ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) on Monday strongly condemned the drone attack on the United Arab Emirates’ nuclear power plant, stating that such reckless actions could have “catastrophic and irreversible consequences for human life, the environment, and regional as well as global peace and security.”
A day earlier, a drone strike triggered a fire near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. According to the UAE’s defence ministry, no injuries were reported and there was no impact on radiation levels.
The UAE defence ministry further stated that two additional drones were “successfully” intercepted and neutralised, adding that the drones had been launched from the “western border,” without providing further details.
Emirati officials said an investigation into the source of the attack was underway and reaffirmed that the UAE reserves the full right to respond to what it described as “terrorist attacks.”
The UAE has previously accused Iran of targeting its energy infrastructure, calling such incidents an escalation of tensions in the region.
In its statement issued on Monday, the FO said that any deliberate targeting of nuclear facilities constitutes a serious violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, the UN Charter, and the core principles of nuclear safety and security outlined in the Statute and resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
It stressed that nuclear installations must never be targeted under any circumstances, reiterating that such actions could result in severe and irreversible consequences for human life, the environment, and both regional and global peace and security.
The FO further stated that the inviolability of civilian nuclear infrastructure is a well-established international norm that must be respected without exception.
Pakistan called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, fulfil their obligations under international law and international humanitarian law, and avoid any actions that could further escalate tensions or produce consequences extending beyond the region.
It added that dialogue and diplomacy, in line with the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter, remain the only viable path toward lasting peace, stability, and de-escalation in the region.
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant began operations in 2020 and is located approximately 200 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi, near the borders of Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The facility supplies up to one-quarter of the United Arab Emirates’ electricity requirements.
According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, the drone struck an electrical generator located outside the inner perimeter of the plant.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that emergency diesel generators were supplying power to Unit 3 of the facility. It also urged “maximum military restraint” around nuclear installations and said it was closely monitoring the situation.