Drone attack triggers fire at UAE’s Barakah plant amid rising regional tensions

A drone strike hit the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant, causing a perimeter fire but no injuries or radiological release. UAE officials called it an unprovoked terrorist attack, as tensions with Iran and allied groups rise. The IAEA reported the fire affected an electrical generator and one reactor ran on emergency diesel generators, while UAE nuclear regulators said safety remained intact and all units were operating normally. Barakah, online since 2020, provides about a quarter of the UAE’s electricity under a strict 123 agreement.