IAEA Warns Strikes Near Bushehr Risk Radiological Disaster

The International Atomic Energy Agency issued a stark warning on Monday that repeated strikes near Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant pose a severe risk of radiological disaster, with potential consequences extending across the Persian Gulf region and beyond. The facility, Iran's only operational nuclear reactor, has been targeted four times since the onset of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28.

Located on the Persian Gulf coast about 70 kilometers southeast of Kharg Island, the 1,000-megawatt Bushehr plant was built with assistance from Russia and is jointly operated by Iranian and Russian personnel. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that attacks on nuclear facilities or their surroundings must cease immediately, emphasizing that even auxiliary structures house critical safety equipment. Satellite imagery analyzed by the agency confirmed that the most recent strike, reported by Iranian state media on Saturday, landed approximately 75 meters from the plant's perimeter. While no direct damage to the reactor occurred and no increase in radiation levels has been detected, one member of the plant's protection staff was killed by...