Vienna [Austria], June 20 (ANI): The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, Rafael Grossi, said on Thursday that the IAEA continues to closely monitor and assess the situation regarding the Israeli attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, providing frequent public updates about developments and their possible consequences for human health and the environment.
The conflict between Iran and Israel started after the latter launched a series of strikes against military and nuclear infrastructure in Iran under ‘Operation Rising Lion’ on June 13.
Since the military attacks began almost a week ago, the UN nuclear watchdog has reported damage at several facilities, including nuclear-related sites in Natanz, Arak, Esfahan, and Tehran, and their potential radiological effects, according to a statement released by the IAEA.
Grossi said IAEA inspectors remain present in Iran and are ready to be deployed at nuclear sites when possible, although the number of agency staff has been reduced due to the prevailing security situation.
He stated, “The Agency is and will remain present in Iran. Safeguards inspections in Iran will continue as required by Iran’s safeguards obligations under its NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) Safeguards Agreement, as soon as safety and security conditions allow.”
Grossi called for maximum restraint to avoid further escalation. He emphasized his readiness to “travel immediately and engage with all relevant parties to help ensure the protection of nuclear facilities and the continued peaceful use of nuclear technology in accordance with the Agency mandate, including by deploying Agency nuclear safety and security experts, in addition to our safeguards inspectors in Iran, wherever necessary.”
He warned, “Military escalation threatens lives, increases the chance of a radiological release with serious consequences for people and the environment, and delays indispensable work towards a diplomatic solution for the long-term assurance that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon.”
Grossi also expressed the IAEA’s readiness to act within its statutory mandate to help prevent a nuclear accident with grave radiological consequences, adding: “For the IAEA to act, a constructive, professional dialogue will have to ensue, and this must happen sooner rather than later.”
According to available information, the IAEA has reported on the situation at several nuclear facilities in Iran, including the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant, which was targeted on June 13. The above-ground section of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, where Iran was enriching uranium up to 60% U-235, was destroyed.
Electricity infrastructure at the plant—including an electrical sub-station, main power supply building, emergency power supply, and backup generators—was also destroyed. Loss of power to underground cascades may have impacted the centrifuges, Grossi told the Board of Governors on June 16.
Earlier this week, the IAEA issued an update based on its analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery following the Natanz attacks, identifying further indications of direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls.
Grossi confirmed that there has been no radiological effect outside the Natanz site, but there was confined radiological and chemical contamination inside the facility. “It was limited to this facility. There was no radiological impact externally,” he said.
At the Esfahan nuclear site, four buildings were damaged on Friday. These included the central chemical laboratory, a uranium conversion plant, the Tehran reactor fuel manufacturing plant, and an enriched uranium metal processing facility under construction. Off-site radiation levels remain unchanged.
In an update on June 18, the IAEA reported that two centrifuge production facilities—the TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Centre—were also hit. At the Tehran Research Center, one building where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested was hit. Two other buildings producing various centrifuge components were destroyed.
On June 19, the Khondab Heavy Water Research Reactor, still under construction, was also targeted. Grossi stated that since the reactor was non-operational and contained no nuclear material, no radiological consequences were expected. However, the nearby Heavy Water Production Plant suffered damage to key buildings, including the distillation unit.
Currently, no damage has been observed at other nuclear facilities in Iran. Grossi noted that so far, no major radiological incident has occurred due to the attacks.
He cautioned, “There is a lot of nuclear material in Iran in different places, which means that the potential for a radiological accident with the dispersion in the atmosphere of radioactive materials and particles does exist.”
Grossi stressed the importance of cooperation and information sharing with Iranian authorities. “Amid these challenging and complex circumstances, it is crucial that the IAEA receives timely and regular technical information about the nuclear facilities and their respective sites. This information is needed to promptly inform the international community and ensure an effective response and assistance to any emergency situation in Iran,” he added.
He also noted that he is in constant contact with other countries in the region.
The conflict between Israel and Iran entered its eighth day on Friday. It began on June 13 when Israel launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion.”
In response, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a large-scale drone and missile operation, “Operation True Promise 3,” targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres, according to the Iranian News Agency (IRNA).
Earlier on Thursday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) asked residents of the Iranian cities of Arak and Khondab to evacuate for their safety. In a statement issued in Farsi, the IDF said it was operating in the area against Iranian military infrastructure. (ANI)
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