US President Donald Trump has intensified tensions in the Middle East after posting an AI-generated image alongside the message, “It was the calm before the storm”, amid reports that he is weighing renewed air strikes on Iran.
The image, shared on social media, shows Trump wearing a Make America Great Again hat aboard a US Navy vessel with an admiral beside him, surrounded by stormy seas and Iranian ships in the background.
New media post from Donald J. Trump
( TruthSocial: May 16 2026, 4:03 PM ET ) pic.twitter.com/dgXKB5ZeTJ
— Donald J Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) May 16, 2026
According to reports, Trump has been holding key discussions with senior aides as military options against Iran are considered, even as the fragile April 8 ceasefire remains in effect. Rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to drive urgent diplomatic and military activity.
Trump also warned Iran of a “very bad time” if a peace deal is not reached soon. While Tehran confirmed receiving messages from Washington suggesting possible fresh talks, Iranian officials remain wary.
Negotiations mediated by Pakistan have stalled over Iran’s nuclear programme and Strait of Hormuz control. Iran has now proposed its own 14-point peace framework while introducing a new traffic management system for the strategic waterway, signalling that without agreement, regional stability remains uncertain.
