The United Arab Emirates said a drone strike had triggered a fire near its nuclear power station on Sunday, calling the incident a dangerous escalation.
Officials are investigating the source of the strike. The country's defence ministry said three drones had entered the UAE from the western border direction.
While two were intercepted, the third drone struck an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi, sparking a fire.
No injuries were reported and there was no impact on radiological safety levels, local authorities said.
The UAE's foreign ministry called the strike an unacceptable act of aggression and stated it had the right to respond to any hostilities. It asserted that the targeting of peaceful nuclear energy facilities is a flagrant violation of international law, the UN charter, and the principles of humanitarian law.
The country's defence ministry stated it would firmly confront any attempts to undermine the country's security.
Officials have not disclosed where the drone was launched from. The UAE has previously accused Iran of being behind attacks on its energy and economic infrastructure since the onset of regional conflicts.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office confirmed that the fire was contained at an electric generator and stated precautionary measures were taken at the plant, which continues to operate normally.
The UN's nuclear watchdog is monitoring the situation, with its director general expressing grave concern about the incident, stating that military activity threatening nuclear safety is unacceptable and calling for maximum military restraint.
On the same day, Saudi Arabia's defence ministry reported intercepting and destroying three drones that had crossed into its airspace from Iraq.
Tehran began launching strikes across the region in retaliation to US and Israeli attacks on February 28, accusing the UAE and its allies of facilitating these operations. The US and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire in April; however, stray exchanges of fire have persisted.
