IAEA warns of nuclear disaster in Middle East

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, warned on Friday about the dangers of attacking nuclear facilities, calling for the utmost restraint to avoid a regional nuclear catastrophe.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council, “There must never be an armed attack on nuclear facilities. Such an incident could result in radioactive emissions with severe consequences both within and beyond the borders of the affected country.”

While no radioactive release has yet been detected as of now, an attack on Bushehr could have “catastrophic consequences,” Rafael Grossi told an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Friday, reported AFP.

“Countries of the region have reached out directly to me over the past few hours to express their concerns, and I want to make it absolutely and completely clear — in case of an attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant, a direct hit would result in a very high release of radioactivity,” Grossi cautioned.

The IAEA Director also called for a diplomatic resolution to end the Israeli attacks on Iran, emphasizing that his agency could ensure strict oversight in any agreement concerning Iran's nuclear technology.