Projectile strikes near Irans Bushehr nuclear facility, killing one official

Iran Reports Fourth Attack Near Nuclear Plant Amid Ongoing Conflict

A projectile strike near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant has resulted in the death of one person, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The agency confirmed that there was no increase in radiation levels following the attack on Saturday. Iranian authorities have stated that the facility has been targeted four times since the US-Israel conflict began.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the strikes, stating that the safety of the facility had not been adequately considered. The IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi, expressed concern over the incident and emphasized the importance of avoiding attacks on nuclear or petrochemical sites to prevent accidents.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) confirmed the attack, reporting that an auxiliary building was damaged but the main sections of the power plant were not affected. The AEOI also stated that the person killed was a member of security personnel.

This incident marks the fourth time the Bushehr plant has been targeted since the start of the US-Israel conflict. The facility is Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant and is located in a densely populated area.

Separately, US and Israeli strikes on Saturday hit several petrochemical plants in the southern Khuzestan region, resulting in at least five injuries. The state-run Bandar Imam petrochemical complex was struck, sustaining damage. Other facilities, including the Fajr 1 and 2 petrochemical companies, were also targeted.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have shot down an MQ-1 drone over central Isfahan province on Saturday, hours after authorities reported forcing down two US warplanes.

Source: Al Jazeera