Grossi: Radiation levels in Natanz are normal; Agency remains in Iran

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in response to the recent military attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, stated at a meeting of the Board of Governors: “The military conflict continues, but so far no damage has been caused to the Fordow facility, the Khandab heavy water reactor and the Bushehr power plant, and the radiation levels in Natanz and Isfahan are also normal.”

 

“Since the beginning of the tensions, the agency has maintained its emergency center activity around the clock and is monitoring the radiation conditions and safety of the country’s nuclear facilities through continuous communication with Iranian authorities,” he added.

 

Grossi stressed that the agency is ready to respond immediately to any nuclear or radiation emergency in Iran, and that no further damage has been reported since Friday’s attack on the upper part of the Natanz enrichment pilot plant.

 

According to him, the agency’s inspectors have not seen any signs of a physical attack on the underground hall of the Natanz facility, but there is a possibility of damage to the centrifuges due to a power outage. He also reported the presence of radiation contamination inside the Natanz site, saying there is a possibility of leakage of chemical compounds such as UF6, but this can be controlled with protective equipment.

 

“The Tehran Research Reactor has also not been affected and the radiation level in Isfahan has remained unchanged,” the IAEA director general said.

 

He continued: “In these sensitive circumstances, the exchange of technical information with Iran is of utmost importance for assessing the risks and protecting the population and the environment. Without this information, it is not possible to provide emergency international assistance.”

 

Grossi stressed that the Agency remains present in Iran and inspections will continue in accordance with safeguards obligations; however, the safety of inspectors is the top priority and necessary measures are being taken to protect them.

 

He also expressed his readiness to travel to the region in person to facilitate dialogue between the parties and ensure the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

 

Without directly referring to the Israeli aggression, Grossi called on all parties to exercise restraint in order to prevent further escalation of tensions.

 

He also referred to the recent resolution of the Board of Governors, considering it an important document in support of a diplomatic solution to resolve the disputes related to Iran’s nuclear program. Grossi stressed that the Agency’s member states must play an active role in diverting the crisis from a military path and directing it to a diplomatic path.

 

Rafael Grossi's comments come amid recent military tensions over Iran's nuclear facilities, while public opinion is expecting a more explicit response from the International Atomic Energy Agency. The acknowledgement that radiation levels are normal and that there is no serious damage to the Natanz and Isfahan facilities shows that Iran continues to maintain technical control over its nuclear program and that there is no possibility of an environmental or humanitarian disaster.

 

At the same time, the Agency's failure to explicitly condemn the Israeli regime's military attack has exposed the institution to accusations of bias and double standards. Israel, which is not a member of the NPT and has an undeclared nuclear program, has always operated outside the Agency's monitoring framework and is now, as the accused, exempt from any formal accountability.

 

Analysts believe that the attack on nuclear facilities could be part of a broader strategy to exert political pressure on Iran; A strategy that seeks to open up space for coercive diplomacy centered on the demands of the United States and its allies through military means. In this space, the Agency may become a tool for political pressure rather than fulfilling its technical and neutral role.

 

Iran’s role in diplomatically managing this crisis and maintaining technical cooperation with the Agency on the one hand, while highlighting Israel’s aggressive actions in international forums on the other, will be of strategic importance. Maintaining international legitimacy and preventing the nuclear program from becoming more secure than before depends on an intelligent approach in interacting with current developments.