IAEA says entrances to tunnels at Iran's Isfahan site hit by US strike
Satellite image shows a close up view of buildings at Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center, before it was hit by U.S. airstrikes, in Isfahan, Iran, June 16, 2025. Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT. MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO.
VIENNA (Reuters) -Entrances to tunnels used to store part of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile at the sprawling Isfahan nuclear complex were hit in U.S. military strikes overnight, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Sunday.
"We have established that entrances to underground tunnels at the site were impacted," the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement.
Officials have previously said much of Iran's most highly enriched uranium was stored underground at Isfahan.
In a statement to the U.N. Security Council soon after the IAEA statement was issued, the agency's chief Rafael Grossi appeared to confirm the tunnels hit were part of the area used for the storage of that stockpile.
"Entrances to tunnels used for the storage of enriched material appear to have been hit," he said, referring to Isfahan.
Iranian officials have said measures would be taken to protect the country's nuclear material without informing the IAEA. Grossi said Iran could do that in a way that respects its so-called safeguards obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"Any special measures by Iran to protect its nuclear materials and equipment can be done in accordance with Iran's safeguards obligations and the agency. This is possible," Grossi told the Security Council.
(Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Chris Reese and Nia Williams)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
16 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysian evacuated from conflict-stricken Iran recalls enduring similar trauma 40 years ago
SEPANG: A sense of relief sank in as the 24 Malaysians evacuated from conflict-stricken Iran stepped foot at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport last night. For some, it was a return to peace. For others, it was déjà vu as the evacuees from Iran recounted their ordeals. Dr Suraiya Ali, one of the evacuees, said the evacuation marked the second time she had been trapped in conflict in the Islamic republic, the first being over four decades ago during the Iran–Iraq war. "Forty years ago, after I got married and finished my studies, I lived in Iran. I was there when the Iran–Iraq war broke out. "I even worked there briefly but had to return to Malaysia when my son was just two years old. "I never returned until two weeks ago, and once again, war broke out. I was trapped twice, 40 years apart," she told reporters when met at KLIA. Dr Suraiya had travelled to Iran on June 13 with her husband to celebrate Aidiladha and visit her family. They were scheduled to return on June 18, but flight cancellations and airport closures left them stranded. "We didn't know what to do. My husband bought tickets to Dubai for June 29, but the situation kept deteriorating," she said. Her prayers were answered when her son in Malaysia informed her that the Malaysian Embassy in Tehran and Wisma Putra had arranged an evacuation. "That same night, we boarded a 15-hour bus ride from Shiraz to Tehran to meet the embassy's departure deadline. "I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Malaysian government and Wisma Putra. "The embassy staff treated us like family. It wasn't easy, we endured long journeys and dangerous roads, but we were never left on our own," she said. Meanwhile, for 33-year-old Fadli Yusni, the crisis pushed him to make a bold decision. He attempted to fly to Iran to be with his wife, Zainab, an Iranian national and student in Malaysia who had been stranded while visiting her parents. "I couldn't just wait here. I wanted to go to her, to bring her home myself," he said. But his effort fell short. Fadli only made it as far as Uzbekistan before the conflict forced him to abandon the mission. "The past 10 days were filled with panic. I kept checking the news, my phone. Every time I couldn't reach her, I feared the worst," he said. Fadli eventually sought help from the Malaysian Embassy in Tehran, staying in close contact with Ambassador Khairi Omar, who assisted him in registering Zainab for evacuation. "I told her to immediately get in touch with the embassy. Alhamdulillah, everything went smoothly after that. "I'm truly grateful to everyone involved," he said. The evacuees' journey involved a 1,000 kilometre overland route from Tehran to the Iran–Turkmenistan border, an overnight stop, and flights from Ashgabat via Bangkok before finally landing at KLIA. They were greeted by their loved ones at KLIA's arrival hall, with smiles and sighs of relief as families reunited after their arduous journey across borders and multiple countries.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Leaders slam US strikes on Iran
