The United Arab Emirates said six drones were launched from Iraq toward its territory over a 48 hour period, including one that struck near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. The defense ministry reported that air defenses intercepted all but one drone, which hit an electric generator outside the plant's inner perimeter and caused a fire. Authorities confirmed that the facility remained safe and that no radioactive material was released.

Emirati officials described the incident as a terrorist attack and said the country has the full right to respond. At a United Nations Security Council meeting, the United Arab Emirates ambassador said the strike was part of a broader pattern of cross border attacks escalating tensions in the region, though he did not name a specific perpetrator.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency warned that a direct hit on the plant or damage to its power supply could have led to a severe release of radioactivity. Russia and China condemned strikes on peaceful nuclear facilities, while Iraq said it had not detected drones being launched from its airspace. The incident comes amid continued regional instability despite a ceasefire in the conflict involving Iran.