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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar and James C. Reynolds

Iran-US war latest: Trump warns Tehran ‘clock is ticking’ after drone strikes UAE nuclear plant

Donald Trump has warned Tehran that the “clock is ticking” and threatened consequences if its leaders do not act quickly.

"For ⁠Iran, the ‌Clock is Ticking, ‌and they better ‌get moving, FAST, ⁠or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME ‌IS ​OF ‌THE ESSENCE!," the US president wrote ⁠in a ‌Truth ​Social ‌post.

Trump warned that if Tehran failed to reach a peace agreement with the US, it would face "a very bad time”.

"If they don’t, they’re going to have a bad time. A very bad time. They had better make a deal," Trump told French media. He also shared an AI-generated graphic of him and a US Navy admiral in front of stormy waters, and the line: "It was calm before the storm."

Trump’s warning follows a drone strike that sparked a ⁠fire at an electrical generator at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi.

No injuries were reported, radiological safety levels were unaffected and the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation confirmed the plant's essential systems are operating normally.

Meanwhile, Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, warned: “Our armed forces’ fingers are on the trigger, while diplomacy is also continuing.”

Key Points

  • Israel preparing for possible resumption of attacks on Iran
  • Oil prices touch two-week high at $112 a barrel
  • Top Iranian official warns US to end siege of Iranian ports
  • US planes loaded with ammunition land in Israel - report

Recap: Inside the UK-led mission to open the Strait of Hormuz

07:05 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Preparations are underway for a multinational mission led by Britain, which includes the deployment of a warship, Typhoon jets, and mine-hunting equipment to the Middle East.

The UK, alongside France, has set out to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and has gained the support of dozens of allies to do so once conditions allow for it.

But, retired brigadier and military analyst Ben Barry said Iran will pose a threat to the UK regardless of whether fighting in the region has paused.

More here.

Inside the UK-led mission to open the Strait of Hormuz

Stocks fall and oil prices gain after Trump warns the Iran 'clock is ticking'

06:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Asian stocks mostly retreated and oil prices jumped on Monday after US president Donald Trump warned Tehran that the “clock is ticking” as US-Iran negotiations over a permanent end to the war stall.

US futures fell more than 0.6 per cent.

Markets in Japan and South Korea pulled further back from their records. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.9 per cent to 60,843.09, a decline led by technology-related stocks, after it reached all-time intraday high levels last week above 63,000.

The yield on the 10-year Japanese government bond surged to 2.8 per cent, its highest level since the late 1990s, part of a shift toward higher yields as the Bank of Japan gradually raises interest rates and higher energy costs raise expectations of rising inflation. That’s up from around 2.55 per cent just one week ago.

More here.

Stocks fall and oil prices gain after Trump warns the Iran 'clock is ticking'

US planes loaded with ammunition land in Israel - report

06:25 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Dozens of US cargo planes carrying ammunition from bases in Germany have landed in Tel Aviv, Al Jazeera reported, citing Israel's Channel 13.

The planes landed as Israel said it was coordinating with the US about a possible resumption of attacks, said two people familiar with the situation, including an Israeli military officer.

Speaking to his cabinet yesterday, Benjamin Netanyahu said “our eyes are also open” when it comes to Iran, and “we are prepared for any scenario".

Cuba stockpiling drones from Russia and Iran – report

06:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Cuba has reportedly spent recent years stockpiling more than 300 military drones from Russia and Iran and has discussed striking U.S. targets if relations continue to deteriorate, as President Donald Trump blockades the island and flirts with plans to “take” it over.

U.S. intelligence sources told Axios that while they don’t believe any threat is imminent, the acquisition effort has ramped up in the last month, as Cuba has sought to learn how Iran has used its large drone program to repel U.S. forces in the ongoing war.

Military advisers from Tehran have been in Havana recently, the officials said.

More here.

Cuba stockpiles drones and creates list of targets amid U.S. blockade, report says

Fishing boats sit idle along the Strait of Hormuz

06:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Fishing boats sit idle on May 17, 2026 along the Strait of Hormuz (Getty)

Fishing boats sit idle on May 17, 2026 along the Strait of Hormuz (Getty)

Canada condemns drone attacks on UAE nuclear plant

05:55 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney condemned the drone attacks targeting the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates.

Carney warned that attacks on civilian nuclear facilities pose serious risks to human life and the environment.

Earlier in the day, India said it was "deeply concerned at the attack targeting the Barakah nuclear facility in the UAE".

The foreign ministry added: "Such actions are unacceptable and represent a dangerous escalation. We urgently call for restraint and a return to dialogue and diplomacy."

