IAEA warns of 'serious consequences' if Israel attacks Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant
An Israeli strike on Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant could have 'most serious' consequences, the head of the UN's atomic watchdog warned on Friday, raising concern over possible regional escalation.
'It is an operating nuclear power plant and as such it hosts thousands of kilograms of nuclear material,' International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council.
'Countries of the region have reached out directly to me to express their concerns. I want to make it absolutely and completely clear: In case of an attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant, a direct hit could result in a very high release of radioactivity to the environment.'
Mr Grossi warned that, should Israel target the power lines supplying electricity to the plant, the consequences could be 'severe' within and beyond the boundaries of Iran. Residents may be required to take iodine tablets and could face food and water shortages.
He spoke a day after an Israeli military official said a representative's statement saying a strike had been carried out on Bushehr, Iran's only nuclear power plant, was a 'mistake'. He said he could neither confirm nor deny that the Russian-built Bushehr plant, located on the Gulf coast, had been hit.
Iran's UN ambassador Amir Iravani accused Israel of attacking civilians and urged the Security Council to respond.
'If the Council fails to act now, it will send a message that international law and resolution apply selectively,' he said.
He also voiced concern over 'credible reports that the United States … may be joining this war ', warning that such involvement would violate the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and threaten global security.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on Iran to uphold and 'respect' its commitments under the NPT and reiterated Tehran's previous statements that it is not seeking nuclear weapons.
Israel's ambassador lashed out at Iran's envoy for requesting an emergency Security Council session.
'How dare you? How dare you write five letters in the last week? Come before this council demand the session and ask the international community for sympathy?' Danny Danon said. 'How dare you ask the international community to protect you from the consequences of your own genocidal agenda? Have you no shame?
'Iran has already enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels. It cannot be denied. We saw the reports. It has built deep underground facilities designed to survive bunker-busting bombs. It has advanced missile delivery systems, and it has lied to the IAEA and the world at every step.'
He described Israel as 'holding the line between civilisation and genocidal jihadist imperialism'.
'Iran doesn't just want to destroy Israel, it wants to remake the world order, one missile, one terror proxy, one destroyed hospital at a time,' Mr Danon said.
Russia, which has citizens working at Bushehr, said the internationalisation of the Israel-Iran conflict should be avoided.
Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's UN envoy, called for immediate de-escalation and urged the council to avoid 'another devastating' war that would have unpredictable repercussions for the entire region and world.
'Not a single of the member states of this body is under more stringent oversight and scrutiny. Iran has been strictly complying with its obligations under the NPT,' he said.
'Today, the US, yet again, together with the UK, France and Germany, is attempting to persuade all parties to believe the groundless fabrications about plans allegedly harboured by Tehran to gain possession of nuclear weapons.'
The US has long believed that Iran has been working on developing a nuclear weapon – something Tehran denies. US President Donald Trump has reiterated that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Concern is high that the US will soon join the conflict and strike Iran.
But the US ambassador said it is 'not too late' for Iran 'to do the right thing'.
'President Trump has been clear in recent days that Iran's leadership must completely abandon its nuclear enrichment programme and all aspirations of acquiring a nuclear weapon,' said acting US ambassador Dorothy Shea. 'We can no longer ignore that Iran has all that it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon. All it needs is a decision from their supreme leader [ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ].'
China, meanwhile, called for an immediate ceasefire, saying Israel's actions violate international law and international norms, threaten Iran's sovereignty and security, and undermine regional peace.
China's UN Ambassador Fu Cong warned that the situation must not be allowed to spiral into an 'unknown abyss'.
Kuwait, speaking on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned Israeli attacks on Iran and its nuclear facilities, warning they posed 'dangerous repercussions' for regional security and stability.
'They are a blatant violation of the principles of international law and the UN Charter, and they thwart international efforts to achieve peace and de-escalation,' Faisal Al Enezi, charge d'affaires at Kuwait's mission to the UN told the Council.
He added that the GCC is intensifying diplomatic efforts at the highest levels to prevent further escalation, emphasising that diplomacy and dialogue remain the 'only choice and alternative' to confrontation and escalation.
Mr Al Enezi warned that continued deterioration of the situation could have 'catastrophic consequences', fuelling broader regional tensions and closing the door on a peaceful resolution.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi arrives in Istanbul for OIC meeting
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Istanbul on Saturday, Tasnim news agency reported, for a meeting with the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation to discuss Israel's conflict with Iran. About 40 officials are scheduled to join the weekend gathering of the OIC, as Israel and Iran continue to exchange missile strikes. 'At this meeting, at the suggestion of Iran, the issue of the Zionist regime's attack on our country will be specifically addressed,' said Mr Araghchi, according to Tasnim. Mr Araghchi met his counterparts from Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, in Geneva on Friday. The European summit with Iran failed to deliver a breakthrough despite all sides agreeing to continue discussions that could end the war. Iran said it would only consider diplomacy once Israel puts an end to its bombing campaign. 'Iran is ready to consider diplomacy once again and once the aggression is stopped,' said Mr Araghchi after the meeting. 'I make it crystal clear that Iran's defence capabilities are non-negotiable.' Speaking shortly after the meeting, US President Donald Trump appeared to dismiss European diplomatic efforts. 'We've been speaking to Iran and we'll see what happens,' he said, adding that he believed that talks in Geneva had not been successful. ' Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe, Iran wants to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help on this one.' Israel began its assault in the early hours of June 13, claiming Iran was close to a viable nuclear weapon. There retaliation from Tehran in the biggest confrontation between the countries. Ministers from the Arab League are expected to release a statement following their meeting, the Turkish state news agency Anadolu said.
TAG 91.1
an hour ago
- TAG 91.1
GCC group calls for restraint and dialogue at UN emergency session
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Group at the United Nations has reiterated its strong condemnation of the Israeli attacks on Iran and its nuclear facilities, warning of serious consequences for regional stability. Speaking on behalf of the GCC at an emergency UN Security Council session, Kuwait's Deputy Permanent Representative, Faisal Al-Enezi, called the strikes a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter. The GCC urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and immediately halt hostilities. It emphasised the importance of diplomacy and dialogue, warning against further escalation. The group also called on the international community to take urgent action to stop the conflict and support renewed US-Iran nuclear talks, with Oman acting as mediator. The GCC reaffirmed its commitment to peace, respect for national sovereignty, and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter.
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Iran and Israel trade fresh strikes as Abbas Araghchi arrives in Istanbul for OIC meeting
Iran's FM arrives in Istanbul to attend OIC meeting Iran and Israel launch fresh strikes overnight Iranian FM and European counterparts have positive talks in Geneva Iran holds 22 suspected of spying for Israel US sends dozens of embassy staff home from Israel
