Donald Trump on Sunday issued a new warning to Iran saying that the “clock is ticking”, so they should move fast on negotiations, otherwise, “there won’t be anything left of them”. Trump, who recently returned from China where he had held discussions with counterpart Xi Jinping on Iran and Taiwan among a host of other issues, took to Truth Social and posted, “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’s fresh ultimatum to Tehran has come hours after he held a crucial phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump had briefed to Netanyahu about his recent visit to China and also on exploring strategies viz-a-viz Iran, amid fears of resuming US strikes.
Drone Strike At Abu Dhabi Nuclear Plant Keep Mideast on Edge
Earlier on Sunday, tensions rose once again in mideast after a drone strike targeted the United Arab Emirates’ sole nuclear power plant, sparking a fire on its perimeter. There were no reports of injuries or radiological release, but it highlighted the risk of renewed war as the Iran ceasefire remains tenuous.
Hours after Trump fired off yet another threat to Iran, trying to dictate its terms amid fast moving negotiations. As the West Asia region continues to remain affected due to Iran war, Washington and Tehran are keeping back-channel talks active, even though, no solution is visible to the sight as both the countries remains non-negotiable to their core demands including opening and controlling maritime traffic on Strait of Hormuz, handing over enriched Uranium to US, among others.
Ceasefire Appears Increasingly Shaky
Amid a shaky ceasefire, Israel, which is coordinating with the US about a possible resumption of attacks, said two people familiar with the situation, including an Israeli military officer. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing confidential military preparations.
Speaking to his Cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu said, “our eyes are also open” when it comes to Iran, and “we are prepared for any scenario.”
On Iranian state TV, presenters on at least two channels appeared armed during live programs.
One of them, Hossein Hosseini, received basic firearms training from a masked member of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. Hosseini mimed firing a shot at the flag of the UAE.
On another channel, Mobina Nasiri said a weapon had been sent to her from a gathering in Tehran’s Vanak Square. “From this platform, I declare that I am ready to sacrifice my life for this country,” she said.
UAE’s Nuclear Program Different from Iran’s and Israel’s
The UAE signed a strict deal with the US over the nuclear power plant, known as a “123 agreement,” in which it agreed to forego domestic uranium enrichment and reprocessing of spent fuel to ease any proliferation concerns. Its uranium comes from abroad.
That’s very different from the nuclear program in Iran that is at the heart of long-running tensions with the United States and Israel.
Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, but it has enriched its uranium close to weapons-grade levels and is widely suspected of having had a military component to its program until at least 2003. It has often restricted the work of U.N. inspectors, including since the 12-day war with Israel last year.
With inputs from AP
