The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday condemned Iran after an airstrike at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra region and warned that Abu Dhabi “will not tolerate any threat to its security and sovereignty under any circumstances.”
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement, saying the nation “condemned in the strongest terms” the drone attack, which entered its territory “from the western border direction”. It said the country “will not tolerate any threat to its security and sovereignty under any circumstances and reserved its full, sovereign, legitimate, diplomatic, and military rights” to respond to such actions in compliance with international law.
The ministry called the attack a “dangerous escalation”, an “unacceptable act of aggression”, and a direct threat to the country’s security.
It said in the statement, “The ministry stressed that the targeting of peaceful nuclear energy facilities is a flagrant violation of international law, the UN charter, and the principles of humanitarian law, given the grave risks such acts pose to civilians, the environment, as well as regional and international security.”
The ministry also highlighted the international agreements and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolutions, which emphasise the need to protect peaceful nuclear facilities from military threats or hostile acts.
“The ministry further underscored that targeting vital and civilian infrastructure is unequivocally condemned and rejected under all legal and humanitarian norms, underscoring the need to immediately halt these unprovoked attacks and ensure full compliance with the cessation of all hostilities,” read the statement.
The Abu Dhabi Media office reported that there was no release of radioactive material after the attack, which triggered a fire at an electricity generator outside the inner perimeter of the power plant. It also said the radiation safety levels remained unaffected. UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulations also confirmed the safety of the plant.
Reuters reported that the International Atomic Energy Agency said emergency diesel generators were supplying power to the plant’s Unit 3 and pushed for “maximum military restraint” around nuclear facilities.
