The UN nuclear watchdog warns of a “very concerning” situation and potential radiological risks following military strikes on Iran, calling for maximum restraint.
VIENNA: The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has called for “utmost restraint” following recent military strikes on Iran and its retaliatory attacks, warning the situation poses a serious threat to nuclear safety in the region.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said the agency had so far “no indication” that any Iranian nuclear installations had been damaged or hit.
He made the remarks while opening an extraordinary closed-door session of the IAEA’s board of governors, which was convened at the request of Russia and Iran.
“Iran and many other countries in the region that have been subjected to military attacks have operational nuclear power plants and nuclear research reactors, as well as associated fuel storage sites, increasing the threat to nuclear safety,” Grossi said in a statement.
He warned that a radiological release with serious consequences could not be ruled out, potentially necessitating evacuations of areas as large as major cities.
The IAEA chief noted the agency was trying to contact Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities but had received no response so far.
He called for diplomatic negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme to resume “as quickly as possible”, following two Oman-mediated rounds of talks in Geneva this month that failed to yield an understanding.
The extraordinary meeting preceded a regularly scheduled session of the IAEA’s 35-member board.
Western nations led by the United States and Israel accuse Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies while insisting on its right to civilian nuclear technology.
