The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has issued a serious warning over escalating risks to nuclear safety following repeated strikes near Iran’s only operational nuclear facility.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi stated that attacks in close proximity to the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant pose a “very real danger” and must stop immediately. The plant, located in southern Iran, houses a 1,000-megawatt reactor and is considered critical infrastructure.

According to reports, the facility has been targeted four times since the onset of the US–Israeli conflict involving Iran. The most recent strike, as reported by Iranian state media, landed just 75 metres from the plant’s perimeter, significantly raising alarm among international observers.

While satellite imagery analysis has confirmed that the reactor itself has not suffered direct damage, Grossi emphasized that even nearby strikes could trigger severe consequences. Any impact affecting safety systems, power supply, or cooling mechanisms could potentially lead to a radiological accident with cross-border implications.

The Bushehr facility, developed with Russian assistance, remains Iran’s only active nuclear power reactor. Following the latest incident, nearly 200 workers were temporarily evacuated from the site, underscoring the seriousness of the situation and growing safety concerns.

The IAEA has reiterated its call for restraint, warning that continued military activity near nuclear infrastructure could lead to catastrophic outcomes not just for Iran, but for the wider region.