U.S. President Donald Trump communicated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on May 17, subsequently posting on social media: "For Iran, time is short. They had better act quickly, or they will have nothing left. There is no time to delay!"
According to media reports from the United States and Israel, Trump and Netanyahu discussed the possibility of resuming military action against Iran during their call. However, Israel's Channel 12 reported that Trump, in an interview the same day, stated he still believes Iran intends to reach an agreement and expects Iran to submit an updated proposal in the coming days.
Separately, U.S. media reported that Trump is expected to convene a meeting with his national security team in the White House Situation Room on May 19 to discuss plans for restarting military operations against Iran.
On May 18, international crude oil, gold, and silver prices opened higher. As of 07:00 Beijing time, spot gold rose 0.2%, spot silver surged over 1%. U.S. crude oil gained over 1%, while Brent crude climbed over 0.9% to surpass $110 per barrel.
Trump recently shared a picture on social media captioned "The calm before the storm," showing him wearing a "Make America Great Again" red cap, pointing into the distance alongside General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, aboard a U.S. warship in a stormy setting.
In contrast, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani posted an image of an ancient cypress tree, described as Asia's oldest living organism with a history of at least 4,500 years, rooted in what is now Iran. The post emphasized Iran's ancient civilization.
Multiple international media outlets, citing a New York Times report from May 16, indicated that Israel and the U.S. are engaged in their most intense preparations since the April ceasefire to potentially resume strikes against Iran, with actions possible as early as next week.
Iran's Fars News Agency reported on May 17 that the U.S. response to Iran's proposals included five conditions: no war reparations to Iran, requiring Iran to transfer 400 kilograms of enriched uranium to the U.S., allowing Iran to maintain only one nuclear facility in operation, refusing to unfreeze Iranian assets, and stipulating that any ceasefire on all fronts must be conditional on the commencement of negotiations.
The report noted that even if these U.S. conditions were met, military threats from the U.S. and Israel might persist. Analysts cited in the report suggested the U.S. approach does not aim to fundamentally resolve the dispute but rather seeks to achieve through negotiation objectives it failed to attain militarily.
Iran reportedly presented five "confidence-building" preconditions: a comprehensive cessation of conflict (particularly in Lebanon), lifting sanctions on Iran, unfreezing Iranian assets, compensation for war losses, and recognition of Iran's sovereignty in matters related to the Strait of Hormuz.
On May 17, a senior spokesperson for the Iranian armed forces responded to recent U.S. statements, warning against any new U.S. military action. The spokesperson stated that any attempt to "restore U.S. prestige" through renewed action against Iran would result in "more severe and heavier blows" to the United States.
The spokesperson added that if the U.S. renews military threats or actions against Iran, U.S. military assets and personnel in the region would face a "new, offensive, surprising, and storm-like response."
An Israeli senior official recently stated that Israel is preparing to resume military action against Iran, which could "last from several days to several weeks." Israel is awaiting a final decision from the United States.
Analysis suggests Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has held a series of security meetings, mostly limited in attendance, to discuss reigniting conflict, potentially to avoid drawing attention from Iran. Local media analysis indicates Israel views the war with Iran as unfinished, with not all objectives achieved, and thus continues preparations for resumption. However, restarting war is not solely Israel's decision but depends on the U.S. stance; if Trump ultimately concludes Iran will not accept U.S. demands, the likelihood of renewed conflict is considered high.
On May 17, Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that, following a proposal by the Iranian President and approval by the Supreme Leader, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has been appointed as the Islamic Republic of Iran's Special Representative for China Affairs. According to sources, Ghalibaf will be responsible for coordinating matters and cooperation between various Iranian departments and China.
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