Iran has formally condemned the recent attacks on its nuclear facilities during a special meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors. The Iranian delegation urged the international community to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against such strikes, which they believe threaten global nuclear non-proliferation efforts and international security. Tehran warned that normalizing attacks on peaceful nuclear installations sets a dangerous precedent that could destabilize global security frameworks.
During the special session, the Iranian delegation highlighted that the recent assaults were among the most extensive and unprecedented attacks on facilities under the IAEA’s safeguards since the agency`s inception. Iran called for a resolute and effective response from the international community. Tehran reiterated that the safety and integrity of nuclear sites must be preserved to prevent catastrophic environmental and humanitarian consequences, asserting that silence or inaction regarding these strikes is unacceptable.
The Iranian representatives referenced past incidents, including Israel’s 1981 attack on Iraqi nuclear facilities, to demonstrate the consistency of international opposition to such actions. They reminded the assembly that previous IAEA Board of Governors and General Conference resolutions have repeatedly categorized attacks or threats against safeguarded nuclear facilities as violations of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the IAEA statute. Iran claimed that during recent military conflicts, including the so-called 12-day war and the Ramadan war, a total of 17 separate strikes were directed at sites under IAEA safeguards.
A major point of contention raised by the Iranian delegation was the incident near the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. According to the delegation, a strike landed approximately 350 meters from the reactor, resulting in casualties. Tehran noted that the IAEA Director General had previously warned about the dire consequences of a direct strike on the Bushehr facility. The Iranian delegation argued that such actions could have led to a massive release of radioactive materials into the environment, causing widespread ecological damage. Press TV reported that Tehran is now intensifying diplomatic efforts to ensure that the IAEA and its member states enforce strict measures against what Iran characterizes as state-sponsored terrorism against its civilian nuclear infrastructure.
