Drone strike causes fire at UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant amid Iran conflict; radiation levels normal

Abu Dhabi (UAE): A drone strike on Sunday caused a fire at an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra region of the United Arab Emirates, authorities said.

Abu Dhabi’s media office said emergency response protocols were activated after the strike and emergency teams brought the situation under control. Officials said no injuries were reported and there was no impact on radiological safety levels.

The fire broke out at an electrical generator positioned within the wider Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant complex. Authorities said all precautionary measures had been taken and further updates would be provided when available.

In a statement posted on X, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) said the incident did not affect the safety of the power plant or the readiness of its essential systems. It added that all units were operating normally.

Officials also urged the public to rely only on official sources and avoid spreading rumours or unverified information.

IAEA says radiation levels remain normal

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had been informed by the UAE that radiation levels at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant remained normal after the drone strike.

The agency said the fire affected an electrical generator located outside the inner site perimeter of the nuclear plant. It added that emergency diesel generators were supplying power to Unit 3 of the facility.

“The IAEA is following the situation closely and is in constant contact with the UAE authorities, ready to provide assistance if needed,” the agency said.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed “grave concern” over the incident and said military activity threatening nuclear safety was “unacceptable”.

“The DG reiterates call for maximum military restraint near any NPP to avoid the danger of a nuclear accident,” the agency said.

First known targeting of Barakah plant during Iran conflict

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the drone strike. UAE authorities did not attribute blame to any party in their official statements.

The incident marked the first known targeting of the four-reactor Barakah Nuclear Power Plant during the ongoing Iran conflict. The facility, located in the western desert of Abu Dhabi near the Saudi border, is the first and only operational nuclear power plant on the Arabian Peninsula.

The USD 20 billion plant was built by the UAE with technical collaboration from South Korea and became operational in 2020.

The strike comes amid rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf region in recent weeks. Iran has also previously claimed attacks targeted its Bushehr nuclear power plant, though those incidents reportedly caused no radiological release.