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Grossi warns at Security Council against attacks on nuclear plants

WNN, Wednesday, 20 May 2026

In a briefing to the United Nations Security Council following a drone strike near Barakah Nuclear Power Plant’s inner perimeter, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has warned of the “most serious” consequences of a direct hit.

A drone strike on Sunday morning caused a fire in an electrical generator located outside the inner perimeter of the plant in the United Arab Emirates. Emergency diesel generators were required to provide power to Barakah’s unit 3 until sufficient off-site power was restored, he said. Radiation levels remained normal at all times and no injuries were reported.

The UAE has said its investigations have found that the drone, plus others which were successfully intercepted, had originated from Iraqi territory.

Grossi said he had been in contact with leaders “throughout the Gulf region and I can see the unease and great concern. I have been discussing how the IAEA can offer further assistance. Since last year, the IAEA has been gathering information, as well as analysing and evaluating emergency preparedness and response capacities. I will be travelling to the Gulf soon to continue this important joint work……………………………

He said: “The situation is of grave concern. This is a nuclear site in the Middle East where the consequences of an attack could be most serious. It is an operating nuclear power plant, and as such, it hosts thousands of kilograms of nuclear material in the core of the reactors, fresh and spent fuel. I want to make it absolutely and completely clear: In case of an attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, a direct hit could result in a very high release of radioactivity to the environment.

“A hit that disabled the lines supplying electrical power to the plant could increase the likelihood of its reactors’ cores melting, which could result in a high release of radioactivity. In their worst cases, both scenarios would necessitate protective actions, such as evacuations and sheltering of the population or the need to take stable iodine, with the reach extending to distances from a few to several hundred kilometres. Radiation monitoring would need to cover distances of several hundred kilometres and food restrictions may need to be implemented.”……………………………………………………………………………………………. https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/grossi-warns-at-security-council-against-attacks-on-nuclear-plants

May 23, 2026 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety