Global coalition condemns drone attack near UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant

A large global coalition has come together to condemn the drone attack near the United Arab Emirates' Barakah nuclear plant last month with a powerful statement.

It includes the likes of the EU, UK, USA, Qatar, France and Ukraine and demands "strengthened international cooperation aimed at protecting nuclear power plants devoted exclusively to peaceful purposes" through "enhanced physical protection, emergency preparedness, and resilience measures".

The May 17, 2026 strike, which was confirmed to originate from Iraqi territory, targeted electrical infrastructure outside the plant’s inner perimeter and was described as a “flagrant violation of international law”.

And this latest statement read: "We express our deep concern over this dangerous escalation and demand the immediate and permanent cessation of all attacks against the United Arab Emirates, including attacks against nuclear 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.

"We commend the prompt and transparent information provided to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) by the United Arab Emirates through its competent authorities about the consequences of this attack, successful mitigation actions and radiation levels around the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant which remained normal.

"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.

"We call for strengthened international cooperation aimed at protecting nuclear power plants devoted exclusively to peaceful purposes and related sites and infrastructure, including through enhanced physical protection, emergency preparedness, and resilience measures."

A joint statement condemns in the strongest terms the drone attack of 17 May 2026 launched by armed factions in Iraq on electrical infrastructure outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the United Arab Emirates.#WamNews https://t.co/tcNRUSskJw pic.twitter.com/u2ZOH4vUu7

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) June 15, 2026