The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has voiced “deep concern” after two strikes hit the Bushehr nuclear reactor on 17 and 24 March during the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. In a 25 March post on X, the agency said Director General Rafael Grossi has warned “that damage to the facility could result in a major radiological accident affecting a large area in Iran and beyond.” He called for “maximum restraint to avoid the risk of such a nuclear accident.”
Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority (INRA) said that projectiles had hit the facility’s premises in the two attacks, but that there was no impact to radiological barriers and controls and no fatalities. The 915MW plant is a modest contributor to Iran’s power supply (MEES, 23 May 2025). Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, which built the Bushehr-1 reactor, evacuated 163 of its staff on 25 March, but around 300 others remain on site. (CONTINUED - 302 WORDS)