Iran live updates: Trump says he's in 'no hurry' to make a peace deal with Iran

Trump on Tuesday dismissed concerns about the economic impact of the conflict.

ABCNews logo
Last updated: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 2:52PM GMT
ABC News Live

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.

Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan in April failed to reach a peace deal.

Trump later announced the open-ended extension of the ceasefire and the continuation of a U.S. blockade until negotiations are concluded "one way or the other."

ABCNews logo
2:52 PM GMT

Trump says he's in 'no hurry' to make a peace deal with Iran

President Donald Trump said he was in "no hurry" to finalize a peace deal with Iran, 12 weeks into the war, while speaking with reporters on Wednesday.

Trump suggested he would not consider making a "limited deal" with Iran that is just focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

"We're going to give this one shot," Trump said about a peace deal, ruling out the idea of a partial compromise.

"I'm in no hurry. You never think, 'Oh, the midterms, I'm in a hurry.' I'm in no hurry," he said.

Trump was also asked if he thought it was taking longer than he expected it would to make a deal with Iran and he responded by comparing this war to other wars.

"You were in Vietnam 19 years. You were in Afghanistan, and these other places, 10 years. You were in Iraq. How long were you in Iraq? 12 years. You were in Korea for seven years. World War II is different -- that was four years. I'm in for three months, and much of it's been (a) ceasefire," Trump said.

ABCNews logo
1:37 PM GMT

Iran preparing 'more surprises' if war resumes, Araghchi says

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post to social media on Tuesday that Tehran is preparing new military capabilities in the event that war with the U.S. and Israel resumes.

Abbas Araghchi
Abbas Araghchi

"With lessons learned and knowledge we gained, return to war will feature many more surprises," Araghchi said, referring to the first round of fighting which began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.

ByJordana Miller and Joe SimonettiABCNews logo
1:34 PM GMT

Israel monitoring talks, 'prepared for all scenarios,' official says

An Israeli military official told ABC News on Wednesday that the country is "monitoring closely the talks between the U.S. and Iran."

The Israel Defense Forces, the official said, "is in constant contact with our U.S. counterparts. The IDF has various operational plans and we are prepared for all scenarios."

BySTEPHEN GROVESAP logo
May 19, 2026, 10:05 PM GMT

Senate advances bill aimed at ending Iran war as Cassidy, after primary loss, flips to support it

The Senate advanced legislation Tuesday that seeks to force President Donald Trump to withdraw from the Iran war, as a growing number of Republicans defied the president's wishes.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., speaks to supporters during an election night watch party Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., speaks to supporters during an election night watch party Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La.

Since Trump ordered the attack on Iran at the end of February, Democrats have forced repeated votes on war powers resolutions that would require him to either gain congressional approval for the war or withdraw troops. Republicans had been able to muster the votes to reject those proposals, but Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy - fresh off a primary election loss in which Trump endorsed his opponent - switched sides to deliver a crucial vote to pass the legislation.