UN watchdog voices ‘deep concern’ as Iran reports new attacks on nuclear plant
UN Nuclear Agency Expresses Alarm Over Fourth Attack on Iran’s Bushehr Plant
Iranian authorities have confirmed that the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the nation’s sole operational facility, faced its fourth assault during the ongoing conflict. A single worker lost their life in the strike, according to the Atomic Energy Organisation. While the attack was attributed to the US and Israel, neither government has officially acknowledged responsibility. The facility, constructed with Russian assistance, remains a focal point of international attention amid escalating tensions.
IAEA Warns Against Targeting Nuclear Sites
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear oversight body, reported being informed of the strike and expressed “significant alarm” over the incident. In a statement on X, it noted that “no rise in radiation levels was observed.” The agency emphasized that nuclear plant zones and adjacent regions “should remain untouched” to prevent catastrophic accidents, urging “maximum military restraint” in operations.
Trump’s Ceasefire Offer and Reiterated Threats
On March 27, US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day halt to attacks on energy facilities, granting Iran time to “negotiate a deal.” However, he later renewed his warning on Truth Social, declaring that “major devastation will follow” if Iran failed to comply or reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. This escalation came as Iran persisted in launching missile strikes across the Gulf, Iraq, and Israel, with debris from intercepted projectiles causing damage.
Search for Missing Crew and Plant Damage Assessment
Following the recent strike, Iranian officials stated that the plant’s core structures remained intact and operations were “unimpacted.” Moscow has evacuated many staff members from the site, with Rosatom’s head, Alexei Likhachev, confirming the evacuation of 198 individuals began that morning. Meanwhile, US and Iranian forces continue to locate a missing American crew member after an F-15 jet was downed on Friday. A pilot was rescued, as reported by US media.
Iran’s Warnings and Targeting of Academic Centers
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned against actions that could trigger a major disaster, warning that such an event would “halt existence” in Gulf Arab states aligned with the US. He highlighted earlier Western criticism of strikes near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant, stating, “Israel-U.S. have bombed our Bushehr facility four times now.” A local Iranian official added that the Mahshahr petrochemical complex and Bandar Imam company in the southwest were also struck, injuring five individuals.
Academic Institutions Under Fire
“A mature nation and its leadership would never strike universities, labs, or research hubs,” asserted Hossein Simai Sarraf, Iran’s Science Minister, after visiting Shahid Beheshti University. The institution had been hit during the conflict, prompting him to accuse the US and Israel of belonging to the “archaic era.” He underscored the importance of protecting knowledge centers from military action.