A drone attack hit the Barakah nuclear plant, in the UAE (United Arab Emirates), this Sunday (May 17, 2026). The incident caused a fire on the perimeter of the facility, but there were no reports of injuries or radioactive leaks. The case occurs at a time of fragility.
To date, no organization has claimed responsibility for the action. The US government has not directly accused Tehran, but reports frequent episodes of drone and missile attacks amid tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for global energy trade under Iranian influence.
The Barakah plant, valued at US$20 billion, was built in partnership with South Korea and began operating in 2020. It is the only nuclear plant in the Arab world and accounts for around 25% of the federation’s electricity demand, made up of 7 emirates.
The UAE’s nuclear regulator said the fire did not compromise the safety of the facility and that the units were operating normally. The (International Atomic Energy Agency) stated that the attack hit an electrical generator, triggering diesel-powered emergency systems.
The agency’s director general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said he was concerned and classified military activities that threaten nuclear security as unacceptable. This was the first time that the facility, located 225 km from Abu Dhabi, was the target of a military offensive.
Unlike Iran’s nuclear program, the UAE maintains an agreement with the United States that prohibits domestic uranium enrichment.
The declared that the attack constitutes “a flagrant violation of international law, the principles of good neighborliness and that of the UN Security Council”.
Faced with the increase in hostilities, the Prime Minister of Israel, declared that he intends to discuss the regional scenario with (Republican Party). Netanyahu told members of his cabinet that the country is prepared for any scenario.
