Published on 17/05/2026 - 15:50 GMT+2•Updated 16:44

A drone strike sparked a fire on the perimeter of the UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant on Sunday, further straining an already fragile ceasefire linked to the Iran conflict.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office said an electrical generator caught fire outside the main facility. The statement added there was no radiation leak or injuries reported, and confirmed the plant continued operating normally.

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the fire affected an electrical generator and said one reactor briefly relied on emergency diesel generators.

It added that it has been informed that radiation levels at the Barakah NPP remain normal and no injuries were reported “after a drone strike”.

The IAEA secretary general Rafael Grossi expressed his “grave concern about the incident” and said that “military activity that threatens nuclear safety is unacceptable.”

He urged all parties “for maximum military restraint near any NPP to avoid the danger of a nuclear accident.”

Pressure on fragile ceasefire

No group immediately claimed responsibility and the UAE did not publicly blame anyone. However, tensions with Iran have escalated sharply in recent weeks following repeated drone and missile attacks linked to the wider regional conflict.

The incident comes as ceasefire talks between Iran and the United States remain stalled, raising fears the conflict could reignite.

Online footage adds to tensions

The escalation comes as Iranian state media continues to circulate wartime imagery, including broadcasts showing presenters receiving firearms training and appearing armed on air.