IAEA Director General on Iran Nuclear Sites, Diplomacy, and Middle East Peace

Escalation and Nuclear Non-Proliferation Concerns

• ⚠️ The nuclear non-proliferation regime is at risk due to recent events in Iran, including bombardments and the potential widening of the conflict.
• 💥 Military escalation threatens lives, delays diplomatic solutions for ensuring Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons, and jeopardizes the global non-proliferation regime.
• ⚛️ Armed attacks on nuclear facilities are unacceptable and could lead to grave radioactive releases.

IAEA's Role and Inspections

• 🔍 The IAEA is calling for maximum restraint and emphasizes the need to return to dialogue and diplomacy.
• 📝 Inspectors are in Iran and must be allowed to do their job, requiring a cessation of hostilities for safe access to nuclear sites.
• 📊 The IAEA is ready to deploy nuclear safety and security experts to Iran, in addition to safeguards inspectors, to ensure the protection of nuclear facilities.

Damage to Iranian Nuclear Sites

• 📍 Craters were observed at the Fordow site, Iran's main uranium enrichment facility, indicating the use of ground-penetrating munitions by the United States.
• 💥 The Esfahan nuclear site was hit overnight, affecting buildings related to uranium conversion and tunnel entrances for enriched material storage.
• ⚡ The Natanz enrichment site's Fuel Enrichment Plant was also hit, with the US confirming the use of ground-penetrating munitions.
• ☢️ Iran has informed the IAEA that there has been no increase in off-site radiation levels at the affected sites.

Path to Diplomacy and Peace

• 🕊️ Iran, Israel, and the Middle East need peace, and a path for diplomacy exists through returning to the negotiating table.
• 🤝 The IAEA is ready to engage with all relevant parties to help ensure the protection of nuclear facilities and the continued peaceful use of nuclear technology.
• 🌍 The fundamental truth is that the world will not be safer with more nuclear weapons in more states, underscoring the importance of the IAEA's mandate.