United Nations: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi on Friday called for maximum restraint after Israeli attacks on Iran, including on nuclear facilities.
“I reiterate that any military action that jeopardizes the safety and security of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region and beyond,” Grossi told an emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, to prevent harm both to people and the environment. Such attacks have profound implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as for regional and international peace and security, he said.
Any armed attack on, or threat against nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes constitutes a violation of the principles of the UN Charter, international law and the IAEA Statute, said Grossi, citing IAEA resolutions.
The IAEA continues to monitor the situation closely, he said. The agency’s Incident and Emergency Center has maintained continuous contact with Iranian authorities from the onset of the attack, regularly confirming the status of the facilities. Additionally, the IAEA has established a task force to monitor the situation closely over the next few days, said Grossi.
The IAEA stands ready to provide technical assistance, and remains committed to its nuclear safety, security and safeguards mandate in all circumstances, he said.
Despite the current military actions and heightened tensions, it is clear that the only sustainable path forward — for Iran, Israel, the entire region and the international community — is one grounded in dialogue and diplomacy to ensure peace, stability and cooperation, he said.
The IAEA remains a unique and vital forum for dialogue, especially now, said Grossi.
The IAEA has been in permanent contact with the Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority to ascertain the status of relevant nuclear facilities and to assess any broader impacts on nuclear safety and security, said Grossi.
Iran has confirmed that only the Natanz site, which contains the Fuel Enrichment Plant and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, has been attacked in Friday’s strikes. The above-ground part of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, where Iran was producing uranium enriched up to 60 percent U-235, has been destroyed. Electricity infrastructure at the facility has been destroyed, he said.
There is no indication of a physical attack on the underground cascade hall containing part of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant and the main Fuel Enrichment Plant. However, the loss of power to the cascade hall may have damaged the centrifuges there, he added.
The level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site has remained unchanged and at normal levels, indicating no external radiological impact to the population or the environment from this event, said Grossi.
There is radiological and chemical contamination inside the facilities in Natanz due to the impacts. The type of radiation present inside the facility — primarily alpha particles — is manageable with appropriate radiation protection measures, he added.
At present, the Iranian authorities are informing the IAEA of attacks on the other facilities, the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant; and Esfahan site, where a fuel plate fabrication plant, a fuel manufacturing plant, a uranium conversion facility and an enriched uranium dioxide powder plant are located, he said.
UNI XINHUA
