Iran has revealed that a projectile has struck the perimeter of its only operational nuclear power facility, with Tehran accusing the United States and Israel of targeting the site.
In a statement on March 24, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said the strike hit within the enclosure of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, describing it as an attack by the “American-Zionist enemy.”
Authorities said preliminary assessments showed no financial losses, technical damage, or casualties, adding that all sections of the plant remain “safe and operational.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency later in a statement said that confirmed it had been informed of the incident.
“The IAEA has been informed by Iran that another projectile hit the premises of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant today. According to Iran, there was no damage to the NPP itself nor injuries to staff, and the condition of the plant is normal,” the agency said, adding that Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi reiterated calls for maximum restraint.
Iran confirms second strike in a week
The latest incident follows a similar report a week earlier. On March 18, the IAEA said a projectile struck the plant’s premises the previous evening.
Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom later said the impact was near a facility adjacent to the metrology service building, “in close proximity to the operating power unit.”
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Iran’s envoy in Vienna, Reza Najafi, said the strike occurred about 200 metres from the reactor, describing it as “intentional” and urging the IAEA to condemn the attack.
He said it was the third strike near Iranian nuclear facilities after earlier incidents at Natanz and Isfahan.
“We have not seen any positive reaction from the IAEA, just asking for restraint,” Najafi said.
Rosatom had earlier this week said it is preparing evacuations of personnel from the Bushehr site, where more than 400 Russian specialists are based, amid the repeated incidents.
Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev said “several waves of evacuation” were being organised, with only a limited number of staff to remain for supervision and maintenance.
He warned that strikes near the plant pose serious risks due to the presence of fissile material in reactors, cooling pools, and storage facilities.
Warnings over nuclear risk
Russian officials have raised concerns over the proximity of the strikes to operational infrastructure.
According to earlier reports, the March 17 impact was just a short distance from an active power unit, creating risks for personnel and plant safety.
Iran has also formally requested that the IAEA condemn the attacks, saying previous communications had not received a response beyond calls for restraint.
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The developments come as President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Iran has agreed it would “never have a nuclear weapon”, while also stating negotiations were ongoing.
“We’re in negotiations right now,” Trump said, adding that Tehran wants a deal “so badly.”
He also claimed the conflict had already been decided.
“This war has been won,” Trump said, asserting that U.S. forces could strike key Iranian infrastructure at will.
Meanwhile, the United States has reportedly sent Iran a 15-point plan aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.
News of the plan was reported earlier by the New York Times, which said the plan was delivered by way of Pakistan in its report, citing two officials.
