The Same Old Scam, Repackaged With a New Name

Here we go again. The same people who brought you the COVID-19 lockdowns, the masks, the PCR tests, and the experimental gene-therapy injections are now wheeling out a new fear: hantavirus. It’s clear this is 100% scripted theater, a psychological operation designed to terrorize the weak-minded into surrendering their liberty all over again. We have been through this before, and anyone who falls for it now deserves the shame that follows.

Just as the COVID narrative was manufactured to test mass obedience and push a depopulation agenda, the hantavirus outbreak is following the exact same playbook. A new book titled The Viral Veil: Unmasking Hantavirus as the Next Psyop explains how a rare rodent-borne pathogen is being transformed into a front-page crisis using the same tools of fear and control ^[1]. Another book, COVID LOCKDOWN LIES AGAIN — The Hantavirus Deception, warns that citizens are being subjected to another manufactured health scare to roll out mandates and vaccines ^[2]. The stage is set, the actors are ready, and the media is already chanting the same tired slogans.

Crisis Actors and Staged Fear

Nobody has been genuinely infected in this hantavirus outbreak — at least not in the way the media wants you to believe. The entire spectacle is designed to trigger panic and obedience. I have documented for years how governments stage events to justify expanding their power. Every time they need more control, they manufacture a crisis. This is a well-known pattern, as I explained in a recent Health Ranger Report: “Throughout history, every time a government or agency has needed more authority, they have created a crisis” ^[3]. The hantavirus scare is no different.

We are already seeing the same crisis actors putting on biohazard suits for the cameras, the same media hysteria, and the same calls for “public health measures.” Meanwhile, the Pentagon has been conducting biological weapons experiments for years, including aerosolizing a weaponized “hantavirus” with a 30% fatality rate under a Defense Threat Reduction Agency program ^[4]. And in Australia, over 300 deadly virus samples — including two full hantavirus samples — have reportedly gone missing from a government lab ^[5]. A convenient narrative, isn’t it? In reality, these are not accidents; they are the narrative control tools. The fear is manufactured, and the actors are following a script.

Masks, PCR, and Fake Science

The science behind hantavirus is being twisted to push the same nonsense we endured during COVID. Masks cannot block virus particles — that is a proven fact, yet the same discredited institutions are already talking about mask mandates. And PCR tests? Those were always fraudulent when used as infection diagnosis tools. They lack signal-to-noise ratio standards and cannot diagnose infection in any legitimate, reproducible way that stands up to scientific scrutiny. The entire virology paradigm is built on shaky ground, in fact.

Consider the history: The CDC has been pushing hantavirus paranoia for over a decade in one form or another. In 2012, the agency warned that as many as 10,000 people who stayed in tent cabins at Yosemite could be at risk of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome ^[6]. That scare fizzled out, just like this one will — unless the globalists get what they want. The real purpose of these scares is not to protect health, but to condition the public to accept lockdowns, surveillance, and medical tyranny. As Dr. Ali Khan wrote in The Next Pandemic, “The central issue in any environment where there is an outbreak, whether it’s an Indian reservation with hantavirus or legionnaires’ disease in New York City, is fear of the unknown, and this fear remains irrational regardless of anyone’s level of scientific understanding” ^[7]. That fear is weaponized by the same forces that profit from your compliance.

The Real Agenda: Lockdowns and Depopulation

Make no mistake: the push for masks, lockdowns, and vaccines is a repeat of COVID-19 control tactics. The globalist elites aim to reduce human populations using false pandemics to induce real bioweapons injections or medical interventions (remember the ventilator deaths?), and hantavirus is the next tool in their arsenal. In an interview, I discussed how the drive for global unity often masks “an underlying desire to reduce human populations and increase control over them” ^[8]. The depopulation agenda is real, and it has been in motion for decades. Dr. Kirk Moore told me that the mechanism involves injecting people with substances that cause injuries, deaths, and infertility, and that efforts by the U.S. government to induce infertility have roots in policies from decades past ^[9].

The same international organizations that funded the COVID narrative are now warning about the next pandemic. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), funded by Bill Gates, has already presented 11 new potential virus candidates that could become the next plandemic ^[10]. Hantavirus is simply the latest candidate. While you are distracted by fear of a rodent-borne disease, the financial system is being rigged and your freedoms are being stripped.

