In a significant development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump held discussions on Sunday regarding the ongoing tensions with Iran. Their conversation centered on the potential resumption of military actions against Iran and Trump’s recent diplomatic visit to China. Following this, Netanyahu was scheduled to meet with key ministers in Jerusalem for a security briefing, often referred to as the “small security cabinet,” which includes prominent figures such as Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Recent reports have indicated that Israel and the United States are intensifying preparations for renewed attacks on Iran, with actions possibly imminent. This strategic planning follows an attack on a nuclear facility in the UAE by a drone, an incident attributed to Iran amid its ongoing conflict with Israel. Meanwhile, Trump is expected to convene with his national security advisers to evaluate military strategies targeting Iran. Despite stalled negotiations since April, Trump believes Iran is still interested in reaching an agreement but warned of severe repercussions if Tehran fails to act swiftly.
During their cabinet meeting, Netanyahu expressed vigilance concerning Iran and looked forward to insights from Trump’s China trip, where Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly offered to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global oil that Iran has obstructed. Trump assured that Xi committed not to supply military aid to Iran. On his return, Trump shared an evocative image symbolizing potential conflict, reinforcing his belief that a new proposal from Tehran could arrive soon, though he did not specify a deadline for negotiations.
In response, Iranian officials have issued stern warnings against renewed U.S. aggression. Spokesman for the Iranian armed forces, Abolfazl Shekarchi, cautioned that any attack would be met with unprecedented retaliatory measures. Similarly, Iran’s deputy parliament speaker warned of potential disruptions to global oil supplies if Iranian oil infrastructure were targeted. Amid these tensions, Iranian media reported dissatisfaction with the U.S.’s lack of substantive concessions in talks, highlighting Tehran’s demands for the cessation of hostilities and lifting of sanctions.
In the UAE, authorities confirmed a drone strike caused a fire near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, although no injuries or radiation threats were reported. The UN’s nuclear watchdog, led by Rafael Grossi, condemned the attack, emphasizing the unacceptable risk to nuclear safety. While the source of the drone remains unconfirmed, the UAE has previously accused Iran of targeting its infrastructure. Amid this backdrop, reports emerged of UAE and Saudi military actions against Iran, aligning them with U.S. and Israeli efforts against the Islamic Republic.