UAE condemns Barakah nuclear plant attack in emergency UN meeting

The UAE has labelled the attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi as a "dangerous escalation" in an emergency UN Security Council meeting held on Tuesday.

"The deliberate targeting of civilian objects is a flagrant violation of international law, and attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes are particularly egregious," said UAE ambassador to the UN, Mohamed Abushahab, said in his address. 

"The attack on Barakah constitutes a dangerous escalation in an already-volatile regional environment, and seeks to threaten and undermine the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of the UAE.

"Threats and attacks of this nature are a red line for the UAE; and we reserve our full and inherent right to protect our territory and population, in accordance with international law."

Abushahab added that while there was an "absence of catastrophic consequences", with the plant in the Al Dhafra region remaining fully operational and no injuries reported, it "should not diminish the gravity of this attack" on Sunday May 17, which was confirmed to originate from Iraqi territory.

Several security council members reiterated these comments, as well as standing alongside the UAE in calling for full accountability.

In an emergency meeting convened by the Security Council to address the heinous attacks on Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Al Dhafra region, the UAE condemned in the strongest terms the unprovoked terrorist attack directed at the vicinity of Barakah.

Targeting peaceful nuclear… pic.twitter.com/rTcTFkgomX

— UAE Mission to the UN (@UAEMissionToUN) May 19, 2026