IAEA warns attacks on Iran nuclear sites have degraded safety; urges access for inspectors

Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the United Nations Security Council that attacks on nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic of Iran have caused “a sharp degradation in nuclear safety and security” and that the IAEA needs timely access and technical information to verify safeguarded nuclear material.

Grossi said the IAEA has been monitoring Iran’s nuclear sites closely since attacks began on June 13 and that, while the strikes “have not so far led to a radiological release affecting the public,” there is a risk this could change. He said the agency can “respond to any nuclear or radiological emergency” and urged “maximum restraint.”

The IAEA briefing described damage at multiple facilities. Grossi said the Natanz enrichment site contains two facilities: the main fuel-enrichment plant, where an electrical substation and other power infrastructure were destroyed and the main cascade hall appears to have been struck with ground-penetrating munitions; and a pilot enrichment plant whose above-ground portion was “functionally destroyed” and whose…