‘Clock is ticking’: Trump warns Iran as UAE nuclear plant targeted in drone attack

Washington, United States: President Donald Trump issued a chilling ultimatum to Tehran on Sunday, warning that "there won't be anything left of them" if the Iranian government does not immediately agree to a peace deal with the United States.

The President’s social media broadside came as a drone strike targeted the United Arab Emirates’ Barakah nuclear power plant, sparking a fire and threatening to shatter a tenuous regional ceasefire.

"For Iran, the clock is ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won't be anything left of them," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform shortly after a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!"

The strike on the USD 20 billion Barakah facility—the only nuclear power plant in the Arab world—targeted the perimeter and an electrical generator, forcing one reactor to rely on emergency diesel generators. While the UAE reported no injuries or radiological release, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed "grave concern" over the escalation.

The UAE, which has recently accused Iran of launching attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, said it was investigating three drones that crossed its western border from the direction of Saudi Arabia.

In Israel, Netanyahu told his Cabinet that the military is "prepared for any scenario," while sources indicate Israel is already coordinating with the U.S. regarding a potential resumption of attacks.

Tehran responded to the rising pressure with defiant propaganda. Iranian state television aired segments featuring news anchors holding rifles and receiving basic firearms training during live broadcasts. One presenter, Hossein Hosseini, mimed firing a shot at the UAE flag, while another declared her readiness to "sacrifice my life for this country."

The escalation marks a dangerous new chapter in the conflict that began on February 28, when Israel and the U.S. launched strikes against Iran. Despite a nominal ceasefire, fighting has intensified between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, and diplomatic efforts for a durable peace have largely faltered.