Trump Threatens Renewed Iran Bombing as US Nears Short-Term Peace Deal; Commerce Secretary Lutnick Deposed in Epstein Probe

President Donald Trump warned Iran on May 6, 2026, that renewed US bombing would begin at a ‘higher level and intensity than it was before’ if Tehran fails to agree to a deal to end the conflict, even as negotiations between Washington and Tehran moved closer to a short one-page memorandum that could halt the war. In separate developments on May 6, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick sat for a transcribed deposition with the House Oversight Committee over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and Israel conducted a coordinated strike against a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut in the first such attack since the Lebanon ceasefire.

The Details

Trump’s warning came during remarks on May 6, 2026, amid signs that the United States and Iran were making progress toward a one-page memorandum intended to formally end the Iran war, according to a regional source familiar with the negotiations cited by CNN. The proposed memorandum would declare an end to the conflict and initiate a 30-day period during which the parties would work to resolve outstanding nuclear demands, unfreeze Iranian assets, and negotiate security arrangements for the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Trump told PBS News that a potential agreement would include Iran shipping its enriched uranium stockpile to the United States and pledging not to operate its underground facilities. Speaking publicly on May 6, the president struck a measured tone about the negotiations, stating: ‘We have the situation in Iran very much under control. We’re dealing with people that want to make a deal very much. We’ll see whether or not they can make a deal that’s satisfactory to us.’

Context

Iran is currently reviewing the United States’ latest proposal and will convey its response through Pakistani mediators, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, according to CNN. While the review is underway, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy stated that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz could be possible under what it described as ‘new procedures,’ though specific details of those procedures were not provided in the report.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a central concern in the negotiations, given its role as a critical global oil transit chokepoint. French President Emmanuel Macron, after speaking with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, called for all parties to lift the blockade of the strait without delay or conditions. Macron stated: ‘All parties must lift the blockade of the strait, without delay and without conditions. We must durably return to the regime of full freedom of navigation that prevailed before the conflict.’

The military toll of the conflict has been significant for US forces. Thirteen US service members have died in Operation Epic Fury, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that the operation had concluded. The conclusion of that operation coincides with the diplomatic push for a short-term memorandum.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding talks with Trump administration officials regarding the US-Iran negotiations, with Israel reportedly concerned about potential last-minute concessions by the United States, according to CNN. Tensions in the region were further underscored when Israel targeted a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut, marking the first such strike since the ceasefire in Lebanon; the strike was coordinated with the United States, according to the report.

In Washington, separate from the Iran talks, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick sat for a transcribed interview with the House Oversight Committee on May 6, 2026, related to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Oversight Committee Chair James Comer announced in March that Lutnick had ‘proactively agreed to appear voluntarily.’ Lutnick has denied wrongdoing in his dealings with Epstein, telling reporters: ‘I have done nothing wrong and I want to set the record straight.’ A transcript of the Lutnick interview will be released publicly, according to Axios. The deposition stems from Justice Department document releases related to Epstein.

What's Next

Iran’s response to the latest US proposal, delivered through Pakistani mediators, will determine whether the short-term memorandum moves forward and whether a 30-day negotiation window on nuclear demands, Iranian asset unfreezing, and Strait of Hormuz security arrangements opens. Trump has indicated that absent an agreement, renewed military action against Iran will resume at a higher intensity than before. In Washington, a transcript of Commerce Secretary Lutnick’s deposition is expected to be released publicly following the interview, while Israeli officials continue discussions with the Trump administration amid concerns about potential US concessions to Tehran.