VIENNA, Austria: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, Rafael Grossi, on Saturday warned that nuclear facilities and nearby areas must never be targeted after a projectile struck near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, raising safety concerns amid the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Citing information provided by Tehran, the IAEA said the incident resulted in the death of a site security staff member and caused damage to a building. The UN agency warned of potential safety risks after the strike, though no increase in radiation levels was detected.
Grossi expressed deep concern over the repeated incidents near nuclear infrastructure and urged maximum military restraint, stressing the need to uphold key principles to ensure nuclear safety and prevent any risk of a radiological accident.
The IAEA chief stressed that nuclear facilities and surrounding areas must never be targeted and warned that even auxiliary buildings may house safety equipment, the statement read.
The agency, citing confirmation from Iranian authorities, said in a statement on X that there was “no increase in radiation levels” after Saturday’s attack, which marked the fourth such incident in recent weeks.
Grossi also reiterated a “call for maximum military restraint to avoid risk of a nuclear accident,” the IAEA added.
“The IAEA has been informed by Iran that a projectile struck close to the premises of the Bushehr NPP this morning, the fourth such incident in recent weeks,” the UN nuclear watchdog said in a statement on X.
“Iran also informed the IAEA that one of the site’s physical protection staff members was killed by a projectile fragment and that a building on site was affected by shockwaves and fragments,” the agency stated.
On Saturday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed the Bushehr facility had been “bombed” four times since the war erupted.
The IAEA has been informed by Iran that a projectile struck close to the premises of the Bushehr NPP this morning, the fourth such incident in recent weeks. Iran also informed the IAEA that one of the site’s physical protection staff members was killed by a projectile fragment… pic.twitter.com/Iclv7QueMi
— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) April 4, 2026
Earlier, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) confirmed the incident in a post on X.
An “auxiliary” building on the site was damaged, but the main sections of the power plant were not affected by the strike, the government agency said, adding that the person killed was a member of security personnel.
It’s the fourth time the site has been attacked since the start of the US and Israel’s war on Iran, the AEOI noted.
Condemning the attack on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities and ending inaction is the minimum expectation from the @iaeaorg under its statutory responsibilities. Iran will safeguard its nuclear sovereignty and pursue legal review of this inaction by the Director-General.
— Atomic Energy Organization Of Iran (@aeoi_ir) April 4, 2026
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi alleged that the United States and Israel had carried out multiple strikes near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.
He warned that any radioactive fallout could have devastating consequences for the wider Gulf region.
Remember the Western outrage about hostilities near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine?
Israel-U.S. have bombed our Bushehr plant four times now. Radioactive fallout will end life in GCC capitals, not Tehran.
Attacks on our petrochemicals also convey real objectives. pic.twitter.com/onGCgkJFjt
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 4, 2026
The Bushehr plant is Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant. It is located in Bushehr city, home to 250,000 people, and is one of Iran’s most important industrial and military nodes.
