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'Deep concern' from UN watchdog after fourth strike on Iranian nuclear plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency has stressed that nuclear power plant sites and nearby areas "should never be attacked".

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The area near Bushehr nuclear power plant, outside the southern Iranian city of Bushehr has been struck a fourth time.
The area near Bushehr nuclear power plant, outside the southern Iranian city of Bushehr has been struck a fourth time. Picture: Alamy

By Poppy Jacobs

The area around Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant has been struck for the fourth time, with the UN nuclear watchdog calling for "maximum military restraint".

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The strike comes as the US and Israel continue to target Iranian energy plants and other industrial sites.

Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation has confirmed one of the plant's employees was killed in the attack, which it has blamed on the US and Israel - although neither nation has confirmed carrying it out.

Hearing about the strike, the UN's nuclear watchdog has expressed "deep concern", adding that nuclear power plant sites and nearby areas "should never be attacked".

Writing on X, the International Atomic Energy Agency added that "no increase in radiation levels was reported", but urged "maximum military restraint" to avoid a nuclear accident going forward.

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The UN's nuclear watchdog has expressed "deep concern" after the recent strike on Bushehr, pictured here in 2009, and has discouraged any further strikes on or near nuclear sites.
The UN's nuclear watchdog has expressed "deep concern" after the recent strike on Bushehr, pictured here in 2009, and has discouraged any further strikes on or near nuclear sites. Picture: Alamy

Bushehr, located on the Persian Gulf, is Iran's only operational nuclear power plant.

It was completed with Russia's help, with initial construction for the plant dating as far back as 1975.

Work was completed in 2011, and the site became operational in September.

According to the Iranian statement on the attack, the main parts of the plant did not appear to be damaged, and operation was described as "not affected" - although Moscow has evacuated many of its staff from the site.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned against triggering a major accident by striking the plant, saying it would "end life" in Gulf Arab states currently allied to the US.

US President Donald Trump had previously announced he was pausing attacks on energy plants for 10 days, starting on March 27, in order for Iran to "make a deal".

One has been confirmed dead in the nearby strikes, as the UN's nuclear watchdog calls for "maximum military restraint" to avoid a nuclear accident in the region.
One has been confirmed dead in the nearby strikes, as the UN's nuclear watchdog calls for "maximum military restraint" to avoid a nuclear accident in the region. Picture: Alamy

Despite this, on Saturday April 4, he threatened Iran on Truth Social, writing, "all Hell will reign down" if they failed to make a deal and didn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

Elsewhere in Iran, reports state five have been injured in separate strikes on the Iranian Mahshahr petrochemical complex and the Bandar Imam petrochemical company.

Iran is also reporting strikes on more than 30 Iranian universities since war broke out.

In response to the attacks, Iran has continued to fire missiles at the Gulf States, Iraq and Israel.

Iranian and US forces are also continuing to search for a missing American crew member after an F-15 fighter jet was shot down on Friday, with a pilot on board being reported as rescued, according to US media.