US Senate Limits Trump's War Powers Amid Gulf Tensions

Global Tensions and Domestic Shifts: May 20, 2026

Geopolitics & the US-Iran Conflict
US War Powers & Alleged Coup Plot: The US Senate passed an unprecedented resolution limiting President Donald Trump's war powers against Iran. Meanwhile, reports citing The New York Times* claim the US and Israel initially planned to overthrow the Iranian regime and install former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a plot that failed after he was injured in a strike.

• Trump Administration Ultimatums: President Trump claimed the war is ending and Iran is "desperate" for a deal, predicting a drop in global oil prices. Vice President J.D. Vance warned that the military option remains on the table if diplomatic negotiations fail. Concurrently, Iranian media highlighted polls showing Trump's disapproval rating hitting 58.6%, the highest since George W. Bush.


• Strait of Hormuz & IRGC Threats: The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) threatened to expand the war beyond the Middle East if attacked again. Iran is actively asserting sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, reportedly requiring five supertankers and South Korean vessels to obtain IRGC Navy approval for passage. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte accused Iran of holding the global economy hostage by disrupting the strait, while two Chinese oil tankers were spotted crossing with 4 million barrels of crude.

International Diplomacy

• Putin-Xi Summit: Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The leaders celebrated 25 years of cooperation, called for a multipolar global order, and demanded an immediate end to the conflict in the Middle East.


• IAEA Gulf Visit: IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi announced an upcoming official visit to the Persian Gulf states.


• Gaza Ceasefire Dispute: A senior Hamas official accused Israel of violating the current ceasefire agreements by preventing medical aid and blocking the restoration of hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

• Inflation & Luxury Extremes: Dairy product prices in Iran will increase by 20% starting June 1 due to raw milk price hikes. Conversely, the 2026 Lexus LX600 debuted in the Iranian market with an astronomical price tag of 110 billion Tomans.


• Trade Adjustments: Due to raw material shortages, Iran's Ministry of Industry authorized the import of petrochemicals and polymers via traditional, largely unregulated smuggling routes known as 'Kolbari' and 'Malvani'.


• Civic Policies: The Central Bank of Iran allocated 435 trillion rials (Hemmat) for marriage and childbirth loans for 2026. In education, Payame Noor University announced a return to in-person exams starting June 6, and the Ministry of Education is heavily preparing teacher recruitment for the upcoming school year.

• Crime & Punishment: Bahman Farzaneh was executed in Tehran for the high-profile murder of Elaheh Hossein-Nejad. In a separate case, actor Pejman Jamshidi was reportedly acquitted of rape but sentenced to 99 lashes for non-consensual sexual relations, though his defense team disputes the finality of the ruling.


• Censorship Exploitation: Telegram channels are aggressively marketing VPN discounts to Iranian citizens, exploiting the ongoing national internet restrictions and severe network censorship.


• Press Review: The morning of May 20 featured broad coverage of both general and sports news across major state-aligned and independent Iranian newspapers.

• Earthquake in the South: A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck Hormozgan Province near Bandar-e Laft, felt across Qeshm and Hormuz. No casualties were reported.


• Northern Floods: Heavy rains triggered severe street flooding and rising river levels across Mazandaran province.


• Border Weather: Spring thunderstorms were prominently documented in the border city of Qasr-e Shirin, alongside routine military gatherings.