Iran accuses UN nuclear watchdog of inaction, warns of risk from attacks

Inaction by the UN nuclear watchdog “emboldens aggression” against nuclear facilities such as the Bushehr power plant, Iran’s atomic energy chief Mohammad Eslami says in a letter addressed to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s director.

Eslami says Iran’s only functioning nuclear power plant has so far been targeted four times, with the most recent attack in its vicinity on Saturday killing a security staff member and injuring others.

He warns that such attacks could risk the release of radioactive material from an operating reactor and could have “irreparable consequences” for people, the environment and neighboring countries.

He describes the attacks as a clear breach of international law, and criticizes what he calls the agency’s “lack of decisive action,” saying mere expressions of concern were insufficient and would embolden further attacks.