Russian technicians operate the single plant, with two more units under construction at Persian Gulf site
The International Atomic Energy Agency said it has been informed by Iran that a projectile hit the premises of the Bushehr nuclear power station on Tuesday evening.
The agency said there was no damage to the facility or injuries to staff reported. IAEA director-general Rafael Grossi reiterated his call for maximum restraint during the conflict to prevent risk of a nuclear accident.
Bushehr, on the Persian Gulf in western Iran, has a single 915-MW pressurised water reactor unit supplied by Russia in operation. A second unit of 974 MW, also supplied by Russia, is under construction and Russian state nuclear corporation.
Rosatom has said work has also begun on a third unit, although it does not appear in the IAEA’s official database of reactors.
Rosatom said in a statement that the “attack” was carried out at 18.11 Moscow time on 17 March next to the facility’s metrology service building “in the immediate vicinity of the active power unit”.
Russian technicians from Rosatom operate the plant, using Russian-made, low-enriched uranium.
“There were no casualties among Rosatom State Corporation personnel,” the Riosatom statement said. “The radiation situation at the site is normal.”
About 480 Russian nationals remain at the plant, Rosatom said, and authorities are preparing for another round of evacuations from there.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran later issued a statement saying “no financial, technical, or human damage occurred and no part of the plant was harmed.” Iran blamed the incident on the US and Israel, Tass later reported.
