Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Warns of Nuclear Disaster Risk in Iran Amid Rising Tensions

According to WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Sunday, there were concerns regarding the security of Iran’s nuclear sites. Ghebreyesus expressed fears of a possible nuclear accident, which would have severe impacts on health over many years to come.

In a post on Twitter, Ghebreyesus said, "I, together with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), once again express my concern about the safety of nuclear facilities in Iran. The recent incident at the Bushehr nuclear power plant is a stark lesson: an attack could trigger a nuclear accident, with devastating health consequences that will devastate generations to come. As this escalating war drags on, the dangers and risks involved are increasing. We must de-escalate now. Peace is the best medicine."

The IAEA reported that one of the security personnel deployed at the site was killed by a missile fragment, and a building at the site was damaged by the blast and fragments. The agency said on Twitter, "The IAEA has received information from Iran that a missile landed near the Bushehr nuclear power plant complex, the fourth such incident in recent weeks. There have been no reports of any increase in radiation levels." IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grassi also expressed deep concern over the incident.