Key Points
- Iranian officials said the attack targeted a civilian nuclear project
- No nuclear material was present at the site: IAEA
ISLAMABAD: Iran has urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to condemn a US strike on the under-construction Darkhovin nuclear power plant in southwestern Khuzestan province.
Iran has argued that attacks on nuclear facilities violate international law and nuclear safety norms, according to the Iranian media.
Iranian officials said the attack targeted a civilian nuclear project that was still under construction and accused the UN nuclear watchdog of failing to respond firmly to the incident.
The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran described the strike as unlawful and called for international action against attacks on nuclear infrastructure, according to Tasnim News.
IAEA examining attack site reports
The IAEA said it was examining reports of an attack on the Darkhovin construction site.
The agency noted that the facility was a planned nuclear power plant and that, according to available information, no nuclear material was present at the site.
“The IAEA is looking into reports of an overnight attack on the construction site of a planned nuclear power plant in Darkhovin, Iran. The facility is in the very early stages of construction and contained no nuclear material when last visited by the IAEA,” the agency wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The reported strike comes amid escalating military confrontation between Iran and the United States. In a fresh escalation, Washington is carrying out multiple rounds of airstrikes against Iranian military and strategic targets following attacks on US personnel and facilities in the region.
Iran has argued that the attack reinforces the need for the IAEA to uphold its long-standing position that armed attacks on nuclear facilities pose serious risks and violate international norms.
The agency has repeatedly warned in previous statements that military strikes on nuclear installations could lead to radioactive releases and broader regional consequences.
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The dispute also highlights growing tensions between Tehran and the UN watchdog.
Relations have remained strained since Iran curtailed cooperation with the IAEA following earlier attacks on its nuclear facilities and disagreements over inspections and monitoring activities, according to Al Jazeera.
No casualties or radioactive contamination have been reported in connection with the Darkhovin incident.
The IAEA has not yet issued a formal condemnation, but said it is continuing to assess the situation.
