More than 80 countries have jointly condemned a drone attack launched by armed factions in Iraq that struck electrical infrastructure outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the UAE on May 17, 2026.
The joint statement, signed by the UAE and co-signatories spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and the Arab world, describes the strike as “a flagrant violation of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations” and says it “threatens regional and international peace and security.” The signatories warned the attack posed serious risks to civilian lives and carried the potential for “severe transboundary radiological, environmental, and human health consequences.”
The statement demands “the immediate and permanent cessation of all attacks against the United Arab Emirates, including attacks against nuclear facilities devoted exclusively to peaceful purposes,” and calls on states to ensure their territory is not used by non-state actors to strike other countries.
Radiation levels around the Barakah plant remained normal following the attack, according to the statement, which commended the UAE for providing “prompt and transparent” information to the International Atomic Energy Agency about the incident, its consequences, and the mitigation steps taken.
The signatories reaffirmed that Barakah was designed, built, and is operated in accordance with international standards under the oversight of the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation and in line with IAEA safety guidelines.
The statement closes with a call for strengthened international cooperation to protect civilian nuclear infrastructure, including through “enhanced physical protection, emergency preparedness, and resilience measures.”
Signatories include the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, and dozens of other nations, as well as the European Union.
