Donald Trump has insisted a peace deal with Iran is close despite fresh tensions on the 88th day of the war. However, Tehran denounced the latest US airstrikes, with a spokesperson calling them a sign of “bad faith and unreliability” and warning it would not leave any aggression unanswered.
The US president claimed negotiations were “proceeding nicely” even as Iran’s foreign ministry slammed Monday’s attacks on missile sites and mine-laying boats as a ceasefire violation. Revolutionary Guard forces said they shot down drones and deterred a fighter jet entering Iranian airspace.
The United States and Iran officially agreed to a temporary, two-week ceasefire on April 8, 2026, mediated by Pakistan, which was extended indefinitely by Mr Trump on April 21 in the hope of thrashing out a permanent deal.
But Tehran has demanded any final agreement must include an immediate end to Israeli operations in both Lebanon and Gaza. State media in Lebanon reported another Israeli strike killed 12 people on Tuesday.
The escalation came as Mr Trump arrived at Walter Reed military hospital for his latest physical examination. The president, who turns 80 next month, faces growing public concern over his age and health. A recent Washington Post/ABC News poll found fewer than half of Americans believe he has the mental sharpness or physical stamina for the job.
White House officials insist the president remains in “excellent health” and is working “nonstop” on major issues including the Iran conflict.
Financial markets showed mixed reactions. US stocks rose on hopes of a breakthrough, with the S&P 500 up 0.8 %. Oil prices fluctuated wildly — US crude fell nearly 3 % — as traders weighed peace prospects against continued fighting that has closed key shipping routes and driven up global energy costs.
US consumer confidence slipped in May amid gas prices hovering at $4.50 a gallon and persistent inflation, dealing another blow to perceptions of Mr Trump’s economic management.
In other domestic developments, the Congressional Black Caucus urged major corporations to fight Republican redistricting efforts that could weaken majority-Black districts ahead of November’s elections. A federal court has already blocked Alabama’s controversial new House map.
In Texas, Trump-backed Attorney General Ken Paxton was heavily favoured in his GOP primary runoff against Senator John Cornyn.
The visit by Mr Trump to Walter Reed marks his fourth publicly disclosed medical check since returning to office. The White House has released limited details on previous exams, drawing criticism from medical experts.
Despite the diplomatic friction, both sides continue talks with Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf meeting mediators in Qatar. An explosion aboard a tanker in the Gulf of Oman added to regional tensions, though no casualties were reported.