Netanyahu and Trump hold phone call "discussing the possibility of resuming war against Iran," key nuclear power plant in the UAE attacked
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The situation in the Middle East is once again heating up, as Israel and the US plot joint air strikes on Iran, and the UAE's nuclear power plant is hit by a drone attack.
According to Xinhua News Agency on May 17, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with US President Trump by phone that day, and both sides discussed the possibility of restarting military action against Iran. Israel's public broadcaster cited a senior Israeli official as saying that the call lasted about half an hour, and if the US resumes military action against Iran, the two countries are expected to launch joint air strikes.
On the same day, a drone attack occurred near the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE, causing a fire. That day, Trump issued a warning to Iran on social media: "Time is running out for Iran. They had better move quickly, or they'll end up with nothing. There's no time to lose!"
Meanwhile, according to CCTV News, Trump stated in an interview that he still believes Iran intends to reach an agreement and expects Iran to submit an updated proposal in the coming days.
Report: The US lists 5 key conditions in response to Iran's proposal
On the 17th local time, according to CCTV News citing sources from Iran, the US listed five key conditions in response to Iran's proposal.
The source said these five conditions include: the US will pay no compensation or war damages; Iran must ship 400 kilograms of enriched uranium out of the country and hand it over to the US; Iran is allowed to retain only one nuclear facility in operation; the US refuses to unfreeze Iran's frozen assets; and ceasefires on all fronts must be based on the premise of opening negotiations.
Iranian military: If the US launches military action again, it will face an "offensive response"
According to Xinhua News Agency citing Iranian media on the 17th, a senior spokesperson of Iran's armed forces responded to recent comments by US President Trump regarding Iran, warning the US not to launch new military strikes against Iran.
The spokesperson said that any attempt to "restore US prestige" by taking further action against Iran would result in the US suffering "more severe and heavier blows."
The spokesperson also stated that if the US threatens or takes military action against Iran again, the US's military assets and forces in the region will face a "brand new, offensive, unexpected, and storm-like response."
Nuclear plant attacked, UAE points finger at Iran
According to media reports, UAE defense officials said their air defense system intercepted three drones coming from the country's western border, shooting down two and the third breaking through the defenses, causing a fire on a power generator near the Barakah nuclear power plant.
The Barakah nuclear power plant is located about 175 miles west of the capital Abu Dhabi, and its four reactors provide about 25% of UAE's electricity. Abu Dhabi's media office stated that radiation levels are normal and the plant continues to operate. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) disclosed that following the attack, one of the reactors switched to backup diesel generator power.
The UAE stated that the drones came from the western border, and the source of the attack is still under investigation. Media cited informed sources that the UAE suspects Iran was behind the attack—since the start of the year, the UAE has attributed more than 2,800 drone and missile attacks to Iran. Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq and Yemen both have the capability to strike the UAE from the west, but no group has claimed responsibility so far.
Ceasefire negotiations stall, military options back on the table
According to media reports, Iranian media say Tehran has recently received a new US ceasefire proposal, and has communicated its response to the US via Pakistan, a key mediator. The White House has not commented.
However, the prospects for negotiations are not optimistic. The two sides remain far apart on core issues such as Iran's nuclear program and control over the Strait of Hormuz. A week ago, Trump publicly stated that Iran's previous response was "completely unacceptable."
Meanwhile, it was reported that Iranian state media had previously listed the Barakah nuclear plant as a retaliation target—the reason being Trump's threat at the end of March that if Iran did not lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the US would destroy its largest power plant.
UAE accelerates "bypass" strategy, reconfigures energy supply chain
Behind the attack on the nuclear plant is the UAE's broader strategic realignment. According to the Global Times, due to ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE is accelerating construction of a new pipeline that bypasses the Strait.
The UAE will expedite the "West-East Pipeline" project, aiming to double the export capacity through the port of Fujairah by 2027 to ensure future crude oil exports are not threatened by interruptions. The pipeline is currently under construction and is expected to be operational by 2027.
At present, the existing Habshan–Fujairah pipeline runs from the main oil-producing area of Habshan in the west to Fujairah Port in the east, with a total length of 420 kilometers, connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman by land. The pipeline's current capacity is as high as 1.5 million barrels per day. However, this is less than half of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's usual export volume. Reports say that upon completion of the new "West–East Pipeline," the overall crude export capacity of the port will double.
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