UAE reports strike near Abu Dhabi nuclear power plant

The country is investigating the source of the strike, which it calls a "dangerous escalation". UAE reports drone strike near Abu Dhabi nuclear power plant Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. The drone strikes hit near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi, officials said (file photo) A large sand-coloured building in the UAE called the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. In the centre is a large dome while rectangular shaped sections of the building lie to the left, right, and in front of the dome. The sky behind is blue with a few white clouds. UAE reports strike near Abu Dhabi nuclear power plant The United Arab Emirates said a drone strike had triggered a fire near its nuclear power station on Sunday, calling the incident a "dangerous escalation". Officials are investigating the source of the strike. The country's defence ministry said three drones had entered the UAE from the "western border direction". While two were intercepted, the third drone struck an electrical generator "outside the inner perimeter" of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi, sparking a fire. No injuries were reported and there was no impact on radiological safety levels, local authorities said. The UAE's foreign ministry called the strike an "unacceptable act of aggression" and said it had the right to respond to any hostilities. It added that "the targeting of peaceful nuclear energy facilities is a flagrant violation of international law, the UN charter, and the principles of humanitarian law". The country's defence ministry meanwhile said it would "firmly confront any attempts to undermine the country's security". Officials have not said from where the drone was launched. The UAE has previously accused Iran of being behind attacks on its energy and economic infrastructure since war broke out in the region in February. The Abu Dhabi Media Office said the fire "broke out in an electric generator" and confirmed precautionary measures had been taken at the plant, which is operating as normal. The UN's nuclear watchdog said it was monitoring the situation closely and that its director general Rafael Grossi expressed "grave concern" about the incident. Grossi said "military activity that threatens nuclear safety is unacceptable", according to a statement shared by the International Atomic Energy Agency on X, and called for "maximum military restraint". A shot of Netanyahu from the shoulders up, wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and a light blue tie. He has a small pin of the Israel flag on his lapel. Behind him is a plain blue background with part of the Israel flag to the left. Netanyahu says he 'secretly visited' UAE during war with Iran A handout photo made available by the UAE Presidential Court shows a general view of the Port of Fujairah. US strikes Iranian fast boats as Iran attacks UAE oil facility Tehran began launching strikes across the region in retaliation to the US and Israel's attacks against Iran on February 28. It has since accused the UAE and other American allies in the Gulf of allowing the US to carry out attacks from their territory. At the same time, the UAE has denied Iranian claims that it has actively carried out attacks of its own. The US and Iran agreed a ceasefire in April, but sporadic exchanges of fire have continued. President Donald Trump said the truce was on "massive life support" on Monday, after rejecting Iran's demands to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz - a crucial shipping lane which has been effectively closed since the war began. said the truce was on "massive life support" on Monday , after rejecting Iran's demands to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz - a crucial shipping lane which has been effectively closed since the war began. The UAE denied reports of the "alleged visit" and insisted relations between the two countries were not based on "unofficial arrangements". Commentators say it will take years or even decades to repair the damage. Shipping company Maersk says one of its US-flagged commercial vessels has successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz under US military protection. Tens of thousands of Israeli celebrants have marched through the area captured by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Eight children are among those reported dead after a series of air strikes hit the south of Beirut. Displaced teenagers Farah and Tala wanted to 'turn destruction into something useful'. The US president criticises an Iranian counteroffer to end the war, and says the month-long ceasefire is "unbelievably weak". Ships have rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope since 2023 to avoid conflicts in the Middle East.