Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom and the UN nuclear watchdog said Wednesday that a projectile struck the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran, marking the first such incident since the start of U.S.-Israeli attacks.
Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachyov said an area adjacent to a facility housing measurement instruments and sensors, located near the plant’s operational unit, was hit Tuesday evening. He said there were no casualties and radiation levels remained normal.
“We categorically condemn what has occurred and call on all parties to exert every possible effort to de-escalate the situation in the vicinity of the Bushehr NPP,” Likhachyov said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran had informed it that “a projectile hit the premises of the Bushehr NPP on Tuesday evening,” adding that there was no damage to the plant or injuries to staff.
Neither Russia nor Iran assigned blame for the strike.
Located in southwestern Iran, the plant was built with Rosatom’s assistance and connected to the national grid in 2011. It remains the country’s only operational nuclear power facility.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi reiterated calls for restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident, the Vienna-based agency said in a statement.
Likhachyov had previously warned that a strike on Bushehr could spread radioactive contamination in the surrounding area.
Earlier this month, construction of two additional units at the Bushehr plant was suspended due to ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes, though Russian specialists have remained on site for maintenance work.
Likhachyov said around 480 Rosatom employees are still in Iran following two rounds of evacuations, with preparations underway for a third.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
