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.”How Iran could fight a shadow war with US for months 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.Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 May 2026 05:00Top Iranian official warns US to end siege of Iranian portsA 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.” Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 May 2026 04:42Recap: Brics ministers fail to issue joint statement over Middle East conflictA 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. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 May 2026 04:41 Oil prices touch two-week highOil 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." Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 May 2026 04:21Trump takes call with Netanyahu as they consider resuming military actionDonald 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.Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 May 2026 04:12 Iran war briefing: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 Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 May 2026 04:09