UAE reports drone strike at nuclear power plant; Israel's Netanyahu due to speak with Trump on Sunday

"A drone strike caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates, officials in Abu Dhabi said on Sunday, at a time when progress appears to have stalled in efforts to end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and restart shipping in the Gulf. Emirati officials did not attribute blame for the attack and there were no immediate claims of responsibility. The UAE has previously accused Iran of attacking its energy targets in what it has called an escalation of the conflict in the region."

"The drone hit an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said. Radiological safety levels and operations were unaffected and there were no injuries, it said. The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was following the situation closely."

"More than five weeks after a tenuous ceasefire in the conflict took effect, U.S. and Iranian demands remain far apart despite diplomatic efforts to end the war and reopen the strait, the world's most important shipping route for oil and gas. Iran stepped up such attacks on the UAE earlier this month after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a naval mission to try to open the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump suspended after 48 hours."

"During the war that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, Iran has repeatedly targeted the UAE and other Gulf states that host U.S. military bases, hitting sites that include civilian and energy infrastructure. The UAE has previously accused Iran of attacking its energy targets in what it has called an escalation of the conflict in the region."

A drone strike caused a fire at an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi officials reported radiological safety levels remained normal, operations were unaffected, and there were no injuries. No party was immediately blamed or claimed responsibility. The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was monitoring the situation. The strike occurred while efforts to end a U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and restart shipping in the Gulf faced diplomatic deadlock. Iran has targeted the UAE and other Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases, including civilian and energy infrastructure. Iran increased attacks after a U.S. naval mission to open the Strait of Hormuz was announced and then suspended after 48 hours.

Read at Irish Independent