A drone strike that sparked a fire near the UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has added to growing tensions across the Middle East, as violence continues in Gaza and southern Lebanon while Iran escalates warnings over the Strait of Hormuz. UAE authorities said the blaze, which broke out at an electrical generator outside the plant’s inner perimeter in the al-Dhafra region, caused no injuries or radiation-related risks.
Iran Escalates Hormuz Threat
Meanwhile, tensions between Iran and the United States have intensified after Tehran announced plans to unveil a new system for managing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
Iran’s First Vice President said on Saturday that Tehran would no longer permit what it described as “enemy” military equipment to pass through the strategic waterway. Iranian officials also indicated that tolls could be imposed on vessels using the route.
The remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump warned Iran it would face a “very bad time” if a peace agreement was not reached soon.
At the same time, Israeli air strikes continued in southern Lebanon, with fresh attacks reported in the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah as cross-border hostilities showed little sign of easing.
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Gaza Death Toll Climbs
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said six people were killed and 19 wounded over the past two days despite the ongoing “ceasefire”. The ministry said the figure included two newly confirmed deaths as well as four bodies recovered from beneath rubble left by earlier Israeli attacks.
Officials added that several victims remain trapped under collapsed buildings or stranded on roads that rescue crews are unable to access because of continued bombardment and unsafe conditions.
According to the ministry, 871 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire arrangement came into effect on October 11, 2025. Israel has continued military operations across parts of Gaza, with repeated strikes reported in densely populated areas.