US moves cargo planes carrying ammunition to Israel as tension in West Asia continues
Tel Aviv, May 18
Dozens of US planes carrying ammunition from bases in Germany landed in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday, reported Al Jazeera, citing Israel's Channel 13.
This raised suspicion over Washington's intention to launch fresh waves of strikes on Iran, further escalating the West Asia conflict.
As reported by Al Jazeera, the Israeli broadcaster has said that this military activity in the past 24 hours was part of preparations to resume the war on Iran.
This comes as US President Donald Trump issued a fresh warning to Iran as negotiations remained deadlocked over uranium stockpiles, sanctions relief and war compensation following months of conflict across the Middle East.
"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 Sunday in a Truth Social post.
The US President's sharp remarks came just hours after Iranian media revealed Washington's core conditions for resuming negotiations.
According to Iran's Fars News Agency, the US wants Iran to surrender 400 kilograms of enriched uranium, keep only one nuclear facility active, drop demands for war compensation, accept that most frozen Iranian assets will remain blocked and end the war on all fronts only after negotiations are completed.
In a swift counter-response, Tehran laid out its own five preconditions for talks.
According to Iranian media reports, Iran said it would only return to negotiations if military operations across the region, particularly in Lebanon, come to an end, sanctions on Iran are lifted and its frozen overseas assets are released.
Furthermore, Iran demanded compensation for war damages and recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has tightened control over shipping movement through the strategic route, while the US has increased pressure on Iranian ports and maritime trade through a sweeping naval blockade.
These geopolitical tensions have continued to simmer despite a ceasefire reached earlier this year through Pakistani mediation.
Although the temporary truce stopped large-scale fighting between the sides, it failed to yield a long-term political agreement.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Trump's "clock is ticking" rhetoric is dangerous. As someone who remembers India's 1998 nuclear tests and the sanctions that followed, I understand Iran's desire to protect its sovereignty. But war benefits no one. Why can't the US and Iran just talk like adults? 🤷♀️
The US preconditions are humiliating - surrender enriched uranium, accept frozen assets, forget compensation? That's not negotiation, that's surrender. Iran's counter-demands regarding Strait of Hormuz is shrewd though. They know that's the pressure point. India imports 80% of its oil through that strait - this directly impacts us! 🚨
I understand America's frustration with Iran's nuclear program - India has always supported non-proliferation. But the US approach seems designed to provoke rather than de-escalate. Pakistan's ceasefire was a rare win for diplomacy in this region. Now the US and Israel are undermining it with these weapons shipments. Very disappointing. 😔
As an Indian, I'm watching this with concern. We have good relations with both Israel (defense partner) and Iran (energy needs and Chabahar port). This conflict puts us in a tough spot diplomatically. Smart move by India would be to maintain strategic autonomy and push for dialogue. War in West Asia means higher oil prices and trouble for our economy. Simple math. 🧮
I'm an American living in Bangalore and I'm disgusted by my government's actions. We keep sending weapons instead of diplomats. The preconditions the US set are clearly designed to fail. Trump's Truth Social post sounds like a mob boss threatening someone. Iran has legitimate security concerns after the
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