The head of the UN nuclear watchdog has warned that attacks near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant pose a serious threat to nuclear safety and must immediately cease. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, issued the warning on Monday following reports of repeated strikes near the facility.
According to Iranian state media, the latest strike occurred on Saturday, marking the fourth time the area has been targeted since the outbreak of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Grossi stressed that continued attacks near such sensitive infrastructure could trigger catastrophic consequences.
Risk of radiological disaster raises global concern
Meanwhile, Grossi cautioned that strikes near an operational nuclear facility could lead to a severe radiological accident, endangering both human life and the environment beyond Iran’s borders. He emphasised that nuclear sites and their surrounding areas must never become targets under any circumstances.
Furthermore, the IAEA reviewed satellite imagery confirming that the latest strike impacted an area close to the plant but did not damage critical infrastructure. However, Grossi noted that one strike landed just 75 metres from the facility’s perimeter, highlighting the escalating risk.
Evacuations reported as tensions persist
At the same time, Russian state media reported that 198 workers were evacuated from the Bushehr plant shortly after the latest strike. Nevertheless, around 100 Russian personnel remain at the site, reflecting continued operational concerns.
Bushehr, Iran’s only functioning nuclear power reactor, was constructed with Russian assistance and has a capacity of 1,000 megawatts. As tensions persist, international authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging restraint to prevent a potentially devastating nuclear incident.