Iran allows Malaysian energy giant’s ship to sail through Strait of Hormuz

05:40 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A support vessel owned by Malaysian firm Vantris Energy, formerly Sapura Energy, has successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, LSEG shipping data showed on Friday.

This marks the fourth Malaysian-linked ship to navigate the crucial waterway since the US-Iran conflict began in late February, severely impacting global energy supplies.

The Sapura 1200 was one of seven vessels for which the Malaysian government sought Iranian permission to clear the strait, largely restricted since the conflict's outbreak, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

More here.

Iran allows energy giant’s ship to sail through Strait of Hormuz

Israel preparing for possible resumption of attacks on Iran

05:20 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Israel is coordinating with the US about a possible resumption of attacks, said two people familiar with the situation, including an Israeli military officer.

Speaking to his cabinet yesterday, Benjamin Netanyahu said “our eyes are also open” when it comes to Iran, and “we are prepared for any scenario".

On Iranian state TV, presenters on at least two channels appeared armed during live programs.

One of them, Hossein Hosseini, received basic firearms training from a masked member of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. Hosseini mimed firing a shot at the flag of the UAE.

On another channel, Mobina Nasiri said a weapon had been sent to her from a gathering in Tehran’s Vanak Square. “From this platform, I declare that I am ready to sacrifice my life for this country,” she said.

How Iran could fight a shadow war with US for months

05:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Iran has enough missile capability to continue fighting should Donald Trump choose to resume the war, US and Nato intelligence has assessed – and experts say it has several more cards up its sleeve.

The US president has repeatedly claimed that American forces have comprehensively destroyed Iran’s military, including its missile capabilities and navy, during six weeks of conflict before a ceasefire was agreed.

Intelligence agencies have warned that Iran still has access to most of its missiles and underground facilities, sources told The Independent, casting doubt over President Trump’s dubious claims that Iran has been “decimated” by the war.

More here.

How Iran could fight a shadow war with US for months

Top Iranian official warns US to end siege of Iranian ports

04:42 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A member of Iran’s Expediency Council has warned the US to lift its blockade of Iranian ports "before the Sea of Oman becomes your graveyard".

Mohsen Rezaei said the US blockade was an “act of war” and said confronting it was Iran’s right.

“The longer they prolong the naval blockade of Iran, the greater the damage to countries around the world will be,” he said.

“It is America that must prove itself now,” he said. “Our armed forces have their finger on the trigger – and at the same time, diplomacy continues.”

Recap: Brics ministers fail to issue joint statement over Middle East conflict

04:41 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A two-day meeting of foreign ministers from the Brics nations concluded in New Delhi without a joint statement because of “differing views among some members” on the situation in the Middle East, host India said.

The differences highlighted the challenge of maintaining unity within the bloc as it seeks to expand its influence.

The Indian statement said members expressed “their respective national positions and shared a range of perspectives” on issues including sovereignty, maritime security and the protection of civilian infrastructure and civilian lives in the Middle East.

It also included a footnote saying that “a member had reservations” about parts of sections dealing with Gaza and security in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Brics includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, ‌Ethiopia, ⁠Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.

Oil prices touch two-week high

04:21 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Oil prices extended gains after a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates came under attack and as US president Donald Trump is expected to discuss military options on Iran.

Brent crude futures climbed $2.03, or 1.86 per cent, ​to $111.29 a barrel, after touching $112 earlier, the highest since 5 May.

US West ⁠Texas Intermediate crude was at $107.73 a barrel, up $2.31, or 2.19 per cent, following a rise to $108.70, its highest level since 30 April.

"The longer the conflict with Iran persists, the greater the risk of protracted ​oil price scarring, which could keep interest rates higher for longer," Prestige Economics' Jason Schenker said in a note.

"This ‌could ⁠also present persistent downside risks to growth."

Trump takes call with Netanyahu as they consider resuming military action

04:12 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu spoke in a phone call, amid reports that the US and Israel are considering resuming military action in Iran.

It comes on the same day Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu held a security meeting with his cabinet, according to Israeli media reports.

Iran war briefing:

04:09 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

  • Donald Trump has warned Iran that the “clock is ticking” and threatened consequences if its leaders do not act quickly."TIME ‌IS ​OF ‌THE ESSENCE!," the US president wrote ⁠in a ‌Truth ​Social ‌post
  • A member of Iran’s Expediency Council has warned the US to lift its blockade on Iranian ports before the "Sea of Oman becomes your graveyard"
  • A drone strike caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates, while Saudi Arabia reported intercepting three drones
  • Brent crude futures climbed $2.03, or 1.86 per cent, ​to $111.29 a barrel, after touching $112 earlier, the highest since 5 May
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