UAE says drones that targeted Barakah nuclear power plant came from Iraqi territory

A drone strike caused a fire outside the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, authorities confirmed. The blaze, which occurred on an external electrical generator outside the plant's perimeter, resulted in no injuries and no impact on radiological safety levels, according to the Abu Dhabi media office. The UAE’s nuclear regulator stated that plant safety was not affected and all units are operating normally. No group has claimed responsibility for the drone strike, and the UAE statement did not assign blame. This incident marks the first time the Barakah plant has been targeted during the ongoing Iran war, which has seen increased tensions and attacks around the Strait of Hormuz.

A drone strike targeted the United Arab Emirates' Barakah nuclear power plant on Sunday, igniting an electrical generator on its perimeter. Authorities reported no radiological release or injuries. While no group claimed responsibility, suspicion immediately fell on Iran, which had been issuing threats against the UAE due to its hosting of Israeli missile defenses and troops. This incident further strains the fragile ceasefire in the Iran war, occurring as Iran maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz and US-led efforts to solidify the ceasefire have stalled. The Barakah plant, the first and only nuclear facility on the Arabian Peninsula, began operations in 2020 and supplies a significant portion of the UAE's energy.

The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi, the UAE's sole nuclear facility, was targeted by a drone attack that caused a fire near its perimeter. The plant, which began construction in 2012 and became operational in 2021, has four South Korean-designed reactors capable of meeting one-quarter of the UAE's electricity needs and significantly reducing carbon emissions. Authorities reported no injuries or radiation leaks, and operations remained unaffected. The UAE condemned the "unprovoked terrorist attack," asserting its right to respond to threats, while an advisor to the UAE president suggested Iran or its proxies were responsible. Neighboring countries and India also condemned the incident, which occurred amidst ongoing peace discussions.

The United Arab Emirates' Defense Ministry stated that drones targeting the Barakah nuclear power plant originated from Iraq, suggesting the involvement of Iranian-backed Shiite militias. The attack, which occurred on the facility's perimeter and hit a generator, caused no reported injuries or radiological release. This incident follows repeated drone attacks on Gulf Arab states, suspected to be linked to Iran. Saudi Arabia also reported intercepting drones from Iraqi airspace. The Barakah plant, the Arab world's only nuclear facility, was built with South Korean assistance and became operational in 2020. An Emirati diplomat criticized regional countries for their roles amidst what they described as Iranian aggression.

The United Arab Emirates has blamed Iran or its proxies for a drone strike that caused a fire near the Barakah nuclear power plant. The UAE described the incident as a "dangerous escalation," occurring during a tense ceasefire in the Iran war with stalled peace talks. The drone targeted an electrical generator outside the plant's perimeter, causing no injuries or radiation alerts. The UAE's foreign minister informed the International Atomic Energy Agency and stated the country reserves the right to respond. The UAE's defense ministry reported three drones entered from the western border, and investigations are ongoing to determine the source.

The United Arab Emirates reported a drone strike on Sunday that ignited a fire near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi. The UAE's defense ministry stated that three drones entered from the west, with two being intercepted and one striking an electrical generator outside the plant's inner perimeter. Authorities are investigating the source of the strike, which the UAE's foreign ministry condemned as an "unacceptable act of aggression" and a "dangerous escalation" violating international law. No injuries were reported, and radiological safety levels remained unaffected. The UAE has previously accused Iran of similar attacks on its infrastructure.

