IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi Warns of ‘Major Radiological Accident’ Following Repeated Strikes Near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Plant

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warns that military strikes near Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant could cause a "major radiological accident" affecting the entire region.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 5:10 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Anadolu Agency

A Critical Threat to Nuclear Safety in the Persian Gulf

Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, expressed "deep concern" on Thursday following reports of a second military strike near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The incident, which reportedly occurred late Tuesday evening, follows a similar strike on March 17 that destroyed a structure approximately 350 meters from the reactor. Grossi warned that as an operating facility, Bushehr contains significant amounts of nuclear material, and any direct or near-miss damage could lead to a "major radiological accident" with consequences stretching far beyond Iran’s borders. The IAEA chief’s intervention underscores the growing risk that the regional war between the US-Israeli coalition and Iran could transition from a conventional conflict into a nuclear safety crisis.

The Status of the Bushehr Facility and Personnel

Despite the proximity of the strikes, the IAEA has confirmed—based on information from Iranian authorities—that the plant’s core reactor remains undamaged and continues to operate under normal conditions. Radiation levels at the site are currently reported as stable, and no injuries to staff were recorded during the Tuesday evening incident. However, the repeated targeting of the plant’s periphery has prompted a significant response from international partners. Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, which helps operate the plant and is constructing two additional units, has begun a "third phase" of personnel evacuation. As of Thursday, roughly 163 Russian specialists were being moved toward the Armenian border, with the company plan to reduce on-site staff to a minimum until the security situation stabilizes.

Violation of the IAEA’s Seven Pillars of Nuclear Safety

Grossi utilized the social media platform X to remind all combatants of the "seven indispensable pillars" of nuclear safety and security during armed conflict. These pillars, established by the IAEA to prevent disasters in war zones, include the requirement that the physical integrity of nuclear facilities must be maintained and that off-site power supplies remain secure. The IAEA chief noted that striking even technical buildings or meteorological stations near an active reactor "violates the reddest lines" of nuclear safety. The agency warned that a loss of cooling systems or a...