A drone attack targeted the Barakah nuclear power plant located in the Al-Dhafra region of the United Arab Emirates, causing a fire in an electrical generator. According to a post by the Abu Dhabi Media Office on X, the fire occurred outside the plant’s internal security perimeter.

Authorities confirmed that there were no casualties and that the incident did not affect nuclear or radiological safety levels. The Barakah nuclear power plant is regarded as one of the most significant energy facilities in the Middle East. Following the incident, security measures at the site have reportedly been strengthened.

The report did not specify who was responsible for the drone attack or the extent of the damage beyond the generator fire.

The United Arab Emirates has firmly denied claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the country amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The denial came after Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office reportedly stated that Netanyahu had secretly traveled to the UAE and met with its president, sparking renewed debate over regional diplomacy and security.

In an official statement released through the state news agency WAM, the UAE dismissed the reports as completely baseless, clarifying that no visit by Netanyahu or any Israeli military delegation had taken place. The statement emphasized that the UAE’s relations with Israel are transparent and based on the Abraham Accords, not on any secret communications or undisclosed agreements. It further urged international and regional media to refrain from spreading unverified or politically motivated information.

The episode highlights the growing importance of information management and diplomatic messaging in the tense Middle Eastern environment, where misinformation can quickly influence regional perceptions and political narratives.

Reports published Wednesday revealed that during the ongoing war with Iran, the heads of Israel’s two main intelligence agencies secretly visited the United Arab Emirates in recent months. According to the Wall Street Journal, Mossad chief David Barnea traveled to the UAE at least twice in March and April, meeting senior Abu Dhabi officials to discuss wartime coordination. Israeli sources confirmed Barnea’s visits, though they were not officially announced. Around the same period, Shin Bet chief David Zinio also visited the UAE to strengthen cooperation between Israeli and Emirati security agencies.

The reports said the coordination covered intelligence sharing, missile and drone interception, and target selection against Iran. Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported that the UAE had secretly carried out strikes inside Iran, including on an oil refinery on Lavan Island, though Abu Dhabi did not claim responsibility. Iran later retaliated with missile and drone attacks on the UAE and Kuwait.

According to the UAE Defense Ministry, Iran launched about 550 ballistic and cruise missiles and over 2,200 drones at the UAE, making it the most targeted Gulf state during the conflict.

The United Arab Emirates has designated 21 individuals and entities as terrorists over alleged links to Hezbollah, according to the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM). The list includes 16 Lebanese nationals and five Lebanon-based commercial companies. Under national law, UAE regulators have been instructed to identify any persons or organizations connected to those listed and to freeze all their assets within 24 hours.

WAM stated that the move reflects the UAE’s commitment to combating terrorism, extremism, and the financing of armed groups. The agency described the decision as part of broader regional and international efforts to strengthen security and stability.

The UAE, along with the Gulf Cooperation Council, had previously declared Hezbollah a terrorist organization in March 2016, underscoring its long-standing stance against groups accused of destabilizing the region.

Israel sent Iron Dome missile defense batteries and personnel to the United Arab Emirates during its ongoing conflict with Iran, according to statements by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz. His remarks, later cited by Israeli media, indicated that the UAE had used the Israeli-supplied Iron Dome system. The confirmation was reinforced by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee during an event in Tel Aviv, where he thanked the UAE for its role as the first member of the Abraham Accords and highlighted the cooperation.

Huckabee expressed optimism that more Middle Eastern countries would soon join the Abraham Accords, expanding diplomatic ties with Israel. The development underscores growing defense collaboration between Israel and the UAE, reflecting a deepening strategic partnership.

The report suggests that this cooperation adds complexity to the regional security landscape amid heightened Iran-Israel tensions, as diplomatic and military alignments in the Middle East continue to shift rapidly.

