UN Nuclear Agency Expresses ‘Deep Concern’ Over Fourth Attack on Iran’s Bushehr Plant

Iranian authorities have reported a fourth assault on the Bushehr nuclear power plant since the ongoing conflict began, with one worker losing their life in the incident. The Atomic Energy Organisation stated that the attack did not disrupt the facility’s operations, though the plant’s main structures remained intact. Russia, which played a key role in constructing the facility, initiated an evacuation of staff following the strike.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear oversight body, confirmed awareness of the attack and conveyed “deep concern” over the potential risks. It noted that radiation levels in the area showed no significant rise, emphasizing that nuclear sites and their surrounding zones “must never be attacked” to prevent catastrophic consequences.

Iran attributed the strike to the United States and Israel, but neither country has officially acknowledged responsibility. Meanwhile, the war escalated as Trump, US president, paused attacks on energy infrastructure for 10 days, urging Iran to negotiate. However, he later warned on Truth Social that “all Hell will reign down on them” if Iran failed to meet demands or reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

Iran has also launched missile strikes against multiple targets in the Gulf, Iraq, and Israel. The debris from intercepted projectiles caused damage to civilian areas. Both Iranian and US forces are still searching for a missing American crew member after an F-15 jet was shot down earlier this week. A pilot was rescued, according to US media reports.

A local Iranian official confirmed that the Mahshahr petrochemical complex and Bandar Imam company in southwestern Iran were also hit by strikes, resulting in five injuries. Science Minister Hossein Simai Sarraf highlighted the impact on educational institutions, stating that over 30 universities had been targeted since the conflict started. Visiting Shahid Beheshti University, which suffered damage, he condemned the actions as a sign of regression.

“A civilised country, a civilised government never targets institutions of knowledge, laboratories or research centres,” Sarraf remarked.

The war, which began on 28 February—two days after indirect US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva—has intensified tensions. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that a major accident at the nuclear plant could “end life” in Gulf Arab states aligned with the US. He referenced Western reactions to the Zaporizhzhia plant in Ukraine, accusing Israel and the US of escalating hostilities.