The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Defense reported in a May 17 X post that air defenses successfully intercepted two drones, while a third drone started a fire at an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah nuclear power plant; a presidential adviser suggested in a May 18 X post that Iran or one of its proxies was behind the attack. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote, "the Clock is Ticking," in a May 17 Truth Social post, indicating mounting frustration over stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations, and Iran has since responded to the latest U.S. proposal.