Source: UN News: Thursday, 21 May 2026 00:01 AM
Rafael Grossi, head of the United Nations Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on Monday, a day after a drone attack near a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), stressed the need to ensure the security of nuclear sites in times of war. United Arab Emirates Atomic Energy Agency (AEA)IAEA) had informed that power supply to the outlying site of Unit 3 near the country’s Barakah Nuclear Power Plant had been restored early Monday following the attack. Tweet URL
According to reports, the plant can provide a quarter of the UAE’s electricity needs. That attack caused a fire in a power generator near the UAE’s only nuclear power plant. In a social media message to the UN nuclear monitoring agency, the agency’s director-general, Rafael Grossi, welcomed the restoration of external power supply, calling it “an important step forward for nuclear security.” “This incident occurred in the context of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Recall that the Middle East crisis is ongoing, following the US and Israeli attacks against Iran in late February, and the subsequent retaliatory attacks by Tehran on several countries in the Gulf and the wider region. Stop the War Rafael Grossi reiterated that “military activities should never target nuclear sites and other installations critical to nuclear security.”United Nations Secretary General António Guterres also earlier issued a statement saying he was deeply concerned by reports of drone attacks near a UAE nuclear power plant. The Secretary-General recalled that he has consistently warned against any further escalation of the Middle East conflict, adding, “And this incident provides yet another reason for all parties to completely stop the fighting.” He stressed, “Civilian infrastructure, including nuclear power plants, There should be no further attacks near the structure.” “Attacks on nuclear facilities are completely unacceptable, a violation of international law and must be condemned.”