At UN, Pakistan slams 'reckless' drone strike on UAE's Barakah nuclear plant

Pakistan has strongly condemned the drone attack at Barakah power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), stressing that Islamabad stands in “complete solidarity” with the Emirati government and people

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th May, 2026) Pakistan has strongly condemned the drone attack at Barakah power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), stressing that Islamabad stands in “complete solidarity” with the Emirati government and people.

"The inviolability of civilian nuclear infrastructure is a well-established international norm and must be upheld without exception,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council which met in emergency on the Middle East situation at the request of Bahrain, following a reported drone strike on May 17 near the plant.

According to UN, the attack resulted in a localized fire and while emergency diesel generators were briefly needed, off-site power has now been restored.

In this regard, the Pakistani envoy also condemned in the" strongest possible terms" the drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, which, he said, appeared to be an attempt to undermine regional peace and stability.

Pakistan, he said, stands in solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its full and unwavering support for the Kingdom’s security, peace and prosperity.

“Any and all targeting of nuclear facilities constitute a grave violation of international law,” Ambassador Asim Ahmad added.

Attacks against nuclear facilities pose a grave danger to the safety of populations in the region, he warned, and as a neighbouring country, Pakistan remains seriously concerned about this dangerous trend. "Such reckless actions carry potentially catastrophic and irreversible consequences for human life, the environment, and regional as well as global peace and security."

Ambassador Asim Ahmad reiterated Pakistan's position that nuclear installations must never be targeted under any circumstances, stressing that increasing incidents of attacks against nuclear facilities demand serious introspection and action to address the legal, safety and security implications of such attacks.

The Pakistani envoy called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, fulfill their international law obligations and avoid any actions that could further escalate tensions.

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On its part, he said, Pakistan has been making sincere efforts to facilitate diplomatic engagement between the concerned parities – and thanked the parties and all its partners, as well as the UN Secretary-General for supporting those efforts.

"We will continue to play our constructive role to facilitate dialogue between the parties for a fruitful outcome," Ambassador Asim Ahmad added.

Opening the debate, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told the 15-member Council that attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes were "unacceptable,” recounting the details of a deeply concerning drone attack on the Barakah nuclear power plant.

To date, he said, nuclear radiation levels remain normal and no injuries were reported.

Further, IAEA chief said the IAEA is in close contact with senior Emirati officials and leaders across the region, many of whom have voiced their grave concern.

“This is an operating nuclear power plant, and as such, it hosts thousands of kilograms of nuclear material,” Grossi said.

UAE Ambassador Mohamed Issa Abushahab condemned in the strongest terms the "unlawful, unprovoked terrorist attack" targeting the vicinity of the Barakah plant.

“The deliberate targeting civilian objects is a flagrant violation of international law,” he stressed, describing such actions as “a red line".

He underscored the strength of the safety and security systems in place at Barakah, pointing to its multiple layers of protection, which aim to ensure the safe and secure production of clean electricity under a wide range of conditions.

“The absence of catastrophic consequences should not diminish the gravity of this attack,” he said.

The UAE envoy said his Government confirmed that the drone attacks over the past 48 hours, including at Barakah, originated from Iraqi territory.

APP/ift