Trump Renews Pressure as Iran Vows Retaliation Beyond Mideast

May 21, 2026, 4:19 AM UTC

The US and Iran traded threats of escalation as the weeks-long standoff in the Middle East dragged on without resolution.

President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday that the US was in the “final stages” with Iran, sparking investor hopes that a deal was close. Treasuries surged and oil dropped.

But the president also threatened to resume attacks in the coming days if Iran didn’t agree to his terms, repeating warnings he has made multiple times since the ceasefire took effect. Trump has repeatedly said the sides were close to an agreement, though none has emerged.

“We’ll either have ...

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