Strikes near Iran power plant could cause 'severe radiological accident', IAEA says

VIENNA — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Monday that ongoing military activity near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant could cause a “severe radiological accident” with potential consequences beyond the country’s borders. On Sunday, a projectile hit an area near the power plant marking the fourth time the site has been targeted since the war began, according to Iranian state media agency Tasnim. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said that “continued military activity near the BNPP – an operating plant with large amounts of nuclear fuel – could cause a severe radiological accident with harmful consequences for people and the environment in Iran and beyond,” the IAEA posted on X. Based on independent analysis, the IAEA confirmed that strikes had recently hit close to the plant, including one just 75 metres from the site’s perimeter. The agency said the power plant itself had not been damaged. In a letter addressed to the IAEA director on Monday, Iran’s atomic energy chief Mohammad Eslami said inaction by the UN nuclear watchdog “emboldens aggression” against nuclear facilities such as the ‌Bushehr plant. Eslami said Iran’s only functioning nuclear power plant had so far been targeted four times, with the most recent attack in its vicinity on April 4 killing a security staff member and injuring others. He warned ‌that ⁠such attacks could risk the release of radioactive material from an operating reactor and could have “irreparable consequences” for ⁠people, the environment and neighboring countries. He described the attacks as a clear breach ⁠of international law, and criticized what he called the agency’s “lack of ⁠decisive action”, saying mere expressions of concern were insufficient and would embolden further attacks. — Agencies