IAEA says strikes near Iran nuclear power plant ‘must stop’
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IAEA director-general Rafael Grossi voiced fears of a "severe radiological accident" if Iran's Bushehr atomic power plant is struck again.
PHOTO: AFP
- UN nuclear watchdog warns attacks near Iran's Bushehr power plant pose a "very real danger to nuclear safety" and must stop immediately.
- Strikes near the Bushehr plant, 75m from the perimeter, risk a "severe radiological accident" with harmful consequences, according to IAEA director Rafael Grossi.
- Russia calls for an immediate halt to hostilities, stating the strikes risk a "radiological disaster more devastating than Chernobyl"; 198 workers evacuated.
AI generated
VIENNA - The chief of the UN nuclear watchdog on April 6 warned that attacks near Iran’s Bushehr atomic power plant “pose a very real danger to nuclear safety and must stop”.
The facility, located in the south of Iran and equipped with a 1,000-megawatt reactor, has been targeted four times since the US-Israeli war on Iran began on Feb 28.
The latest strike was reported by Iranian state media on April 4.
Strikes near the operating plant “could cause a severe radiological accident with harmful consequences for people and the environment in Iran and beyond,” said Mr Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on X.
Russia, whose specialists help operate the plant, said the strikes risked a “radiological disaster more devastating than Chernobyl”.
“We once again urgently call for an immediate cessation of hostilities,” the Russian foreign ministry said.
The IAEA analysed satellite imagery of the site, confirming the impact of the latest strike, which did not damage the power plant.
Mr Grossi added that one strike hit just 75m from the plant perimeter.
“A nuclear facility and surrounding areas should never be struck,” he said.
Bushehr, built with help from Russia, is Iran’s only operational nuclear power reactor, according to the IAEA.
Russian state media reported that 198 workers at the plant were evacuated just after the latest strike, with about 100 Russian staff remaining at the site. AFP
