Tehran criticises UN inaction, warns of radiation risk

Inaction by the UN nuclear watchdog ‘encourages aggression’ against nuclear facilities such as the Bushehr plant, Iran’s atomic energy chief Mohammad Eslami wrote on Monday in a letter to the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

He added that Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant has been targeted four times so far, with the latest attack near the site on 4 April killing one security guard and injuring others.

He warned that such attacks could lead to the release of radioactive material from the operating reactor and could have ‘irreparable consequences’ for people, the environment and neighbouring countries.

He described the attacks as a clear violation of international law and criticised what he called a ‘lack of decisive action’ by the agency. Merely expressing concern, he said, is not enough and would only encourage further attacks.

(reuters, max)