IAEA director-general to address UN security council later today
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that the United Arab Emirates has told it that external electricity supplies have been restored to Unit 3 of the Barakah nuclear power station following a drone attack.
The agency confirmed via its official X platform that power was restored on 18 May.
It also noted that Emirati authorities are continuing to coordinate with the IAEA regarding developments and technical procedures related to the power plant.
On 17 May the agency said it had been informed by the UAE that radiation levels at Barakah were normal and no injuries were reported after a drone strike caused a fire in an electrical generator outside the inner site perimeter of the facility.
The agency said at the time that emergency diesel generators were providing power to the Unit 3 at the four-unit facility, about 140 km southwest of Dubai on the Persian Gulf.
Agency director-general Rafael Grossi expressed “grave concern” about the incident and said military activity that threatens nuclear safety is unacceptable.
Grossi is scheduled to address the United Nations security council today, 19 May, on the situation at Barakah, at 15:00 EDT (21:00 CET).
UN secretary-general António Guterres said he was “deeply alarmed” by reports that drone strikes set fire to an electrical generator within the perimeter of the Barakah nuclear station.
“I have consistently warned against any further escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, and this incident provides yet another reason for all sides to halt the fighting completely,” he said.
“There must be no further attacks near civilian infrastructure, including nuclear power plants. Attacks to nuclear installations are totally unacceptable, a violation of international law and must be condemned.”
The UAE blamed the attack on a drone launched by Iran or one of its proxies in what the UAE called a “dangerous escalation”.
The UAE’s defence ministry said the drone that targeted the Barakah plant was one of three that “entered the country from the western border direction”.
