United Arab Emirates officials said a drone struck equipment near the Barakah nuclear power plant Sunday, triggering a fire but causing no radiation leak or casualties as regional tensions involving Iran and the United States continue despite an active ceasefire.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The United Arab Emirates said Sunday that a drone strike caused a fire at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra region, marking another escalation in regional tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and allied Gulf nations.
According to UAE defense officials, three drones entered the country through its western border region early Sunday. The country’s air defense systems intercepted two of the drones, while a third struck an electrical generator located outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah facility.
The UAE Ministry of Defense said the incident caused a fire but resulted in no casualties and no disruption to nuclear safety systems.
Officials stated an investigation is underway and said no country or group has yet been formally blamed for the strike.
In a statement, the ministry said the UAE “remains fully prepared and ready to address any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine the country’s security, in a manner that safeguards its sovereignty, security and stability, and protects its national interests and gains.”
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, a $20 billion project developed with assistance from South Korea, became operational in 2020 and remains the only nuclear power facility in the Arab world. The plant supplies approximately one-quarter of the UAE’s electricity needs.
The UAE’s nuclear regulatory authority later stated the fire did not affect reactor operations or radiation levels and said “all units are operating as normal.”
The incident prompted emergency diplomatic consultations involving international nuclear authorities.
The UAE Foreign Ministry said Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Rafael Grossi, head of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency.
According to the ministry, Abdullah bin Zayed “strongly condemned the treacherous terrorist attack that resulted in a fire in an electrical generator.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later confirmed he held discussions by phone with his South Korean counterpart following the strike.
Although no organization has claimed responsibility, the UAE has repeatedly accused Iran in recent weeks of launching drones and missiles at Gulf states and commercial vessels amid tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic shipping corridor remains central to the ongoing dispute between Tehran and Washington following U.S. naval operations and continued military pressure in the region.
Since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict, Iranian forces have allegedly targeted commercial shipping, Gulf infrastructure and energy facilities across the region, according to Gulf Arab officials.
Earlier this month, UAE officials reported Iranian attacks on the Fujairah oil and industrial zone, one of the country’s most strategically important energy hubs.
The UAE and Israel have also acknowledged that Israeli air defense systems and personnel are operating inside the Gulf nation following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iranian targets earlier this year.
Sunday’s strike occurred as a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran remained in place, although President Donald Trump recently indicated military hostilities could resume.
Last week, Trump rejected a new Iranian peace proposal and warned Tehran that failure to reach an agreement could lead to renewed attacks.
During remarks aboard Air Force One, Trump stated that the United States or China could enter Iran to remove what he described as “nuclear dust,” referring to enriched uranium believed buried beneath rubble after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in 2025.
Trump also issued a new warning Sunday on Truth Social.
“For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST … TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!” Trump wrote.
Iranian officials responded with warnings of their own.
Iranian military spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi said any future U.S. strikes would trigger “crushing and severe blows” against the United States and create a “self-created quagmire” for the Trump administration, according to Iran’s semi-official IRNA news agency.
The broader conflict continues to center on Iran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington has demanded that Tehran dismantle its nuclear infrastructure and cease efforts to control regional shipping lanes, while Iranian officials have called for compensation for war damage, removal of U.S. blockades on Iranian ports and an end to military operations involving Iranian-backed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Prior to last month’s ceasefire announcement, Trump publicly warned Iran that the United States could target bridges, power facilities and additional infrastructure if negotiations failed.
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