Trump Signals More Strikes in Iran Talks

2026-05-18

U.S. President Donald Trump on the 17th increased pressure on Iran by demanding concessions in negotiations and hinting at renewed attacks. He posted on social media, "The clock is ticking," and wrote, "They had better move fast. Otherwise, nothing will be left."

Pressure rises over talks

According to U.S. news site Axios, Trump said in an interview that if the Iranian side does not present a better proposal than before, "they will receive a much bigger blow." He also said Iran still wants a deal and that he is waiting for a proposal from the country.

Military options to be discussed

Axios reported that Trump is expected to convene his national security team on the 19th to discuss military options. The U.S.-Iran talks to end the fighting remain deadlocked over the nuclear issue. Trump has called on Iran to halt its nuclear program for a long period, while the Iranian side is said to have told the U.S. that it wants to discuss the nuclear issue after the fighting ends.

On the 11th, Trump criticized Iran's proposal as "trash." After meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 14th and 15th, he said a 20-year halt to Iran's nuclear program would be enough, and set a fixed-term suspension and the complete removal of highly enriched uranium as conditions for a deal.

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