An unidentified drone strike sparked a fire in an electrical generator near the United Arab Emirates’ Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, the state-affiliated Abu Dhabi Media Office announced Sunday.
Authorities said no injuries were reported following the strike and there was no impact on the radiological safety levels in the area around the plant.
“The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) confirmed that the fire did not affect the safety of the power plant or the readiness of its essential systems, and that all units are operating as normal,” the Abu Dhabi Media Office posted on X. “The public is reminded to obtain information from official sources only, and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information.”
The Barakah plant supplies at least a quarter of the UAE’s electricity and is the first nuclear power station in the Arabian Peninsula. The plant sits near the UAE’s border with Saudi Arabia, about 140 miles from Abu Dhabi.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was in constant contact with UAE authorities and had confirmed that radiation levels remained normal at the plant.
However, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi called for “maximum military restraint near any NPP to avoid the danger of a nuclear accident,” according to a statement from the agency.
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry condemned the drone attack, asserting that its government stands in “full solidarity” with the UAE and that the attack threatened the country’s stability.
No one has claimed responsibility for the strike, and the UAE has not directed blame.
The incident is the first time the Barakah plant has been targeted since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began in late February. The UAE, along with the rest of the Persian Gulf states, has been repeatedly attacked by Iran since the war began for hosting U.S. airbases.
Despite a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, the UAE has been allegedly targeted by Iranian missiles and drones at least twice this month. Shortly after President Trump launched Project Freedom to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a missile and drone barrage set fire to an oil refinery in Fujairah.
Tehran has not claimed responsibility for the strikes, though the UAE’s Defense Ministry said the missiles and drones were launched from Iran.
