'Serious risk of radioactive contamination': Iran FM writes to UN over Bushehr nuclear strikes

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has written a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in response to recent US-Israeli strikes targeting Tehran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant.In his letter, Araghchi wrote: “The repeated attacks by the aggressors in the vicinity of the active Bushehr nuclear power plant are of great concern. They expose the entire region to a serious risk of radioactive contamination with grave human and environmental consequences.” This comes after a projectile struck near the perimeter of the Bushehr plant on Saturday, killing one member of the site’s physical protection staff and damaging a nearby building.Reports confirmed that while auxiliary structures were affected, the main plant and electricity production remained unharmed.Araghchi emphasized that the proximity of such strikes to an active nuclear facility creates an intolerable situation with the potential for radiological release. He urged the need for international attention to prevent escalation around nuclear infrastructure.The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), led by Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, also expressed deep concern over the incident. In a statement shared on X, the agency confirmed that this marked the fourth attack near Bushehr in recent weeks.“Nuclear power plant sites and surrounding areas must never be targeted. Auxiliary buildings may contain critical safety equipment. Maximum military restraint is essential to prevent a nuclear accident,” Grossi said. The IAEA confirmed no increase in radiation levels at the site and highlighted that attacks near nuclear facilities significantly increase the risk of potential accidents.The incident at Bushehr is part of a series of recent strikes in the West Asia conflict. The war which started on February 28 involves Iran, Israel and the United States.