New Delhi, Mar 02 (.) The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday called for restraint by all parties involved in the West Asia conflict after Iran has alleged that its extensive nuclear complex at Natanz was targeted during joint operations conducted by the United States and Israel.
The allegation was raised on Monday during a session of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) 35-nation Board of Governors, where Iran’s envoy to the UN nuclear watchdog confirmed the strike.
Reza Najafi, representing Tehran, told journalists, “Again they attacked Iran’s peaceful, safeguarded nuclear facility in Natanz yesterday.
The development comes amid heightened regional tensions following Operation Epic Fury by the United States and Operation Roaring Lion by Israel, which led to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Notably, the region houses many active nuclear power plants, research reactors and associated fuel storage sites.
While the agency’s Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC) is constantly collecting information and assessing the situation about the radiation levels in the region and haven’t found any elevation in the radiation levels since the conflict erupted a few days, ago, the IAEA Board of Governors’ meeting in Vienna has cautioned parties to show restraint.
Besides Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has four operating nuclear reactors; Jordan and Syria have operational nuclear research reactors. Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia all use nuclear applications of some sort or another.
“Consistent with the objectives of the IAEA, as enshrined in its Statute, I reiterate my call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation,” Director General of IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said in a statement.
Later, speaking to media, Grossi said that Iran had a very big ambitious nuclear programme and being a signatory to the non-proliferation programme, the country has to provide access to the agency for inspections.
He said that despite repeated requests from the agency and notwithstanding the Cairo agreement, Iran hasn’t given access to important site like Isfahan since last summer. “We want to regain access as early as possible,” he said. However, Grossi said that the agency has been engaging with Iran authorities continuously till last Thursday.
When asked about resuming dialogue, Grossi, citing recent statements by the US President as well as the Iranian President Pezeshkian, said that there is increasing recognition about resuming dialogue to end the conflict.
IAEA Director General also expressed his agency’s willingness to “assist if requested” to facilitate the early resumption of the dialogue to find a solution to the vexed problem. . KK .