UAE, 79 other nations condemn drone attack near Barakah Nuclear Plant
The UAE and 79 other countries have issued a joint statement strongly condemning the drone attack launched on May 17, against electrical infrastructure near the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, describing it as a serious threat to regional and international security.
The statement, backed by a broad coalition of countries from across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, said the attack near Barakah Nuclear Plant by armed factions in Iraq constituted a “flagrant violation of international law… and threatens regional and international peace and security”.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the drone attack of May 17, 2026 launched by armed factions in Iraq on electrical infrastructure outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the UAE,” the joint statement said.
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The signatories expressed deep concern over the escalation and called for the immediate and permanent cessation of all attacks against the UAE, particularly those targeting facilities devoted exclusively to peaceful purposes.
“We call on States to refrain from acts of aggression and to respect their obligation, under international law, to ensure that their territory is not used by non-state actors to launch attacks against other States,” they added.
The countries reaffirmed their support for the UAE’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while praising Emirati authorities for promptly informing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the incident and its aftermath.
According to the statement, mitigation measures were successfully implemented and radiation levels around the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant remained normal following the attack.
“We reaffirm that the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant was designed, constructed, and is operated in accordance with the highest international standards and under the oversight of the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), and in line with the safety standards of the IAEA,” the statement said, adding:
“We support the continued efforts of the IAEA and the Director General in monitoring developments relevant to nuclear safety, nuclear security and safeguards in member States.
“We call on States to refrain from any action that may endanger the safety and security of nuclear power plants devoted exclusively to peaceful purposes.”
The joint statement stressed that the incident underscores the urgent need to protect civilian nuclear infrastructure from hostile acts. “This drone attack affecting infrastructure in proximity to the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant facility underscores the urgent importance of protecting nuclear infrastructure devoted exclusively to peaceful purposes from threats and hostile acts.”
The statement also called for stronger international cooperation to enhance the security, resilience, and protection of nuclear facilities dedicated solely to peaceful purposes.
The joint statement was signed by the following countries:
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UAE
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Argentina
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Armenia
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Australia
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Austria
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Bahrain
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Belgiu
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Bulgaria
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Canada
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Chile
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Colombia
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Comoros
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Costa Rica
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Côte d’Ivoire
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Croatia
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Cyprus
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Czechia
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Denmark
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Egypt
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Ecuador
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Estonia
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EU
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Finland
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France
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Georgia
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Germany
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Greece
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Guatemala
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Honduras
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Hungary
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Ireland
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Italy
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Japan
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Jordan
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Kazakhstan
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Kuwait
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Latvia
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Lebanon
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Libya
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Liechtenstein
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Lithuania
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Luxembourg
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Malta
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Marshall Islands
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Mauritius
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Moldova
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Morocco
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Netherlands
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New Zealand
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Norway
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Pakistan
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Palau
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Paraguay
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Peru
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Philippines
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Poland
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Portugal
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Qatar
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Republic of Korea
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Romania
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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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San Marino
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Saudi Arabia
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Serbia
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Seychelles
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Singapore
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Slovakia
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Slovenia
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Spain
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Sweden
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Switzerland
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Syria
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Tonga
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Türkiye
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Ukraine
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United Kingdom
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United States
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Uruguay
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Vietnam
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Yemen
