IAEA, WHO warn of nuclear risk after strike near Iran’s Bushehr plant
April 5, 2026
Al Jazeera English
Russia's state nuclear company Rosatom has evacuated nearly 200 workers from Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant after a strike near its vicinity killed a security guard and damaged a support building. The International Atomic Energy Agency says there has been no increase in radiation levels but is expressing "deep concern," while the head of the World Health Organisation warned that a strike could trigger a nuclear accident with health impacts that would "devastate generations." Robert Kelley, a former IAEA inspector and distinguished fellow at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, told Al Jazeera that the "uncivilised behaviour" of warring parties has raised the risk of a catastrophic incident.
Kelley warned that the spent fuel ponds outside the reactor's containment structure are the most vulnerable target, and an attack there could cause a major radiation release, potentially affecting Gulf states depending on wind direction. He noted that the UAE has four large pressurised water reactors across the Gulf, meaning the regional nuclear risk extends beyond Bushehr. Kelley added that attackers may be timing strikes based on wind patterns to protect Gulf neighbours, but stressed that no mechanism exists to hold accountable those who would strike an operating nuclear plant. He advised that governments should be prepared to distribute iodine pills in the event of a radiation release. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #Iran #IranWar #USIsraelWarOnIran #BushehrNuclearPlant #IranNuclear #IAEA #WHO #IranNuclearSafety #GulfSecurity #GulfRadiationRisk #MiddleEastCrisis #IranEnergyCrisis
Al Jazeera English
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