The Director of the Energy Agency informs the Security Council of the catastrophic effects of attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities

Raphael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Nuclear Energy Agency, warned of the catastrophic effects that armed attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, which indicated that they may lead to radioactive emissions with severe consequences inside and outside the borders of Iran, calling in this regard to adhere to the maximum pursuit of restraint.

In his briefing today to the UN Security Council members during their emergency meeting on the developments of the ongoing conflict, Grusi stressed the need not to target nuclear sites in Iran, pointing out that the attacks that these facilities were subjected to so far caused a sharp deterioration in nuclear safety and security in Iran, although they have not yet resulted in any radioactive leakage that affects the public, warning of such a risk.

The Agency Director pledged to continue to submit general updates to the Security Council countries on developments in all Iranian nuclear sites, and about their possible health and environmental consequences.

He announced that the International Atomic Energy Agency will not stand idle regarding this dangerous conflict, expressing its willingness to travel immediately and communicate with all concerned parties, to help ensure the protection of nuclear establishments and the continued peaceful use of nuclear technology according to the agency’s state, including the publication of the agency experts and inspectors in the field of safety and nuclear security in Iran, wherever that is necessary, calling on the UN Security Council to support Move it in this regard.

He pointed out that the International Atomic Energy Agency is closely monitoring the situation in Iranian nuclear sites since Israel began its attacks a week ago, explaining that, as part of its mission, the agency is considered to be the global center for information related to nuclear and radiological safety, and it can respond to any state of nuclear or radiological emergencies.

The international official reviewed some of the information available so far to the agency about the current situation in Iranian nuclear sites, noting that the Iranian “Natanz” enrichment site contains two facilities, the first is the main fuel enrichment station, revealing the initial Israeli attacks on June 13 targeted the electricity infrastructure in the facility and its destruction, including a sub -power plant, the main power supply building, and power supply Emergency and backup generators.

He pointed out that on the same day, it appears that the main waterfall hall was attacked using munitions that penetrate the ground.

As for the second facility in Natanz, which is the experimental fuel enrichment station, it consists of a waterfall over the ground and under it, Grossi indicated that the Israeli attacks destroyed the part on the ground functional, and described the strikes on the halls of the waterfall underground very destroyed.

He said that although the level of radiological activity outside the Natanz website has been unchanged and at its normal levels, which indicates the absence of an external radioactive effect on the population or the environment, it warned of the presence of radiological and chemical pollution within the Natanz facility, and it is possible that uranium isotopes in the sixth uranium fluoride, uranium fluoride, and hydrogen fluoride are spread within the facility.

He explained that radiation, which consists mainly of alpha particles, is a great danger in the event of inhalation or swallowing, and dangerous excitement can be managed effectively by taking appropriate preventive measures, such as the use of artificial respirators, and the main source of anxiety within the facility is chemical toxicity.

The UN official also touched on the Fordo station, which is the main enrichment site in Iran to enrich uranium and contains 60%, indicating that the agency does not yet have any information indicating any damage to this station.

On Isfahan Al -Nawawi, the UN official pointed out that four buildings were damaged in this facility in the Israeli attack last Friday, where the central chemical laboratory, the uranium conversion station, the reactors fuel manufacturing station in Tehran, and the enriched uranium mineral treatment facility, which was under construction, affirmed in this regard not to inform the agency of any increase in radiation levels outside this site, Pointing out that as is the case in the Natanz facility, the main source of anxiety lies in chemical toxicity.

He revealed the exposure of a heavy water research reactor, under construction in Arak, to Israeli bombing on June 19, and said, “Given that the reactor was not working and did not contain any nuclear materials, so no radiological effects are expected, and it is estimated that the near heavy water production station has been bombed, and likewise no radiological effects are expected.”

He pointed to an update by the International Atomic Energy Agency on June 18 at the Tehran Research Center, noting that one building was exposed to this station, without leaving its targeting any radioactive effect internally or externally.

On Bushehr Nuclear Energy Station, the UN official warned against targeting this main nuclear site in Iran, pointing out that any attack on it will be more severe, especially as it is a working nuclear power plant, and hosts thousands of kilograms of dangerous nuclear materials.

He said that in the event of an attack on the Busher Nuclear Energy Station, a direct blow may lead to the emission of very large quantities of radiation in the environment, and likewise, a blow to the only two lines that nourish the station with electric power may cause the reaction of the reactor, which may lead to the emission of large amounts of radiation in the environment.

He pointed out that in the worst case, both scenarios require preventive measures, such as evacuating and harboring the population or the need to eat stable iodine, while the scope of influence extends to distances ranging from a few hundred to hundred kilometers.

He warned that any action against the Tehran reactor of nuclear research may have severe consequences, perhaps on large areas of the city of Iran and its inhabitants, explaining that in such a case, preventive measures will be taken.

He said that the agency exists and will remain in Iran, and the inspections will resume there, according to Iran’s obligations to guarantees under the Nuclear Displacement Treaty, stressing in this regard the importance of respecting the security and safety of the agency’s inspectors working on the ground.

He stressed that, based on the results of the inspection operations that the agency had conducted in the relevant Iranian nuclear facilities since then, Iranian uranium stocks are still subject to guarantees according to the comprehensive guarantees agreement for Iran, indicating that there are more than 400 kilograms of this stock is uranium fertilized by up to 60% of uranium-235.

He stressed that the agency resumes insteads as soon as possible to provide reliable guarantees that no of this stock has been transferred, indicating that the presence, support, analysis and inspection of technical experts is very important to alleviate the risk of nuclear safety and security.

The international official concluded his surrounding before the emergency security council session, by emphasizing the importance of continuous support for the international community of the role played by the agency at this particular time, stressing in this regard that the diplomatic solution to this issue is within the use if the necessary political will is available.