Trump renews pressure on Iran as tensions raise economic concerns

President Donald Trump is once again escalating his rhetoric toward Iran, warning the country that “the clock is ticking” as negotiations to end the conflict appear stalled.

(NBC)- President Donald Trump is once again escalating his rhetoric toward Iran, warning the country that “the clock is ticking” as negotiations to end the conflict appear stalled.

In a social media post Friday morning, Trump warned Iran’s leadership to move quickly “or there won’t be anything left of them.”

The comments came amid Israeli media reports that Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Friday, Trump also suggested the United States could inflict major damage on Iran’s infrastructure if tensions continue escalating.

“We left their bridges, we left their electricity capacity,” Trump said. “We can knock that all out in two days.”

The renewed threats come as regional tensions continue spreading across the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates said a drone strike sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant, calling the attack a dangerous act of terrorism.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia announced it intercepted multiple drones. Both countries have repeatedly accused Iran of targeting them during the ongoing standoff centered around the Strait of Hormuz.

Negotiations aimed at ending the war appear increasingly uncertain. Trump recently rejected Iran’s latest proposal, arguing it failed to properly address concerns over the country’s nuclear program. Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, is now publicly urging the president to intensify military pressure on Iran.

“I think the status quo is hurting us all,” Graham said. “The longer the strait is closed, the more we try to pursue a deal that never happens, the stronger Iran gets.”

“So what do you do next? You weaken them further,” Graham added. “What President Trump has done has been amazing militarily. But there’s still more targets to be had.”

As tensions continue overseas, Americans are increasingly feeling the economic effects at home. Rising fuel costs tied to instability in the Strait of Hormuz are driving up prices across multiple industries.

With negotiations stalled and regional tensions rising, concerns continue growing about the possibility of additional economic fallout in the weeks ahead.