Iran has formally raised concerns with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over what it describes as signs of radiation following reported U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities.
Iranian officials said preliminary indicators suggest the possibility of radioactive release at or near the targeted sites.
The complaint was submitted to the Vienna-based nuclear watchdog, which is responsible for monitoring nuclear safety and compliance worldwide.
IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said the agency could not dismiss the risk outright, given the reported scale of the strikes.
“Given the intensity, we cannot rule out this possibility,” Grossi said, adding that the agency would seek to verify the situation through inspections and technical assessment.
He emphasized that the IAEA’s role is to provide independent verification.
“We will investigate and report based on facts established on the ground,” he said.
The United States has not publicly released detailed information about the extent of the damage or whether nuclear material storage areas were affected.
Health and Environmental Concerns
Nuclear experts note that any confirmed release of radioactive material could pose health and environmental risks, depending on the scale and duration of exposure.
Radiation exposure has been linked to increased cancer risk at certain levels, while significant contamination can affect soil quality and agricultural productivity.
However, specialists caution that determining the presence and severity of contamination requires on-site measurements and laboratory analysis.
Initial reports alone are insufficient to establish the scale of any potential hazard.
International Scrutiny Intensifies
The development adds a nuclear safety dimension to already heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Diplomatic sources say the IAEA is seeking further information from Iranian authorities and could request access to the affected facilities as part of its verification mandate.
As of publication, there has been no independent confirmation of radiation levels at the sites.
The outcome of the IAEA’s investigation is expected to play a critical role in shaping international response and assessing any broader environmental impact.
