UAE blames Iran or proxies for strike near nuclear plant, as Trump tells Tehran ‘clock is ticking’
The UAE has attributed a fire near its Barakah nuclear power plant to a drone strike believed to be launched by Iran or its proxies. This incident is seen as a dangerous escalation amid ongoing tensions and stalled peace talks in the region. The UAE has indicated its right to respond to such attacks and is currently investigating the source of the drone strike.
- ▪The fire occurred outside the Barakah nuclear plant but did not cause injuries or radiation alerts.
- ▪UAE officials have condemned the drone strike as a dangerous escalation and have communicated with international bodies about the incident.
- ▪The UAE has previously retaliated against Iranian attacks on its oil infrastructure with airstrikes.
22 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 17 hours. Coverage spans 4 points on the political spectrum — 5 lean left, 11 centre, 1 lean right, 3 right.
- ▪ UAE nuclear plant targeted in drone strike amid Iran tensions — Korea Times
- ▪ Oil prices rise to 2-week high after drone attack on UAE nuclear plant — Crypto Briefing
- ▪ Oil prices jump over 1% as US-Iran tensions simmer after UAE drone strike — Investing.com — News
- ▪ Drone Hits UAE Nuclear Power Plant — HotAir
- ▪ Drone targets UAE nuclear power plant in latest blow to Iran ceasefire — The Globe and Mail
- ▪ UAE reports strike near Abu Dhabi nuclear power plant — BBC News
- ▪ Drone strike sparks fire at UAE nuclear power plant, the first time it’s been attacked since the Iran war started — Fortune
- ▪ UAE says drone strike caused fire at nuclear plant — Financial Times — World
- ▪ Drone hits UAE nuclear power plant: IAEA reports normal radiation levels — France 24 (EN)
- ▪ Unidentified drone strike starts fire near United Arab Emirates' nuclear plant — The Washington Times
- ▪ Drone strike sparks fire on perimeter of UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant — Al Jazeera English
- ▪ Drone strike sparks fire near UAE nuclear plant amid Iran ceasefire tension — Euronews
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| Original publisher | World news | The Guardian |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/17/uae-blames-iran-or-its-proxies-for-drone-strike-fire-near-nuclear-plant |
| Publication time | Mon, 18 May 2026 06:02:36 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-17T19:53:20.922Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-18T06:24:35.520Z |
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The Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi's western Al Dhafra region under construction in the 2010s. Photograph: Arun Girija/Emirates News Agency/APView image in fullscreenThe Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi's western Al Dhafra region under construction in the 2010s. Photograph: Arun Girija/Emirates News Agency/APMiddle East and north AfricaUAE blames Iran or its proxies for drone strike fire near nuclear plantAbu Dhabi denounces ‘dangerous escalation’ as Iran war ceasefire grows more precariousJulian Borger in JerusalemSun 17 May 2026 15.33 EDTLast modified on Sun 17 May 2026 15.34 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe United Arab Emirates has blamed a fire near its nuclear power plant on a drone launched by Iran or one of its proxies in what the UAE called a “dangerous…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at World news | The Guardian.
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