Illustrative image. (Wikiemirati/Wikimedia)
A drone attack targeted the United Arab Emirates’ Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), amid unprecedented tensions with Iran.
In a statement, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said that local authorities responded to a fire caused by a drone strike on an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of Barakah NPP in the region of Al Dhafra — where a large air base used by the United States is also located.
No injuries were reported, radiological safety levels were unaffected, and the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation confirmed that the plant’s essential systems are operating normally.
Later, the UAE Ministry of Defense said in a statement that its air defenses intercepted two of three drones that entered the country from its western border and targeted Barakah NPP.
“Investigations are underway to determine the source of the attacks,” the ministry added, saying, “Further details will be announced upon completion of the investigations.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed “grave concern” over the attack on Barakah NPP, though it said that radiation levels remained normal.
In a post to X, the United Nations nuclear watchdog said that its head, Rafael Grossi, warned that “military activity that threatens nuclear safety is unacceptable.”
“The IAEA has been informed by the UAE that radiation levels at the Barakah NPP remain normal and no injuries were reported,” the agency said.
Barakah in Abu Dhabi is the Arab world’s first and only fully operational nuclear power plant. With a capacity of 5,600 MW across four reactors, it supplies up to 25 percent of the UAE’s electricity and significantly reduces the nation’s carbon footprint.
Yemen’s Houthi, who are allied to Iran, previously claimed a missile strike on the NPP in 2017, which the UAE strongly denied at the time.
The latest attack came amid unprecedented tensions between the UAE and Iran. After clashing with the U.S. Navy earlier in the month, the Islamic Republic renewed strikes on the Gulf state, causing both material damage and casualties. Abu Dhabi warned that it could respond.
Very recent reports revealing an Israeli military deployment in the UAE, and Emirate plans to attack Iran, in addition to the announcement of a secret wartime visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Abu Dhabi added fuel to the fire, with Tehran issuing several serious threats in response.
Iran has not yet commented on the attack on Barakah NPP, but the Islamic Republic has accused Israel in the past of carrying out false-flag strikes against Gulf states to drag them into the war. While this may have been the cease, the attack could still be used as an excuse to resume the war on the Islamic Republic, with the UAE joining the U.S. and Israel.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
in my trailer vanya tried to attack my anuz w her but plug