Iran reviews latest U.S. response as tensions escalate at Hormuz

Iran's state media reported on May 21 that the Foreign Ministry is reviewing the U.S. response to a proposal to end the war, transmitted through Pakistan as a mediator. President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that 'all diplomatic avenues with the U.S. are open on our side,' while warning that any attempt to force Tehran to capitulate through pressure or threats is an 'illusion.'

Meanwhile, Iran's newly established Persian Gulf Strait Management Authority announced the creation of a 'monitoring zone' in the Strait of Hormuz, requiring all vessels to obtain permission before transiting this strategic waterway. Iran's Nour News quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirming that Tehran is evaluating the latest Washington response after multiple rounds of exchanges via Pakistan, based on Iran's original '14-point' proposal.

Parliament Speaker and lead Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the U.S. of seeking to rekindle conflict and force Tehran to surrender. 'The enemy's actions, both overt and covert, show that despite economic and political pressure, they have not abandoned their military objectives and are planning to start a new war,' Ghalibaf said in an audio message posted on his official website.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy reported that it allowed 26 vessels, including oil tankers and container ships, to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours, after 'coordination and security assurance by the IRGC.' The Persian Gulf Strait Management Authority warned that 'transit without permission will be considered illegal,' raising new concerns over global trade and energy flows through one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints.

On the diplomatic front, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi traveled to Tehran for the second time this week amid the standoff between Tehran and Washington over a proposal to end the conflict, according to diplomatic sources in Islamabad. In the United States, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller warned that Tehran faced a choice between accepting a U.S.-backed deal or facing military consequences 'unprecedented in modern history.' President Donald Trump said that the U.S. and Iran were 'on the brink' between reaching a deal and resuming war, and declared he would give diplomacy 'a few more days.'

In Israel, military Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said the army is at its highest state of combat readiness as tensions escalate. A wave of international criticism grew after far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted video showing activists from the Gaza aid flotilla detained by Israeli forces. Australia, Italy, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Canada, Belgium, as well as the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Ireland, Turkey, and Qatar condemned the treatment of the activists or summoned Israeli ambassadors in protest.

Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon have killed more than 20 people, even as a nominal ceasefire agreement remains in place. Hezbollah claimed 24 attacks against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon on May 20. Jordan announced it shot down an unidentified drone that violated its airspace in Jerash province, about 50 km from the capital Amman; no casualties were reported.

The United Arab Emirates called on Iraq to 'immediately and unconditionally stop all hostile acts emanating from its territory' after accusing armed groups inside Iraq of being behind a drone attack targeting a UAE nuclear plant. In a separate development, the U.S. Treasury lifted sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, after a federal judge temporarily blocked the measure.