Environmental groups gathered in Iğdır to demand the immediate closure of the Metzamor Nuclear Power Plant near the Armenian border, warning of severe regional risks.
Environmental and ecological organisations held a press conference in Iğdır, calling for the closure of Armenia’s Metzamor Nuclear Power Plant, located just 30 km from the Turkish border. Speaking on behalf of the groups, Sabahat Aslan stressed the dangers posed by the aging facility, which lies on an active fault line and continues to operate despite outdated technology.
Aslan reminded that Metzamor’s first reactor began operating in 1976 and the second in 1980. Following the devastating 1988 Spitak earthquake, both reactors were shut down due to public pressure. However, the Armenian government reopened the plant in 1995. Although the plant was originally set to be decommissioned in 2005, its operational life has been extended several times since then.
Located in the Aras Basin between Türkiye’s Mount Ağrı and Armenia’s Mount Alagöz, the plant sits along the Eastern Anatolian fault line, a high-risk seismic zone. “Allowing such an old and vulnerable nuclear plant to operate here is an invitation to disaster,” Aslan warned.
Citing the long-term impacts of the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters, Aslan pointed out that radiation from those accidents caused massive loss of life and irreparable environmental damage. “The consequences of another nuclear disaster would not be limited to Armenia—it would severely affect Türkiye, Nakhchivan, Iran, and Azerbaijan as well,” she said.
“Chernobyl scientifically proved that nuclear plants are unsafe, even with modern technology. Metzamor is a relic of the past and poses a significant danger to our entire region. The plant must be shut down immediately,” Aslan emphasised.
Environmental groups concluded by urging all international nuclear authorities and the Armenian government to take immediate action. They also called on Turkish institutions to intervene, declaring that their struggle will continue until the Metzamor Nuclear Power Plant is permanently closed.
A senior figure in Russia’s defence establishment, Timur Ivanov, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of corruption, am...
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan announced the successful conclusion of negotiations with the EU on a new Partnership Agenda following the of...
As the Dalai Lama turns 90, the question of his successor is drawing global attention — not just spiritually, but a deeply political one for China, ...
China’s resale home prices fell at an accelerated pace in June, deepening concerns about the country’s ailing property market and underscoring the...
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Arab Fund have signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize a strategic partnership focus...
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
A malfunction in the radar transmission system at the Area Control Center in Milan suspended more than 300 flights at the weekend, across northwest Italy since Saturday evening according to Italy's air traffic controller Enav (National Agency for Flight Assistance).
Thousands of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Saturday, demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign as political and economic tensions mount.
The U.S. Department of Justice and FBI on Monday announced an arrest and indictments related to North Korea’s 'IT worker' program, through which North Koreans secured remote tech jobs at more than a 100 U.S. companies to steal money and data globally.
A senior figure in Russia’s defence establishment, Timur Ivanov, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of corruption, amid an escalating crackdown on high-level misconduct.
As the Dalai Lama turns 90, the question of his successor is drawing global attention — not just spiritually, but a deeply political one for China, India, and the U.S.
Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry has dismantled two criminal groups in Baku, detaining Russian nationals suspected of trafficking drugs from Iran and conducting cyber fraud operations.
German prosecutors have arrested a Danish citizen suspected of spying for Iran, reportedly gathering intelligence on Jewish individuals and sites in Berlin.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment