A drone strike caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, while Saudi Arabia said it intercepted 3 drones, raising fresh fears over regional security as the US-Israeli war with Iran remains unresolved.
UAE officials said they were investigating the source of the strike and stressed that the country had the full right to respond to such “terrorist attacks.”
A diplomatic adviser to the UAE president described the incident as a dangerous escalation, whether carried out by “the principal perpetrator” or one of its proxies.
The UAE defence ministry said 2 other drones had been “successfully” intercepted after being launched from the “western border,” but gave no further details.
Saudi Arabia said the 3 drones it intercepted entered from Iraqi airspace. The kingdom warned it would take the necessary operational measures against any attempt to violate its sovereignty and security.
Although fighting linked to the Iran conflict has reduced since a ceasefire took effect in April, drones have continued to be launched from Iraq towards Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
The drone that breached UAE defences struck an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office.
Officials said there were no injuries and radiological safety levels were unaffected. The UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation later confirmed that the plant remained safe and that no radioactive material had been released.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said emergency diesel generators were supplying power to the plant’s “unit 3.”
The agency called for “maximum military restraint” around nuclear facilities and said it was closely monitoring developments.
The war began after US and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28. Since then, Iran has repeatedly targeted the UAE and other Gulf states hosting US military bases, including civilian and energy infrastructure.
Iran intensified such attacks earlier this month after US President Donald Trump announced a naval mission aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, before suspending the operation after 48 hours.Faridah Abdulkadiri
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