Latest news with #IAEAStatute
Sinar Daily
a day ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Iran defends itself with retaliatory missile strikes on Israel, dozens Injured
Iran asserts its right to self-defence following deadly Israeli strikes, launching retaliatory missile attacks on major cities across Israel. By SINAR DAILY REPORTER 14 Jun 2025 08:44am This picture shows a trail from an Iranian rocket in the sky above Jerusalem on June 13, 2025. Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel in a counter-strike on June 13, after an unprecedented onslaught hammered the Islamic republic's top military brass and targeted its nuclear facilities and bases. - (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) SHAH ALAM - Explosions rocked Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Friday night as Iran launched long-range missile strikes targeting major Israeli cities, in a retaliatory move following Israel's largest-ever military assault on the Islamic Republic this week. Foreign media reported air raid sirens blared across Israel as Iranian missiles pierced the night sky with at least 40 people were reported injured, including two critically, after several buildings were struck. The Israeli military said fewer than 100 missiles were launched in two waves, with most either intercepted or falling short. However, significant damages were still reported, especially in densely populated areas. Israel's airstrikes earlier in the week had targeted critical Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure, including the Natanz pilot enrichment facility, which United Nations (UN) nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi confirmed was "destroyed." In a fiery warning, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that Israel "must expect severe punishment" for what he labelled a "crime" - the assassination of several senior military officials and six nuclear scientists. First-responders gather outside a that was hit by an Israeli strike in Tehran on June 13, 2025. Israel hit about 100 targets in Iran on June 13, including nuclear facilities and military command centres and killing senior figures including the armed forces chief and top nuclear scientists. - (Photo by MEGHDAD MADADI / TASNIM NEWS / AFP) Among the high-ranking Iranian casualties were the armed forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami. Iran said the total death toll from Israeli strikes has risen to 78, with over 320 people wounded, most of them civilians. Reaffirming Tehran's stance, Iran's UN envoy accused the United States (US) of complicity in the Israeli attacks and held Washington fully responsible for the consequences. After the Israeli attacks on Iran, a nearly three-hour emergency Security Council meeting saw the Iranian ambassador to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani stating that Israel's attack on Iran is a declaration of war. He said it was a premeditated act of aggression, calling it "barbaric and criminal" and a direct violation of numerous international legal instruments, including the IAEA Statute and the Geneva Convention. He dubbed these actions "deliberate and systematic killings" were not only "illegal, but inhuman." "Iran affirms its inherent right to self-defence, as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter and will respond decisively and proportionately to this act of aggression at a time, in a place and by means of its choosing. "This is not a threat. This is a natural consequence of an unprovoked military attack," he said. People and first-responders gather atop a building a that was hit by an Israeli strike in Tehran on June 13, 2025. Israel hit about 100 targets in Iran on June 13, including nuclear facilities and military command centres and killing senior figures including the armed forces chief and top nuclear scientists. - (Photo by MEGHDAD MADADI / TASNIM NEWS / AFP) Meanwhile, Israel's ambassador Danny Danon said this was an act of self-preservation for the state of Israel, saying they not only attacked Iran's nuclear sites, but also military leaders, the nuclear programme and military infrastructure. He claimed that "Israel waited for diplomacy to work, but it didn't." He claimed that there were supposed to be more talks between the US and Iran to try to reach a peaceful resolution this weekend. He said he came to the Security Council not asking for permission, but instead, recognition that the international community has failed to stop Iran's nuclear programme. In other news, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US was "not involved" in the strikes and warned Iran against attacking American bases in the region. More Like This
United News of India
a day ago
- Politics
- United News of India
IAEA chief calls for maximum restraint after Israeli attacks on Iran
United Nations, June 14 (UNI) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi on Friday called for maximum restraint after Israeli attacks on Iran, including on nuclear facilities. "I reiterate that any military action that jeopardizes the safety and security of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region and beyond," Grossi told an emergency meeting of the Security Council. Nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, to prevent harm both to people and the environment. Such attacks have profound implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as for regional and international peace and security, he said. Any armed attack on, or threat against nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes constitutes a violation of the principles of the UN Charter, international law and the IAEA Statute, said Grossi, citing IAEA resolutions. The IAEA continues to monitor the situation closely, he said. The agency's Incident and Emergency Center has maintained