The United Arab Emirates is experiencing worsening relations with several neighboring and regional states due to its involvement in multiple conflicts and shifting alliances. Tensions have risen with Saudi Arabia over Yemen, where Riyadh accused Abu Dhabi of supporting separatists and smuggling weapons, and with Somalia, which canceled security and port agreements citing violations of sovereignty. Sudan has also accused the UAE of aiding the Rapid Support Forces in the Darfur conflict, though the International Court of Justice dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction.

Relations with Algeria have deteriorated after Algiers accused the UAE of interference and supporting separatist groups, while disputes over Libya and the Sahel region have added strain. Despite these frictions, the UAE maintains strong economic ties with Iran and Israel, expanding trade even amid regional wars. Abu Dhabi’s normalization with Israel under the Abraham Accords and its outreach to Syria’s Bashar al-Assad have further reshaped its regional posture.

The report highlights how the UAE’s foreign policy has shifted from Sheikh Zayed’s conciliatory diplomacy to assertive engagement since the Arab Spring, prioritizing counter-Islamist and security-driven strategies across the Middle East and North Africa.

The United Arab Emirates has begun expelling large numbers of Pakistani workers following Islamabad’s mediation efforts to end the conflict between the United States and Iran. The move has strained relations between the longtime partners, with reports indicating that thousands of Pakistani Shia workers have been detained and deported since mid-April. Interviews cited by The New York Times describe sudden arrests, detentions, and deportations without explanation, raising concerns about sectarian targeting.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry has denied any mass deportations, stating that only individuals involved in criminal activities were expelled. The UAE has not commented publicly. The expulsions follow Abu Dhabi’s withdrawal of a $3.5 billion loan to Pakistan, a significant blow to its foreign reserves. Saudi Arabia subsequently offered a $3 billion deposit to help stabilize Pakistan’s finances.

Analysts suggest the rift stems from Pakistan’s failure to strongly condemn Iran’s attacks on the UAE and its perceived tilt toward Tehran. The situation risks deepening Pakistan’s entanglement in Gulf rivalries between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

UAE-based offshore marine support company Gulf Marine Services (GMS) reported a 24 percent decline in profit for the first quarter of the year, following the withdrawal of four vessels from a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country. The company said the move was a precautionary measure amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. According to Reuters, GMS’s core profit for the three months ending March 31 fell to 19.5 million dollars, compared with 25.6 million dollars during the same period last year.

The company stated that operations in the unnamed GCC country were halted in March, resulting in no revenue from those vessels during that month. GMS did not disclose the country’s name for security reasons. The company added that crew members returned to all vessels in early April, about a month after the Strait of Hormuz was closed following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran in February. Customers resumed operations on two vessels shortly afterward.

Despite the temporary losses, GMS maintained its full-year profit target for 2026, signaling confidence in recovery as operations gradually resume.

The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of launching missile and drone attacks on its territory, according to a statement from the UAE Ministry of Defense. The ministry said its air defense systems were active to counter the threats. The announcement was made on Friday morning, and authorities urged residents to remain calm and follow official safety instructions shared on social media.

The UAE had previously declared its airspace free from threats on April 9. However, the report notes that Iran has carried out more attacks on the UAE than any other country in the past two months. The UAE government’s latest advisory emphasized public safety and adherence to official guidance during the ongoing security situation.

The incident adds to ongoing regional tensions, with the UAE’s defense posture reflecting heightened alertness following repeated cross-border threats. The situation remains under observation as authorities continue to monitor potential risks.

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, in Abu Dhabi. During the meeting, both leaders expressed solidarity and support for all measures taken to protect the Emirati population from Iranian attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The discussions also covered regional developments, as well as issues of regional and international security and stability. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani strongly condemned the Iranian attacks on the UAE and reaffirmed Qatar’s support for the UAE’s sovereignty, security, and the protection of its people.

The meeting underscored a shared commitment by both Gulf states to maintain unity in the face of regional threats and to coordinate efforts for broader regional stability.

