Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said, “There has been no confirmation of increased external radiation levels following the attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States,” adding that “specific damage circumstances are still unknown.”
On the 22nd (local time), Director General Grossi expressed this while showing a cautious attitude during a briefing at the emergency United Nations (UN) Security Council meeting convened in New York at the request of Iran.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the day before that following the airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, “We successfully completed attacks on three nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan,” stating that “the nuclear facility at Fordow has been completely destroyed.”
Dan Caine, the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, also reported that seven U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers dropped 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs known as ‘GBU-57.’
In response, Director General Grossi confirmed the U.S. announcement, stating that a “large crater” was observed at Fordow, which is a key uranium enrichment facility in Iran.
However, Director General Grossi noted regarding the damage, “At this point, no one, including the IAEA, is in a position to assess the underground damage at Fordow,” demonstrating a cautious approach.
According to him, some facilities related to uranium conversion are included among the damaged buildings at the Isfahan nuclear facility, and an attack using penetrative bombs also took place at the Natanz enrichment facility.
Director General Grossi emphasized, “Iran has informed the IAEA that there was no increase in radiation levels outside the facilities at all three sites,” adding that “a military attack on nuclear facilities should never occur as it could lead to serious consequences for both the attacked country and surrounding nations due to potential radiation leaks.”
He further stated, “The IAEA can send nuclear safety and security experts to Iran separately from the existing safeguards inspection team with the support of the Security Council,” asserting that “hostilities must be halted to allow the IAEA inspection team currently in Iran to carry out its mission.”