The United Arab Emirates' Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that the drones which targeted the Barakah nuclear power plant all originated from Iraqi territory, a move that likely signals involvement by Iranian-backed Shiite militias. Such militias have carried out repeated drone attacks against Gulf Arab states since the onset of the war between Israel and the United States against Iran on February 28. Historically, these militias have provided Iran with a means to deflect blame for such assaults.
Attack Details and Aftermath
There were no reported injuries or radiological releases at Barakah following the attack, which Emirati officials confirmed struck a generator on the facility's perimeter. The UAE, which has hosted air defenses and personnel from Israel, recently accused Iran of launching drone and missile attacks even after a ceasefire was declared. Tensions have escalated over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies, currently under Iranian influence and subject to a U.S. naval blockade.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, though Iran and its proxies remain under suspicion. Iraqi government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi, without directly addressing the Emirati Defense Ministry's report, issued a statement expressing “strong condemnation of the recent drone attacks targeting the UAE.” He emphasized the need for “effective regional and international cooperation to prevent any escalation or harm to the stability of the region, or any targeting of the security and sovereignty of sisterly and friendly nations.”
Broader Context and Reactions
The UAE Defense Ministry also noted that three other drones had targeted the country over the preceding two days, without providing further details on their intended targets. The Barakah nuclear power plant, a $20 billion facility built with South Korean assistance, became operational in 2020. It is the only nuclear power plant in the Arab world and supplies approximately a quarter of the UAE's energy needs. The UAE is a federation of seven emirates, including Dubai.
Earlier on Tuesday, prominent Emirati diplomat Anwer Gargash indirectly criticized regional states for their responses to the attacks. In a post on X, he wrote: “The confusion of roles during this treacherous Iranian aggression is baffling, encompassing the Gulf Arab region’s surrounding states. The victim’s role has merged with that of the mediator, and vice versa, while the friend has turned into a mediator instead of being a steadfast ally and supporter.”