The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday its decision to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), ending nearly six decades of membership. Analysts view the move as driven by both economic and political motives. The UAE has long sought freedom from OPEC’s production quotas to fully utilize its oil capacity. The decision comes amid regional instability following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran and growing tensions with Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s leading member.

The UAE’s departure is expected to weaken OPEC’s control over global oil supply and pricing. While Saudi Arabia depends heavily on high oil prices to balance its budget, the UAE has invested heavily in expanding production and can tolerate lower prices. The move also reflects Abu Dhabi’s closer alignment with Israel and the United States, contrasting with Riyadh’s more cautious diplomatic stance. The timing coincided with a Gulf summit in Jeddah, where the UAE president was notably absent.

Analysts suggest the split could reshape regional alliances, forcing countries like Egypt and Jordan to navigate between Saudi and Emirati blocs. The rift may also influence broader Arab and Islamic cooperation frameworks, signaling a new phase of rivalry in the Gulf.

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the UAE’s state news agency. Both leaders condemned recent Iranian attacks and expressed solidarity with each other. Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s support for the UAE’s efforts to ensure national security, stability, and the safety of its citizens.

Israel’s Arabic-language X account stated that Netanyahu described the attacks as a clear violation of sovereignty and a threat to regional stability. The statement also noted that Israel, in coordination with the United States, had carried out strikes against Iran on February 28, reaffirming its unwavering solidarity with the UAE and full support for all measures to protect its security.

The UAE normalized relations with Israel in 2020 under a U.S.-brokered agreement, becoming the first Gulf nation to do so. Since then, economic and defense cooperation between the two countries has steadily expanded.

European Council President Antonio Costa has condemned Iran’s missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates, expressing solidarity with the country. In a message posted on social media platform X, Costa described Tehran’s assault on Abu Dhabi’s civilian infrastructure as unjustified and unacceptable. He reaffirmed the European Union’s full support for UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and the Emirati people.

Costa called for an immediate end to violations of sovereignty and international law, urging Iran to return to the negotiating table to help preserve the fragile ceasefire in the region involving the United States and Israel. He emphasized that Iran must engage in constructive dialogue to maintain peace in the Middle East.

The European Union, Costa added, remains committed to working with regional and international partners to de-escalate tensions, reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, and pursue a lasting diplomatic resolution to the crisis.

The United Arab Emirates has announced an agreement to purchase 20 C-390 military cargo aircraft from Brazilian manufacturer Embraer. The deal was signed on Monday in Abu Dhabi during the ‘Make it in the Emirates 2026’ platform. According to Reuters, the UAE is the first Middle Eastern country to select this versatile military transport aircraft. The initial phase includes confirmed delivery of 10 aircraft, with an option to acquire 10 more later. The contract, valued at around 1 billion US dollars, marks a major milestone for Embraer.

Bosco da Costa Junior, head of Embraer’s defense and security unit, described the Middle East as a strategic region for the company and expressed optimism that the deal would open new opportunities for defense equipment sales in the area. The UAE currently operates Lockheed Martin’s C-130 and Boeing’s C-17 aircraft for air cargo transport.

Under the agreement, local Emirati firms will collaborate with Embraer on maintenance and training, enhancing the UAE’s defense capabilities and technical capacity.

The United States mission in the United Arab Emirates has issued a security alert warning American citizens about a possible aerial attack. The alert was posted on social media platform X, urging US nationals in the UAE to follow local authorities’ instructions and be prepared to seek shelter if necessary. The embassy stated that it continues to monitor the situation closely.

Earlier, the UAE reported that it had been targeted by missiles and drones launched from Iran. The US travel advisory for the UAE currently stands at Level 3, meaning Americans are advised to reconsider travel to the country. Despite the alert, the US Embassy and Consulate General remain open, though non‑emergency US government personnel have been relocated outside the UAE.

The advisory underscores heightened regional tensions and signals continued caution for US citizens residing or traveling in the UAE amid evolving security risks.