Drone strike sparks fire near UAE nuclear plant amid Iran ceasefire tension
A drone strike sparked a fire near the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant, officials say, with no injuries or radiation leak reported as regional tensions around the Iran ceasefire escalate.
Published on 17/05/2026 - 15:50 GMT+2
A drone strike sparked a fire on the perimeter of the UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant on Sunday, further straining an already fragile ceasefire linked to the Iran conflict.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office said an electrical generator caught fire outside the main facility. The statement added there was no radiation leak or injuries reported, and confirmed the plant continued operating normally.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the fire affected an electrical generator and said one reactor briefly relied on emergency diesel generators.
Pressure on fragile ceasefire
No group immediately claimed responsibility and the UAE did not publicly blame anyone. However, tensions with Iran have escalated sharply in recent weeks following repeated drone and missile attacks linked to the wider regional conflict.
The incident comes as ceasefire talks between Iran and the United States remain stalled, raising fears the conflict could reignite.
Online footage adds to tensions
The escalation comes as Iranian state media continues to circulate wartime imagery, including broadcasts showing presenters receiving firearms training and appearing armed on air.
