Middle East roundup: UAE says drone that hit nuclear site crossed western border

This live blog followed the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations and economic fallout.

Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments

• President Trump says Strait of Hormuz 'will be opened'
• Everything should be clear before deal, says Iran FM
• Iran's Araghchi warns US of 'rocketing costs of war'
• Uzbek FM lauds Pakistan’s role in mediation for peace
• Israeli attack kills husband and wife in southern Lebanon

Lebanon says Israeli strikes kill 7 as Hezbollah condemns talks

Published: May 17, 2026 | 22:44 GMT | by AFP

Israeli strikes killed seven people in Lebanon, including an Islamic Jihad commander, Lebanese authorities and state media said, despite a fragile ceasefire as Hezbollah called US-brokered talks between the two countries a "dead end."

The health ministry published a "preliminary toll" for Israel's strikes, with three people killed in the town of Tayr Felsay, including a child, and two killed in the town of Tayr Debba, including another child.

It said 11 people were wounded in those strikes and four more were wounded in strikes in two other southern towns.

Saudi Arabia calls drone attack at UAE nuclear site 'threat' to region

Published: May 17, 2026 | 19:52 GMT | by AFP

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry condemned the drone strike that triggered a fire near a nuclear power plant in the neighbouring United Arab Emirates.

The ministry said in a statement that the attack was "a threat to the security and stability of the region" and expressed its solidarity with the UAE, saying it would "support all measures taken to preserve the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity" of the country.

Trump warns 'won't be anything left' of Iran unless it agrees to deal

Published: May 17, 2026 | 18:54 GMT | by AFP

President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Iran "there won't be anything left of them" if Tehran does not quickly agree to a peace deal with the United States.

"For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won't be anything left of them," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!"

UAE says drone that hit nuclear site crossed western border

Published: May 17, 2026 | 15:30 GMT | by AFP

The UAE's Ministry of Defense said a drone that hit an electrical generator at a nuclear power station Sunday was one of three that had crossed the country's western border.

"Investigations are underway to determine the source of the attacks," the ministry said in a statement.

"The Ministry of Defence announced that on 17th May 2026, UAE air defence systems intercepted three UAVs that entered the country from the western border direction," it said.

"Two were successfully intercepted while the third struck an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra area."

IAEA expresses 'grave concern' over drone strike near UAE nuclear plant

Published: May 17, 2026 | 13:01 GMT | by AFP

The UN atomic watchdog, the IAEA, on Sunday expressed "grave concern" over a drone strike near a United Arab Emirates nuclear plant that triggered a fire, though it said that radiation levels remained normal.

The International Atomic Energy Agency on X said its head, Rafael Grossi, voiced the concern and added: "Military activity that threatens nuclear safety is unacceptable."

"The IAEA has been informed by the UAE that radiation levels at the Barakah NPP (nuclear power plant) remain normal and no injuries were reported," the agency said.

Iran media says 'no tangible concessions' in US response to Iran proposal

Published: May 17, 2026 | 12:22 GMT | by AFP

Iranian media said Sunday that the United States had failed to make any concrete concessions in its latest response to Iran's proposed agenda for negotiations to end the war.

The Fars news agency said Washington had presented a five-point list which included a demand for Iran to keep only one nuclear site in operation and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States.

The US also refused to release "even 25 percent" of Iran's frozen assets abroad or pay any reparations for the damage inflicted on Iran during the war which broke out on February 28, according to Fars.

The report added that the US had conditioned the cessation of hostilities on all fronts on the start of negotiations.

Drone strike causes fire at nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi

Published: May 17, 2026 | 10:36 GMT | by Web Desk

A drone strike triggered a fire at an electrical generator at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the UAE’s Al Dhafra region, authorities said.

In a statement posted on X, Abu Dhabi’s media office said the fire broke out outside the facility’s inner perimeter and was brought under control. No injuries were reported, while officials said radiological safety levels at the plant remained unaffected.

Israel strikes Lebanon while Hezbollah calls talks 'dead end'

Published: May 17, 2026 | 09:43 GMT | by AFP

Israeli strikes targeted eastern and southern Lebanon on Sunday, state media reported, despite a fragile ceasefire, as a Hezbollah lawmaker called Lebanon's negotiations with Israel a "dead-end".

Two Israeli strikes hit the town of Sohmor in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa valley, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) said, adding that others took place across southern Lebanon.

Israeli attacks since the start of the war have killed more than 2,900 people in Lebanon, including more than 400 since the truce began on April 17, according to Lebanese authorities.

The latest strikes came after envoys from Israel and Lebanon held a third round of negotiations in Washington and agreed to extend the ceasefire.

Iran chief negotiator Ghalibaf appointed to oversee ties with China: media

Published: May 17, 2026 | 08:33 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who recently emerged as a chief negotiator in talks with the United States, has been appointed to oversee relations with China, Iranian media reported on Sunday.

"Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has recently been appointed as a special representative of the Islamic republic of Iran for China affairs," Tasnim news agency reported, citing "informed sources", with other media carrying similar reports.

It was not immediately clear who appointed Ghalibaf to the role, but Tasnim said he would "coordinate various sectors of relations between Iran and China".

Israeli attacks cost Lebanon an estimated $2B, minister says

Published: May 17, 2026 | 06:33 GMT | by Web Desk

Lebanon has suffered an estimated loss of up to $2 billion because of Israel’s intensified campaign since March 2, Al Jazeera reported, quoting Economy Minister Amer Bisat.

“The impact has been significant and multifaceted,” he said, citing job losses, halted farm production, factory closures and a sharp drop in tourism. “We estimate the war has cost us roughly $2bn — about 7% of GDP.”

Israeli forces continue attacks across Gaza

Published: May 17, 2026 | 06:23 GMT | by Web Desk

Israeli forces launched a series of attacks across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, Al Jazeera reported, citing Palestine’s Wafa news agency.

Artillery fire struck eastern and southern areas of Khan Younis, it said, adding that heavy shelling was also reported in the eastern parts of Al-Bureij refugee camp.

The attacks came amid heavy gunfire from military vehicles stationed near areas east and south of the city.

In Gaza City, Israeli warships fired toward the coast. No casualties have been reported so far.

Hezbollah says it struck military target in northern Israel

Published: May 17, 2026 | 06:33 GMT | by AFP

Hezbollah said Saturday it struck a military target in northern Israel, as the fragile ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel has not stopped fighting in the war that began on March 2.

In a statement, Hezbollah said its fighters targeted "the Ya'ara barracks... with a swarm of attack drones" after announcing multiple operations against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, where they are occupying territory near the border between the two countries.

Israel strikes south Lebanon day after ceasefire extension

Published: May 17, 2026 | 00:01 GMT | by AFP

Israel launched a massive series of airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, despite an extension of the truce between the two countries.

Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah, but the strikes were preceded by an evacuation warning covering nine villages.

The continuing bombardment has only increased skepticism about the truce among the many thousands of Lebanese driven from their homes in the south.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported strikes on more than two dozen villages on Saturday, including one more than 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the border.

Iran President Pezeshkian thanks Pope Leo XIV for stance against war: Media

Published: May 16, 2026 | 08:11 GMT | by Web Desk

 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has conveyed his appreciation to Pope Leo XIV, praising what he described as the pontiff’s ethical and rational stance on recent military actions against Iran, according to Tasnim News Agency.

Read our May 16 live blog for earlier developments here.