Iran nuclear facilities are temporarily shutdown citing “security considerations” following its extensive missile and drone attack on Israel. The head of the UN’s atomic watchdog, Rafael Grossi, disclosed this information during a UN Security Council meeting on Monday. He expressed concern about potential Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in retaliation for the attack.
Grossi mentioned that Iranian authorities informed Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors about the closure of nuclear facilities for security reasons on Sunday, with plans to reopen them on Monday. However, inspectors were not allowed to return until the situation stabilized. This cautious approach aimed to ensure calmness and avoid any further escalation.
“We are always concerned about this possibility. What I can tell you is that our inspectors in Iran were informed by the Iranian government that yesterday (Sunday), all the nuclear facilities that we are inspecting every day would remain closed on security considerations,” he stated.
The recent conflict stemmed from Iran launching more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel after an airstrike in Damascus resulted in casualties among Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. While Israel and its allies intercepted most of the incoming weapons, concerns about broader regional conflict persist.
Israel’s history includes operations against nuclear facilities in neighboring countries, such as bombing Iraq’s Osirak reactor in 1981 and conducting a covert air raid on a Syrian reactor in 2007. Additionally, accusations of cyberattacks and targeted assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists have further strained relations between the two nations.
The broader context centers on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, with Israel and Western powers suspecting Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons, a claim Iran vehemently denies. The situation underscores the delicate balance and ongoing tensions in the Middle East, highlighting the complexities of regional security and diplomatic relations.