Drone shooting has ignited a fire near the Barakah nuclear plant in the UAE | Nuclear Energy News

Officials say the amount of radiation remains normal, operations are not affected.

A drone strike has ignited a fire near the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), raising new concerns about the region’s expected escalation amid the escalation of hostilities between Iran and the United States.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi said the fire broke out at a power generator outside the building in Al Dhafra district on Sunday. No injuries were reported, and officials said the radiation remains safe.

The UAE’s nuclear watchdog said operations at the site – the first nuclear reactor on the Arabian Peninsula – were not affected. “All units are operating as normal,” the social media post said.

There was no claim of responsibility, and the UAE has never accused any country.

In a statement later on Sunday, the UAE’s Ministry of Defense said that the air defense had dealt “successfully” with two drones, while the third hit a generator near the factory.

It added that the drones had been launched “on the western border”, without giving further details, and said an investigation was underway to determine the location of the incident.

‘Great anxiety’

The UAE has repeatedly faced Iranian missile and drone strikes after the US and Israel launched an attack on Iran on February 28.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the incident forced the source to temporarily rely on emergency generators.

The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, expressed “deep concern” and warned that military activities that threaten nuclear weapons are “unacceptable”.

The plant is located near the border with Saudi Arabia, about 225km (140 miles) west of the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi.

Despite the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran announced on April 8, drone attacks in the UAE have continued. Last week, Emirati officials accused Iran of dropping missiles and drones at the port of Fujairah. Three Indians were injured, and a fire broke out at an oil refinery in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone.

Iran has warned in the past that countries with US military capabilities or interests linked to Israel could be targets.

Iran recently accused the UAE of strengthening ties with Israel, as reports emerged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had made a “secret” visit to the Gulf state during the war. The UAE he refused that.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee too he said last week Israel sent Iron Dome air defense systems and personnel to the UAE to help defend itself against Iranian aggression.

In a statement on Friday, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected what it said was Iran’s attempt to justify the attack on the Emirati, saying it has the right to respond to any threat.