Latest news with #Chernobyl-style
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Russia fears 'Chernobyl 2.0'? Putin, Xi warn Trump, Netanyahu on Iran war plans
Russia has issued a stern warning to the United States, calling any potential U.S. military intervention in the ongoing Iran-Israel war 'an extremely dangerous step.' The Kremlin also urged Israel to immediately halt strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, particularly the Bushehr nuclear power plant, where Russian specialists are present. Moscow cautioned that an attack on Bushehr could trigger a 'Chernobyl-style catastrophe,' with severe global consequences. Watch for more
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Russia warns of ‘Chernobyl-style catastrophe' if Israel hits Iran's Bushehr plant
A satellite image shows new reactors under construction at the Bushehr site in Iran in this handout image dated January 1, 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS Listen to article The head of Russia's nuclear energy corporation warned on Thursday that an Israeli attack on Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant could lead to a "Chernobyl-style catastrophe". An Israeli military spokesperson said Israel had struck the site, but an Israeli military official later called this statement "a mistake" and said he could neither confirm nor deny that the Bushehr site on the cost of the Gulf had been hit. Bushehr is Iran's only operating nuclear power plant and was built by Russia. President Vladimir Putin told journalists in the early hours of Thursday that Israel had promised Russia that Moscow's workers - who are building more nuclear facilities at the Bushehr site - would be safe, even as Israel tries to degrade Iran's nuclear capabilities by force. The head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom warned on Thursday that the situation around the plant was fraught with risk. "If there is a strike on the operational first power unit, it will be a catastrophe comparable to Chernobyl," the state RIA news agency cited Alexei Likhachev as saying. Likhachev was referring to the world's worst nuclear disaster in 1986, when a reactor exploded at Chernobyl in Soviet Ukraine. An attack on Bushehr would be "beyond... evil," Likhachev added. Russia has evacuated some of its specialists from Bushehr, he said, but the core workforce - which Putin said numbered hundreds of people - remained on site. "We are prepared for any scenario, including the rapid evacuation of all our employees," RIA cited Likhachev as saying. 'God forbid' Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said Israeli attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities were unacceptable and illegal. "We are especially concerned about the safety of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, in whose operation Russian specialists are involved," she told reporters. "We would like to especially warn Washington against military intervention in the situation, which would be an extremely dangerous step with truly unpredictable negative consequences," Zakharova added, underlining a warning that Moscow first issued on Wednesday. Putin, in his comments early on Thursday, was defensive when asked what more Moscow would do to help Tehran. He said it had not asked for military assistance, that ties were strong, and that the continued presence of Russian workers building more nuclear facilities at Bushehr showed Russia's support for Iran. But Putin also stressed the importance of Russia's ties with Israel - even though he later condemned its behaviour in a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping - and said he believed a diplomatic solution that would satisfy Israel's concerns about its own security and Iran could be found. Russia signed a strategic partnership with Iran in January and also has a relationship with Israel, although that has been strained by Moscow's war in Ukraine. A Russian offer to mediate in the Israel-Iran conflict has so far not been taken up. Mikhail Bogdanov, another Russian deputy foreign minister, recoiled on Thursday when asked by Reuters about the possibility of the US joining Israel's war with Iran. "God forbid, the consequences would be hard to predict,' he said.
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Russia warns strike on Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant could cause ‘Chernobyl-style catastrophe'
Bushehr is Iran's only operating nuclear power plant and was built by Russia. FILE PHOTO: REUTERS ST PETERSBURG - The head of Russia's nuclear energy corporation warned on June 19 that an Israeli attack on Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant could lead to a 'Chernobyl-style catastrophe'. An Israeli military spokesperson said Israel had struck the site, but an Israeli military official later called this statement 'a mistake' and said he could neither confirm nor deny that the Bushehr site on the cost of the Gulf had been hit. Bushehr is Iran's only operating nuclear power plant and was built by Russia. President Vladimir Putin told journalists in the early hours of June 19 that Israel had promised Russia that Moscow's workers - who are building more nuclear facilities at the Bushehr site - would be safe, even as Israel tries to degrade Iran's nuclear capabilities by force. The head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom warned on June 19 that the situation around the plant was fraught with risk. 'If there is a strike on the operational first power unit, it will be a catastrophe comparable to Chernobyl,' the state RIA news agency cited Mr Alexei Likhachev as saying. Mr Likhachev was referring to the world's worst nuclear disaster in 1986, when a reactor exploded at Chernobyl in Soviet Ukraine. An attack on Bushehr would be 'beyond... evil', Mr Likhachev added. Russia has evacuated some of its specialists from Bushehr, he said, but the core workforce - which Mr Putin said numbered hundreds of people - remained on site. 'We are prepared for any scenario, including the rapid evacuation of all our employees,' RIA cited Mr Likhachev as saying. 'God forbid' Ms Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said Israeli attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities were unacceptable and illegal. 'We are especially concerned about the safety of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, in whose operation Russian specialists are involved,' she told reporters. 'We would like to especially warn Washington against military intervention in the situation, which would be an extremely dangerous step with truly unpredictable negative consequences,' Ms Zakharova added, underlining a warning that Moscow first issued on June 18 . Mr Putin, in his comments early on J une 19 , was defensive when asked what more Moscow would do to help Tehran. He said it had not asked for military assistance, that ties were strong, and that the continued presence of Russian workers building more nuclear facilities at Bushehr showed Russia's support for Iran. But Mr Putin also stressed the importance of Russia's ties with Israel - even though he later condemned its behaviour in a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping - and said he believed a diplomatic solution that would satisfy Israel's concerns about its own security and Iran could be found. Russia signed a strategic partnership with Iran in January and also has a relationship with Israel, although that has been strained by Moscow's war in Ukraine. A Russian offer to mediate in the Israel-Iran conflict has so far not been taken up. Mr Mikhail Bogdanov, another Russian deputy foreign minister, recoiled on June 19 when asked by Reuters about the possibility of the US joining Israel's war with Iran. "God forbid, the consequences would be hard to predict,' he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Russia warns strike on Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant could cause 'Chernobyl-style catastrophe'
