UAE Says Drones From Iraq Hit $20 Billion Barakah Nuclear Plant as U.N. Warns of Radioactivity Risk
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 19
UAE Says Drones From Iraq Hit $20 Billion Barakah Nuclear Plant as U.N. Warns of Radioactivity Risk
6 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 19
The UAE said Tuesday that drones targeting the Barakah nuclear plant originated in Iraqi territory, pointing to likely involvement by Iran-backed Iraqi Shiite militias; officials said one strike hit a perimeter generator.
No injuries or radioactive leaks were reported, but IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told the U.N. Security Council that a direct hit on an operating plant like Barakah could release very high levels of radioactivity.
The UAE also reported three other drones over the past two days, while Saudi Arabia said it intercepted three drones entering from Iraqi airspace and Iraq condemned the attacks without addressing the Emirati accusation.
The attack lands amid the Israel-U.S.-Iran war and a fragile ceasefire: Trump said Iran has a few days to show progress in talks, after saying Monday he was an hour from ordering new strikes.
Barakah, brought online in 2020, is the Arab world’s only nuclear power plant and supplies about a quarter of UAE electricity, underscoring the regional and energy-security stakes.
Has the drone attack on a nuclear plant just opened a dangerous new chapter in modern warfare?
Are Iran's proxies driven by belief, or could their leaders' fortunes be the key to preventing the next war?
With China reportedly arming Iran, is the world stumbling into a global economic crisis centered on the Strait of Hormuz?
Drone Strike on UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Plant (May 17, 2026): Regional Escalation and Global Nuclear Security Threats
Overview
On May 17, 2026, a drone strike targeted the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the UAE, igniting a fire on its perimeter and raising fears of regional escalation. UAE air defenses intercepted two drones, but a third hit a generator, forcing one reactor to switch to emergency diesel power. The attack drew immediate condemnation from regional leaders and grave concern from the IAEA, highlighting the vulnerability of critical infrastructure amid ongoing tensions. The incident underscores how advanced weaponry and proxy conflicts can threaten nuclear safety and regional stability, prompting urgent calls for stronger security and international cooperation.