US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Iran, warning that “the clock is ticking” and threatening that “there won’t be anything left of them” unless a peace deal is struck soon. His remarks come as senior aides draft plans for military strikes broader and more perilous than those launched during the 39‑day war that began in late February.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump added, “They better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!”
On Thursday, The New York Times reported that Trump is nearing a decisive move, with advisers preparing options that include resuming airstrikes and potentially deploying special operations forces inside Iran to locate enriched uranium buried underground.
Trump underscored the warning Friday evening by posting an AI-generated image on Truth Social depicting himself aboard a US Navy vessel alongside an admiral, Iranian ships visible in the background against stormy waters and lightning. He captioned the image “the calm before the storm.”
Simultaneously, the official White House account on X posted another AI-generated image portraying Trump as James Bond, positioned in front of the slogan “Make America Great Again.” The White House provided no official explanation for the message behind the imagery, which features a fictional character widely associated with high-stakes intelligence operations and sensitive covert missions.
AI-generated image showing Trump as James Bond, posted by the White House on May 16, 2026The threats come as Washington and Tehran exchange conditions for a deal through Pakistani mediation. The semi-official Iranian news agency Fars quoted unnamed Iranian sources as saying Tehran has set five confidence-building conditions before entering formal negotiations: a halt to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon; the full lifting of US sanctions; the unfreezing of all Iranian assets; financial compensation for war damages; and Washington’s formal recognition of Tehran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
The same sources said Washington has imposed five preconditions of its own: no fines or reparations, Iran must transfer 400 kilograms of enriched uranium to the US, Tehran may retain only a single nuclear facility, no more than 25% of frozen Iranian assets will be returned, and any halt to regional hostilities will be contingent on the start of talks—with no prior US commitment to permanently end military operations.
A fragile ceasefire declared April 8 has since been extended indefinitely by Trump, though it has been violated by both sides. Tensions near the Strait of Hormuz persist, with one vessel seized and another sunk in recent days. Saudi Arabia said on Sunday it intercepted three Iranian drones, while the UAE reported a separate drone strike near its Barakah nuclear power plant. Trump has discussed the waterway with several world leaders as Washington presses Tehran to relinquish control over the strategic chokepoint.
