Nuclear watchdog sounds alarm amid West Asia conflict, says no response yet from Iran's nuke authorities

Visuals from the attack during the Iran-US-Israel war

The United Nations’ atomic energy chief Rafael Grossi has said there is currently no evidence suggesting that any of Iran’s nuclear sites have been affected amid the latest tensions in the region.

According to Grossi, inspections and assessments conducted so far have not shown signs of damage to the country’s nuclear facilities.

Grossi said officials were still trying to establish contact with Iran’s nuclear regulatory authorities, though responses have not yet been received.

“Up to now, we have no indication that any of Iran’s nuclear installations have been damaged or hit,” Grossi said.

He added that efforts to contact Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities were ongoing, “with no response so far,” and said he hoped an “indispensable channel of communication can be reestablished as soon as possible.”

"Regarding the status of the nuclear installations in Iran, up to now, we have no indication that any of the nuclear installations, including the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, the Tehran Research Reactor or other nuclear fuel cycle facilities have been damaged or hit,” Grossi said.

Grossi also urged caution, stressing the need for de-escalation by calling for “maximum restraint to avoid further escalation,” and stating: “We must return to diplomacy and negotiations.”

“So far, no elevation of radiation levels above the usual background levels has been detected in countries bordering Iran,” Grossi said. “The situation today is very concerning, we cannot rule out a possible radiological release with serious consequences, including the necessity to evacuate areas as large or larger than major cities,” he added.