The UN atomic watchdog has expressed “deep concern” after Iran claimed an airstrike hit near one of its major nuclear facilities. On April 4, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) claimed a strike had landed near the Bushehr nuclear facility.
The facility, located 750 miles south of Tehran, has now been targeted four times since the beginning of the US and Israeli-led Operation Epic Fury, Iran claimed. The latest strike, the AEOI added in a social media post, killed a security guard and damaged a support building. It wasn’t immediately clear who had carried out the alleged attack.
The report prompted an urgent call for restraint from Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
In a post on X, the IAEA wrote: “The IAEA has been informed by Iran that a projectile struck close to the premises of the Bushehr NPP this morning, the fourth such incident in recent weeks.
“Iran also informed the IAEA that one of the site’s physical protection staff members was killed by a projectile fragment and that a building on site was affected by shockwaves and fragments.”
The agency added that, while no increase in radiation levels was reported, Mr Grossi was deeply concerned by the reported incident.
Mr Grossi, the post said, “expresses deep concern about the reported incident and says NPP sites or nearby areas must never be attacked, noting that auxiliary site buildings may contain vital safety equipment.
“Reiterating call for maximum military restraint to avoid risk of a nuclear accident, DG Grossi again stresses the paramount importance of adhering to the seven pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during a conflict.”