Drone strike near UAE nuclear facility prompts regional condemnation
Abu Dhabi accuses principal perpetrator of dangerous escalation as IAEA expresses grave concern over incident that occurred amid stalled US-Iran ceasefire.
A drone strike triggered a fire near the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, prompting immediate condemnation from Abu Dhabi and international regulators. The projectile struck an electrical generator located outside the inner perimeter of the facility in the Al Dhafra area, approximately 200 kilometres west of the capital. While the attack has been branded a threat to regional security, authorities confirmed that radiation levels remained unaffected and no injuries were reported.
The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) stated that plant safety was not compromised, with all units operating normally aside from a brief precautionary halt at one reactor. An official from the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), which operates the plant, noted that the fire occurred at other power facilities on the outskirts and that there was no direct damage to the nuclear infrastructure itself. The UAE defence ministry identified the drone as one of three that entered the country from the western border direction, stating that investigations into the source are ongoing.
UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash condemned the incident as a "dangerous escalation," implying Iranian involvement without explicitly naming Tehran in the initial statement. He referred to the "principal perpetrator" or its agents, accusing them of violating international laws and disregarding civilian safety. The attack has heightened tensions against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, agreed on 8 April 2026, which has since stalled despite sporadic violence continuing since February.
Regional counterparts swiftly rallied behind Abu Dhabi. The UAE foreign minister held calls with counterparts in Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, Egypt, and Bahrain, all of whom condemned the incident. They reaffirmed the UAE's full and legitimate right to respond to the unprovoked attack. Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry expressed solidarity with its neighbour, vowing to support measures to preserve the UAE's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also weighed in, with Director General Rafael Grossi expressing grave concern. Grossi stated that military activity threatening nuclear safety is unacceptable. The Barakah facility, which provides up to a quarter of the country’s electricity needs, began operations in 2020 and stands as the first nuclear power plant in the Arab world. Abu Dhabi has previously accused Iran of being behind attacks on its energy infrastructure, a claim Tehran has denied while accusing Gulf allies of hosting US forces.
