The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had been informed by Iran that a projectile struck near the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on Saturday morning, marking the fourth such scenario in recent weeks.
As per IAEA authorities, a member of the Bushehr plant’s physical protection staff was killed by shrapnel from the Iranian strike, while an auxiliary building on the site sustained damage from shockwaves and fragments.
Despite the impact, there was no increase in radiation levels, and initial assessments indicated that the plant’s core operational systems remained unaffected.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed deep concern over the repeated incidents, stressing that nuclear facilities and surrounding areas must never be targeted under any circumstances.
He further warned that even auxiliary structures – often overlooked – may house critical safety and support systems essential for maintaining secure operations, and any attack on them could be a recipe for disaster.
The UN nuclear watchdog, reiterating calls for maximum military restraint, underlined a framework that depicted how continued strikes in proximity to nuclear infrastructure could trigger a serious safety incident.
Grossi again pointed to the importance of adhering to the established principles for nuclear safety and security during armed conflict.
The Bushehr facility, Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant, has now been struck near its perimeter multiple times since the escalation of hostilities, further raising worries over the possibility of a nuclear fallout or radiation leak in the region.
