UN watchdog voices ‘deep concern’ as Iran reports new attacks on nuclear plant
UN Nuclear Monitor Expresses ‘Deep Concern’ Amid Fourth Strike on Iran’s Bushehr Plant
Iranian authorities have stated that the Bushehr nuclear facility has been struck by an attack for the fourth time during the ongoing conflict, with the United States and Israel under scrutiny for the incident. The Atomic Energy Organisation confirmed that one employee lost their life in the assault, though neither the US nor Israel has officially claimed responsibility for the strike.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), acting as the United Nations’ nuclear oversight body, noted the event and expressed “deep concern” over the situation. In a message on X, the IAEA highlighted that radiation levels remained stable and urged “maximum military restraint” to prevent any nuclear incident. It emphasized the critical importance of safeguarding nuclear sites and surrounding areas.
On 27 March, former US President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt on attacks targeting energy infrastructure, offering Iran 10 days to negotiate a deal. He later reiterated his threat on Truth Social, warning that “all Hell will reign down on them” should Iran fail to meet the deadline or reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Iran has persisted in launching missile strikes against the Gulf region, Iraq, and Israel, with intercepted projectiles causing localized damage.
American forces and Iranian troops are collaborating to locate a missing crew member following the downing of an F-15 jet on Friday. A pilot was rescued, according to US media reports. The Iranian statement on the Bushehr attack indicated that the facility’s core systems were undamaged, and operations continued uninterrupted. Moscow has initiated the evacuation of staff, with Rosatom’s Alexei Likhachev confirming that the process began on Saturday.
“A civilised country, a civilised government never targets institutions of knowledge, laboratories or research centres,” said Hossein Simai Sarraf, Iran’s Science Minister, after visiting Shahid Beheshti University, which was hit during the conflict.
The war between the US-Israeli alliance and Iran began on 28 February, two days following a third round of nuclear talks in Geneva. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, warned of the potential for a major accident, which could “end life” in Gulf Arab states aligned with the US. He drew a parallel to the Western backlash over attacks near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, accusing the US and Israel of bombarding Bushehr four times.
Additional strikes have targeted other Iranian facilities, including the Mahshahr petrochemical complex and Bandar Imam petrochemical company in the southwest. Five individuals were injured in these incidents. The conflict has extended its reach to universities, with over 30 institutions reportedly affected since hostilities began.
