An official has raised concerns about a significant nuclear incident following a missile explosion located just meters away from an active nuclear reactor. Russia’s representative, Mikhail Ulyanov, criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) response to the recent occurrence near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.
Both Russia and Iran confirmed that a projectile hit the vicinity of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, situated 750 kilometers (465 miles) south of Tehran on the Persian Gulf coast. The IAEA received notification from Iran regarding the projectile hitting the plant premises without causing any damage or harm to the staff.
Ulyanov, representing Russia in international organizations in Vienna, expressed dissatisfaction with the IAEA’s handling of the situation, emphasizing the proximity of the missile explosion to the operational nuclear reactor and the potential risks of a future strike leading to a major nuclear disaster.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi emphasized the need for caution during conflicts to prevent nuclear accidents, highlighting the importance of avoiding any attacks on nuclear facilities. The possibility of a strike on a nuclear plant raises concerns about the release of radioactive materials into the environment, particularly for regions like the Persian Gulf that rely on desalination plants for water supply.
Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev confirmed that the strike occurred near the metrology service building at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, close to the operating power unit, with no casualties among Rosatom personnel and no abnormal radiation levels reported. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran clarified that no significant damage occurred, attributing the incident to the United States and Israel, as reported by Tass.
The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is operated by Russian technicians using low-enriched uranium manufactured in Russia. The plant was connected to the power grid in 2011 following Russia’s involvement in the project.