Regarding Iran, Trump stated: "They are very good negotiators, they are smart... but I hold all the cards." While scenarios for an agreement are being examined, though not yet approved by either Iran or the US, attacks continue from both sides. Iran attacked US ships with four missiles, while the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) shot down another American MQ-9 drone. The US attacked the Iranian cities of Hormozgan and Bushehr, while Iranian air defenses were activated. At the same time, Trump and American officials see a path toward an agreement with Iran, but the Iranian side responds meaningfully: "Do not listen to the nonsense."
The Iranian side continues to maintain that the military defeat of the US has brought about major changes in the region and that "the vampire festival is over."
Iran struck US ships with 4 missiles, shot down an MQ-9 drone – The US hit Hormozgan and Bushehr
Visibility is limited; just as it is announced that an agreement between the US and Iran is approaching, missiles suddenly strike American ships and explosions are heard in Iranian cities. On May 29, 2026, Iran launched four missiles against American ships. Iranian defenses shot down an American MQ-9 drone, and explosions were heard in Hormozgan and Bushehr. In his statements, Masoud Tangestani, governor of Jam city in Bushehr province, stated: "What happened tonight was related to the destruction of a hostile aircraft. The city is now in a normal state." According to an Iranian military source, a missile shot down the American drone.
Iran shot down a US aircraft – CENTCOM: We deny it
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed in a statement that no American aircraft was shot down near Bushehr. However, Masoud Tangestani, governor of Jam County in Bushehr province, emphasized that what happened tonight was related to the destruction of a hostile aircraft. The Iranian Broadcasting Corporation emphasized that the reason for the explosion in Jam County was a defensive confrontation with hostile aircraft. An explosion occurred in the 7th Chah area of Jam County, Bushehr province, which is said to have been caused by the engagement of Iranian air defenses with American aircraft. The IRGC, the Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran, fired warning shots at four ships near the Strait of Hormuz. These ships were attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without coordination with Iran. The Middle East Spectator also reported in a breaking news bulletin that Iran may have launched one or more anti-ship missiles at American warships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran launched 4 missiles
Iranian armed forces launched missile attacks from the southern regions of the country toward specific targets. The exact destination of these missiles is still unknown, but some sources mention the possibility of a clash over the waters of the Persian Gulf. Following the attack by Israel and the United States on the eastern areas of Bandar Abbas, the base from which this aggression originated became a target for the armed forces of Iran. According to reports, the missiles were launched from the Shahid Shamran missile base in Bushehr province. This is why explosions were heard there.
Iranian air defense with Arash Kamangir... shot down an American MQ-9 drone
Unofficial reports also indicate that by using a new air defense system called "Arash Kamangir," Iran shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone near the Strait of Hormuz. Interest is focused again on Iran's defensive capabilities after months of American and Israeli attacks. The media also announced in an unofficial report that this system was used in operational conditions for the first time and is capable of detecting stealth targets, although no independent technical details regarding it have been published so far. The American drone is said to have been hit near Qeshm island.
Air defenses activated in Minab and Jam
Air defenses were activated in the outskirts of Minab and Jam in Bushehr province and attacked hostile targets. Local sources also reported hearing another explosion in the city of Jam, which is likely related to the engagement of the air defense.
Trump on Iran: They are very good negotiators, they are smart... but I hold all the cards
Trump, the head of the United States government, who is under pressure due to the failure of his war goals in Iran, claimed in an interview with Fox News that the US has all the "winning cards" in negotiations with Iran. In fact, Trump emphasized: "They are very good negotiators, but all the winning cards are in our hands, because we have defeated them militarily." As Trump said, the US defeated Iran militarily, pointing out that an agreement with Iran will be signed only if it is a good agreement for the US, as he said this is a red line for the US. Trump also claimed again that the Iranian navy had disappeared completely and that the Iranian air force had been destroyed entirely. "If we hadn't bombed Iran with B-2 bombers nine months ago, now they would have nuclear weapons."
J.D. Vance (US): There is progress in negotiations with Iran
US Vice President J.D. Vance announced progress in the negotiations with Iran, noting that Iran is... participating in a dialogue with the US in good faith. "We believe that they (Iran) are negotiating – at least for the moment – in good faith and we are moving forward," said J.D. Vance. However, the American Vice President acknowledged that the terms of the agreement have not yet been finalized, although he argued that the parties are close to an agreement. Vice President J.D. Vance refused to guarantee that the remaining issues will be resolved, but noted that he remains "fairly optimistic." The US Secretary of State, Rubio, stated that there is a high probability for an interim agreement with Iran on the nuclear issue. Previously, the Washington Post reported that the framework agreement, which has not yet been approved by the Iranian side, provides for the abandonment of high-enriched uranium stocks. However, Iran categorically denied any plan to remove the uranium.
Diplomatic fever – Rubio (US Secretary of State) meets his Pakistani counterpart in Washington
Diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement on the Iranian issue are escalating as the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, will meet with his Pakistani counterpart in Washington, DC. The top American diplomat will meet with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, at the State Department in Washington DC, later today, according to the daily schedule published by the ministry. Pakistan has mediated in the peace talks between Washington and Tehran, with senior Pakistani officials also having visited Iran in recent days. Their meeting is expected to begin at 10 a.m. local time.
Iran counterattacks: J.D. Vance's statements that Iran agreed on nuclear issues are simply ridiculous...
Iran has already agreed not to build or have a nuclear program and we will examine this issue over time, emphasized American Vice President J.D. Vance. However, Iran responded categorically that what J.D. Vance supports is simply ridiculous. In fact, he emphasized that "we are very close to an agreement. We have not yet reached a full agreement on Iran, but we are very close. It is difficult to determine the exact time for the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran. The United States has made 'great progress' in negotiations with Iran, but there are still disagreements and confrontations in negotiations regarding certain clauses of the draft agreement." The Wall Street Journal, citing American officials, reported that Iran's decision-making process is one of the complications in the final approval of the Memorandum of Cooperation.
Deadlock: Iran disagrees completely on Uranium, missiles, and Hormuz, red lines will not be violated
Despite economic sanctions and political and military threats, Iran does not accept US terms, including stopping uranium enrichment, limiting its missile program, and fully opening the Strait of Hormuz. One of the most important differences is the issue of uranium enrichment. The US wants a long-term halt or suspension of enrichment, but Iran considers it a "red line" and insists it will retain its right to enrich. Iranian officials also insist that sanctions must be lifted and frozen assets released. Trump has taken contradictory positions in recent weeks. Sometimes he speaks of "an agreement that is close" and sometimes states that he is "not satisfied" with the negotiations. He even accused Iran of deliberately prolonging the negotiations in order to gain more points after the US midterm elections. These contradictions are an indication that the Trump strategy has reached a deadlock.
On the one hand, the US government does not want to enter into a large-scale and costly war in the Middle East and, on the other hand, it is not willing to make significant concessions to Iran. As a result, Washington is trapped between two difficult choices: either continue the pressure without a clear result or accept a more limited agreement than it originally planned. It is also noted that the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and the interruption of oil exports have exerted great pressure on the global economy. American President Trump is now in a complex situation. He wanted to force Iran to surrender completely by showing strength, but now he has been forced to start negotiations, the result of which is uncertain. The current situation shows that the policy of "maximum pressure" has failed to achieve its main goals and that the US government may eventually be forced to compromise on an agreement that is inferior to its original demands.
Provocative Netanyahu: I talk to Trump about Iran almost every day, we must complete our mission
Referring to his ongoing consultations with the US President on Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated his delusional goals and claimed that Israel must complete the "mission" against Iran. According to Al Jazeera, he said: "We must complete our mission in Iran and I talk to Trump about it almost every day." Netanyahu also announced that Israeli military forces crossed the Litani River in Lebanon. The Israeli Prime Minister continued by referring to the developments in the Gaza Strip and declaring himself proud to occupy part of this area and acknowledging the occupation, stating: "We now control 60% of the area of the Gaza Strip and my goal is to move toward controlling 70% of this area." The Israeli Prime Minister, who has failed to achieve his deceptive goals on all battlefronts, is trying to reduce criticism from Israelis regarding the performance of his cabinet by noting achievements in order to maintain his political survival.
