Drone Hits UAE's Nuclear Plant Generator From Western Border. Who Could Be Responsible?

Last Updated:May 17, 2026, 21:21 IST

The UAE confirmed that the drone was one of three that had entered the country from the “western border direction.”

A drone strike sparked a fire near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, authorities said, although no injuries were reported and radiation levels remained normal.

The United Arab Emirates’ ministry of defence confirmed that the drone was one of three that had entered the country from the “western border direction." The projectile struck an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the plant in the Al Dhafra area.

“Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the attacks, and updates will be disclosed upon completion of the investigations," the ministry added.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office stressed that all precautionary measures had been taken and that the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation confirmed the plant’s essential systems were fully operational.

Who Might Be Behind The Strike?

While the UAE did not immediately attribute the attack to Iran, speculation centres on a few possibilities. Houthi rebels in Yemen, who possess combat-grade drones, could have launched the attack while transiting Saudi airspace.

Another potential source is Iranian-backed militias operating from Iraq, a region where Tehran has long deployed drone-capable allies.

The UAE has recently accused Iran of backing attacks on its energy and economic infrastructure. Tehran had carried out retaliatory strikes across the region following US and Israeli strikes on February 28 that killed senior Iranian leaders, sparking the war in the region.

Iran has accused the UAE and other US-allied Gulf states of permitting American forces to launch attacks from their territory. The UAE, however, has denied Iranian claims that it has conducted any attacks itself.

Since April 8, the US and Iran have agreed to a fragile ceasefire aimed at halting hostilities and paving the way for negotiations towards peace. However, talks have stalled, and sporadic attacks have continued across the region.

IAEA Condemns Strike

The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, the first in the Arab world, began operations in 2020 and lies about 200 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi, near the Saudi and Qatari borders. The facility provides up to a quarter of the UAE’s electricity needs.

KEPCO, the South Korean operator of the plant, reported that operations were briefly halted as a precaution but confirmed no direct damage to the reactors.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, condemned the attack, calling military actions that threaten nuclear safety “unacceptable."

“The DG reiterates call for maximum military restraint near any NPP to avoid the danger of a nuclear accident," the IAEA wrote on X.

(With inputs from agencies)

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