NEW YORK (WAM)
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), affiliated with the United Nations, is closely monitoring the situation at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi through continuous coordination with the relevant UAE authorities, while expressing its full readiness to provide assistance if needed.
The remarks were made on Monday by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, who renewed the Secretary-General’s deep concern over reports received by the United Nations indicating that drone attacks on Sunday had caused a fire in an electricity generator within the vicinity of the Barakah plant.
Haq stressed that any attacks on nuclear facilities are completely unacceptable and must be condemned as a flagrant violation of international law, adding that no further attacks should be carried out near civilian infrastructure, including nuclear power stations.
The Deputy Spokesman also referred to the Secretary-General’s repeated warnings against any further escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, noting that reports of the attack near the Barakah plant constitute an additional reason compelling all parties to completely halt the fighting.
Responding to a question regarding Iran’s hardline position on the Strait of Hormuz, Haq warned that such developments could create a major global problem, explaining that they would ultimately lead to shortages in fuel and fertilisers, triggering various crises including rising inflation rates, slower economic growth and a future food crisis, which would particularly affect developing countries and those least capable of bearing such consequences.