Conclusion: Don’t Be a Fool — Stand Up

Anyone who complies with this new hantavirus scare is an obedient fool. We know the truth now. We have seen the playbook, and we refuse to be played again. The same liars who pushed the COVID injections, the same media that censored truth-tellers, and the same governments that locked down healthy people are now trying to sell you another crisis. Reject the fear. Seek real information from independent sources, not from the corporate propaganda machine.

I have been saying for years that every pushback against totalitarian policies weakens false authority. When people lose faith in these false authorities, they no longer have power over us. This is the moment to stand your ground. Defend your liberty, your health, and your sanity. Do not put on a mask. Do not accept a fake PCR test. Do not line up for a toxic vaccine. The hantavirus PSYOP is pure theater for the weak-minded. Be strong, be informed, and be free.

References

1. 1. The Viral Veil: Unmasking Hantavirus as the Next Psyop – BrightLearn book, May 7, 2026.
   2. COVID LOCKDOWN LIES AGAIN — The Hantavirus Deception: Unmasking the Moderna Psyop – BrightLearn book, May 7, 2026.
   3. Health Ranger Report – How far will the deep state go to rig the election – Mike Adams, Brighteon.com, June 29, 2024 – snippet on staging crises.
   4. LETHAL HANTAVIRUS WITH 30% FATALITY RATE NOW AEROSOLIZED BY U.S. MILITARY AND SET FOR RELEASE FOR NEXT PLAGUE – NaturalNews.com, S.D. Wells, September 23, 2025.
   5. Australian biolab reports over 300 deadly virus samples HAVE GONE MISSING – NaturalNews.com, December 12, 2024.
   6. CDC pushing yet more disease paranoia over hantavirus – NaturalNews.com, September 12, 2012.
   7. The Next Pandemic by Ali Khan – snippet on fear of the unknown.
   8. Mike Adams interview with Peter Breggin – December 13, 2024 – snippet on global unity masking depopulation.
   9. Mike Adams interview with Dr. Kirk Moore – July 7, 2023 – snippet on depopulation and infertility.
   10. International group funded by Bill Gates warns that one of 11 new viruses will become next pandemic – NaturalNews.com, July 15, 2022.
   11. Mike Adams interview with Jeffrey Prather – January 1, 2021 – snippet on pushing back against totalitarian policies.

Explainer Infographic:

Thirty-nine people were killed on Saturday alone, after Israel struck 22 towns and villages in southern Lebanon.

This is not the first time that it has been clear that the ceasefire may as well not even be in effect. Neither side appears to be following it.

Israel Continues Strikes On Lebanon, Despite Ceasefire

Accoridng to RT correspondent Steve Sweeney, local authorities said 39 people were killed on Saturday alone after strikes hit 22 towns and villages in southern Lebanon. On Monday, Israel issued evacuation orders for several more villages, bringing the total to 84 since a US-brokered ceasefire took effect in mid-April.

Sweeney added that ambulance workers in both Ali Rida al-Basuli and Sharif Ahmad Krika were killed in separate strikes on their vehicles on Sunday.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told Al-Arabiya on Sunday that 86 villages in southern Lebanon remain under Israeli occupation, adding that the border city of Bint Jbeil had become “a copy of Gaza.” –RT

Since the ceasefire went into effect, both Israel and Lebanon have accused each other of violating it. Israel claims it continues to target the terrorist organization Hezbollah, while that group says it’s defending itself against attacks.

Israel has already said that it will occupy southern Lebanon until the threat posed by Hezbollah is removed.

Israel Will Occupy Southern Lebanon Until Hezbollah Threat Is Removed

More than 2,800 people, including over 100 health workers, have been killed since March 2, when Israel launched its latest military operation against Hezbollah, according to Lebanese authorities. –RT

Additional peace talks are expected later this week. The U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon will take place in Washington.

Peace Talks Stall As Israel Ratifies Ceasefire Agreement

“At the moment, there is no sign that we are seeing the start of a larger outbreak, but of course the situation could change and, given the long incubation period of the virus, it’s possible we might see more cases in the coming weeks,” Ghebreyesus said at a press conference in Madrid on Tuesday.

Countries Are Rushing To Track Hantavirus

The virus has killed three people who left Argentina on a cruise ship last month, and infected eight others. The most recent case was confirmed by the Spanish Health Ministry on Tuesday, and involves a passenger who had been quarantined in a military hospital in Madrid after traveling on the ship. –RT

Ghebreyesus also thanked Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez for showing “compassion and solidarity” by allowing the ship, the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, to dock at Spain’s Canary Islands on Monday. From the Canaries, passengers were evacuated to their home countries, where authorities were urged by Tedros to keep them quarantined for 42 days.

