Published: 09:21, May 18, 2026
Trump warns Iran to move fast after phone call with Netanyahu
By Xinhua
Motorbikes and cars pass through an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, May 17, 2026. (PHOTO / AP)

WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM/TEHRAN - US President Donald Trump on Sunday warned that "the clock is ticking" for Iran, threatening again that the country would be left with nothing if its leadership failed to 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!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Earlier Sunday, Trump spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Iran as the White House weighs options for renewed military action against Tehran, according to multiple media reports.

Later in the evening, Netanyahu convened a cabinet meeting, during which the multiple fronts on which Israel is fighting were discussed, a government official told Xinhua.

Trump is expected to meet with his national security team at the White House on Tuesday to discuss military options, US news outlet Axios reported Sunday, citing two US officials.

Iran, the United States and Israel reached a ceasefire on April 8 after 40 days of fighting that started with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb 28.

Following the truce, Iranian and US delegations held one round of peace talks in Pakistan's Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which failed to yield an agreement.

Over the past weeks, the two sides have reportedly exchanged several proposed plans outlining conditions for ending the conflict through Pakistani mediation. 

Iran's peace proposal

Meanwhile, Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency reported the United States has put forward "maximalist" conditions in response to Tehran's latest peace proposal, refusing to offer any "tangible" concession.

Mehr said the United States seeks to obtain the concessions it failed to get from Iran during the 40-day conflict against the country without offering any tangible ones in return.

It added Iran will only begin talks with the United States if Washington takes trust-building steps, including ending the conflict on all fronts, especially Lebanon, lifting sanctions, releasing Iranian frozen assets, paying reparations for damages and recognizing Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

ALSO READ: Report: US rejects Iran's 14-point peace proposal

Mehr reported that in response to Iran's proposal, the United States demanded "maximalist" terms -- rejecting any reparations or asset releases, and insisting Iran transfer its entire 400 kg enriched uranium stockpile to the United States.

According to the report, Washington has also demanded long-term restrictions on Iran's nuclear sector, and has tied any halt to fighting to the start of negotiations.

Iran sent its response to the latest US proposed text for ending the conflict to the Pakistani mediator on May 10.

US, Israel seek to sow division among Muslim states

During a meeting with visiting Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the United States and Israel have always sought to turn Muslim states against one another through creating division and distrust among them.

Pezeshkian said Iran seeks "cordial and lasting relations based on good neighborliness" with Muslim states in the West Asia region, read a presidency statement.

Iran's principled policy is based on expanding friendly ties with neighboring and regional states, he said, urging the Muslim world's major countries to help establish lasting peace, security and stability in the region through strengthening cooperation and interactions.