continuous contact with Iranian authorities from the onset of the attack, regularly confirming the status of the facilities. Additionally, the IAEA has established a task force to monitor the situation closely over the next few days, said Grossi. The IAEA stands ready to provide technical assistance, and remains committed to its nuclear safety, security and safeguards mandate in all circumstances, he said. Despite the current military actions and heightened tensions, it is clear that the only sustainable path forward -- for Iran, Israel, the entire region and the international community -- is one grounded in dialogue and diplomacy to ensure peace, stability and cooperation, he said. The IAEA remains a unique and vital forum for dialogue, especially now, said Grossi. The IAEA has been in permanent contact with the Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority to ascertain the status of relevant nuclear facilities and to assess any broader impacts on nuclear safety and security, said Grossi. Iran has confirmed that only the Natanz site, which contains the Fuel Enrichment Plant and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, has been attacked in Friday's strikes. The above-ground part of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, where Iran was producing uranium enriched up to 60 percent U-235, has been destroyed. Electricity infrastructure at the facility has been destroyed, he said. There is no indication of a physical attack on the underground cascade hall containing part of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant and the main Fuel Enrichment Plant. However, the loss of power to the cascade hall may have damaged the centrifuges there, he added. The level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site has remained unchanged and at normal levels, indicating no external radiological impact to the population or the environment from this event, said Grossi. There is radiological and chemical contamination inside the facilities in Natanz due to the impacts. The type of radiation present inside the facility -- primarily alpha particles -- is manageable with appropriate radiation protection measures, he added. At present, the Iranian authorities are informing the IAEA of attacks on the other facilities, the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant; and Esfahan site, where a fuel plate fabrication plant, a fuel manufacturing plant, a uranium conversion facility and an enriched uranium dioxide powder plant are located, he said. UNI XINHUA ARN
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
IAEA chief calls Israeli president, reportedly says Iran nuclear facility was severely damaged
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi called Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Friday following airstrikes on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, an Israeli presidential spokesperson told Fox News. Grossi told Herzog that the facility was severely damaged in the strikes, according to Israeli media reports. "We are currently in contact with the Iranian nuclear safety authorities to ascertain the status of relevant nuclear facilities and to assess any wider impacts on nuclear safety and security," Grossi said in a statement. "Radiation levels outside the Natanz facility remained unchanged. The type of radioactive contamination present inside the facility, mainly alpha particles, can be managed with appropriate protective measures," he added. "This development is deeply concerning. I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment. Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security," Grossi continued. Live Updates: Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' On Iran Read On The Fox News App "As Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and consistent with the objectives of the IAEA under the IAEA Statute, I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation. I reiterate that any military action that jeopardizes the safety and security of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond," he also said. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also wrote a letter to Grossi on Friday asking for "explicit condemnation" of Israel's "aggression against Iran's nuclear facilities." "In his letter, while emphasizing Iran's decision to take special measures to protect nuclear equipment and materials, Araghchi stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran will deliver a decisive response to the act of aggression," Iran's foreign ministry said. "He further called for immediate action by the director general to convene an emergency meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors to address the situation." The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that "Overnight, Israeli Air Force fighter jets, guided by precise intelligence from the Intelligence Directorate, struck the Iranian regime's uranium enrichment site in the Natanz area." Israel Hits The 'Heart' Of Iran's Nuclear Program In Natanz Facility Strike "This is the largest uranium enrichment site in Iran, which has operated for years to achieve nuclear weapons capability and houses the infrastructure required for enriching uranium to military-grade levels. As part of the strikes, the underground area of the site was damaged. This area contains a multi-story enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms, and additional supporting infrastructure," according to the IDF. "In addition, critical infrastructure enabling the site's continuous operation and the Iranian regime's ongoing efforts to obtain nuclear weapons were targeted," it said. Fox News' Yael Rotem-Kuriel contributed to this report. Original article source: IAEA chief calls Israeli president, reportedly says Iran nuclear facility was severely damaged
