Iran live updates: Trump says 'TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE' for Iran deal

"For Iran, the Clock is Ticking," Trump said.

ABCNews logo
Last updated: Monday, May 18, 2026 10:45AM GMT
ABC News Live

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.

Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan in April failed to reach a peace deal.

Trump later announced the open-ended extension of the ceasefire and the continuation of a U.S. blockade until negotiations are concluded "one way or the other."

ByVictoria Beaule ABCNews logo
10:44 AM GMT

Iran responds to latest US peace proposal, Baghaei says

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said in a press briefing on Monday that Tehran had responded to the latest American negotiation proposal.

Backdropped by a billboard of Iran's national soccer team, a man holds a portrait of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
Backdropped by a billboard of Iran's national soccer team, a man holds a portrait of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

The mediation process continues through Pakistan, Baghaei told reporters.

"What can be said with certainty is, first of all, that rights are not something we are to negotiate or compromise over," Baghaei said, including Iran's right to enrichment as set out by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"There is no need for another party to recognize this right for Iran. This right already exists," he added.

ABCNews logo
10:39 AM GMT

Iran 'better get moving, FAST' and make a peace deal, Trump says

President Donald Trump is saying that Iran "better get moving, FAST," warning that "there won't be anything left of them" if they do not comply with his demands and make a peace deal.

"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 his social media platform early Sunday afternoon.

The president did not provide a new deadline or timeline for Iran's response, as he has previously.

During an interview in China with Fox News that aired Thursday night, Trump warned that Iran "can make a deal or they get annihilated."

Last week, Trump called the ceasefire with Iran "unbelievably weak" and "a piece of garbage" after he disapproved of their peace deal proposal response.

ABCNews logo
May 16, 2026, 6:52 PM GMT

Pakistan's interior minister arrives in Tehran for meeting with counterpart

Pakistan's interior minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran Saturday for a two-day official visit, meeting with his Iranian counterpart.

The Iranian semi-official news agency reported that the diplomacy is part of Pakistan's continued efforts to facilitate peace talks between the United States and Iran that have stalled.

-ABC News' Claire Bower

ABCNews logo
May 16, 2026, 11:02 AM GMT

Israel, IDF confirms death of Hamas leader Izz al-Din al-Haddad

The IDF said that they have killed Izz al-Din al-Haddad, Head of Hamas' military wing and "one of the last senior Hamas leaders involved in planning the October 7th massacre."

"Haddad assumed his role following the elimination of Mohammed Sinwar, and over the recent period, worked to rebuild the capabilities of the terrorist organization's military wing and to plan numerous terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops," the IDF said in their statement.

The IDF said that Haddad was "involved in the holding of many Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity. Haddad managed Hamas' hostage captivity system and surrounded himself with hostages in an attempt to prevent his elimination."

"Haddad is one of the longest-serving commanders in Hamas, having joined the terrorist organization during its early establishment, and maintained close ties with Hamas leadership," the IDF said. "Haddad played a central role in Hamas' terrorist rule and held a number of senior positions, such as the commander of the Gaza City Brigade and commander of additional units."

-ABC News' Rashid Haddou