Brad Cooper

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Key Figures

President Trump posted on Truth Social on May 17, 2026: "For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won't be anything left of them." The post came as the ceasefire collapsed after Iran refused nuclear concessions in its 14-point proposal. That same day, a drone struck an electrical generator at the UAE's Barakah Nuclear Power Plant — the first attack on Gulf nuclear infrastructure since the war began — with no radiation detected. Trump then convened a Situation Room meeting with Hegseth and CENTCOM's Admiral Cooper to review a prepared strikes plan.

Three drones targeted the UAE's Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi; UAE air defenses intercepted two and one struck the plant's outer perimeter, igniting a fire extinguished within hours. The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation confirmed no radiation was released and reactor operations were unaffected. No group claimed responsibility, but sources cited by the Jerusalem Post said the attack was intended to send a message to the Emiratis about their support for U.S.-led operations against Iran. The strike was the first known attack on an operating commercial nuclear facility.

The Defense Department Inspector General released report DODIG-2026-084 on May 15, 2026, finding the Pentagon gutted its civilian harm mitigation programs to a degree that may violate DoDI 3000.17, required by federal law under 10 USC 184. The Civilian Protection Center of Excellence lost nearly all personnel, CENTCOM's civilian harm team was cut from 10 staffers to one, and JSOC eliminated its civilian harm office entirely. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper told the Senate Armed Services Committee his command hasn't investigated civilian casualty reports in Iran.

The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance fires on and seizes the sanctioned Iranian-flagged cargo vessel M/V Touska in the north Arabian Sea on April 19, 2026, after six hours of warnings. The ship was heading to Iran's Bandar Abbas port from China and had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury. Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya military command vows "necessary action" in retaliation. The ceasefire expires April 22. Iran's foreign ministry says it has no plans for new talks, accusing the U.S. of violating the ceasefire through its naval blockade. Under international law, a naval blockade in peacetime is generally prohibited; the U.S. justifies it under AUMF authority, but Congress has not authorized the war. The seizure comes three days before ceasefire expiration with no follow-on deal in sight.

U.S. Central Command began enforcing a naval blockade of all Iranian ports at 10 a.m. ET, with the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike groups ordered to board or turn back any vessel bound for Iranian ports in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM issued a Notice to Mariners directing ships to contact U.S. forces on channel 16 before proceeding through the region. Iran's armed forces declared the blockade illegal and an act of piracy under international law. The IRGC warned U.S. military vessels in the Strait would be treated as a ceasefire violation.