Iraq launches Arab nuclear crisis cell over Iran-Israel tensions
Shafaq News/ Iraq has launched a regional crisis cell to respond to potential nuclear emergencies, as Israeli military operations targeting Iranian nuclear facilities escalate.
In a statement, the National Nuclear, Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Regulatory Commission (I-NRC) announced on Wednesday the formation of the joint operations room, in coordination with Arab counterparts, to monitor radiological risks stemming from ongoing military strikes.
'The goal is to safeguard populations, protect the environment, and uphold nuclear safety and security,' it explained.
The crisis unit was reportedly approved during a high-level virtual meeting chaired by Salem Hamdi, Director-General of the Arab Atomic Energy Agency, and Sabah Hassan Al-Hussaini, Head of the Arab Network of Nuclear Regulators (ANNuR). Representatives from nuclear regulatory authorities in Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Kuwait, Libya, Bahrain, Tunisia, and Sudan also participated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Security sweeps Baghdad's German embassy ahead of anti-Israel protests
Shafaq News/ Iraqi security forces sealed off the German Embassy in Baghdad on Wednesday in anticipation of protests by supporters of Iran-aligned Shiite factions. A security official told Shafaq News that forces were deployed around the embassy in al-Mansour district, west of the capital, after intelligence flagged possible demonstrations later in the day. Calls for protest began circulating online early Wednesday, urging crowds to rally outside the embassy in response to a G7 statement backing Israel's right to self-defense and warning that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons. Tensions have surged since June 13, when Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. Germany, along with the US and UK, backed the campaign. Yesterday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended the strikes, calling them 'the dirty work Israel is doing for all of us.' Earlier today in Berlin, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reiterated, at a press conference, support for diplomacy but pressed Tehran to act first. 'It's never too late to come to the negotiating table with honest intentions,' he said, while urging Iran to demonstrate it is not pursuing nuclear weapons.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Israel strikes sites near Khamenei's residence
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Israeli airstrikes targeted sensitive military and logistical sites near Tehran, as tensions between Israel and Iran continued to escalate. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the Israeli Air Force destroyed Iran's 'General Headquarters for Internal Security,' following military strikes on targets in Tehran. In a statement, Katz vowed to continue targeting 'symbols of power and the Ayatollah's regime wherever they may be.' סופת הטורנדו ממשיכה להכות בטהרן. מטוסי חיל האוויר השמידו עכשיו את מפקדת ביטחון הפנים של המשטר האיראני - זרוע הדיכוי המרכזית של הדיקטטור האיראני.כפי שהבטחנו - נמשיך לפגוע בסמלי שלטון ונכה במשטר האייתולות בכל מקום. — ישראל כ'ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) June 18, 2025 Israel's public broadcaster noted the Israeli Air Force struck the Lavizan district in northern Tehran, where the residence of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is reportedly located. Additionally, Iranian state outlets reported explosions in the city of Karaj in Alborz province west of Tehran, and strikes on Payam Airport, prompting the deployment of emergency services.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
US hindering air defense advancements, Iraqi MP says
Shafaq News/ The United States of obstructing efforts to equip the country with modern air defense systems, a member of Iraq's parliamentary Security and Defense Committee accused on Wednesday. MP Ahmed al-Moussawi told Shafaq News that Israeli forces have repeatedly breached Iraqi airspace to hit Iranian targets, exposing a dangerous gap in Iraq's military defenses. 'The absence of missile defenses has turned Iraq's skies into a vulnerability." Baghdad recently signed a $2.7 billion deal with South Korea to procure the Cheongung II (KM-SAM) system, designed to intercept hostile aircraft and missiles, al-Moussawi revealed, noting that delivery has not begun, and deployment remains pending. Al-Moussawi claimed the delay stems from longstanding US opposition. 'Washington had previously vetoed air defense imports under successive governments,' he said, urging the current administration to press ahead with implementation and restore full sovereignty over Iraqi airspace. In response to these concerns, Parliament formed a joint committee earlier from the Security and Defense and Integrity panels to examine the delays and summon responsible officials. Since June 13, Iraqi airspace has become a transit zone for Iranian and Israeli missile and drone strikes, and Baghdad currently lacks the advanced capabilities needed to detect or intercept such threats. To mitigate risk, Iraqi forces have deployed limited air defense systems at strategic locations, including the Bazarkan oil field in Maysan province, though a security official confirmed the systems are in passive monitoring mode and will only be activated if a direct threat emerges.
