RUSSIA PERSPECTIVE

Moscow, May 17, 2026. The TASS agency documents in detail the mechanics of a crisis that, according to reported information, could lead to a resumption of American-Israeli military operations against Iran. Five conditions imposed by Washington on Tehran now structure the negotiation process, according to Iran's Fars news agency as cited by TASS: rejection of any compensation for sustained bombardments, requirement to transfer 400 kg of enriched uranium to U.S. soil, maintenance of a single operational nuclear facility in Iran, unfreezing capped at 25 percent of Iran's frozen assets, and negotiated resolution of all active fronts, including Lebanon.

For his part, Donald Trump posted on May 17 via Truth Social a statement without ambiguity: 'For Iran, the clock is ticking, and they'd better move fast, or there will be nothing left of them.' In an interview with Axios, the American president specified that Iran would be struck 'much harder than before' if it does not present a satisfactory proposal. The White House confirmed that a meeting is scheduled for May 19 between Trump and his principal security advisors to examine available military options.

Coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv constitutes a central axis of Russian monitoring. TASS reports that a phone call between Netanyahu and Trump focused specifically on 'the possibility of resuming war with Iran' as well as on the results of Trump's visit to China. Immediately following this conversation, the Israeli Prime Minister convened a meeting of the war cabinet.

The Chinese dimension also draws attention. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated to ABC News that Beijing assured Washington it would provide no material support to Iran. The United States reportedly obtained from China that it would not 'obstruct' American operations in the Strait of Hormuz, without, however, seeking joint military cooperation in this strategic corridor.

The timeframe recalled by TASS situates current tensions within their continuity: the American-Israeli military operation was launched on February 28; a two-week ceasefire was decreed by Trump on April 7; negotiations in Islamabad on April 11 did not succeed; a unilateral ceasefire extension was announced on April 21 by Trump, but Tehran contests its validity and reserves the right to act according to its own interests.