·        Although Trump is urging Iran to make a ‘complete surrender’ with the transfer of highly enriched uranium, Iran is not in the mood to oblige him. As of May 22, 2026, the long-standing confrontation between the US and Iran appears to be approaching a critical inflection point. Following weeks of indirect negotiations mediated primarily by Pakistan, reports from influential outlets such as Al Arabiya suggest that a preliminary framework agreement — often described as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) — is nearing finalization. This draft aims to formalize an immediate ceasefire, ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz (SOH), and establish a foundation for phased sanctions relief. The stakes could hardly be higher. The brief but intense 2026 Iran conflict, which erupted in late February with US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, has already disrupted global energy markets, heightened humanitarian concerns,...