By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has warned that the ongoing military escalation in the Middle East carries serious nuclear risks.
Speaking from Vienna on Monday, Grossi said that while there is no current evidence of damage to Iranian nuclear facilities from recent U.S. and Israeli strikes, the possibility of radiological releases cannot be ruled out. “We cannot rule out a possible radiological release with serious consequences, including the necessity to evacuate areas as large as or larger than major cities,” he said.
Grossi also highlighted the broader nuclear safety risks across the region. He noted that retaliatory Iranian attacks have targeted several Gulf states that operate nuclear installations, including nuclear reactors in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Syria, while other countries possess nuclear technology.
In urging restraint, Grossi stressed that all military operations in the region must consider the potential for widespread nuclear hazards.
Last June, Israel and the United States carried out airstrikes that heavily damaged Iranian nuclear facilities, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions.
