IAEA Deplores U.S. Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Targets, Urges Diplomacy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has condemned the United States’ airstrikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized that nuclear sites are civilian objects protected under international law and must not be targeted in military operations.

"I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment," Grossi said, as quoted by Antara.

He also called on all parties involved to show restraint and return to diplomatic efforts. In response to the escalation, the IAEA plans to hold an emergency session of its Board of Governors to address the situation following the U.S. attack on June 23, 2025.

The airstrikes targeted three key Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. U.S. President Donald Trump, on Sunday, June 22, 2025, claimed that the operation against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure had been successful.

According to the IAEA, the three targeted facilities were being used to store enriched uranium at varying levels. The agency raised concerns over the potential risk of radioactive and chemical contamination but confirmed that no spike in radiation had been detected at the affected sites following the attack.

Grossi warned that the continuation of hostilities could seriously disrupt the IAEA’s inspection and verification activities, including its monitoring of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) strongly condemned the strikes, describing them as a blatant violation of international law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which Iran is a signatory.

In a statement, the AEOI also criticized the IAEA for failing to take firm action in response to recent Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The organization accused the agency of being "directly or indirectly" complicit in what it views as violations of Iranian sovereignty.

Analysts have warned that military strikes on nuclear facilities, due to the risk of radioactive leaks and environmental damage, could provoke a harsh response from Tehran. This could include retaliatory attacks on U.S. military assets in the region or a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy shipments.

Sita Planasari contributed to the writing of this article.

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