Hantavirus Outbreak Kills 3 On A Cruise Ship

So far, the propaganda has not been nearly as severe during this outbreak as it was during the COVID-19 scamdemic. At that time, the mainstream media quickly ramped up the fear-mongering, creating slogans to keep people under control.

In fact, those at the top of the global health conglomerate say that this won’t become the next COVID. On Saturday, Ghebreyesus stressed that “the current public health risk from hantavirus remains low,” and that the outbreak would not become “another Covid.”

However, there’s still time for all of that to change as the ruling class decides how it will navigate these few cases of hantavirus.

Trump will need the approval of Congress to remove this tax; however, doing so would give people at least a mild relief.

As of Monday, the average national gas price was $4.52 a gallon, according to the AAA motor club, 50% higher than the average price of just under $3 a gallon before Trump began the war against Iran.

The federal tax is currently set at 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel fuel, an amount that does not include state taxes, which often are higher. The tax provides more than $23 billion per year in revenue for federal highway and public transit programs. –AP News

Americans were already struggling under the weight of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, and now that fuel prices have soared, many are facing financial ruin.

Be Prepared to Hear More about Taxes, Taxes, Taxes

While only a small amount of savings would occur, Trump said “it’s still money,” and he could suspend the taxes “until it’s appropriate,” without going into detail about a timeline.

Following Trump’s comments, Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., introduced legislation that would suspend the federal gas tax on gasoline and diesel fuel for at least 90 days if enacted.

“American workers and families deserve immediate relief, and this legislation will do just that,” Hawley said in a statement.

In March, shortly after the February 28th start of the Iran war, Senators Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., unveiled legislation to temporarily suspend the federal gas tax through October 1st. But that bill hasn’t cleared the Senate Finance Committee.

In an attempt to relieve gas prices, the ruling class has lifted sanctions on oil and released millions of barrels from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. All of these changes have, so far, failed to produce any meaningful drop in fuel prices.

Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., had the most rational solution, saying that “instead of suspending the tax, we should suspend the war.”

A Project Built on Secrecy and Complacency

The Stratos hyperscale data center in Box Elder County’s Hansel Valley was approved without meaningful public input or independent environmental review.

The three-member Box Elder County Commission voted unanimously to greenlight the 40,000-acre project backed by Utah’s Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) and celebrity investor Kevin O’Leary, as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune and 100PercentFedUp.com. ^[1] No public hearing was held, and the decision was rushed through in a matter of days, revealing a contempt for democratic process that should alarm every resident of Utah. ^[2]

If nothing changes, the damage to trust in government may outlast any physical harm from the data center itself. The commission’s haste, combined with MIDA’s semi-secret authority to strip local officials of land-use and taxing powers, disenfranchises the very people who will bear the consequences of this project. ^[3] The secrecy surrounding the deal mirrors the hidden networks that have historically dominated large institutions – a pattern documented in Richard C. Hoagland and Mike Bara’s “Dark Mission,” which reveals how secret brotherhoods quietly steer decisions behind a facade of public accountability. ^[4]

Democracy on the Chopping Block

MIDA, a semi-secret state agency, stripped local officials of land-use and taxing authority, effectively disenfranchising Box Elder County residents. The commission’s approval came despite widespread constituent concerns, and the process provoked outrage – a system that puts developers ahead of people. ^[1]

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) has reportedly dismissed objectors, claiming an “obligation” to build – revealing a government that serves corporate interests, not citizens. The project also incorporates 1,200 acres of the Utah Test and Training Range, a Department of War site, further entangling military and corporate priorities. ^[3]

Such a betrayal of democratic norms is not new. In Minnesota, Meta’s data center project in Rosemount was similarly rammed through over resident objections, with planning commissions approving measures unanimously despite opposition. ^[5]

Across the country, the pattern is clear: when big tech and state agencies collaborate, local democracy is the first casualty. The result is a government that prioritizes artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure over the well-being of its people.

