UN watchdog voices ‘deep concern’ as Iran reports new attacks on nuclear plant

UN Monitoring Body Expressed ‘Significant Worry’ Amid Fourth Strike on Iran’s Nuclear Site

The IAEA, acting as the UN’s nuclear oversight body, noted the strike and conveyed “significant worry” following the fourth assault on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility since the conflict began. Iranian officials reported that one worker was killed during the attack, though they attributed it to U.S. and Israeli actions. Neither nation has officially confirmed involvement in the strike.

Bushehr’s Resilience and Evacuation Measures

The plant, Iran’s sole operating nuclear reactor, remains functional despite the attack, with Iranian authorities stating its core operations were unaffected. However, Moscow has initiated the evacuation of 198 staff members from the site. Rosatom’s head, Alexei Likhachev, confirmed that the process began on Saturday morning.

“Nuclear power plant sites and surrounding areas must never be attacked,” the IAEA emphasized. “Maximum military restraint is essential to prevent a catastrophic incident.”

Escalating Tensions and Strategic Moves

President Trump’s recent announcement paused U.S. strikes on energy infrastructure for 10 days, offering Iran a window to negotiate. However, the leader reiterated on social media that “all Hell will reign down on them” if Tehran fails to meet demands, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 hours. Simultaneously, Iran has launched missile strikes against Gulf nations, Iraq, and Israel, with debris from intercepted projectiles causing damage.

Accidents and Casualties

An F-15 jet was shot down on Friday, prompting a search for a missing U.S. crew member. A pilot was rescued, according to American media. Meanwhile, a local Iranian official revealed that the Mahshahr petrochemical complex and Bandar Imam company in southwest Iran were also hit, resulting in five injuries.

Academic Targets and Diplomatic Rhetoric

Iran’s Science Minister, Hossein Simai Sarraf, highlighted that over 30 universities have been struck since the war began. Visiting Shahid Beheshti University, which faced an attack, he criticized the U.S. and Israel, calling them “archaic” for targeting knowledge institutions. “A civilized country and government would not strike labs or research centers,” he stated on social media.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, warned that a major accident at Bushehr could jeopardize Gulf states allied with the U.S. He referenced Western reactions to the Zaporizhzhia plant in Ukraine, saying, “Israel-U.S. have bombed our Bushehr plant four times now.”