UN watchdog voices ‘deep concern’ as Iran reports new attacks on nuclear plant
UN Monitoring Body Expressed Strong Disapproval as Iran Reports Fourth Attack on Nuclear Facility
Iranian authorities have confirmed that the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the nation’s sole operational facility, has been subjected to strikes for the fourth time during the ongoing conflict. This latest incident resulted in the death of one employee, according to the country’s Atomic Energy Organisation. While Iran attributed the attack to the United States and Israel, neither nation has officially confirmed responsibility. The plant, constructed with Russian assistance, remains functional despite the assault.
International Atomic Energy Agency Warns of Risk
The International Atomic Energy Agency, acting as the UN’s nuclear oversight body, was informed of the strike and issued a statement expressing “deep concern.” The agency noted that radiation levels did not rise following the attack, but emphasized the necessity of “maximum military restraint” to prevent any potential nuclear incident. It also urged that nuclear sites and surrounding areas “must never be attacked.”
“No increase in radiation levels was reported,” the IAEA wrote on X. “Nuclear power plant sites and nearby areas must never be attacked.”
Trump’s Conditional Pause and Renewed Threat
On 27 March, former US President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, granting Iran 10 days to negotiate a deal. However, he later reiterated his threat on Truth Social, warning that “all Hell will reign down on them” should Iran fail to meet the conditions—either by reaching an agreement or reopening the Strait of Hormuz—within 48 hours.
Iran’s Escalating Strikes and Regional Tensions
Meanwhile, Iran has continued its missile campaigns against Gulf countries, Iraq, and Israel, with debris from intercepted projectiles causing localized damage. Both Iranian and US forces are actively searching for a missing American crew member after an F-15 jet was shot down earlier this week. A pilot was rescued by US media reports.
The Iranian government stated that the Bushehr plant’s core operations were unaffected by the strike, with no significant structural damage. Russia has evacuated many staff from the site, and Rosatom’s head, Alexei Likhachev, confirmed the evacuation of 198 remaining personnel on Saturday.
“Remember the Western outrage about hostilities near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine? Israel-U.S. have bombed our Bushehr plant four times now.”
Iran’s nuclear program has long been a source of international disputes, leading to widespread sanctions. The current war between the US and Iran began on 28 February, two days after a third round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, warned that a major accident at the plant could “end life” in Gulf Arab states aligned with the US.
Local Iranian officials also reported that the Mahshahr petrochemical complex and the Bandar Imam petrochemical company in the southwest were targeted. Five individuals were injured in these strikes. Additionally, Science Minister Hossein Simai Sarraf highlighted that over 30 universities across Iran had been hit since the conflict began, with the Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran being one of the latest targets.
“A civilised country, a civilised government never targets institutions of knowledge, laboratories or research centres,” Sarraf said.
