VIENNA: The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has issued a strong warning against continued strikes near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, calling them a serious threat to nuclear safety and regional stability.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said attacks near the operational facility “pose a very real danger” and must cease immediately, cautioning that any damage could trigger a severe radiological accident with far-reaching consequences for both human health and the environment.
The Bushehr plant, located in southern Iran and equipped with a 1,000-megawatt reactor, has reportedly been targeted multiple times since the escalation of the US-Israel conflict with Iran. The latest strike, confirmed through satellite imagery analysis by the IAEA, occurred close to the facility but did not cause structural damage.
Grossi noted that one of the strikes landed just 75 metres from the plant’s perimeter, underscoring the high level of risk involved. “A nuclear facility and its surrounding areas should never be targeted,” he stressed.
Bushehr remains Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant and was constructed with assistance from Russia. Following the recent strike, Russian media reported the evacuation of nearly 200 workers, while a limited number of staff continue operations at the site.
The IAEA’s warning highlights growing global concern over the safety of nuclear infrastructure amid escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly in conflict zones where the risk of accidental or intentional damage could have catastrophic consequences.
By AFP
