UN agency for atomic energy calls emergency meeting after US attacks on facilities.
The UN agency reported that it needs to "assess the impacts of the bombings on the facilities and the security of the nuclear material."
247 - The International Atomic Energy Agency, a United Nations body responsible for overseeing the peaceful use of nuclear energy, convened an emergency meeting on Sunday (22) following recent US attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran. The information was initially released by Radio France International (RFI).
The bombings occurred in the early hours of Saturday to Sunday and, according to the US government, were aimed at preventing the advancement of the Iranian nuclear program. Tehran, in turn, denies any intention of developing atomic weapons and classified the offensive as "an act of aggression," promising to react proportionally.
The UN agency reported that it needs to "assess the impacts of the bombings on the facilities and security of nuclear material." Although it did not reveal which locations were hit, diplomatic sources indicate that the attacks may have damaged uranium enrichment centers and critical storage structures, raising concerns about possible radioactive leaks and loss of control over sensitive materials.
The agency's director-general, Rafael Grossi, emphasized the seriousness of the situation and stated that "the physical integrity of the facilities must be preserved at all costs, especially in wartime contexts." He has been warning, on several occasions, about the risk of armed conflict in areas with active nuclear infrastructure.
Nuclear safety experts fear that the damage could compromise not only international monitoring systems, but also cause serious environmental risks. The possibility of contamination and the weakening of international oversight are worrying governments and organizations around the world.
The expectation now is that the UN Security Council will be convened to discuss the developments of the offensive and its consequences for international stability. Meanwhile, European diplomats are trying to reopen channels of dialogue between Tehran and Washington to contain a possible regional escalation.
The US attacks came after Israel carried out its own offensives against strategic targets in Iran, a coordinated effort between the two countries.