"The vampire festival is over": Iran says there will be no more shields for American bases
The Deputy for Foreign Policy and International Security in the Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Bagheri Kani, emphasized that Iran's strong defense showed that the "vampire festival" has ended, and presented Iran's vision for a new security architecture in Western Asia. "The amazing resilience of the Iranian people and our heroic armed forces proved that the ambitions, calculations, and military systems of the enemy failed simultaneously against Iran's power projection." The world is now at a historic crossroads.
"On the one hand, the South and the East of the world are moving toward a multilateral approach and cooperation." "On the other hand, the savage West, terrified by the decline and collapse of its hegemonic power bases, has placed the path of raw violence and militarism on its agenda." "The world's choice is cooperation, the rejection of a unilateral approach, and the rejection of hegemony." He contrasted two conflicting visions for global peace. The first, he said, is "peace through justice, dialogue, and respect for the rights of nations." The second, promoted by the United States, is "peace through violence" – a "sick theory" that amounts to "submission instead of agreement" and the imposition of illegal demands on independent states. "Over the last 25 years, the United States – through its destructive warmongering propaganda – has moved from the idea of a 'Greater Middle East' to the racist idea of a 'Greater Israel'." He said that this shift has imposed "heavy costs in blood, wealth, and land on the nations of the region."
"The Pharaoh's Deal"
He referred to the so-called Abraham Accords – normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states supported by the US – as the "Pharaoh's Pact," a deliberate reframing of the initiative. "The real name of this plan is not the Abraham Accords - it is the Pharaoh's Deal." "The Zionist regime is today's Pharaoh, seeking dominance in the region through the murder of children and aggression. The Pharaoh's Deal seeks to enslave governments and nations." "The Pharaoh's Deal did not bring peace or stability to the region – rather, it became a source of insecurity and a threat to regional peace and stability." In a direct message to the United States and its regional partners, he stated: "Time will not turn back. The nations and lands of the region will no longer be shields for American bases." "Today, Western Asia - and especially the Persian Gulf region - requires a 'new security equation'." "An equation that can eliminate the roots of this crisis and prevent the reproduction of war and instability."
Christopher Lano, new Chief of the American Army... a hardline general
The Wall Street Journal focused on the rapid rise of General Christopher Lano in the American Army and the possibility of his appointment as the new Chief of Staff of the American Army. Christopher Lano has become an important figure in the military structure of the Trump administration in recent years due to his strict command style and his closeness to the US Secretary of Defense. According to the Wall Street Journal, when he was commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Christopher Lano imposed strict rules on troops, including the prohibition of mobile phone use during morning exercises and the requirement to use official military equipment. Many soldiers considered this behavior too traditional and even reacted negatively to certain ceremonies.
However, his supporters believe he has revived the fighting spirit and classical discipline of the army. An important turning point in his career was his meeting with Trump during the inauguration of Trump's second term. In a video call with troops stationed in South Korea, Christopher Lano's military appearance and speaking style caught the attention of Trump, who described him as someone "chosen for a Hollywood movie." The Wall Street Journal also mentions his controversial history. At the time of the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, Christopher Lano worked in the Army's operations department and was the liaison between the Army and the National Guard. Some officials later accused him of changing the facts in internal reports regarding the Army's delayed reaction, although the Inspector General of the US Department of Defense ultimately found no wrongdoing on his part. Some Republicans are also wary of him because he supported certain diversity policies and gender identity programs in the military during the Biden administration. For example, he signed a 2023 message in favor of homosexuals. However, those close to him say that many of these actions were the result of government requirements at the time, not his personal views.
www.bankingnews.gr
Σχόλια αναγνωστών