Washington / Tehran / Abu Dhabi, May 18 (H.S.): United States President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Tehran that “nothing will remain” of Iran if it does not quickly agree to a peace deal. He stated that “the clock is ticking for Iran” and cautioned that Iranian leaders must act immediately or face devastating consequences. President Trump issued the warning on his Truth Social platform, screenshots of which were later shared by the White House on its official X account.

Iran responded sharply to the remarks, declaring that it would neither bow to Washington nor surrender to American pressure, and that it was fully prepared to fight with all its strength.

According to reports by CBS News and Al Jazeera, President Trump also claimed that control over the Strait of Hormuz rests with the United States rather than Iran. He further reiterated that the U.S. military had “almost completely destroyed” Iran’s armed forces.

Following Trump’s warning, Mohsen Rezaee, a member of Tehran’s Expediency Council and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), issued a stern warning to Washington, demanding that the United States lift its naval blockade around Iranian ports. He stated that Iranian forces were fully prepared to respond militarily.

Iran Warns Oman Sea Could Become “A Graveyard” for U.S. Forces

Speaking on Iranian state television, Rezaee warned:

“We advise the American military to end the blockade before the Oman Sea becomes its graveyard.”

He added that prolonging the naval blockade against Iran would inflict severe economic and strategic damage on countries around the world. Rezaee further asserted that the United States must now “prove itself,” emphasizing that Iranian forces were ready for combat and that “their fingers are on the trigger.”

The U.S. military blockade reportedly began on April 13. President Trump has repeatedly stated that the operation will continue until Iran agrees to a peace agreement under Washington’s terms.

Tehran, however, has maintained that it will never submit to American pressure under any circumstances and insists that its armed forces are fully prepared for war.

Meanwhile, Iran has significantly increased security measures south of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has declared that all vessels passing through the strategically vital waterway must coordinate with Iranian authorities, the military, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The IRGC Navy recently announced that it was expanding its control over the Strait of Hormuz and claimed that the crucial maritime route was now entirely under its authority. According to the group, unauthorized military ships and boats would not be allowed to pass through the strait, although vessels belonging to allied nations would receive exemptions.

Drone Attack Hits UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Amid Rising Tensions

At the same time, a drone strike targeted the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. The attack triggered a fire at the facility. No group has claimed responsibility so far, though suspicion has reportedly fallen on Iran and its regional allies.

The drone reportedly struck an electrical generator located outside the plant’s internal security perimeter.

The UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the incident. According to a report by Gulf News, emergency response teams managed to bring the fire under control shortly after the attack.

Both FANR and the IAEA stated that the incident caused no damage to the plant’s core systems or operational safety infrastructure. Authorities also confirmed that radiation levels remained completely normal and that there was no nuclear leakage or environmental threat.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar