The International Atomic Energy Agency said it had been informed by Iran that a projectile struck close to the premises of the Bushehr nuclear power plant on Saturday morning, marking the fourth such incident in recent weeks.
Iran told the agency that one of the site’s physical protection staff members was killed by a projectile fragment, while a building at the facility was affected by shockwaves and fragments. No increase in radiation levels was reported, according to the IAEA.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi expressed deep concern over the incident, saying nuclear power plant sites or nearby areas must never be attacked. He noted that auxiliary buildings may contain vital safety equipment and reiterated his call for maximum military restraint to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident. Grossi also stressed the importance of adhering to the agency’s seven pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during conflict.
Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, writing on X, criticised what he described as Western reactions to similar incidents, saying: “Remember the Western outrage about hostilities near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine? Israel-U.S. have bombed our Bushehr plant four times now. Radioactive fallout will end life in GCC capitals, not Tehran. Attacks on our petrochemicals also convey real objectives.”
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran issued a strongly worded response, criticizing the international reaction to the incident.
In its statement, the organization said: “Can mere expression of ‘deep concern’ truly suffice when a peaceful nuclear facility is attacked? These acts of aggression are blatant war crimes and crimes against humanity. Downplaying a global threat with passive rhetoric only emboldens the aggressor!”
The remarks come as concerns grow over nuclear safety and regional stability. Iran has continued to condemn the incident, calling for stronger global accountability and action.