The Heat Island Nightmare: 23 Atom Bombs a Day

Utah State University physics professor Robert Davies has calculated that the Stratos project will dump 16 gigawatts (GW) of thermal energy into Hansel Valley daily – equivalent to the detonation of 23 atom bombs. ^[2] The project would consume 9 GW of electricity, primarily from a natural gas pipeline, and the waste heat from servers and a massive on-site gas plant will turn Utah’s semi-arid climate into a Saharan-like desert. Local nighttime temperatures could rise by 28 F, devastating the fragile Great Salt Lake ecosystem and collapsing agriculture and worsening dust pollution. ^[2]

This is not a distant threat. The United States is already experiencing unprecedented heat domes and record-breaking temperatures, with the southern half of the nation being baked by extreme drought and wildfires. ^[6] [7] Adding a permanent heat island of this magnitude will push Utah past a tipping point.

As Don Tapscott noted in “The Digital Economy,” there is more information available in a walk in the woods than in any computer system, yet we are destroying natural environments for digital infrastructure that may not even be necessary. ^[8] The window to prevent this catastrophe is closing rapidly.

Secrecy, NDAs and Unknown Technology

Developers hide behind non-disclosure agreements and claims of “proprietary” technology, a red flag that signals no working example exists at this scale. Proposed solutions like Allum-cycle or nuclear reactors would either create hot water that threatens the Great Salt Lake or generate even more waste heat. ^[2]

The lack of due diligence is stunning: no independent environmental impact study, no binding commitments on water or air and no public hearings worth the name. This secrecy is not an isolated case – across the nation, data center projects are being pushed through with minimal oversight, straining power grids and raising electricity costs for ordinary citizens. ^[9]

Meanwhile, the AI industry’s insatiable energy demand is already causing ripple effects. Texas approved the largest U.S. air pollution permit for a 7.65 GW gas plant and data center complex, and the PJM grid faces capacity crunch due to AI server power consumption. ^[10] [9]

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has warned that the AI arms race could trigger global conflict over data centers and resource control. ^[11] Yet Utah officials proceed as if there are no risks, blinded by the promise of economic gain and the pressure from Big Tech.

The Window Is Closing: What Utahns Must Demand

This project demonstrates that money and political power have overridden genuine public interest – democracy in Utah is being sold for a data center. Citizens must demand a full, independent environmental review and binding protections before any construction begins.

The Trump administration has already declared war on tech giants to halt soaring electric bills, forcing data centers to fund new power plants. ^[12] Utah should follow suit and halt this project until transparency is guaranteed.

If we allow this secrecy and rush to stand, the precedent will crush trust in government for a generation – and the physical damage may be irreversible. The Great Salt Lake, already shrinking, cannot withstand another thermal assault. The agriculture and ecology of the region are on the line.

As experts are alarmed, the only responsible action is to press pause. Use platforms like Brighteon.social to organize, and stay informed through independent news sites like NaturalNews.com. The fight for Utah’s future starts now.

References

1. 1. 100PercentFedUp.com. “Commission Votes On Controversial “Hyperscale” Data Center At Heated Meeting.” May 5, 2026.
   2. NaturalNews.com. “From semi-arid to Sahara: Scientists say this data center will trigger a climate catastrophe in Utah.” May 11, 2026.
   3. 100PercentFedUp.com. “Proposed 40,000-Acre Data Center Expected To Consume More Energy Than Entire State Faces Pushback.” April 29, 2026.
   4. Richard C. Hoagland and Mike Bara. “Dark Mission: The Secret History of NASA.”
   5. NaturalNews.com. “Rosemount Minnesota trying to establish 15-minute city with the help of Zuckerbergs Meta.” December 20, 2023.
   6. NaturalNews.com. “Overheated: Unprecedented March heat dome rewrites records across the nation.” March 24, 2026.
   7. EndOfTheAmericanDream.com. “Record Heat, Drought And Rampant Wildfires: The Southern Half Of The U.S. Is Being Baked.” March 24, 2026.
   8. Don Tapscott. “The digital economy.”
   9. Willow Tohi. “Power crisis looms PJM warns of grid collapse as AI servers and retiring plants collide.” NaturalNews.com. July 23, 2025.
   10. Ava Grace. “Texas approves nations largest power permit for AI driven gas plant and data center complex.” NaturalNews.com. February 3, 2026.
   11. Willow Tohi. “Bomb the data centers Eric Schmidt sounds AI war warning amid US China race.” NaturalNews.com. May 28, 2025.
   12. Lance D Johnson. “Trump declares war on Tech Giants to halt soaring electric bills forces data centers to fund new power plants.” NaturalNews.com. January 17, 2026.

