A drone strike caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the ​United Arab Emirates, officials there said on Sunday, while Saudi Arabia reported intercepting three drones, as U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran must act “fast” after efforts to ‌end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran appeared to have stalled.

Emirati officials said they were investigating the source of the strike and that the UAE had the full right to respond to such “terrorist attacks.” A diplomatic adviser to the UAE president said it represented a dangerous escalation, whether carried out by “the principal perpetrator” or one of its proxies.

The UAE defense ministry said two other drones had been “successfully” dealt with, and that the drones had been launched from the “western ​border.” It did not elaborate.

Saudi Arabia said the three drones it intercepted entered from Iraqi airspace and warned that it would take the necessary operational measures to respond to ​any attempt to violate its sovereignty and security.

While hostilities during the Iran conflict have largely been scaled down since a ceasefire came into effect ⁠in April, drones have been launched from Iraq towards Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The drone that got through the UAE’s defenses hit an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah ​Nuclear Power Plant, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said. Radiological safety levels were unaffected and there were no injuries, it said. UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation later confirmed that the plant remained safe, ​with no radioactive material released from the strike.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said emergency diesel generators were providing power to the plant’s “unit 3,” and called for “maximum military restraint” near any nuclear power plant, adding that it was following the situation closely.

During the war that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, Iran has repeatedly targeted the UAE and other Gulf states that host U.S. military bases, hitting sites that include civilian ​and energy infrastructure.

Iran stepped up such attacks on the UAE earlier this month after Trump announced a naval mission to try to open the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump suspended after 48 hours.

DIPLOMATIC ​DEADLOCK

More than five weeks after a tenuous ceasefire in the conflict took effect, U.S. and Iranian demands remain far apart despite diplomatic efforts to end the war and reopen the strait, the world’s most important ‌shipping route for ⁠oil and gas.

Washington has called for Tehran to dismantle its nuclear program and lift its hold on the strait. Iran has demanded compensation for war damage, an end to a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and a halt to fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon, where Israel is battling Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Trump, whose harsh rhetoric has failed to break the stalemate, said in a post on Truth Social: “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 is expected to meet top national security advisers ​on Tuesday to discuss options for military action ​regarding Iran, Axios reported.

Trump held talks with Chinese President ⁠Xi Jinping this week without securing an indication from China that it would help resolve the conflict and has previously threatened to resume attacks if Iran does not agree to a deal.

A senior spokesperson for the Iranian armed forces, Abolfazl Shekarchi, said on Sunday that if Trump’s threats were ​carried out, the U.S. would “face new, aggressive, and surprise scenarios, and sink into a self-made quagmire”.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the ​U.S. and Israel had ⁠tried to shift the blame for destabilizing energy markets following their “unprovoked military aggression against Iran”.

RIVAL BLOCKADES

The disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has caused the biggest oil supply crisis in history, pushing up prices. The U.S. has imposed its own blockade of Iranian ports, and said that as of Sunday it had redirected 81 commercial vessels and disabled four vessels to ensure compliance.

Ebrahim Azizi, who heads the Iranian ⁠parliament’s national security ​committee, said on Saturday that Tehran had prepared a mechanism to manage traffic through the strait along a designated ​route that would be unveiled soon.

Thousands of Iranians were killed in the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. Thousands more have been killed in Lebanon in fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.

Israel and Lebanon agreed on Friday to a 45-day extension ​of a ceasefire there, though the truce has failed to end clashes.

Reuters

Dubai Customs’ “Green Corridor” initiative was launched as an emergency trade facilitation measure. Within weeks, it evolved into one of the Gulf’s most significant alternative logistics routes, helping businesses reroute cargo away from disrupted maritime corridors while keeping trade flows moving across the region.

The initiative, activated in cooperation with Oman Customs in March 2026, came as regional developments began affecting key shipping routes and placing global supply chains under pressure. Dubai Customs said the corridor was operationalised within 72 hours after disruptions started impacting traditional sea lanes. The response reflected a growing challenge facing global trade hubs.

As shipping disruptions, geopolitical tensions, rising insurance costs, and congestion increasingly affect established maritime routes, governments and logistics operators are being forced to develop alternative transport networks capable of sustaining cargo movement during periods of instability. Dubai’s Green Corridor was designed to do exactly that.

What is ‘Green Corridor’?

The Green Corridor is an accelerated customs and logistics route linking Oman and Dubai through the Hatta Border Crossing.

Under the system, cargo arriving through Oman can be redirected overland into Dubai under streamlined customs procedures, allowing shipments to bypass delays affecting conventional shipping routes.

The initiative allows containers destined for Jebel Ali Port, Dubai’s local market, and re-export operations to continue moving through alternative land routes while remaining under customs supervision.

Dubai Customs described the corridor as a “vital trade artery” that helped sustain regional and international cargo flows during a period of significant pressure on global supply chains.

The route effectively created a contingency logistics network capable of redirecting shipments away from disrupted maritime pathways while reducing delays for businesses dependent on fast cargo movement.

Why was the initiative launched?

The Green Corridor was introduced in response to disruptions affecting regional shipping routes and maritime trade operations.

While Dubai Customs did not specify individual incidents, the disruptions triggered operational challenges across logistics networks, including shipping delays, route diversions, rising freight and insurance costs, and mounting congestion at alternative ports.

For Dubai, maintaining uninterrupted trade flows carries broader economic importance. The emirate serves as one of the world’s largest re-export and logistics hubs, connecting cargo flows between Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Any prolonged disruption to shipping routes can affect importers, exporters, retailers, manufacturers, logistics companies, and free-zone operators that depend on predictable cargo movement.

The Green Corridor was intended to minimise those risks by creating a rapid-response alternative transport route. Dubai Customs said the initiative was developed in close cooperation with customers and strategic partners to ensure trade continuity and preserve supply-chain resilience during changing regional conditions.

How did cargo movement change?

The scale of the shift became visible almost immediately after the corridor was activated. According to Dubai Customs, customs declarations processed through the Green Corridor increased from around 12,000 in March to nearly 100,000 in April 2026.

The total value of goods transported through the corridor, including insurance and freight costs, rose from Dh1 billion to more than Dh8 billion during the same period. The figures illustrate how rapidly companies adjusted supply-chain operations once an alternative route became available.

Importers and logistics providers facing delays or uncertainty along traditional maritime routes appear to have increasingly redirected cargo through Oman and onward into Dubai via land transport.

The increase in declaration volumes also highlights the extent to which businesses prioritised operational continuity and route diversification during the disruptions.

How does the corridor operate?

The system relies on a combination of digital customs integration, advance cargo processing, and continuous customs supervision. Dubai Customs said shipments are transported in sealed trucks under full customs monitoring throughout transit, allowing cargo to move quickly while maintaining security controls and procedural compliance.

Advanced customs systems process pre-arrival cargo information, manifests, bills of lading, and shipment data before goods reach border crossings. That allows customs teams to accelerate inspection, verification, and clearance procedures without compromising shipment integrity or security requirements.

Unified customs procedures and customs seals also allow businesses to move cargo more flexibly across borders while reducing administrative delays. The initiative effectively combines physical transport infrastructure with digital customs coordination to create a faster alternative trade route.

Roles Fujairah, Khorfakkan play

Dubai Customs expanded the initiative beyond the UAE-Oman land corridor by introducing facilitation measures for shipments entering through Fujairah and Khorfakkan.

Under the revised procedures, containers arriving at those ports can move directly overland to Dubai immediately after arrival instead of completing standard customs clearance processes at the originating ports.

The measure reduces cargo dwell times and shortens overall shipment processing periods for businesses operating through alternative ports. The strategy reflects a broader logistics diversification effort aimed at reducing dependence on a single trade route or maritime gateway during periods of disruption.

Why was transit period extended?

Dubai Customs also extended the allowable transit period for goods from 30 days to 90 days in response to operational feedback from companies and logistics operators. The change gave businesses additional time to reorganise transport schedules, warehouse operations, and supply-chain planning as regional shipping conditions evolved.

Longer transit windows are particularly important during periods of disruption because businesses often face unpredictable delivery schedules, rerouting requirements, customs bottlenecks, and port congestion.

The extension provided companies with greater operational flexibility while reducing pressure on cargo operators dealing with changing regional logistics conditions.

Why does initiative matter for Dubai?

The Green Corridor is as much an economic resilience initiative as it is a customs programme. Dubai’s position as a global trade and logistics hub depends heavily on its ability to maintain uninterrupted cargo movement during periods of instability. The emirate’s ports, airports, free zones, and re-export networks are central to its broader economic model.

The initiative demonstrated Dubai’s ability to rapidly deploy alternative logistics infrastructure while coordinating between customs authorities, ports, logistics companies, and the private sector.

Dubai Customs said the corridor reinforced the emirate’s position as a globally connected trade hub capable of sustaining commercial activity under changing conditions.

Dr. Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, said the initiative reflected Dubai’s “proactive and flexible approach” to managing regional and international developments while supporting business continuity and economic sustainability.

He said Dubai Customs worked closely with relevant entities and strategic partners to create an operational framework capable of preserving trade continuity and maintaining business confidence under all circumstances.

What it signals about future trade?

The Green Corridor may also offer an early indication of how regional logistics systems could evolve in response to future disruptions. Trade hubs are increasingly investing in route diversification, digital customs integration, and contingency infrastructure as supply-chain resilience becomes a larger strategic priority for governments and businesses alike.

Dubai Customs said the initiative could serve as a practical model for future regional integration frameworks by strengthening logistics resilience through alternative trade routes capable of maintaining cargo flows during emergencies affecting traditional shipping lanes.

The rapid growth in shipment volumes moving through the corridor suggests businesses are willing to quickly restructure logistics operations when alternative systems provide predictable customs procedures, operational flexibility, and faster cargo movement.

That shift reflects a broader recalibration taking place across global trade networks, where resilience and adaptability are increasingly becoming as important as speed and scale.

GN

General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, led the UAE delegation at the emergency meeting of the Interior Ministers of the GCC countries, held in Riyadh.

The meeting was chaired by the Kingdom of Bahrain and attended by Their Highnesses and Excellencies the GCC Interior Ministers, alongside Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC.

His Highness affirmed that the UAE’s participation reflects its steadfast national commitment to the principle that GCC security is indivisible, and that any threat targeting a member state directly impacts the stability and security of the region as a whole.

He further stressed that the UAE, under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, remains firmly committed to strengthening national security, safeguarding its achievements, reinforcing internal cohesion, and confronting all attempts aimed at undermining the security and stability of GCC member states.

The Minister also reiterated the UAE’s resolute position against Iranian schemes aimed at destabilizing GCC societies through hostile activities and subversive instruments, in clear violation of international law and universally accepted norms and values.

GN