A DRONE strike has sparked a fire on the perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), raising fresh concerns over a possible regional escalation despite the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States.
In a statement issued on Sunday, authorities in Abu Dhabi confirmed that the fire broke out at an electrical generator located outside the plant’s inner perimeter in the Al Dhafra region, while the UAE Defence Ministry later disclosed that air defence systems had successfully intercepted two drones and that a third drone struck the generator near the facility.
Officials said no injuries were recorded from the incident and stressed that radiation levels at the facility remained within normal range.
The UAE’s nuclear regulator also assured the public that operations at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant — the first nuclear power station on the Arabian Peninsula — were not affected by the incident.
“All units are operating as normal,” the regulator said in a social media post.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, and the UAE authorities have not publicly accused any country of carrying out the strike.
However, in a later statement on Sunday, the UAE Defence Ministry said its air defence systems had dealt “successfully” with two drones, while a third drone hit a generator near the nuclear facility.
The ministry added that the drones were launched from the “western border,” although it did not provide further details regarding the origin of the attack.
According to the statement, investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the drones and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The UAE has faced repeated Iranian missile and drone attacks since the United States and Israel began military operations against Iran on February 28.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the incident forced one of the reactors at the plant to temporarily rely on emergency diesel generators.
IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi expressed “grave concern” over the development, warning that military activity threatening nuclear facilities was “unacceptable.”
The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is situated near the border with Saudi Arabia, approximately 225 kilometres west of the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi.
Despite the ceasefire agreement announced between the United States and Iran on April 8, drone attacks targeting the UAE have continued.
Last week, Emirati authorities accused Iran of launching missiles and drones at the port city of Fujairah, an incident that reportedly injured three Indian nationals and triggered a fire at an oil facility located within the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone.
Iran had earlier warned that countries hosting US military bases or maintaining Israeli-linked interests could become potential targets.
Tensions have also intensified following accusations by Iran that the UAE was strengthening ties with Israel.
The claims gained further attention after reports emerged alleging that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the Gulf state during the conflict, an allegation the UAE has denied.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also stated last week that Israel had deployed Iron Dome air defence systems and personnel to the UAE to assist in defending against possible Iranian attacks.
Meanwhile, in a statement released on Friday, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected what it described as Iranian attempts to justify attacks on Emirati territory, stressing that the country reserves the right to respond to any threats against its sovereignty and security.