IAEA warns strikes risk nuclear collapse
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) convened an emergency meeting in Vienna following U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—carried out under Operation Midnight Hammer.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reported that the Fordow uranium enrichment plant likely suffered "very significant" underground damage due to the use of bunker-busting munitions, which are particularly destructive to vibration-sensitive centrifuges. However, the IAEA has been unable to assess the full extent of the damage, as inspectors have not accessed Iranian facilities since the onset of Israeli military actions on June 13.
Grossi emphasized that the attacks risk collapsing the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and warned that "violence and destruction could reach unimaginable levels" if diplomacy is not pursued. He also noted that while Iran claims no radiation leaks occurred, satellite imagery suggests significant damage, especially at Fordow.
Iran will "resolutely neutralise" any source of threat, its permanent representative to the United Nations said at an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors, convened to discuss escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Reza Najafi told reporters that U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities constituted “a clear violation of international law” and endangered global peace and security.
Najafi’s remarks came as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, signalling efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties amidst rising regional tensions.
India expressed profound concern over the escalation, highlighting the potential risks such attacks pose to public health and the environment. Russia and China condemned the U.S. strikes, with Russia warning that the actions have opened a "Pandora's box" and could bring the world to the brink of nuclear disaster. China criticized the U.S. for damaging global credibility and called for an immediate ceasefire.
