IAEA warns of nuclear plant risk

Rafael Grossi used a United Nations Security Council briefing on May 20 to warn that a direct strike on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates could cause “the most serious” consequences. The warning came days after a drone strike caused a fire in an electrical generator near the plant and forced emergency diesel generators to supply power to Barakah’s unit 3 until enough off-site electricity was restored. The International Atomic Energy Agency said radiation levels remained normal and no injuries were reported. The episode nonetheless pushed nuclear-site safety back into a broader UN debate over how modern conflicts are reaching infrastructure with potential cross-border consequences. ### What happened at Barakah? A drone strike on Sunday morning, May 17, caused a fire in an electrical generator located outside Barakah’s inner perimeter, Grossi told the Security Council. He said emergency diesel generators were used to provide power to unit 3 until sufficient off-site power was restored. The IAEA said radiation levels stayed normal throughout the incident and no injuries were reported. (world-nuclear-news.org) The UAE told the IAEA that the incident did not affect the safety of the plant or the readiness of its essential systems, according to the agency’s earlier account of the event. The UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation said there had been no release of radioactive material and no risk to the public or the environment. (world-nuclear-news.org) ### Why did Grossi describe the risk in such stark terms? Grossi told the Council that Barakah is an operating nuclear power plant that holds “thousands of kilograms of nuclear material” in reactor cores as well as fresh and spent fuel. He said a direct hit on the plant could result in “a very high release of radioactivity to the environment.” (world-nuclear-news.org) The IAEA chief also said that disabling the lines supplying electrical power to the plant could increase the likelihood of reactor core melting. In the worst cases, he said, authorities could need to order evacuations, sheltering, stable iodine distribution, radiation monitoring over several hundred kilometers and food restrictions. (world-nuclear-news.org) ### What have the UAE authorities said about the attack? The UAE’s defense ministry said the drone that reached the area was one of three that entered the country’s territory from the western border direction, while the other two were intercepted, according to the IAEA-linked reporting. A later account said UAE investigations found the drone, along with others that were intercepted, had originated from Iraqi territory. (world-nuclear-news.org) Abdullah bin Zayed, the UAE foreign minister, discussed the incident with Grossi in a phone call, the UAE foreign ministry said in a statement cited by World Nuclear News. The two also discussed UAE-IAEA relations and ways to strengthen cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy under international safety, security and non-proliferation standards. (world-nuclear-news.org) ### How did this feed into the wider Security Council debate? The Security Council heard on May 19 that the war in Ukraine is “becoming deadlier by the day,” according to UN News’ account of that briefing. Kayoko Gotoh of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs said more than 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles were reportedly launched between May 13 and 14, part of what she described as one of the largest aerial bombardments since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. (world-nuclear-news.org) Edem Wosornu of the UN humanitarian office told the same meeting that two clearly marked UN convoys were hit by drone-related incidents on May 12 and 14. Her remarks placed Grossi’s warning in a Council setting already focused on the risks that expanding drone and missile warfare pose to civilians, aid operations and critical infrastructure. That connection is an inference from the sequence of the two briefings, not a direct statement by the Council. (news.un.org) ### What does the IAEA say happens next? Grossi told the Security Council that he had been in contact with leaders across the Gulf region and was discussing how the IAEA could offer further assistance. He said the agency has been gathering information since last year and evaluating emergency preparedness and response capacities. (news.un.org) The IAEA chief said he will travel to the Gulf soon to continue that work. He said the agency will keep providing guidance and training to national authorities and first responders on radiological impact, emergency protective measures, international emergency arrangements, response plans and equipment, and that it stands ready to deploy nuclear safety and security experts if needed. (world-nuclear-news.org)