UN watchdog voices ‘deep concern’ as Iran reports new attacks on nuclear plant
UN Nuclear Monitor Expressed ‘Deep Concern’ Over Bushehr Plant Strike
The fourth attack on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility has occurred amid ongoing hostilities, according to Iranian authorities. The incident resulted in the death of one employee, as confirmed by the Atomic Energy Organisation. While Iran accused the U.S. and Israel of orchestrating the strike, neither nation has officially acknowledged responsibility. The plant, the sole operational nuclear site in Iran, was constructed with Russian assistance.
IAEA Calls for Caution Amid Escalating Tensions
The International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s nuclear oversight body, noted the strike and raised alarms. In a statement on X, it highlighted that no radiation spikes were detected. The agency emphasized the critical need for “maximum military restraint” to prevent potential disasters at nuclear sites and surrounding areas.
“Nuclear power plant sites and nearby regions must never be attacked,” the IAEA wrote. “This could lead to catastrophic consequences.”
Trump’s Pause and Reiterated Threat
On March 27, U.S. President Donald Trump temporarily halted energy plant strikes for 10 days, offering Iran a chance to negotiate. However, he later warned on Truth Social that “all Hell will reign down on them” if the country failed to meet the deadline or reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. and Iran remain in a tense standoff, with missile fire continuing across the region.
Meanwhile, Iran has launched additional strikes on Gulf states, Iraq, and Israel, with intercepted missiles causing localized damage. Both sides are also searching for a missing American crew member after an F-15 jet was shot down. A pilot was recovered, but the situation remains unresolved.
Evacuation and Damage Assessments
Following the attack, Moscow evacuated many staff from Bushehr. Rosatom’s head, Alexei Likhachev, stated that the evacuation of 198 remaining personnel began on Saturday. The Iranian statement indicated the plant’s core systems remained intact, though the operation was not fully unaffected. The incident has drawn renewed attention to the vulnerability of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Wider Impact of the Conflict
The war has extended beyond the nuclear plant, with reports of strikes on Mahshahr petrochemical complex and Bandar Imam company in southwestern Iran. Five individuals were injured in these attacks. Iran’s Science Minister, Hossein Simai Sarraf, highlighted the toll on academic institutions, noting over 30 universities were targeted since the conflict began. Visiting Shahid Beheshti University, which was hit, he criticized the U.S. and Israel, calling them “stone age” powers.
“A civilised government would never strike knowledge centers or research labs,” Sarraf stated. “This is a blatant attack on progress.”
The nuclear program has long been a source of international disputes, prompting severe sanctions. The war with Iran began on February 28, two days after the conclusion of a Geneva nuclear dialogue. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, warned that a major accident could “end life” in Gulf Arab states allied to the U.S. He also drew a parallel to the Western backlash over attacks near the Zaporizhzhia plant in Ukraine.
