The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, Rafael Grossi, recently visited the UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to assess the impact of the May 17 attack on its external power infrastructure. During his visit, Grossi lauded the facility’s operators, describing their response to the incident as a "test by fire" that they passed with flying colors. He confirmed that while the strike on the external power grid forced a reactor shutdown, at no point did the situation escalate into a radiological emergency. Grossi emphasized that safety protocols functioned exactly as designed, with professional teams on-site maintaining total control throughout the crisis.

The incident highlights the critical importance of protecting infrastructure connected to nuclear facilities, a move Grossi strongly condemned as unacceptable and contrary to international norms. Despite the disruption, UAE authorities and the IAEA noted that the plant’s multiple layers of security and comprehensive emergency drills proved effective in keeping the facility safe. Moving forward, the IAEA plans to collaborate with UAE officials to share the lessons learned from this event with the global nuclear community, further reinforcing the importance of rigorous training and preparedness in maintaining the safety of civilian nuclear energy.