A drone appeared to cause a fire near a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates on May 17. Abu Dhabi said that a fire was caused by a drone strike on an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra region, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said on Sunday. This raises concerns that Iran could increasingly threaten the UAE amid regional tensions.
The Associated Press noted that it had sparked a fire at the plant’s perimeter. “There were no reports of injuries or radiological release, but it highlighted the risk of renewed war as the Iran ceasefire remains tenuous.” There was no claim of responsibility, but it is plausible that Iran or Iranian proxies are behind the attack. This comes amid rumors of a potential renewal of conflict with Iran and an increased focus on the UAE’s role in the region.
Arab News noted that “the UN watchdog has expressed ‘grave concern’ over a drone strike near the UAE’s nuclear plant on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. Authorities in Abu Dhabi responded to a fire incident that broke out in an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al-Dhafra Region following a drone strike.”
The report added that the situation is being followed closely by the International Atomic Energy Agency. “No injuries were reported, radiological safety levels were unaffected, and the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation confirmed the plant’s essential systems are operating normally, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said on Sunday,” Arab News added. Authorities noted 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 UAE appears to be increasingly in Tehran’s sights. Iran had already concentrated a large number of missile and drone attacks on the UAE since the US and Israel began strikes on Iran in February.
The UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, who was participating in the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting, said on May 15 that “his Excellency underscored the UAE’s categorical rejection of any allegations or threats targeting its sovereignty, national security, or independent decision-making, reaffirming that the UAE reserves its full sovereign, legal, diplomatic, and military rights to respond to any threat, allegation, or hostile act.”
The UAE’s minister went on to “emphasize that since February 28, 2026, the UAE has been subjected to repeated and unjustified Iranian terrorist attacks. The UAE’s air defenses have intercepted around 3,000 attacks involving ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones that deliberately and directly targeted civilian facilities and critical infrastructure, including airports, ports, oil facilities, desalination plants, energy networks, service facilities, and residential areas.”
Renewed fighting will lead to Iranian retaliation
What is clear is that Iran is continuing to make it clear that any renewed fighting will lead to retaliation. Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who has been serving as a negotiator between Iran and the US, is apparently being tasked with handling Iran’s ties with China. This comes after US President Donald Trump went to China. Meanwhile, The Telegraph in the UK has said that the US has prodded the UAE to seize an Iranian island.
Iran is worried about reports that fighting could resume in the region. Iran is also monitoring neighboring countries. It has threatened Kuwait and other Gulf states. Reports now indicate some Gulf states have been more active in the war than previously reported. Iran is therefore closely watching Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait.
It is also likely watching Iraq after reports in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times about Israel establishing what the NYT says were two possible sites, and the WSJ initially said it was one site amid tensions and conflict with Iran. What matters is that Iran is messaging that it will target countries or groups that work with Israel. Iran has targeted Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq, for instance. It has continued these attacks despite the ceasefire that began last month.
Iran to continue threatening UAE?
It’s possible the drone incident on May 17 was an Iranian message that it will increase its list of targets in the UAE. Meanwhile, the UAE’s Al-Ain media reported on May 17 that the conflict could resume. It claims, “according to the same source, Israel is on high alert in anticipation of a possible resumption of war with Iran, as the Israeli army continues its preparations to resume the war, and the possibility that Iran will target Israel with strikes.”
The report went on to note that Israeli media were discussing this. “According to the plans, the planned strike is expected to include damage to national infrastructure, energy sites, and power plants, and Israeli aircraft will also attempt to target high-ranking Iranian officials,” Al-Ain claimed.
This is all part of regional messaging. Iran is messaging through aggression and words.