The fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran faced new challenges Sunday as President Trump weighed further military action and the United Arab Emirates saw a fresh round of attacks on its energy infrastructure.
Mr. Trump reiterated his threats to launch unprecedented strikes on Iran if the ruling regime fails to agree to a deal to end the war.
“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!” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social.
The comments came after Mr. Trump discussed the war with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the phone earlier in the day. The two reportedly talked about the possibility of renewed fighting in Iran and the president is expected to hold a meeting with top defense officials in the Situation Room on Tuesday, according to reports.
Mr. Trump is also waiting for Iran’s newest peace proposal, he told Axios on Sunday, though he declined to give a firm deadline for the Islamic republic.
The U.S. has been at war with the Islamic republic since late February, when the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes on political, military and strategic targets in Iran. Washington and Tehran have since agreed to a ceasefire, which has been extended indefinitely, but infrequent clashes in the Strait of Hormuz have kept tensions high.
Some of Mr. Trump’s allies have called on the president to resume strikes, arguing that the status quo is unsustainable.
“What President Trump has done has been amazing militarily, but there are more targets to be had, and there are things we can do to hurt Iran,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.
Mr. Trump’s threats followed an unidentified drone attack near the UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on Sunday.
While officials said the attack caused no casualties and that radiation levels remain normal in the area, regional leaders roundly condemned the strike as a major escalation.
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan told the IAEA that it has a right to respond to what it called “terror attacks” on the nuclear plant.
The UAE has not directed blame for the attack, and Iran, which has launched hundreds of missiles and drones at the country since its war with the U.S. and Israel began, has not claimed responsibility.
Some analysts have predicted that, if the drone did not come from Iran, it could have been fired by the Houthis in Yemen, who have launched similar attacks against the UAE.
The incident is the first time the Barakah plant has been targeted since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began in late February. The UAE, along with the rest of the Persian Gulf States, has been repeatedly attacked by Iran since the war began for hosting U.S. air bases.
Despite a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, the UAE has been allegedly targeted by Iranian missiles and drones at least twice this month. Shortly after Mr. Trump launched Project Freedom to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a missile and drone barrage set fire to an oil refinery in Fujairah.
Tehran has not claimed responsibility for the strikes, though the UAE’s Defense Ministry said the missiles and drones were launched from Iran.
