UAE reports drone strike near Abu Dhabi nuclear power plant

The United Arab Emirates is investigating the source of a drone strike which triggered a fire near a nuclear power station, officials have said.

The country's defence ministry said three drones had entered the UAE from the "western border direction" on Sunday.

While two were intercepted, the third drone struck an electrical generator "outside the inner perimeter" of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi.

No injuries were reported and there was no impact on radiological safety levels, local authorities said.

The country's defence ministry said in a statement that investigations were under way "to determine the source of the attacks".

It added that it remained "fully prepared and ready to address any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine the country's security".

The Abu Dhabi Media Office said the fire "broke out in an electric generator" and confirmed precautionary measures had been taken at the plant.

It said: "The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation confirmed that the fire did not affect the safety of the power plant or the readiness of its essential systems, and that all units are 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" near nuclear power plants.

The UAE has not said from where the drone was launched. It has previously accused Iran of being behind attacks on its energy and economic infrastructure since war broke out in the region in February.

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.