing on a stormy sea behind Trump. The phrase "This was the calm before the storm" in the image stood out.
IRANIAN PRESS: US RESPONDS TO TEHRAN'S 14-ITEM PROPOSAL The US administration has responded to Iran's written proposal communicated to Washington via Pakistan regarding ending the war. The Iranian press reported that Tehran's proposal is based on a two-stage negotiation process. The report stated, "The first stage in this process will lead to the end of the war on all fronts. If Iran's conditions are met, the second stage of negotiations regarding the nuclear issue will begin." It was noted that the US rejected Iran's proposal and maintained its "coercive stance," especially on the nuclear issue.
NEW TRANSIT MECHANISM FOR THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ Meanwhile, a notable step came from Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical transit points for global energy trade. Iranian Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Chairman Ebrahim Azizi announced that a new transit mechanism has been prepared to manage ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and will be unveiled soon. Azizi stated that only commercial ships and parties cooperating with Iran would benefit from this regulation. He also mentioned that fees would be charged for special services offered under the mechanism.
Ebrahim Azizi "EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE BEGUN NEGOTIATIONS TO OBTAIN TRANSIT PERMITS" Iran's state television announced that European countries are conducting talks with Tehran regarding the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The state television report stated, "We have received information that following the passage of ships from East Asian countries, especially China, Japan, and Pakistan, European countries have also begun negotiations with the Revolutionary Guard navy to obtain transit permits today." The report did not specify which countries were mentioned.
IRAN'S CLOSURE OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ AND THE US NAVAL BLOCKADE After the war that began with the joint US-Israel attacks on February 28, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic transit point for global energy, to passages. This decision led to an increase in oil prices of up to 65 percent compared to before the war.
After a ceasefire agreement reached between the US and Iran on April 8, talks brokered by Pakistan failed to yield results. US President Donald Trump then decided on April 13 to impose a naval blockade on Iran and began intercepting Iranian-linked ships entering and exiting the Strait of Hormuz.
On April 17, following a ceasefire in Lebanon, Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be open to commercial ship transit during the ceasefire, provided they coordinate with the Iranian navy. However, after the US announced it would continue its naval blockade, Iran stated it would reimpose restrictions on passages through the strait.
During this period, the US attacked and seized some Iranian commercial ships in the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean. In response, Iran intercepted and confiscated some ships, including one linked to Israel, near the Strait of Hormuz.