Drone Strike Hits UAE Nuclear Plant Perimeter, Starts Fire

A drone strike hit the United Arab Emirates' sole nuclear power plant on Sunday, sparking a fire on its perimeter. The UAE Defense Ministry said three drones crossed its western border with Saudi Arabia and that two were intercepted. Officials are investigating who launched the attack.

The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that the strike caused a fire in an electrical generator and that one reactor was running on emergency diesel generators. IAEA director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi expressed grave concern and later spoke with the UAE's foreign minister. There were no reports of injuries or radiological release.

The $20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant was built with South Korean assistance and went online in 2020. It is the only nuclear power plant in the Arab world and can supply a quarter of the UAE's energy needs. The UAE signed a strict agreement with the United States that bars domestic uranium enrichment or reprocessing of spent fuel. Its uranium is imported from abroad.

The UAE has recently accused Iran of launching drone and missile attacks as tensions have risen over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran and Iranian-backed militias have previously launched drone attacks targeting Gulf Arab states. U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, Netanyahu's office said.

" Iranian state television aired segments with news anchors holding rifles in preparation for possible war. One presenter received basic firearms training and mimed firing at a UAE flag.

“From this platform, I declare that I am ready to sacrifice my life for this country.”

The UAE described the incident as an "unprovoked terrorist attack." No group has claimed responsibility for the strike.