WAM
21 Jun 2025, 00:31 GMT+10
NEW YORK, 20th June, 2025 (WAM) - 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.
Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said at a meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday that the biggest concern is the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran.
"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.
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.
Get a daily dose of Iran Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Iran Herald.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: Retail sales dropped sharply in May as consumer spending slowed after a strong start to the year, primarily due to...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Mitsubishi Motors is the latest automaker to raise prices in the United States, joining a growing list of car companies...
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana: Eli Lilly is making a bold play in cardiovascular gene therapy, announcing plans to acquire its partner Verve...
BEIJING/WELLINGTON: New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon commenced his visit to China on June 17, seeking to strengthen trade...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks made only minor moves in both directions,Thursday, as investors fretted about the Israel-Iran conflict...
PARIS, France: Luxury group Kering's decision to tap Luca de Meo as its next chief is being seen as a daring but necessary attempt...
WASHINGTON, DC - In a bid to defuse speculation, U.S. President Donald Trump says he will make his decision on whether to have the...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A quiet shift inside the Trump administration has stalled a key diplomatic initiative aimed at pushing Russia toward...
DUBAI, U.A.E.: As violence escalates between Iran and Israel, Tehran is turning to its Gulf neighbors to help broker a ceasefire —...
CALGARY, Alberta, Canada - U.S. President Donald Trump has announced he is leaving the G7 summit after just one day, and after refusing...
HOUSTON, Texas: Crude oil surged to multi-month highs this week, driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East after Israel launched...
SEOUL/LONDON: A wave of flight cancellations and diversions swept across the airline industry on June 13 after Israel launched strikes...