A drone strike triggered a fire near the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, intensifying concerns over a possible escalation in the Middle East despite an ongoing fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi said the fire broke out at an electrical generator located outside the plant’s inner security perimeter in the Al Dhafra region. Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported and radiation levels remained normal.

The UAE’s nuclear regulator stated that operations at the Barakah facility — the first nuclear power station in the Arabian Peninsula — were not affected by the incident.

“All units are operating as normal,” authorities said in an official statement.

Later on Sunday, the UAE Ministry of Defence said air defence systems had successfully intercepted two drones, while a third drone struck the generator area near the plant. Officials said the drones were launched from the “western border,” though no further details were provided regarding the source of the attack.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and no group or country has officially claimed responsibility.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said one reactor temporarily relied on emergency diesel generators following the incident. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed “grave concern” and warned that military activity targeting or threatening nuclear facilities was “unacceptable.”

The Barakah plant is located approximately 225 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi near the Saudi Arabian border and plays a major role in the UAE’s energy infrastructure.

The incident comes amid continuing tensions in the Gulf region following months of conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Despite a ceasefire announced in April, security threats and drone activity have continued across the region.

Qatar condemned the attack, calling it a “flagrant violation of international law” and warning that such actions threaten regional stability and security. Doha also urged all sides to pursue de-escalation and avoid further military confrontation.

The UAE has previously accused Iran of carrying out missile and drone attacks targeting strategic locations, including the port city of Fujairah, where a recent strike injured three Indian nationals and caused a fire at an oil facility.

Iran has repeatedly warned that countries hosting U.S. military assets or maintaining close ties with Israel could face retaliatory actions if tensions escalate further.

Regional concerns have also grown following reports that Israel deployed Iron Dome air defence systems and personnel to the UAE to strengthen protection against possible Iranian attacks.

The latest strike has renewed fears that critical infrastructure across the Gulf could increasingly become targets as geopolitical tensions continue to rise.