The head of Russia's nuclear energy corporation warned that an Israeli attack on Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant could trigger a Chernobyl-style catastrophe. While an Israeli military spokesperson initially claimed responsibility, another official retracted the statement. Russia has evacuated some specialists but maintains a core workforce at the plant, emphasizing the high stakes and potential for disaster. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 'GOD FORBID' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The head of Russia 's nuclear energy corporation warned on Thursday that an Israeli attack on Iran 's Bushehr nuclear power plant could lead to a " Chernobyl-style catastrophe ".An Israel i military spokesperson said Israel had struck the site, but an Israeli military official later called this statement "a mistake" and said he could neither confirm nor deny that the Bushehr site on the cost of the Gulf had been is Iran's only operating nuclear power plant and was built by Vladimir Putin told journalists in the early hours of Thursday that Israel had promised Russia that Moscow's workers - who are building more nuclear facilities at the Bushehr site - would be safe, even as Israel tries to degrade Iran's nuclear capabilities by head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom warned on Thursday that the situation around the plant was fraught with risk."If there is a strike on the operational first power unit, it will be a catastrophe comparable to Chernobyl," the state RIA news agency cited Alexei Likhachev as was referring to the world's worst nuclear disaster in 1986, when a reactor exploded at Chernobyl in Soviet attack on Bushehr would be "beyond... evil," Likhachev has evacuated some of its specialists from Bushehr, he said, but the core workforce - which Putin said numbered hundreds of people - remained on site."We are prepared for any scenario, including the rapid evacuation of all our employees," RIA cited Likhachev as Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said Israeli attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities were unacceptable and illegal."We are especially concerned about the safety of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, in whose operation Russian specialists are involved," she told reporters."We would like to especially warn Washington against military intervention in the situation, which would be an extremely dangerous step with truly unpredictable negative consequences," Zakharova added, underlining a warning that Moscow first issued on in his comments early on Thursday, was defensive when asked what more Moscow would do to help Tehran. He said it had not asked for military assistance, that ties were strong, and that the continued presence of Russian workers building more nuclear facilities at Bushehr showed Russia's support for Putin also stressed the importance of Russia's ties with Israel - even though he later condemned its behaviour in a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping - and said he believed a diplomatic solution that would satisfy Israel's concerns about its own security and Iran could be signed a strategic partnership with Iran in January and also has a relationship with Israel, although that has been strained by Moscow's war in Ukraine. A Russian offer to mediate in the Israel-Iran conflict has so far not been taken Bogdanov, another Russian deputy foreign minister, recoiled on Thursday when asked by Reuters about the possibility of the U.S. joining Israel's war with Iran."God forbid, the consequences would be hard to predict," he said.
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Russia warns strike on Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant could cause 'Chernobyl-style catastrophe'
A satellite image shows new reactors under construction at the Bushehr site in Iran in this handout image dated January 1, 2025. Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo ST PETERSBURG - The head of Russia's nuclear energy corporation warned on Thursday that an Israeli attack on Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant could lead to a "Chernobyl-style catastrophe". An Israeli military spokesperson said Israel had struck the site, but an Israeli military official later called this statement "a mistake" and said he could neither confirm nor deny that the Bushehr site on the cost of the Gulf had been hit. Bushehr is Iran's only operating nuclear power plant and was built by Russia. President Vladimir Putin told journalists in the early hours of Thursday that Israel had promised Russia that Moscow's workers - who are building more nuclear facilities at the Bushehr site - would be safe, even as Israel tries to degrade Iran's nuclear capabilities by force. The head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom warned on Thursday that the situation around the plant was fraught with risk. "If there is a strike on the operational first power unit, it will be a catastrophe comparable to Chernobyl," the state RIA news agency cited Alexei Likhachev as saying. Likhachev was referring to the world's worst nuclear disaster in 1986, when a reactor exploded at Chernobyl in Soviet Ukraine. An attack on Bushehr would be "beyond... evil," Likhachev added. Russia has evacuated some of its specialists from Bushehr, he said, but the core workforce - which Putin said numbered hundreds of people - remained on site. "We are prepared for any scenario, including the rapid evacuation of all our employees," RIA cited Likhachev as saying. 'GOD FORBID' Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said Israeli attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities were unacceptable and illegal. "We are especially concerned about the safety of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, in whose operation Russian specialists are involved," she told reporters. "We would like to especially warn Washington against military intervention in the situation, which would be an extremely dangerous step with truly unpredictable negative consequences," Zakharova added, underlining a warning that Moscow first issued on Wednesday. Putin, in his comments early on Thursday, was defensive when asked what more Moscow would do to help Tehran. He said it had not asked for military assistance, that ties were strong, and that the continued presence of Russian workers building more nuclear facilities at Bushehr showed Russia's support for Iran. But Putin also stressed the importance of Russia's ties with Israel - even though he later condemned its behaviour in a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping - and said he believed a diplomatic solution that would satisfy Israel's concerns about its own security and Iran could be found. Russia signed a strategic partnership with Iran in January and also has a relationship with Israel, although that has been strained by Moscow's war in Ukraine. A Russian offer to mediate in the Israel-Iran conflict has so far not been taken up. Mikhail Bogdanov, another Russian deputy foreign minister, recoiled on Thursday when asked by Reuters about the possibility of the U.S. joining Israel's war with Iran. "God forbid, the consequences would be hard to predict,' he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
