AEOI raps US strike on Darkhovin nuclear plant construction site
Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) on Sunday condemned a US strike on the construction site of the Darkhovin nuclear power plant in the southwestern province of Khuzestan, saying the attack violated international law and targeted a peaceful nuclear facility under international safeguards.
In a statement, the AEOI said the attack took place at about 3:39 a.m. local time, when the US launched “a number of projectiles” at the site under construction, Press TV reported.
The organization described the attack as “an aggressive and barbaric act in violation of international law,” saying it was intended to obstruct Iran’s scientific progress and independence.
“The Darkhoveyn construction site, one of the symbols of the Iranian nation’s scientific dignity and self-sufficiency, was targeted in an unjustifiable terrorist attack,” the statement said.
The AEOI stressed that the facility is “fully subject to the supervision and safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement between Iran and the Agency,” adding that its activities are “peaceful and lawful.”
The organization also cited IAEA General Conference Resolutions 444 and 533, saying they explicitly declare threats or attacks against peaceful nuclear facilities to be contrary to international law, the UN Charter and the IAEA Statute.
Calling on the IAEA to respond, the statement said Iran expects the agency’s director general “to move beyond silence and inaction, condemn this crime, which further undermines the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the nuclear safeguards system and the IAEA Statute, and fulfill his statutory responsibilities.”
IAEA opens investigation into reports
In a statement, the IAEA announced that it has opened an investigation into the reports, saying, "The facility is in the very early stages of construction and contained no nuclear material when last visited by the IAEA."
“While the reported attack is not believed to pose any radiological risk, DG @rafaelmgrossi (the director general, Rafael Grossi) reiterates the call for military restraint in the vicinity of all nuclear-related sites," the statement added.
The IAEA also confirmed it has contacted Tehran about the reports and will provide further information as it becomes available.
Iran's Atomic Energy Organization also urged “peace-loving, freedom-seeking and truth-seeking countries” to condemn the “aggressive act” and reject a course of action that poses an increasing threat to international peace and security.
The statement concluded that such actions “will not create the slightest disruption in the Iranian nation’s iron will,” but will instead strengthen the determination of the country’s nuclear specialists to continue pursuing “progress, advancement and self-sufficiency.”
The United States has resumed its criminal aggression against Iran since last week by targeting civilian sites across southern Iranian provinces.
A US-Israeli coalition launched attacks on the country in late February, particularly targeting civilians and infrastructure during a 40-day conflict.