Iran-US war latest: Fire breaks out at Abu Dhabi nuclear plant after drone strike as Trump warns of ‘bad time’ – UK Times

The International Atomic Energy Agency has said it has been informed by the UAE that radiation levels at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant remain normal and no injuries were reported after a drone strike caused a fire in an external electrical generator.

“The IAEA is following the situation closely and is in constant contact with the ‌UAE authorities, ​ready to ‌provide assistance if ⁠needed,” the ⁠nuclear watchdog added.

Protestors hold placards during an anti US-Israel protest in Karachi on May 16, 2026.

Labour leadership hopeful Wes Streeting has praised prime minister Sir Keir Starmer over the decision for the UK not to join the US’ war with Iran in his resignation letter.

As the former health secretary stepped down to prepare to challenge Sir Keir he said: “You have shown courage and statesmanship on the world stage – not least in keeping Britain out of the war in Iran.”

However he said: “After the financial crisis, austerity, the disaster of Brexit, Liz Truss, the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine and now the war in Iran, the country needs to believe again that things can be better than this and that politics is part of the answer, not the source of the problem.

“These are big challenges that require a bold vision and bigger solutions than we are offering.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was scheduled to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday.

Netanyahu said ‌that in ‌he expected ⁠to hear about Trump’s trip to China, while ‌suggesting they ​would ‌also ⁠discuss ⁠Iran.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi responded to a ⁠fire caused by a drone strike on an electrical generator outside the ⁠inner perimeter ​of ⁠the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the ⁠Al Dhafra Region, the ​Abu ⁠Dhabi Media ‌Office have said.

No injuries were reported, radiological safety levels were unaffected and the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation confirmed the plant’s `essential systems are operating normally.

The statement did not say who was to blame for the suspected drone attack.

The UAE ‌has faced repeated ​missile and drone attacks ‌during the ⁠Israel-US-Iran conflict, including incidents ⁠authorities said originated from Iran ‌and ​targeted energy and ‌maritime infrastructure.

The Trump administration on Saturday allowed a sanctions waiver to lapse that had previously allowed countries including India to buy Russian seaborne oil after a month-long extension aimed at easing oil supply shortages and high prices due to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had previously said he would not renew the general license allowing the purchase of Russian oil stored on tankers.

As of early afternoon Washington time ⁠on Saturday, no renewal notice had ​been ⁠posted on the Treasury website. A Treasury spokesperson declined further comment.

US president Donald Trump said Xi Jinping was “right” to call America “a nation in decline” during an interview with Fox News on Friday (15 May).

Speaking with Fox News anchor Bret Baier following his return from China, Trump revealed that he agreed with Xi Jinping’s assessment of the US.

Recalling his conversation with the Chinese president, Trump said, “He said that America is a nation in decline,” and noted that he had responded, “You’re right.”

Trump later clarified that he was referring specifically to the Biden administration, and went on to praise his own administration.

First responders gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon.

South Korean foreign minister Cho Hyun has asked for Iran’s position on a recent attack on a South Korean cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart on Sunday, Seoul’s foreign ministry said.

A South Korean official has previously said the possibility that an ‌entity other ​than ‌Iran was ⁠responsible for ⁠the attack is low.