Pakistan condemns drone strike on UAE nuclear plant, urges restraint

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday strongly condemned the drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the United Arab Emirates and reaffirmed its solidarity with the Emirati government and people.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said the deliberate targeting of nuclear facilities amounted to a serious breach of international law, including international humanitarian law, the United Nations Charter, and the core principles of nuclear safety and security laid down in the statute and resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"Any deliberate targeting of nuclear facilities constituted a grave violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, the United Nations Charter, and the fundamental principles of nuclear safety and security enshrined in the Statute and resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," the statement read.

The statement came a day after a drone strike caused a fire at the nuclear power plant in the UAE. The UAE defence ministry said there were no injuries and radiation levels were not affected.

The ministry also said two other drones were dealt with successfully and added that the drones had been launched from the western border, though it did not provide further details.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office said the drone that penetrated UAE air defences struck an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. There were no casualties and that radiological safety remained unaffected.

UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation later confirmed that the facility remained secure and that no radioactive material had been released as a result of the strike.

Foreign Office calls attack reckless

The Foreign Office said nuclear installations must never be targeted under any circumstances and warned that such actions could have far-reaching consequences. "Such reckless actions carry potentially catastrophic and irreversible consequences for human life, the environment, and regional as well as global peace and security," it said.

The spokesperson said the protection of civilian nuclear infrastructure was a firmly established international norm and must be observed without exception. He also called on all sides to show maximum restraint, meet their obligations under international law and international humanitarian law, and avoid steps that could intensify tensions with consequences extending beyond the region. "Dialogue and diplomacy, consistent with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter, remain the only viable path toward lasting peace, stability, and de-escalation in the region," he emphasised.

Regional context

The attack took place during the war that began with US and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28. During that conflict, Iran has repeatedly targeted the UAE and other Gulf states hosting US military bases, including civilian and energy infrastructure.

Pakistan’s statement underscored the risks associated with attacks on sensitive civilian facilities and renewed its call for de-escalation through diplomacy.