IAEA sees no evidence of damage to Iran's nuclear sites after Israeli and U.S. strikes
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it has no evidence that Israeli or U.S. strikes dam...
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it has no evidence that Israeli or U.S. strikes damaged Iran’s nuclear facilities, although contact with Iranian authorities has failed.
Iran has, however, confirmed that its Natanz site was attacked, raising concerns over potential radiological risks.
Speaking to the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors, Director General Rafael Grossi said: “We have no indication that any of the nuclear installations … have been damaged or hit.
He added that “efforts to contact the Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities … continue, with no response so far.”
Grossi warned that the situation remains “very concerning” and said a potential radiological release could not be ruled out. Such an event, he cautioned, could have serious consequences, including the possible evacuation of large urban areas.
He reiterated calls for maximum restraint and urged all parties to return to diplomacy and negotiations. Efforts to re-establish communication channels with Iran’s nuclear regulatory authorities are ongoing but have yet to receive a response.
Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA said the U.S. and Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities yesterday. When asked which sites were hit, he cited Natanz.
"Again they attacked Iran's peaceful, safeguarded nuclear facilities yesterday," Reza Najafi told reporters.
This is a developing story
Follow the latest developments and global reaction after the U.S. and Israel launched “major combat operations” in Iran, prompting retaliation from Tehran.
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has moved into a pivotal constitutional role following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, becoming the clerical member of Iran’s temporary leadership council under Article 111 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Iran has been at the centre of a rapidly escalating regional crisis since Saturday, when U.S. and Israeli military strikes hit Tehran. The attack prompted retaliatory strikes by Tehran across the Middle East, civillian casualties, maritime disruptions and international diplomatic responses.
Türkiye raised its security level for Turkish-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz to Level 3 on Sunday (2 March). The development follows Iranian restrictions on shipping after U.S. and Israeli strikes and confirmation of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death.
The United States and Israel have carried out large-scale strikes on Iranian leadership and military targets, with Iranian state media confirming that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed.
Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday (2 March), after the Iran-backed group launched missiles and drones towards Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Saudi Aramco closed its Ras Tanura refinery on Monday following an Iranian drone strike, an industry source told Reuters as Tehran retaliated across the Gulf after a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iranian targets over the weekend.
Kazakhstan and Serbia have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership following talks in Astana between Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Aleksandar Vučić, signalling a shift from political dialogue towards more practical cooperation.
China expressed serious concern over the escalating conflict in Iran, confirming that one Chinese national was killed in Tehran. Beijing called for an immediate halt to military operations and a return to diplomatic talks, while other Asian countries have also voiced their positions on the crisis.
Iran’s Islamic Republic is backed by decades of institutional strength and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has proved to be resilient. Middle East expert Kevan Gafaïti from Sciences Po Paris explains why Iran's institutions are, therefore, unlikely to crumble under renewed strikes.
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