Drone strike sparks fire near UAE nuclear plant, no radiation leak reported

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the strike caused a fire near the facility and said one reactor temporarily switched to emergency diesel generators.

In Short

• The drone hit a generator outside the plant’s protected inner zone
• IAEA said one reactor briefly switched to emergency diesel generators
• Barakah, operational since 2020, supplies around a quarter of UAE electricity

A drone strike sparked a fire at the United Arab Emirates’ only nuclear power plant on Sunday, officials said, as efforts to end the US-Israeli conflict with Iran remained stalled and tensions continued to threaten Gulf security. The UAE did not directly blame any country for the strike and no group claimed responsibility.

The UAE’s defence ministry said an investigation was underway to identify where the drones came from. Officials said air defences intercepted two drones, while a third struck a generator near the nuclear plant. The ministry added that the drones had entered from the "western border" but did not provide further details.

According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, the drone hit an electrical generator outside the nuclear power plant’s protected inner zone. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the strike caused a fire near the facility and said one reactor temporarily switched to emergency diesel generators.

IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi said the agency was following the situation closely. "Military activity that threatens nuclear safety is unacceptable," the agency added.

UAE RELIES ON BARAKAH FOR ITS ELECTRICITY

The Barakah plant, which began operations in 2020, supplies around a quarter of the UAE’s electricity. Built with South Korean support, it is the only operational nuclear power station in the Middle East. The strike on Sunday was the first known attack near the facility since tensions escalated earlier this year.

Since the war began with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, Tehran has repeatedly targeted the UAE and other Gulf countries that host American military bases, with several attacks hitting civilian areas and energy infrastructure. The attacks on the UAE intensified earlier this month after US President Donald Trump announced a naval mission aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The operation was suspended less than 48 hours later.

IRAN STANDOFF SHOWS NO SIGN OF ENDING

The attack came as talks aimed at ending the Iran conflict remained deadlocked. The US wants Tehran to scale back its nuclear programme and reduce pressure on Gulf shipping lanes, especially around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has demanded compensation for war damage, an end to US pressure on its ports and a halt to military operations involving Israeli forces and Iran-backed groups across the region.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that military action could resume if negotiations fail.

Iranian military spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi responded Sunday by warning the US against launching fresh attacks.

"If Trump's threats were carried out, the US would face new, aggressive, and surprise scenarios," he said.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei accused the Donald Trump administration and Israel of destabilising global energy markets through what he called "unprovoked military aggression against Iran".

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With inputs from agencies