...
By Shane Croucher and Dan Gooding
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The head of the United Nations' atomic energy watchdog laid out in detail the dire consequences of a strike on working nuclear reactors in Iran, as Israel continues to pound facilities it says are linked to Tehran's ambitions to build a nuclear bomb.
Iran denies it seeks to develop a nuclear weapon and says its program is for civilian energy. But Iran has enriched uranium to a level that far exceeds any civilian energy needs, and is a short step away from that needed for nuclear weapons.
Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said at a meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Friday that the biggest concern is the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran. Israel has not yet struck the plant.
Read More on World
"This is the nuclear site in Iran where the consequences of an attack would be the most serious," Grossi said, noting that it is an operating plant and "as such it hosts thousands of kilograms of nuclear material."
"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," Grossi said.
Why It Matters
Grossi's remarks come amid heightened concern around the targeting of Iran's nuclear facilities and the potential escalation of the conflict with Israel, with the United States weighing its involvement and Russia warning of potential fallout if facilities are badly damaged.
What To Know
Speaking via video link on Friday, Grossi said that there were real risks posed by an attack on the Bushehr nuclear plant, warning that "a direct hit could result in a very high release of radioactivity to the environment."
"Similarly, a hit that disabled the only two lines supplying electrical power to the plant could cause its reactor's core to melt, which could result in a high release of radioactivity to the environment," he said.
The IAEA has been monitoring the radiation levels in and around Iran's nuclear facilities, following strikes by Israel over the past week. On Thursday, the agency said that damage had been recorded at several facilities, including those in Arak, Esfahan, Natanz and Tehran.
Inspectors remained in Iran, the IAEA said, with Grossi firmly saying earlier in the week that there should be "maximum restraint" to avoid further escalation. He reiterated the sentiments on Friday, warning of the risks to those who have not yet fled the Bushehr area.
"In their worst case, both scenarios would necessitate protective actions, such as evacuations and sheltering of the populations, or the need to take stable iodine with a reach extending to distances from a few to several hundred kilometers," Grossi said.
"Radiation monitoring would need to cover distances of several hundred kilometers and food restrictions may need to be implemented."
Grossi also said the same was true of attacks on the Tehran nuclear research reactor, which "would also have severe consequences potentially for large areas of the city of Tehran and its inhabitants."
"In such a case, protective actions would need to be taken," he said.
...
During the Security Council meeting, Russia's ambassador to the U.N., Vasily Nebenzya, accused the U.S., the United Kingdom, France, and Germany of promoting a "groundless fabrication" that Iran is seeking to build nuclear weapons.
Nebenzya said these nations, along with the IAEA, were "complicit" in Israel's recent attacks on Iran by legitimizing what he called false narratives.
Israel's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Daniel Meron, said Friday he expects European foreign ministers to push for a complete dismantling of Iran's nuclear program during their meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
What People Are Saying
Russia's ambassador to the U.N., Vasily Nebenzya, at the U.N. Security Council: "The apocalyptic predictions have become a reality. People in both countries have been forced to take shelter in hideouts. With each passing day, the list of civilian casualties on both sides lengthen."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, before talks in Geneva: "We are not ready to engage in negotiations with any side while the Israeli aggression continues. We told the Americans clearly: as long as the attacks persist, there can be no negotiations. We are exercising our legitimate right to self-defense."
What Happens Next
Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Friday for a high-stakes meeting with his counterparts from France, Germany, the U.K., and the European Union's foreign policy chief. The talks mark the first in-person engagement between Iranian and Western officials since Israel launched its military campaign against Iran a week ago.
Update 6/20/25, 12:17 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines