UN Nuclear Chief Warns of Regional Catastrophe if Israel Targets Iran’s Bushehr Plant

June 21, NEW YORK— Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has issued a stark warning that any Israeli attack on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant could unleash a catastrophic release of radiation, potentially affecting multiple countries in the Gulf region.

Speaking at an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council on Friday amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran, Grossi cautioned that a direct hit on the Russian-built facility could result in “a very high release of radioactivity” with grave consequences far beyond Iran’s borders.

“This would not be contained within one country,” Grossi said. “It could impact populations hundreds of kilometers away, requiring evacuation, iodine distribution, food restrictions, and massive radiation monitoring.”

Grossi urged all parties to exercise “maximum restraint,” reiterating that “armed attacks on nuclear facilities should never occur.” He offered to mediate a diplomatic solution personally, stressing that the IAEA’s robust inspection system could verify Iran’s nuclear program remains peaceful.

Fears of a Nuclear Incident Grow

Grossi’s warning comes amid heightened tensions following Israel’s aerial bombardment campaign on Iranian military and nuclear targets, which began on June 13. Iranian media reported the activation of air defenses in the Bushehr area, but there has been no confirmation of a successful Israeli strike on the facility.

The IAEA chief emphasized that even damage to the power lines supplying electricity to the Bushehr reactor could be dangerous. A loss of power could lead to a meltdown of the reactor core, echoing concerns raised by Russian nuclear officials, who likened such a scenario to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.

International Reactions

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also addressed the Council, warning that the Iran-Israel conflict risks sparking “a fire no one can control.” He called on all sides to prioritize de-escalation and diplomacy.

Iran’s UN Ambassador, Amir-Saeid Iravani, condemned Israel’s strikes as “gross violations of international law” and shared images of Iranian children killed in recent attacks. He warned that if the global non-proliferation framework collapses, “the Security Council will share responsibility with the Israeli regime.”

Israeli envoy Danny Danon defended his country’s actions, stating, “We do not apologize for defending ourselves… or for neutralizing threats.” He also warned of Iran’s long-range missile capabilities, suggesting they could reach Europe and even the U.S. East Coast.

Russia’s UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya strongly criticized Israel’s targeting of what he called “peaceful civilian nuclear facilities,” warning such actions could lead to an “unprecedented nuclear catastrophe.”

No Confirmed Fallout, but Risks Remain

Despite the intensity of the recent attacks, Grossi confirmed that no nuclear fallout had been recorded from previous strikes on other Iranian nuclear facilities, including Natanz, Isfahan, Fordow, and Khondab. However, he emphasized the urgency of preventing any escalation that could involve active nuclear reactors.

Grossi’s comments follow confusion over whether Iran’s Bushehr facility had already been struck. An Israeli military spokesperson initially claimed the plant was hit, but the statement was later walked back as a mistake.

Iran Signals Openness to Talks—With Limits

Amid the military and diplomatic crisis, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran was open to discussing limits on uranium enrichment but firmly ruled out abandoning enrichment altogether—particularly in the face of ongoing Israeli attacks.

As the war enters its second week, with over 600 killed in Iran and 24 in Israel, international concern is growing over the possibility of a nuclear incident that could escalate the conflict into a regional disaster.

“Now is the time for dialogue, not destruction,” Grossi concluded.