IAEA sounds alarm after drone nearly strikes UAE nuclear station
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi (Photo: Getty Images)
The United Arab Emirates came under a massive kamikaze drone attack, one of which hit a facility on the territory of a nuclear power plant. International experts warn that such incidents could trigger a large-scale nuclear catastrophe across the entire region, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Over the past 48 hours, six drones were launched from Iraqi territory, the report claims. The target was the Barakah nuclear power plant — the first commercial NPP in the Arab world.
UAE military forces repelled the attack and destroyed almost all of the UAVs. However, one drone managed to penetrate the air defense shield and crashed near an important facility on the NPP's territory.
According to the UAE Ministry of Defense, the drone struck an electric generator. This occurred outside the inner perimeter of the plant, and critical components were not damaged.
UAE officials called the incident a terrorist attack and stated that the country reserves the right to respond.
Consequences and response from regulators
The NPP itself was not damaged, and the radiation levels are normal — no releases have been recorded. The UAE's Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation promptly inspected all systems. The facility is currently under heightened security.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, stated that the consequences of such attacks could lead to a disaster.
According to him, a direct hit by a missile or drone would result in a very high release of radioactivity. At the same time, damage to power lines threatens to shut down cooling systems, which could trigger the melting of reactor cores.
What is the situation around Iran
The US still hopes to obtain enriched uranium from Iran. Tehran has offered to transfer over 400 kg of uranium to Russia for storage, but Washington disagrees with this.
"So, first on the Russia taking possession of the enriched uranium. Uh look, these things are being discussed through negotiation. That is not currently our plan," Vance stated.
Meanwhile, Iran has officially laid out its conditions for concluding peace with the US. Among other things, there is a clause requiring the US to pay compensation to Tehran.