Explainer Infographic

Editorial Cartoon

Kuwait and Iran are barely separated by a small section of Iraqi coastline at the head of the Persian Gulf, but they do share a maritime border. But given the small oil-rich Sunni sheikdom’s close proximity to the Islamic Republic, and given its historic role in hosting American forces and bases, it is to be expected that it would be heavily targeted in Iranian military operations.

Indeed, Kuwait, alongside the UAE, absorbed some of the biggest ballistic missile and drone attacks from Israel during the US-Israeli Operation Epic Fury. US forces have even had to retreat to other locations deeper in the Middle East or even outside the theatre, given the repeated attacks and looming threat of new attacks, even amid the broader ceasefire.

But in tandem with an air war, there has been a covert war happening in the shadows, with Kuwait’s interior ministry newly announcing on Tuesday that it has arrested four ‘infiltrators’ affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). The ground attack incident is said to have happened earlier this month and involved heavy exchanges of fire.

IRGC special operator, file image: Iran International

The elite IRGC operatives reportedly tried to enter the Gulf state by sea, per the Kuwait state news agency KUNA. A firefight ensued, and the ministry later confirmed one member of Kuwait’s armed forces was seriously wounded in the resulting clashes with the infiltrating small group of Iranians.

The Interior Ministry accused the IRGC operatives of seeking to launch “hostile” activities inside Kuwait. “Confession of the infiltration group to Kuwaiti territories during interrogation with them of their affiliation to the Revolutionary Guard in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the ministry stated.

It appears that only two of the Iranian group are in custody, while two escaped, per an initial statement. As for the operatives in custody, “They confessed to being tasked with infiltrating Bubiyan Island aboard a fishing boat rented specifically to carry out hostile acts against Kuwait,” the official Kuwaiti statement added.

Other sources, including the defense ministry, say that all four have been detained and identified, amid early conflicting reports:

Kuwait’s Defense Ministry reported on May 3 that naval Col. Amir Hossein Abdolmohammad Zaraei, naval Col. Abdolsamad Yedaleh Ghanavati, naval Capt. Ahmad Jamshid Gholamreza Zolfaghari and 1st Lt. Mohammad Hossein Sohrab Foroughi Rad had been arrested in territorial waters after attempting to infiltrate Bubiyan Island.

Kuwaiti Armed Forces stationed on Bubiyan Island exchanged fire with the men during the confrontation, resulting in severe injuries to one service member.

Bubiyan is the largest of a group of eight islands belonging to Kuwait, lying in the north-western corner of the Persian Gulf. Importantly, the large island is home to Mubarak Al Kabeer Port, part of China’s Belt and Road initiative.

The alleged Iranian high-risk operation focused on an island with a key China-built port is quickly becoming the focus of Western media reports. According to ABC:

Kuwait accused Iran on Tuesday of sending an armed paramilitary Revolutionary Guard team to launch a failed attack earlier this month on an island in the Middle East nation home to a China-funded port project.

The accusation by Kuwait of an Iranian link to the incident came just before U.S. President Donald Trump travels to Beijing for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Tehran has yet to acknowledge or own up to the incident, and is not expected to, unless it is an outright denial.

One freight and oil transit industry headline from early March underscores just how ambitious and costly the China-backed project remains: Kuwait, China Advance USD 4.1 Billion Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port Project…

Kuwait and China have agreed to strengthen their commercial and maritime cooperation through the construction of a new container port on Kuwait’s Bubiyan Island. The project marks a significant step in deepening bilateral economic ties and enhancing the oil-rich country’s strategic position within regional shipping networks.

The Chinese majority state-owned firm China Communications Construction Company will undertake the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) works for the project’s first phase.

The development of the new container hub in the north of the country is expected to expand Kuwait’s port capacity and reinforce its role in both regional and global trade flows.

And yet, current Kuwaiti oil export flows remain forcibly halted, due to the Strait of Hormuz closure and ongoing standoff, which has on the one hand seen Iran target ‘unauthorized’ foreign shipping with drones and missiles, and on the other seen the US Navy maintain its own blockade of Iranian ports.

On Monday, Trump provided a glimpse into the dire state of diplomacy between the US and Iran, saying that “the ceasefire is on massive life support” while dismissing the recent peace proposal from Tehran as a “piece of garbage” that he said he “didn’t even finish reading.”

CNN reported on Tuesday, citing sources, that Trump has grown “increasingly frustrated” with Iran’s handling of negotiations, while several US officials are questioning whether Tehran is willing to engage at all. CNN further alleged that Trump is “now more seriously considering a resumption of major combat operations.” The report added that the stance is shared by some of the Pentagon officials who believe the continued strikes could soften Iran’s position.

A major decision before Trump’s departure to China is unlikely.

The 1,600 ships still stranded in the Gulf are causing major concerns for food security and fuel prices worldwide. Trump had promised to break the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz with what he called “Project Freedom,” but recently abandoned the idea.  The major military operation to escort stranded vessels out of the Gulf. The effort, however, lasted less than 48 hours before Trump paused it on May 5th, citing “progress” in peace talks.

This most recent development came after Iran claimed to have hit a US warship attempting to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, an allegation Washington has denied. A New York Times report also claimed that the operation was suspended after Saudi Arabia refused to provide logistical support, as it had not been consulted on the effort.

On May 8th, the US military reported Iranian strikes as three of its destroyers were transiting the Strait of Hormuz, stating that no damage had been inflicted, and that the vessels attacked Iranian military facilities in retaliation. Earlier, it claimed to have destroyed six Iranian small boats in the area. –RT

Trump said that Iran’s proposal was “totally unacceptable” when presented with it a few days ago. He added that the state of the month-old truce is “unbelievably weak,” while speaking with reporters in the Oval Office.

Trump: Iran’s Peace Plan Is “Totally Unacceptable”

“I would call it the weakest, right now, after reading that piece of garbage they sent us — I didn’t even finish reading it,” Trump said. “I would say the ceasefire is on massive life support, where the doctor walks in and says, ‘Sir, your loved one has approximately a 1% chance of living,’” he said, according to a report by CNBC. 

Multiple attacks have been reported during the ceasefire, many taking place in the Strait of Hormuz. Israel has also continued to attack Lebanon.

Iran Fires On Ships In Strait Of Hormuz After Trump Announced Ceasefire Extension

Just last week, Iran attacked the United Arab Emirates, and the U.S. and Iran traded fire in the Strait. The Pentagon said it struck two Iran-flagged oil tankers.

The ceasefire officially began on April 8th, after Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s “whole civilization” if no deal was struck. It was originally slated to last just two weeks, but Trump unilaterally extended it on April 21st.

Trump Extends Ceasefire Citing A “Seriously Fractured Government”

The Strait of Hormuz is also not fully operational, after Trump used the US Navy to blockade the waterway because Iran failed to follow through with its promise to reopen it.

Trump Is Ready To Blockade Iranian Ports for “Months” As Oil Prices SPIKE To Highest Since 2022

Iran’s nuclear program seems to be the focus of most peace proposals. The US insists Iran give up its enrich uranium, while Tehran insists that its nuclear advancements are for peaceful purposes. Neither side has backed down, and neither side appears ready to do so.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi during a telephone call on Tuesday, May 5, that Tehran is prepared to meet global standards to demonstrate the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, according to a statement from Iran’s presidency published by the Turkish Anadolu Agency.

Pezeshkian criticized what he called contradictory U.S. policies, saying Washington continues to apply pressure while calling for negotiations. ^[1] Al-Zaidi responded that Baghdad is prepared to support de-escalation efforts and could host talks between Iran and the U.S., the statement said. The appeal for international verification of its nuclear activities comes as Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has insisted that nuclear issues be left out of talks related to ending the ongoing war with the United States. ^[2]

Background: Nuclear Deal Collapse and Inspectors’ Removal

The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was unilaterally abandoned by the first Trump administration in 2018, leading to the reimposition of U.S. sanctions. In response, Iran removed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors and shut down surveillance cameras at its nuclear facilities, accusing the United Nations watchdog of politicizing its inspections. ^[3] [4]

Book author Scott Ritter, in his work “Target Iran,” documented that the U.S. and Israel had extremely detailed intelligence on Iran’s declared nuclear enrichment program thanks to IAEA inspections, but contended the existence of a secret military nuclear weapons program – a claim Iran has consistently denied. ^[5] Gareth Porter, in “Manufactured Crisis,” argues that the IAEA’s own environmental sampling at the Parchin military facility tested negative for any substances related to nuclear weapons development. ^[6] The MFA has stated, “at this stage, we do not have nuclear negotiations,” while the U.S. has made nuclear compliance a key demand. ^[1]

