The United Arab Emirates has described a drone strike near its Barakah nuclear power plant as a “dangerous escalation” after an attack triggered a fire close to the facility on Sunday.
According to the UAE’s defence ministry, three drones entered the country from the western border direction. Air defence systems intercepted two of them, while the third struck an electrical generator located outside the inner security perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi.
Authorities confirmed that the strike caused a fire, but no injuries were reported and there was no impact on nuclear safety or radiation levels at the site.
The UAE’s foreign ministry condemned the incident, calling it an “unacceptable act of aggression” and warning that the country reserves the right to respond to threats against its security and infrastructure.
Officials stressed that targeting peaceful nuclear energy facilities violates international law, the United Nations Charter and humanitarian principles.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office said the fire was quickly contained and that operations at the nuclear plant continued normally following precautionary safety measures.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also reacted to the incident. Its director general, Rafael Grossi, expressed serious concern and called for maximum restraint, warning that military actions threatening nuclear safety are unacceptable.
The UAE has not officially identified who launched the drones. However, tensions in the region have remained high since the outbreak of conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel earlier this year.
Emirati authorities have previously accused Iran of supporting attacks against energy and economic infrastructure in the Gulf region, allegations Tehran denies.
At the same time, Iran has accused Gulf states allied with Washington, including the UAE, of allowing the United States to use their territory during military operations against Tehran.
The incident comes despite a ceasefire agreement reached between the United States and Iran in April. Although major fighting has eased, occasional exchanges of fire and drone attacks continue across the region.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that it had intercepted and destroyed three drones that entered its airspace from Iraq.
The ongoing tensions have also affected global energy markets, particularly because the Strait of Hormuz remains partially disrupted. The strategic waterway handles a significant share of the world’s oil and gas shipments.
US President Donald Trump recently warned that the ceasefire remains fragile after disagreements with Iran over demands linked to the conflict and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
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