Vienna, May 17 — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed “grave concern” after a drone strike near the United Arab Emirates’ Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant ignited a fire at an electrical generator, while confirming that radiation levels remain normal.
The aerial attack struck an electrical generator within the wider Barakah complex in the al-Dhafra region, prompting an immediate emergency response to contain the blaze. UAE authorities said the fire was confined to an area outside the plant’s inner perimeter and that no injuries were reported.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi warned that “military activity that threatens nuclear safety is unacceptable,” underlining the catastrophic risks of carrying out or directing weaponized operations close to sensitive nuclear infrastructure. The agency said its monitoring systems were functioning and that the UAE had informed it of normal radiological readings following the incident.
Abu Dhabi’s media office issued a public update confirming emergency teams managed the situation on site and reiterated that there was no impact on radiological safety. No group has claimed responsibility for the strike, and UAE officials have not attributed the attack to any particular party as investigations continue.
The strike marks the first time Barakah’s four-reactor facility has been directly targeted during the ongoing Iran-related conflict. Located deep in Abu Dhabi’s far west near the Saudi border, Barakah is the Arabian Peninsula’s only operational nuclear power plant. Built with technical collaboration from South Korea at a reported cost of about USD 20 billion, the plant began operations in 2020.
Analysts say the incident highlights a disturbing trend of nuclear facilities being exposed to hostilities, a pattern that became more prominent after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Iran has previously asserted that its Bushehr power plant was targeted in related fighting, though those incidents reportedly caused no direct structural damage or radiological release at the Russian-operated reactor.
The Barakah strike occurs amid a series of recent attacks around the Strait of Hormuz and in Gulf states, and comes as diplomatic negotiations between Iran and the United States have stalled. Observers warn that a breakdown of the fragile ceasefire arrangements could escalate into broader conflict, deepening the global energy crisis.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical maritime chokepoint: before the war, around a fifth of the world’s oil transited the waterway. Meanwhile, tensions at sea are compounded by U.S. naval measures affecting Iranian ports.
This report is based on syndicated material from ANI and has been published by The Tribune as received.
