UN watchdog says projectile struck Iran nuclear power plant
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A projectile struck the premises of Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant in Bushehr on Tuesday evening, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Wednesday.
Iranian authorities notified the United Nations nuclear watchdog of the impact, but reported no damage to the facility or injuries to plant staff, according to statements posted by the agency.
The IAEA, headquartered in Vienna, said in a social media post that it had been informed by Iran that the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant was struck by an unidentified projectile. “No damage to the plant or injuries to staff reported,” the agency added.
IAEA Director‑General Rafael Grossi reiterated his call for maximum restraint in the ongoing conflict to prevent any risk of a nuclear accident. The watchdog agency’s appeal comes amid heightened regional tensions that have seen exchanges of strikes across borders.
The Bushehr plant, located on Iran’s southwestern coast, was first connected to the national power grid in 2011 and remains under IAEA safeguards as part of Tehran’s civilian nuclear program. Iranian officials have not disclosed further details about the origin of the projectile.
Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom, which completed the construction of the plant, condemned the incident, saying radiation levels around the facility remain normal.
The latest reported strike underscores the fragility of nuclear infrastructure amidst a widening conflict in the Middle East. While no immediate threat to the plant’s operations has been indicated, international experts warn that any military impact near sensitive nuclear sites raises serious safety and environmental concerns.
