Abu Dhabi authorities respond to fire incident near Barakah nuclear plant after drone strike

In the Gulf on 17 May 2026, the United Arab Emirates said a drone strike started a fire at the perimeter of the Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi authorities reported no injuries and no safety impact, and radiation levels were reported as normal. The UAE defence ministry is investigating a drone attack on a generator near the plant.

The UAE called the strike 'terrorist' and 'unacceptable aggression', and its top diplomat said the country reserves the right to respond. The UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, expressed 'grave concern'. The UAE blamed Iran or its proxies, according to The Guardian. Separately, the UAE and Saudi Arabia reported drone incidents while the deadlock in the Iran war continued, and the US and Iran signalled they were prepared to resume war.