An analyst suggests Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement of a "secret visit" with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has strained the U.S.-brokered alliance designed to counter Iran. The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied any undisclosed arrangements, stating their relations with Israel are public under the Abraham Accords. This friction arises as tensions with Iran escalate, with the UAE having recently intercepted drones. Analyst Natan Sachs called Netanyahu's announcement a "diplomatic blunder" that embarrassed the UAE and potentially damaged trust, suggesting it may have been motivated by domestic politics. The Abraham Accords, established in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, fostering security cooperation against Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates during the recent Israeli-US war with Iran, according to his office. The visit, which aimed to further strengthen ties between the two nations, reportedly resulted in a "historic breakthrough." This development follows the recent public acknowledgment of Israel sending Iron Dome air-defense systems and personnel to the UAE. The UAE, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, has faced Iranian attacks and is seeking to reassure investors. The secret visit underscores the deepening relationship between Israel and the UAE, which has been a point of contention for Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates for a meeting with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Netanyahu's office described the trip as a "historic breakthrough" in relations between the two nations, though the exact date was not disclosed. The visit occurred during the US-Israel military campaign against Iran and amid expanding cooperation between Israel and the UAE, particularly on security matters related to Iran. This cooperation includes Israel deploying Iron Dome air defense systems to the UAE to counter potential Iranian attacks. The meeting follows recent Iranian missile and drone attacks on the UAE in May, after which Netanyahu reportedly expressed solidarity and support to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Relations between Israel and the UAE have strengthened since the 2020 Abraham Accords.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed a secret trip to the United Arab Emirates on March 26, during the height of the Iran war, to meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This meeting, which lasted several hours in Al Ain, is described as a "historic breakthrough" in relations between the two nations. The visit underscores a deepening Middle East alliance, with reports also indicating Mossad director David Barnea made multiple visits to the UAE to coordinate military actions. Israel has shared its Iron Dome air defense system with the UAE, and the UAE is believed to have conducted its own strikes on Iran. This collaboration follows the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and the UAE, and highlights the UAE's independent foreign policy.

Reports indicate the United Arab Emirates (UAE) secretly launched a significant attack on Iran, escalating the risk of Gulf states being drawn into direct conflict. This UAE assault, reportedly a retaliation for Iranian attacks on its facilities, targeted Iran's Lazan Island just before a ceasefire was announced. The news makes the UAE a potential target for Iran if the ceasefire collapses. Separately, Kuwait reported capturing IRGC members attempting "terrorist attacks" on Bubiyan Island. The UAE's military actions, utilizing French and Chinese aircraft, underscore its diplomatic hostility towards Iran, which has previously targeted the UAE due to its stance. Despite UAE efforts, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have not increased their counter-Iran measures.

US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, confirmed that Israel has deployed Iron Dome anti-missile batteries and operating personnel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This deployment, revealed on May 12, 2026, is intended to help the UAE defend against Iranian attacks. Huckabee praised the UAE for its strong relationship with Israel, highlighting it as an example of the benefits of the Abraham Accords. This marks the first known instance of the US-funded Iron Dome system being used outside of Israel. The move comes amid ongoing Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting the UAE and other Gulf nations since late February, following attacks by the US and Israel on Iran. Huckabee also urged Gulf states to align themselves in the conflict with Iran.

An Indian-flagged vessel, the Hui Chuan, has reportedly been hijacked by Iran off the coast of Oman. This incident follows an attack on the same vessel on Wednesday, which Indian officials state was a suspected explosion from a drone or missile. The ship, carrying livestock, was en route from Berbera Port in Somalia to Sharjah in the UAE when the fire broke out, forcing the crew to abandon ship before it sank. Omani authorities rescued the 14 Indian crew members and brought them to Diba Port. India's Ministry of External Affairs has condemned the attack as "unacceptable."

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced that Israel has deployed Iron Dome anti-missile batteries and operating personnel to the United Arab Emirates. This deployment is intended to defend the UAE during the ongoing Iran war. Huckabee made these remarks at an event in Tel Aviv, highlighting the strengthening defense ties between Israel and the UAE, both of whom are concerned about Iran. The UAE and Israel established diplomatic relations in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords. The deployment underscores regional security concerns amid a fragile ceasefire and ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Kuwait announced it foiled an infiltration operation on May 1, arresting four men accused of being members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The men were apprehended on Bubiyan Island after attempting to infiltrate by sea aboard a chartered fishing boat. During the confrontation with Kuwaiti forces, one Kuwaiti soldier was injured. The arrested individuals reportedly admitted to being tasked by the IRGC with infiltrating the island. Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the alleged incursion as a violation of its sovereignty and international law, demanding Iran cease hostile acts. Two other individuals reportedly escaped during the incident. Iran has not yet commented on the accusations.

A ship was seized off the coast of the United Arab Emirates near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday morning, according to the British military. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the vessel was boarded by unauthorized personnel approximately 38 nautical miles northeast of Fujairah. The ship, identified by the BBC as the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan, was observed heading towards Iranian territorial waters after the incident. Citing a risk-management company, the BBC also reported that the ship's operators claimed it was functioning as a "floating armory" for vessels to defend against pirates. This seizure follows at least two other ship seizures in the Strait of Hormuz since February, including two by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in April.