U.S.-Israeli Bombing Campaign and Nuclear Timeline

According to a Reuters report citing three sources familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments, the time Iran would need to build a nuclear weapon has not changed since last summer, when analysts estimated that a U.S.-Israeli attack had pushed back the timeline to up to a year. The report stated that “the assessments of Tehran’s nuclear program remain broadly unchanged even after two months of a war” that U.S. President Donald Trump launched in part to stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. ^[7] [8]

The Institute for Science and International Security reported that new satellite imagery showed possible passive defensive measures near the Natanz nuclear facility. ^[1] IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi told the Associated Press that the majority of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is likely still at the Isfahan nuclear complex, which was bombarded by airstrikes. ^[9] A senior Israeli military official stated that if Iran’s stockpile of more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium is not removed, the campaign could be considered “one big failure.” ^[10]

Diplomatic Posture and Perspectives

Trump and Israeli leadership have maintained that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon, which Tehran denies. Concerns exist over divisions between Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and civilian leadership, with hardliners seen as more willing to pursue a nuclear weapon, according to the article. ^[1] Iraq’s willingness to host talks may provide a venue for potential U.S.-Iran discussions, though Iran currently rules out direct nuclear negotiations.

Thirty House Democrats sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding that the Trump administration publicly disclose Israel’s nuclear arsenal. The lawmakers argued that continued official silence threatens regional stability and congressional oversight as the U.S. fights alongside Israel in an escalating war against Iran. ^[11]

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that Tehran will not halt its uranium enrichment program despite Western pressure, warning of “serious consequences” if aggression continues. ^[12] The Iranian presidency statement emphasized Iran’s readiness “to offer assurances within the framework of international regulations and global monitoring mechanisms.” ^[1]

Conclusion: Path Forward Unknown

Iran has expressed openness to proving its program’s peaceful nature, but U.S. demands and ongoing hostilities complicate progress. No formal nuclear negotiations are scheduled, according to Iranian officials. The effectiveness of the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign in halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions remains contested by intelligence assessments that show the breakout timeline unchanged. ^[7] [8]

Iraq’s offer to mediate may represent a step toward dialogue, but a senior Iranian military officer warned that renewed fighting with the U.S. is “likely” after Trump rebuffed Tehran’s latest 14-point proposal. ^[13] The proposal had included a freeze on nuclear enrichment for up to 15 years, followed by curbs, but deferred the nuclear issue to later talks. ^[13] Meanwhile, the IAEA has lost track of enough Iranian uranium for ten nuclear bombs, according to sources, as Iran blocked inspections following military strikes. ^[14]

References

1. 1. Iranian President Says Iran Willing To Prove Peaceful Nature Of Nuclear Program – ZeroHedge, May 7, 2026.
   2. Did you know the US and Israel helped create Iran’s nuclear project? – RT, May 5, 2026.
   3. Iran Bans IAEA Inspectors, Shuts Down Surveillance in Nuclear Standoff with West – NaturalNews.com, June 30, 2025, by Cassie B.
   4. Iranian lawmaker warns: Tehran ready to exit nuclear treaty if Western powers reimpose sanctions – NaturalNews.com, July 23, 2025, by Zoey Sky.
   5. Target Iran: The Truth About the White House’s Plans for Regime Change – Scott Ritter.
   6. Manufactured Crisis: The Untold Story of the Iran Nuclear Scare – Gareth Porter.
   7. US Intelligence Only Sees Limited Additional Damage To Iran Nuclear Program Since Last June – ZeroHedge, May 5, 2026.
   8. US failed to set back Iran’s nuclear program – RT, May 5, 2026.
   9. UN nuclear chief: Iran’s highly enriched uranium likely still buried at Isfahan site – Times of Israel, April 30, 2026.
   10. IDF official says Iran war will be ‘one big failure’ if enriched uranium not removed – Times of Israel, May 1, 2026.
   11. Dems push Trump to acknowledge Israeli nukes – Responsible Statecraft, May 5, 2026.
   12. Iran’s Foreign Minister: Tehran WON’T STOP Its Uranium Enrichment Program – NaturalNews.com, November 4, 2025, by Ramon Tomey.
   13. Pakistan brokers fragile truce: U.S. and Iran edge toward 30-day ceasefire – NaturalNews.com, May 7, 2026.
   14. UN Nuclear Agency Unable to Verify Iranian Uranium Sufficient for 10 Bombs – NaturalNews.com, November 13, 2025, by Cassie B.

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