IAEA Confirms Strike 75m From Iran Nuclear Plant, Warns of Grave Risk

In a statement, the IAEA said its assessment was based on independent analysis of new satellite imagery and its detailed knowledge of the site.

"Based on its independent analysis of new satellite imagery and detailed knowledge of the site, the IAEA can confirm recent impacts of military strikes close to Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), including one just 75 metres from the site perimeter. The BNPP itself has not been damaged, the IAEA's analysis of the 5 April imagery shows," the statement from the UN nuclear watchdog read.

Despite no direct damage, the agency warned that continued military activity near the plant poses serious risks, as it is an operational facility with large amounts of nuclear fuel.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, as cited in the IAEA statement, raised concern about the situation and urged caution.

The statement added, "Once again, IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi warns that continued military activity near the BNPP - an operating plant with large amounts of nuclear fuel - could cause a severe radiological accident with harmful consequences for people and the environment in Iran and beyond."

As per the nuclear watchdog, Grossi also stressed that even if nuclear facilities are not directly targeted, nearby strikes remain dangerous.

"Regardless of the nature of the intended targets, DG Grossi says such attacks pose a very real danger to nuclear safety and must stop. DG Grossi reiterates call for all parties to fully respect the 7 indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during a conflict. A nuclear facility and surrounding areas should never be struck, DG Grossi says," the statement read.

Earlier on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi formally addressed a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, denouncing US-Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, including the recent targeting of the Bushehr nuclear plant, according to Al Jazeera.

The Iranian diplomat expressed deep concern over the potential fallout of such military actions. Writing in the letter, the text of which was shared on Telegram, Araghchi warned that these strikes "expose the entire region to a serious risk of radioactive contamination with serious human and environmental consequences."

Highlighting the immediate dangers posed by the location of the strikes, he further noted, "The repeated attacks by the aggressors in the vicinity of the active Bushehr nuclear power plant are of great concern."

As reported by Al Jazeera, Araghchi underscored the volatility of the current situation, stating that the "proximity of these attacks to an active nuclear facility creates an intolerable situation that poses a serious risk of radiological release."

In alignment with these concerns, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, on Saturday also expressed "deep concern" over the strike near the facility, while confirming that no increase in radiation levels has been detected.

In a statement shared on X, the UN's nuclear energy watchdog revealed it had been informed by Iran that a projectile struck close to the plant's premises earlier in the day, marking the fourth such incident in recent weeks amid the escalating West Asia conflict.

The impact of the strike resulted in immediate casualties and physical damage.

- ANI