Call for restraint: (From left) Anwar, Mahfuz and Abdul Hadi denounced US attacks on Iran, calling it a violation of international law and a threat to global peace. PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Malaysian political leaders stood together in their condemnation of the military strikes by the United States on Iran, describing the attacks as a violation of international law and a threat to global stability. The leaders are calling for immediate international action, including intervention by the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). During a function in Kuching yesterday, Anwar urged the international community to apply pressure on Israel to stop its provocative and aggressive actions. He said lasting peace could only be achieved if Israel ceases its violent conduct towards other countries. 'For genuine peace to be realised, Israel must be pressured to stop being provocative and violent towards other nations,' he said. Anwar said Malaysia has taken a fair and balanced stance on the issue. 'When you launch attacks and kill people, of course, there will be retaliation from Iran,' he said. He also said the continued killing of civilians in Gaza, including women and children, and the latest strikes on Iran, have worsened the situation, especially with foreign involvement from countries like the United States. 'Now they are attacking Iran, and Iran has chosen to fight back. The intervention by external powers such as the United States will only escalate the conflict further,' he added. He also warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will have serious implications for the global economy. Anwar said Malaysia must continue to speak out in defence of human rights and justice. 'For me, the most important thing is the sanctity of human life and justice. Stop the violence. 'People say Iran should not respond, but why is Israel allowed to act with such impunity? 'Malaysia is compelled to voice our position. We must not allow a sovereign and independent nation to be silenced when it comes to speaking out about human rights and justice,' he added. Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar urged Putrajaya to convene an emergency parliamentary sitting to discuss the attacks. He said the sitting should discuss Malaysia's official stand and diplomatic response to the conflict; the potential geopolitical and economic impacts on the country, including supply chains, oil prices and regional security; and possible humanitarian assistance that Malaysia could extend to Iranian civilians affected by the violence. 'Parliament should be the platform through which the voice of the Malaysian people is conveyed in a lawful and dignified manner. 'Malaysia has a responsibility to continue playing an active role in promoting global peace through our involvement in the UN, the OIC, the Non-Aligned Movement and Asean. 'I call on the Prime Minister to urgently consider the need for a special parliamentary sitting in defence of the values of justice and universal humanity,' he said. PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang urged the UN Security Council and the OIC to take firm action to stop what he called an uncivilised act of aggression. He warned that failure to act could further destabilise the region and endanger the prospects of global peace. 'The attack not only violates Iran's sovereignty but also constitutes a war crime that clearly breaches international law and the UN Charter. 'PAS is calling for strong and immediate action from the UN Security Council and the OIC to halt this aggression and to condemn the arrogance of the United States, which remains a staunch ally of the illegitimate Israeli regime,' he said.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
24 evacuated from Iran arrive safely in Malaysia
SEPANG: A total of 24 individuals, including 17 Malaysians, who were evacuated from Iran following escalating conflict in the country, have safely returned home. Malaysia Airlines flight MH781 carrying the evacuees landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 at 11.03 pm. They were welcomed by the Foreign Ministry's Deputy Secretary-General (Bilateral Affairs), Datuk Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani. The group comprised 17 Malaysians, six Iranian dependents of Malaysian citizens, and one Singaporean national. Malaysia's Ambassador to Iran, Khairi Omar, who led the group, told the media they had to travel by land for about 1,000 kilometres to exit Tehran. 'We chose a route away from the source of the attacks, which were coming from the west, so we headed east. Alhamdulillah, we received strong cooperation from the Turkmenistan government, which allowed foreign nationals to cross the border,' he said. He added that around 12 Malaysians were still in Iran and Wisma Putra was closely monitoring their situation to ensure their safety and well-being. According to a statement from Wisma Putra, all 24 individuals crossed the Iran–Turkmenistan border on June 21, 2025, and boarded a Turkmenistan Airlines flight T5 647 on June 22, 2025, to Bangkok, Thailand, before continuing their journey on Malaysia Airlines flight MH781 to Kuala Lumpur. The evacuation, coordinated by the Malaysian Embassy in Tehran, involved a 1,120-kilometre land journey to the Iran-Turkmenistan border. The Malaysian embassies in Ashgabat and Bangkok also facilitated flight arrangements from Ashgabat to Malaysia. The Foreign Ministry expressed its deepest appreciation to the governments of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkmenistan, and Thailand for their close cooperation, which enabled the smooth return home for the Malaysians. 'This evacuation process reflects the Malaysian Government's continued commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of its citizens, in line with the core value of 'Ihsan' (Compassion) under the Malaysia MADANI framework,' the statement said. Wisma Putra also confirmed that the Malaysian Embassy in Ashgabat assisted in the repatriation of Bruneian citizens from Turkmenistan to their home country. It added that the involvement of a Singaporean citizen in the evacuation and the assistance extended to Brunei nationals reflected Malaysia's readiness to offer support to citizens of fellow ASEAN nations, in the spirit of regional solidarity.
