Drone Attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (May 2026)

The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant UAV Attack occurred during the Israel-Iran conflict, when an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) entering from the western border targeted an electrical generator located outside the internal security perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, situated in the Al Dhafra (Ez-Zafra) region of Abu Dhabi Emirate, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The incident took place on 17 May 2026.

On 17 May 2026, an electrical generator located outside the internal security perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra region of the UAE was struck by a UAV, resulting in a fire. According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, emergency response teams were immediately deployed. The statement confirmed that no injuries occurred and that radiation safety levels remained unaffected.

The UAE Ministry of Defence, via its social media account, stated that its air defence systems intercepted three UAVs entering from the western border. According to the statement, two of the UAVs were successfully neutralized, while the third struck an electrical generator located outside the grounds of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Ez-Zafra.

The ministry also indicated that investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the attacks and that developments will be shared with the public once the investigations are concluded.

UAE Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), in its social media statement, confirmed: "FANR has verified that the incident did not affect the safety or operation of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant's core systems. No radioactive material was released, radiation levels remained within normal parameters, and there is no risk to the public or the environment. No injuries have been reported." The authority also affirmed that the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant was designed, licensed, and operated in full compliance with the highest international nuclear safety and security standards. The IAEA noted in its statement that the emergency diesel generators were supplying power to Unit 3 of the plant.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued a statement via social media, noting that the UAE had informed the IAEA that the UAV attack earlier that morning caused a fire in an electrical generator located outside the internal security perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, but that radiation levels remained normal and no injuries occurred. The IAEA stated it is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide assistance to the UAE if needed.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi expressed serious concern over the incident, emphasizing that military activities threatening nuclear safety are unacceptable. Grossi reiterated his call for restrictions on military operations near all nuclear power plants to prevent the risk of nuclear accidents.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in a statement on 18 May 2026, expressed "deep concern" over reports of UAV attacks that caused a fire near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi on 17 May. Guterres stated, "I have repeatedly warned against further escalation of conflict in the Middle East; this incident is another reason for all parties to act once again to fully halt hostilities."

Guterres also emphasized that attacks near civilian infrastructure, including nuclear facilities, must not be carried out, describing such attacks on nuclear installations as "completely unacceptable, violations of international law, and deserving of condemnation."

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, in a social media post, said: "Attacks on energy infrastructure have increased in recent times, negatively affecting people's lives and livelihoods worldwide. Today's attack on the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE is a worrying example. I call on all countries to refrain from targeting civilian energy infrastructure."

World Nuclear Association confirmed that its colleagues at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and the IAEA have verified that all personnel at the plant are safe, the plant itself suffered no direct damage, and emergency procedures were effectively activated. The association called on those responsible for any military activity near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and all civilian energy facilities to reconsider their actions in light of the Geneva Conventions.

Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the UAV attack against the UAE in the "strongest possible terms," stating that such attacks constitute a serious threat to regional security and stability and that it firmly rejects any open aggression targeting regional security. The ministry also affirmed its solidarity with the UAE and supported all measures taken by the UAE to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.

Sultanate of Oman, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned the UAV attack targeting the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE and strongly denounced it. Oman declared its solidarity with the UAE in its efforts to protect its security and territorial integrity.

Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot, in a statement, affirmed that any military activity affecting or threatening nuclear facilities is unacceptable and that its consequences can extend far beyond national borders, stressing that nuclear safety and security must never be compromised.

Qatar and Jordan also condemned the attack.

UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah bin Zayed held a telephone conversation with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi regarding the attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Bin Zayed strongly condemned the act that led to the attack. The conversation also addressed cooperation between the UAE and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Following the attack, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held telephone conversations with numerous Arab foreign ministers. Among those he spoke with were Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Kuwait's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jabir Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Badr Abdelatty, and Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.

In their joint statement, the foreign ministers affirmed that the attack represented a "dangerous escalation and a clear violation of the United Nations Charter and principles of international law." The statement also confirmed that the UAE has the full and legitimate right to respond to such attacks in accordance with international law to guarantee its sovereignty, national security, territorial integrity, and the safety of its citizens, residents, and visitors.

The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, approximately 225 km west of the UAE capital. The plant is owned by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and operated by Nawah Energy Company, a joint venture between ENEC and the Korea Electric Power Corporation. Construction of the four-unit plant, based on the Korean APR-1400 design, began in 2012. Unit 1 was commissioned in April 2021, Unit 2 in March 2022, Unit 3 in February 2023, and Unit 4 in September 2024.

The UAE Ministry of Defence stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the attacks, noting only that the UAVs entered from the western border. No specific country or group has been identified or implicated.