‘Hurt them more’: Lindsey Graham calls on Trump to strike energy infrastructure in IranYour support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Read more
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.”
Washington to call on G7 members to sanction Iran’s ‘war machine’
United States treasury secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that he would call on G7 finance ministers to follow a sanctions regime in order to keep financing away from what Bessent described as Iran’s “war machine”.
Bessent added that last week’s trip by a U.S. delegation to China, led by President Donald Trump, was “very successful”.
James Reynolds18 May 2026 08:28
Mapped: Strikes reported near UAE’s nuclear power plant
A drone strike caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the UAE, local officials said on Sunday, as Saudi Arabia said it intercepted three drones.
Emirati officials said they were investigating the source of the strike at Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, and the UAE said it had the full right to respond to “terrorist attacks”.
The drone hit an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said.
Saudi Arabia said the three drones it intercepted entered from Iraqi airspace and warned that it would take the necessary operational measures to respond to any attempt to violate its sovereignty and security.
James Reynolds18 May 2026 08:26
Iran allows energy giant’s ship to sail through Strait of Hormuz
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.
James Reynolds18 May 2026 07:58
Recap: Inside the UK-led mission to open the Strait of Hormuz
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.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 May 2026 07:05
Stocks fall and oil prices gain after Trump warns the Iran ‘clock is ticking’
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.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 May 2026 06:45
US planes loaded with ammunition land in Israel – report
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”.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 May 2026 06:25
Cuba stockpiling drones from Russia and Iran – report
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.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 May 2026 06:15
Fishing boats sit idle along the Strait of Hormuz
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)
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 May 2026 06:00
Canada condemns drone attacks on UAE nuclear plant
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.”
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 May 2026 05:55
Iran allows Malaysian energy giant’s ship to sail through Strait of Hormuz
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.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar18 May 2026 05:40