United Nations: The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday issued a strong condemnation of the terrorist attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates, warning of the severe dangers inherent in targeting nuclear facilities and demanding full accountability for those responsible.
Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the UN, told the emergency session that while the attack produced no immediate radiological harm, it should not be downplayed. He affirmed that the Barakah plant “remains safe, stable and operational, supplying up to 25% of the UAE‘s clean electricity.”
“There were no injuries nor was there radiological release,” Ambassador Abushahab said, underscoring the plant’s critical contribution to national life. “This plant produces more than 40 terawatt-hours of energy annually, powering our homes, hospitals, and industries.”
Council members’ rebuke reflected growing international alarm over the May 17 incident, with diplomats warning that attacks on civilian nuclear infrastructure carry risks that extend far beyond any single state, as reported by Gulf News.
“The absence of catastrophic consequences should not diminish the gravity of this attack,” Ambassador Abushahab warned, pressing that the episode must be viewed in the wider context of regional and global safety.
Red Line For Nuclear Facilities
Ambassador Abushahab characterised threats and assaults on nuclear installations as a “red line” for the UAE, saying such acts pose dangers that reach well beyond national borders. He and other Security Council members stressed that deliberate strikes on nuclear sites risk long-term humanitarian and environmental damage.
Echoing similar view, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN told the Council that nuclear installations should never be targeted, referring explicitly to the May 17 attack. He cautioned that such “reckless actions” could cause irreversible civilian harm, severe environmental damage, and threaten global peace and security. He urged all sides to de-escalate tensions and exercise maximum restraint, warning that any further escalation would have consequences extending well beyond the region.
The UAE joined other members in calling for a full investigation and accountability. Ambassador Abu Shehab condemned the attack as a blatant violation of international law, saying: “The deliberate targeting of civilian facilities constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, and attacks on nuclear facilities designated for peaceful purposes represent a violation of utmost gravity.”
Global Consequences Warned
Council delegates emphasised that civilian nuclear facilities must never be used as targets or instruments of escalation under any circumstances. They warned that even strikes that do not cause immediate radiation release can carry significant political and security repercussions, heighten regional tensions, and jeopardise international non-proliferation and safety frameworks.
At the emergency session, diplomats expressed support for the UAE’s ongoing safety assessments and called for transparent, cooperative investigations to identify those responsible and prevent recurrence. The Security Council’s unified statement illustrated an uncommon consensus on the imperative to protect nuclear sites used for peaceful energy production from conflict-driven attacks.
Ambassador Abushahab concluded by restating the plant’s central role in the UAE’s energy infrastructure and the stakes at hand: the Barakah plant’s continued safe operation is vital to national infrastructure and public welfare, and any attack on such facilities must be met with accountability and stronger protections.
