2026-05-24 Sunday
2026-05-30
10:43:54
[International Oil Market: US-Iran Peace Talks Show Signs of Progress, International Oil Prices Plunge Over 10% in Dark Market] 1. In the early hours of May 24th, Beijing time, influenced by expectations of a breakthrough in US-Iran peace talks, the international crude oil dark market suddenly plunged. Both New York crude oil and Brent crude oil dark markets plummeted, with declines exceeding 10% at one point. As of press time, both contracts were still down over 8%. 2. On May 23rd, Eastern Time, US President Trump posted on social media that the US and Iran had "basically reached" a peace agreement, which is currently awaiting finalization by the US, Iran, and relevant Islamic countries. Key aspects of the agreement include opening the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked for a long time due to the war and carries approximately one-fifth of global oil shipments. 3. Iran immediately responded, stating that the two sides are in the final stages of finalizing a memorandum of understanding, and the current focus of negotiations is on ending the "imposed war," without addressing key details such as Iran's nuclear program and the disposal of enriched uranium. Meanwhile, Iran stated that even if an agreement is ultimately reached, the Strait of Hormuz will continue to be managed by Iran, rather than being restored to its pre-war "free passage" status. 4. Market expectations have diverged significantly. Trump stated he was "50/50" about reaching a "good deal," and the negotiating team would decide on the 24th whether to resume military action against Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, however, urgently convened security officials that evening to discuss the draft agreement, expressing concern that the terms were "very unfavorable to Israel."
09:48:32
[Tens of Thousands Protest Rising Cost of Living in Rome, Italy] On the 23rd local time, tens of thousands of Italians took to the streets of Rome, the capital, to protest against the high energy prices and soaring cost of living caused by regional conflicts and military expansion. According to the labor unions organizing the march, 15,000 people participated, with protesters coming from all over Italy. Protesters stated that soaring energy prices due to geopolitical tensions and stagnant incomes leading to decreased purchasing power have made it difficult for many ordinary workers to make ends meet. Italy's declared military spending to NATO in 2025 is 2% of its GDP, a significant increase from 1.54% in 2024. The organizers stated that it is unacceptable for the government to invest heavily in military spending while ordinary people face increasing financial pressure. The key to overcoming the crisis lies in investing resources in people's livelihoods rather than the military, while simultaneously ensuring that wages and pensions keep pace with prices, and that industry truly serves the country's needs. (CCTV)
08:13:40
[Trump: Framework for US-Iran Nuclear Deal Nearing Finalization, Major Disagreements Remain on Nuclear Issue] 1. US President Trump stated on Saturday that a draft framework aimed at finalizing US-Iran nuclear negotiations and reopening the Strait of Hormuz is nearing "finalization." While the agreement, if finalized, may not fully achieve Trump's core goal of "permanently preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons," it could prevent a renewed war, a prospect widely desired by Middle Eastern countries, and gradually alleviate the global economic crisis triggered by Iran's blockade of the Strait—approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply is transported through this waterway. 2. US officials revealed that Trump has made it clear to aides and representatives of other countries that the US reserves the right to resume strikes against Iran if it violates the interim agreement. Trump has repeatedly pledged that the new agreement will impose stricter controls on Iran's nuclear program than the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, including setting a cap on Iran's uranium enrichment production and enrichment levels for at least 15 years. 3. The White House also hopes the agreement will limit Iran's ballistic missile program and its support for regional armed groups—issues crucial to Israel and US allies in the Middle East. However, informed negotiators indicate that the framework agreement is unlikely to explicitly bind these aspects. 4. US, Iranian, and mediating officials stated that the framework agreement soon to be approved by Trump will give both sides 30 days to finalize the terms, with the possibility of extending it for another month if necessary. Iranian negotiating team spokesman Esmail Bagae said earlier on Saturday that a negotiation period of 30 to 60 days is "reasonable." 5. The nuclear issue remains the biggest point of contention. The US demands that the final agreement include a commitment from Iran to permanently suspend its nuclear program (or for up to 20 years) and to transfer near-weapon-grade enriched uranium stockpiles to the US. Iran firmly rejects this demand, insisting that the nuclear issue should be postponed while simultaneously pursuing the comprehensive lifting of sanctions.
08:12:44
[At Least Three Injured in Massive Airstrike on Kyiv] Tkachenko, head of the military administration of Kyiv, posted on social media early on the 24th that the city had been hit by a massive ballistic missile attack, with buildings in several districts caught fire. As of approximately 2:00 AM, at least three people were injured. Tkachenko stated that buildings in several districts, including Shevchenkovsky, Podolsky, Darnitsky, and Solomensky, were attacked, and the casualty figures are still being verified. Xinhua News Agency reporters in Kyiv noted that strong explosions were heard in Kyiv and the Kyiv region from around 1:00 AM, and Ukrainian air defenses continued to intercept the attacks. As of press time, the airstrikes were still ongoing. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations announced on the 23rd that the death toll from the attack by Ukrainian armed forces on a vocational school in the Luhansk region had risen to 21, and all bodies had been recovered from the rubble. The Ukrainian military denied attacking the school. (Xinhua)
08:07:07
[Iranian Media: Trump's Latest Statement on the Strait of Hormuz "Incomplete"] Iran's Fars News Agency reported early on the 24th that US President Trump's latest statement on social media regarding the "opening of the Strait of Hormuz" was "incomplete." The report stated that, according to Fars News Agency reporters, based on the latest exchanged texts, even if an agreement is reached, the Strait of Hormuz will continue to be "managed" by Iran. Furthermore, although Iran has agreed to restore the number of ships allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels, this does not mean the strait will return to its pre-war state of "free passage." The report emphasized that the management of the Strait of Hormuz, route planning, ship passage times and methods, and licensing authority will remain entirely in Iran's hands. Therefore, Trump's statement is incomplete and does not reflect the facts. (Xinhua)
