Drone strike at UAE nuclear facility prompts IAEA concern amid Gulf tensions
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed one reactor relied on emergency power following the incident, while the UAE reserved its right to respond to what it termed a terrorist act.
A drone strike caused a fire at an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi, on Sunday. The UAE Ministry of Defence reported that two additional drones were intercepted, having been launched from the western border. No injuries were reported, radiation levels remained normal, and plant operations continued as usual. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that one reactor temporarily relied on emergency diesel generators.
The UAE condemned the incident as an unprovoked terrorist attack, reserving its full sovereign, diplomatic, and military rights to respond. Anwar Gargash, an adviser to the UAE president, implied that Iran and its proxy network were responsible, describing the act as a dangerous escalation. Iran has not claimed responsibility, though UAE officials hinted at Iranian involvement.
Regional and international leaders, including those from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and India, denounced the attack. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting three drones launched from Iraq on the same day. US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social warning Iran that "the clock is ticking" and urging immediate action. Iranian Ministry of Defence spokesperson Reza Talaei-Nik stated the military is "fully prepared" to confront aggression from the US and Israel.
The IAEA chief Rafael Grossi expressed "grave concern" and warned that military activity threatening nuclear facilities is "unacceptable." Reports emerged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a "secret" visit to the UAE during the US-Israel war on Iran, which the UAE has denied. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated that Israel had deployed Iron Dome air defence systems and personnel to the UAE.
The attack occurred amidst stalled peace negotiations between Iran and the United States. The Barakah plant, the UAE’s only nuclear power station, produces 40 terawatt-hours of clean energy annually, meeting approximately 25 percent of the country’s electricity needs. Authorities in Abu Dhabi confirmed that a single drone strike caused the blaze, but the nuclear regulator stated that all units are operating as normal.
