UN Nuclear Monitor Expresses ‘Deep Concern’ Over Iran’s Fourth Nuclear Plant Strike
Iranian authorities have confirmed that the region surrounding the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the country’s sole operational facility, experienced its fourth assault during the ongoing conflict. The attack resulted in the death of one employee, according to the Atomic Energy Organisation. While Iran attributes the strike to the United States and Israel, neither nation has officially acknowledged responsibility.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s nuclear monitoring body, was notified of the strike and conveyed “deep concern” over the incident. In a statement on X, it noted that “no increase in radiation levels was reported” and stressed that “nuclear power plant sites and nearby areas must never be attacked” to prevent a potential catastrophe. The agency also urged “maximum military restraint” to avert such risks.
On March 27, former US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day halt on targeting energy infrastructure, giving Iran a chance to negotiate a deal. However, he later warned on Truth Social that “all Hell will reign down on them” if the country failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or meet the conditions within 48 hours. Meanwhile, Iran continues to launch missile strikes against Gulf nations, Iraq, and Israel, with debris from intercepted missiles causing damage.
Amid the conflict, both Iranian and US forces are searching for a missing American crew member following the downing of an F-15 fighter jet on Friday. A pilot was rescued by US media reports. Iran’s statement on the Bushehr strike indicated that critical plant structures remained intact, and operations were unaffected. Russia has begun evacuating staff from the site, with Rosatom’s head, Alexei Likhachev, confirming that the evacuation of 198 individuals commenced that morning.
“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 Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
Iran’s nuclear program has been a longstanding source of international friction, leading to widespread sanctions. The US-Israeli conflict with Iran began on February 28, two days after the third round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva. Araghchi warned that a major accident could “end life” in Gulf Arab states aligned with the US.
Additional strikes have reportedly targeted the Mahshahr petrochemical complex and the Bandar Imam petrochemical company in southwestern Iran, injuring five individuals. Iranian Science Minister Hossein Simai Sarraf highlighted the impact of the conflict on academic institutions, stating that over 30 universities had been hit by attacks since the war began. Visiting Shahid Beheshti University, which suffered damage, he criticized the US and Israel for targeting “institutions of knowledge, laboratories or research centres,” calling them “stone age” actors.
