The United Arab Emirates says six drones were launched from Iraq toward its territory within the last 48 hours, including one that struck near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and sparked a fire.
In a statement released Tuesday, the UAE’s defence ministry said its air defence systems intercepted five of the drones, but one managed to get through and hit an electric generator outside the plant’s inner security perimeter on Sunday.
Authorities said three of the drones had specifically targeted the Barakah facility, the Arab world’s first commercial nuclear power station.
Following the attack, the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation assured the public that the plant remained safe and that no radioactive material was released.
Emirati officials described the drone launches as “terrorist attacks” and said the country reserves the right to respond.
Although no group officially claimed responsibility, suspicion has fallen on Iran-backed militias operating in Iraq.
Several of those groups have previously claimed attacks on what they called “enemy bases” across the region during the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Speaking before the United Nations Security Council later Tuesday, UAE Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab said the strike on Barakah was part of a broader pattern of regional escalation.
Without directly naming Iran, he warned that “cross-border attacks by one state and its proxies” were pushing the Middle East toward a dangerous confrontation.
The attack also drew international concern at the UN meeting.
China’s envoy said Beijing was “deeply concerned,” while Russia condemned any strike targeting civilian nuclear facilities as “categorically unacceptable.”
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi warned that a direct hit on the Barakah plant could have triggered a major nuclear disaster.
He said damage to critical power systems could increase the risk of reactor core meltdowns and potentially release dangerous levels of radiation into the environment.
Despite a ceasefire that took effect in April between Iran and its adversaries, tensions across the Gulf remain high.
Saudi Arabia said earlier this week it intercepted three drones that entered from Iraqi airspace, while Iraq insisted its radar systems detected no drone launches from its territory.
