Trump warns 'won't be anything left' of Iran unless it agrees to deal

This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.

Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments

• Lebanon says Israeli strikes kill 7 as Hezbollah condemns talks
• UAE says drone that hit nuclear site crossed western border
• Iran media says 'no tangible concessions' in US response to Iran proposal
• Israeli attacks cost Lebanon an estimated $2B, minister says
• Israel strikes Lebanon while Hezbollah calls talks 'dead end'

Ex-US defence chief recalls Netanyahu lobbying for attacks on Iran as far back as 2009

Published: May 18, 2026 | 02:45 GMT | by Web Desk

Robert Gates, the former CIA director and US defence secretary, has recalled a 2009 exchange with Benjamin Netanyahu in which the Israeli prime minister argued that Iran would quickly collapse if struck militarily, Al Jazeera reported.

Speaking on CBS programme Face the Nation, Gates said Netanyahu told him in July 2009 that the Iranian regime was fragile and would “crumble at the first attack.”

Gates rejected the assessment at the time, saying he told Netanyahu he was “dead wrong” and was underestimating “the resilience of the Iranians.”

Melenchon slams ‘European complicity’ in US-Israel war on Iran

Published: May 18, 2026 | 01:01 GMT | by Web Desk

Jean-Luc Melenchon, the leading figure of France’s left-wing La France Insoumise party, has condemned “European complicity” in the US–Israeli strikes on Iran, which triggered a wider regional war.

In a post on X, Melenchon said: “Trump and Netanyahu’s crude threats to destroy Iran are only possible thanks to European complicity. The world’s peace is reduced to the interests of Trump and Netanyahu’s colonialism.”

The politician, who is contending the 2027 presidential elections, urged voters to end “France’s alignment with these criminals” and “break the leash” during the vote.

Israeli strikes kills 5 in Gaza

Published: May 18, 2026 | 00:15 GMT | by AFP

Israeli strikes and gunfire killed five people in Gaza, where at least 871 people have been killed in persistent violence since an October ceasefire, health officials in the Palestinian territory said.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel has almost achieved its goal of eliminating all those responsible for orchestrating the October 7 attack.

"I promised that every single architect of the massacre and the hostage-taking would be eliminated down to the last one, and we are very close to completing this mission," Netanyahu said during the weekly cabinet meeting.

Pakistan, Iran discuss key matters in Tehran

Published: May 17, 2026 | 01:04 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran during an official visit that also included meetings with senior Iranian officials, according to statements released through the minister’s official WhatsApp channel.

“Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi meets Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, discusses key matters,” the statement issued late on Sunday said.

Naqvi also met Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf during the visit.

The interior minister was received on arrival in Tehran by his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni, with the two sides discussing bilateral relations during their meeting, the statement said.

Trump warns 'won't be anything left' of Iran unless it agrees to deal

Published: May 17, 2026 | 18:54 GMT | by AFP

President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Iran, "there won't be anything left of them" if Tehran does not quickly agree to a peace deal with the United States.

"For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won't be anything left of them," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!"

UAE says drone that hit nuclear site crossed western border

Published: May 17, 2026 | 15:30 GMT | by AFP

The UAE's Ministry of Defense said a drone that hit an electrical generator at a nuclear power station Sunday was one of three that had crossed the country's western border.

"Investigations are underway to determine the source of the attacks," the ministry said in a statement.

"The Ministry of Defence announced that on 17th May 2026, UAE air defence systems intercepted three UAVs that entered the country from the western border direction," it said.

"Two were successfully intercepted while the third struck an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra area."

Read our May 17 live blog for earlier developments here.