Drone strike sparks fire near UAE's Barakah nuclear plant, no radiation impact reported

A drone strike caused a fire at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra Region on Sunday, UAE authorities said.

The fire broke out in an electrical generator outside the plant's inner perimeter. No injuries were reported and radiation levels were unaffected.

Was the Barakah nuclear plant damaged in the drone strike?

The plant was not damaged. The UAE's Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation confirmed the fire did not affect plant safety or the readiness of its essential systems. "All units are operating as normal," the authority said.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office added that all precautionary measures had been taken and further updates would be provided when available.

What did UAE authorities say about the incident?

The Abu Dhabi Media Office said authorities responded to a fire involving an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah plant.

The office confirmed the fire was caused by a drone strike in a statement posted on social media. The regulator urged the public to rely only on official sources and avoid spreading rumors or unverified reports.

How does the strike fit into UAE-Iran tensions?

The incident came a day after the UAE said all measures it had taken against Iran were defensive actions aimed at protecting its sovereignty, civilians and vital infrastructure.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued that statement days after a Wall Street Journal report claimed the UAE carried out military operations against Iran in early April.

The ministry did not directly address the report.

The ministry said Iran had launched nearly 3,000 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones toward the UAE, causing civilian casualties, injuries and infrastructure damage.

It said those attacks violated the UAE's sovereignty and threatened regional stability. The UAE condemned what it described as unprovoked Iranian attacks and rejected what it called "malicious narratives and allegations" regarding its own actions.

What rights did the UAE assert in response to the attacks?

The UAE said it reserved the sovereign, legal, diplomatic and military right to respond to threats or hostile acts, while reaffirming its commitment to regional peace and stability.

The country also said it was coordinating with Gulf Cooperation Council member states and international partners.

UAE Deputy Foreign Minister Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, speaking at the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in Delhi, accused Iran of obstructing international maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.