In a stark warning to the international community, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi has cautioned that any military strike on Iran’s nuclear facility in Bushehr could result in a catastrophic nuclear disaster. Addressing the United Nations Security Council, Grossi emphasized that such an attack would not only endanger Iran but could also have far-reaching consequences across the region due to the potential release of high levels of radioactivity.
“I want to make it absolutely and completely clear — in case of an attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant, a direct hit would result in a very high release of radioactivity,” Grossi said. He further noted that countries across the Middle East are living in constant fear of such a strike, which could lead to widespread radioactive contamination and a humanitarian crisis.
As tensions in the region continue to mount, the United Kingdom has announced the temporary closure of its embassy in Tehran. Citing the deteriorating security situation, the UK government has withdrawn its diplomatic staff as a precautionary measure. “We have taken the precautionary measure to temporarily withdraw UK staff from Iran. Our embassy continues to operate remotely,” the UK’s travel advisory stated.
Meanwhile, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, expressed skepticism about renewed diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington. Speaking at the UN, Danon said that Israel is not interested in another round of what it views as ineffective negotiations. “We have seen diplomatic talks for the last few decades, and look at the results,” he remarked.
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He continued, “If there will be a genuine effort to dismantle the capabilities of Iran, then that’s something we can consider. But if it is going to be just another session and more debates, that’s not going to work.” Danon made it clear that Israel seeks tangible actions rather than further diplomatic overtures that yield little progress in curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
In a parallel development, the US government under President Donald Trump has imposed a new round of economic sanctions on Iran. According to a notice published by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the sanctions target 20 entities, five individuals, and three vessels. The list includes two companies based in Hong Kong believed to be involved in helping Iran evade existing sanctions.
These measures are part of Washington’s ongoing pressure campaign aimed at curtailing Iran’s nuclear and military activities. The fresh sanctions are expected to further strain Iran’s economy and limit its ability to finance nuclear development or proxy operations in the region. With the IAEA warning of potential nuclear fallout, diplomatic tensions rising, and new sanctions in place, the situation around Iran’s nuclear programme remains increasingly volatile. The threat of escalation continues to loom, raising concerns over the possibility of a broader regional crisis.
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