Iran warned the United Arab Emirates about deepening ties with Israel on the same day a drone attack struck the Barakah nuclear plant in the UAE. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Expediency Council and former Revolutionary Guard commander, said on Sunday (17) that "Iran's patience has limits" and that "the Emirates should not get involved in Israel's plots and schemes." ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O secretário do Conselho de Discernimento do Irã e ex-comandante da Guarda Revolucionária do Irã (IRGC), Mohsen Rezaei, afirmou neste domingo (17) que Teerã "não fechou as portas" para a amizade com os Emirados Árabes Unidos, mas que o país deve saber que "a paciência do Irã tem limites"."
""Estamos cientes de que há relações e intercâmbios entre os Emirados Árabes Unidos e Israel; os Emirados não devem se envolver nas tramas e nos esquemas de Israel", alertou o secretário."
The drone attack set fire to an electrical generator located outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Plant in Al Dhafra region. Three drones entered Emirati territory from the western border, with two intercepted by UAE air defense systems. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed radiation levels remain normal and emergency diesel generators are providing power to the plant's Unit 3. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Authorities responded after an electrical generator was set on fire outside the inner perimeter of the plant in Al Dhafra region. No injuries were reported and there was no impact on radiological safety levels, Abu Dhabi Media Office said."
"It was one of three drones which entered the country from the western border on Sunday, with the other two successfully intercepted by the UAE's air defence systems."
UAE presidential diplomatic advisor Anwar Gargash did not directly accuse Iran but said the attack "whether perpetrated by the main agent or one of its proxies, represents a dangerous escalation" violating international law. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi expressed grave concern about the incident in a phone call with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Segundo Gargash, o ataque, "seja perpetrado pelo agente principal ou por um de seus intermediários, representa uma escalada perigosa e uma cena sombria que viola todas as leis e normas internacionais, em um desprezo criminoso pelas vidas dos civis nos Emirados Árabes Unidos e em seu entorno"."
"Sheikh Abdullah said the strike represented a breach of international law in a phone call with Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). [...] Mr Grossi had earlier expressed grave concerns about the incident and said military activity that threatened nuclear safety was unacceptable."
The tensions occur amid deepening UAE-Israel relations since the 2020 Abraham Accords. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries took effect in April 2023, and defense cooperation has expanded significantly, including joint military exercises and transfer of Israeli air defense systems like SPYDER and Barak to the Emirates. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"bilateral trade between Israel and the UAE set to top $3 billion by the end of the year thanks to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) agreement in effect since April 1 , 2023"
"Since 2020, the UAE and Israel have steadily built on their normalized diplomatic and economic ties to expand into the security space, highlighted by these developments: November 2021. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command conducts a multilateral maritime exercise in the Red Sea alongside forces from Bahrain, the UAE, and Israel... September 2022. Elbit Systems Emirates... announces its award for a $53 million contract to supply defense systems to the Emirati air force, and Israel approves a UAE request to supply the country with the SPYDER mobile air-defense system. October 2022. Israeli-made Barak air-defense system deploys to the UAE."
Mohsen Rezaei made statements warning UAE about relations with Israel on May 17, 2026
Drone attack hit Barakah nuclear plant without causing casualties
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
No gaps or divergences found — sources converge.
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Who was responsible for the drone attack on the Barakah nuclear plant?
Why it's still unknown: The UAE launched an investigation into the source of the attack but has not publicly identified those responsible, only suggesting Iranian involvement through indirect diplomatic statements
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What was the exact material damage caused by the attack and what will repairs cost?
Why it's still unknown: Sources confirmed there was a fire in the electrical generator and emergency generators were activated, but provided no details on repair costs or extent of damage
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How will Iran officially respond to implicit accusations of involvement in the attack?
Why it's still unknown: Iranian statements were limited to warnings about UAE-Israel relations, without directly commenting on the nuclear plant incident