Morocco is pushing for an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran’s drones attack that targeted lately UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant, according to press reports.
The Moroccan move is backed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. The four Arab countries have requested an IAEA emergency meeting before June 5 to discuss the attack of May 17 which could have triggered a catastrophic nuclear disaster for the whole region.
The UAE said that six drones had been launched against it from Iraq, including one that struck the nuclear power plant in the Gulf state. Iraq is home to powerful Iranian-backed militia groups which have claimed attacks against “enemy bases in Iraq and the region” during the U.S-Iran war.
UN Security Council has condemned in the strongest terms the egregious drone attack on an electricity generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Al Dhafra region in the UAE.
The Council members said the attack constitutes a flagrant violation of international law with grave risks for civilian lives, infrastructure and the environment.
They expressed deep concern over this dangerous escalation and demanded the immediate and permanent cessation of all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the UAE, including attacks and threats of attack against peaceful nuclear facilities
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was deeply alarmed by drone strikes that set fire to an electrical generator within the perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. “Attacks to nuclear installations are totally unacceptable, a violation of international law and must be condemned”, said Mr. Guterres.
For his part, IAEA Chief Rafael Mariano Grossi said a nuclear disaster with potentially harrowing human and environmental impacts was narrowly averted in the UAE as Iranian drones struck a functioning nuclear power plant.
