A drone hit the United Arab Emirates’ sole nuclear-power plant Sunday, risking a return to all-out war in the region — as President Trump warned Iran to agree to a peace deal soon or else.
Fire broke out at the perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant when the drone struck an electrical generator outside the facility in what the UAE dubbed an “unprovoked terrorist attack.”
The attack came just as President Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with both nations reportedly preparing to resume war with Iran after the Islamic republic rebuffed America’s latest peace proposal.
“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 posted on social media shortly after the call with Israel.
The drone that struck the nuclear plant was one of three fired at the UAE on Sunday, with the UAE vowing to retaliate despite not naming a suspect.
The UAE has previously accused Iran of launching such attacks in recent weeks.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, condemned the latest attack on the power plant, noting it was the first time the four-reactor facility had been targeted during the war.
Radiological safety levels remain the same, with the IAEA calling for “maximum military restraint” near any nuclear power plant.
The $20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant was built by the UAE with the help of South Korea, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying he spoke with Seoul on Sunday after the attack.
Sunday’s attack marked the latest assault on the UAE, a close ally of the US and Israel that was revealed to have launched its own retaliatory attacks against Iran before the cease-fire went into effect last month.
With tensions escalating, Israel is allegedly coordinating with the US about possibly resuming their air campaign against Iran, military officials told The Associated Press.
Trump has signaled that war could restart at any moment after posting an AI video of himself ordering US ships to attack Iranian planes over the weekend.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also testified to lawmakers in recent days that the US has an escalation plan in place if necessary.
