Vienna: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that a recent military strike landed just 75 metres from Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, though the nuclear facility itself has not been damaged. In a statement, the IAEA said its assessment was based on independent analysis of new satellite imagery and its detailed knowledge of the site. "Based on its independent analysis of new satellite imagery and detailed knowledge of the site, the IAEA can confirm recent impacts of military strikes close to Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), including one just 75 metres from the site perimeter. The BNPP itself has not been damaged, the IAEA's analysis of the 5 April imagery shows," the statement from the UN nuclear watchdog read. Despite no direct damage, the agency warned that continued military activity near the plant poses serious risks, as it is an operational facility with large amounts of nuclear fuel. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, as cited in the IAEA statement, raised concern about the situation and urged caution. Also Read: Iran rejects ceasefire, demands 'permanent end to war' in counter-proposal to US, says IRNA The statement added, "Once again, IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi warns that continued military activity near the BNPP - an operating plant with large amounts of nuclear fuel - could cause a severe radiological accident with harmful consequences for people and the environment in Iran and beyond." As per the nuclear watchdog, Grossi also stressed that even if nuclear facilities are not directly targeted, nearby strikes remain dangerous. "Regardless of the nature of the intended targets, DG Grossi says such attacks pose a very real danger to nuclear safety and must stop. DG Grossi reiterates call for all parties to fully respect the 7 indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during a conflict. A nuclear facility and surrounding areas should never be struck, DG Grossi says," the statement read. Earlier on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi formally addressed a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, denouncing US-Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, including the recent targeting of the Bushehr nuclear plant, according to Al Jazeera. The Iranian diplomat expressed deep concern over the potential fallout of such military actions. Writing in the letter, the text of which was shared on Telegram, Araghchi warned that these strikes "expose the entire region to a serious risk of radioactive contamination with serious human and environmental consequences." Highlighting the immediate dangers posed by the location of the strikes, he further noted, "The repeated attacks by the aggressors in the vicinity of the active Bushehr nuclear power plant are of great concern."Also Read: Ceasefire ahead? Last-ditch US-Iran peace effort is tied in knots As reported by Al Jazeera, Araghchi underscored the volatility of the current situation, stating that the "proximity of these attacks to an active nuclear facility creates an intolerable situation that poses a serious risk of radiological release." In alignment with these concerns, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, on Saturday also expressed "deep concern" over the strike near the facility, while confirming that no increase in radiation levels has been detected. In a statement shared on X, the UN's nuclear energy watchdog revealed it had been informed by Iran that a projectile struck close to the plant's premises earlier in the day, marking the fourth such incident in recent weeks amid the escalating West Asia conflict. The impact of the strike resulted in immediate casualties and physical damage. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) In a statement, the IAEA said its assessment was based on independent analysis of new satellite imagery and its detailed knowledge of the site. "Based on its independent analysis of new satellite imagery and detailed knowledge of the site, the IAEA can confirm recent impacts of military strikes close to Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), including one just 75 metres from the site perimeter. The BNPP itself has not been damaged, the IAEA's analysis of the 5 April imagery shows," the statement from the UN nuclear watchdog read. Despite no direct damage, the agency warned that continued military activity near the plant poses serious risks, as it is an operational facility with large amounts of nuclear fuel. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, as cited in the IAEA statement, raised concern about the situation and urged caution. Also Read: Iran rejects ceasefire, demands 'permanent end to war' in counter-proposal to US, says IRNA The statement added, "Once again, IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi warns that continued military activity near the BNPP - an operating plant with large amounts of nuclear fuel - could cause a severe radiological accident with harmful consequences for people and the environment in Iran and beyond." As per the nuclear watchdog, Grossi also stressed that even if nuclear facilities are not directly targeted, nearby strikes remain dangerous. "Regardless of the nature of the intended targets, DG Grossi says such attacks pose a very real danger to nuclear safety and must stop. DG Grossi reiterates call for all parties to fully respect the 7 indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during a conflict. A nuclear facility and surrounding areas should never be struck, DG Grossi says," the statement read. Earlier on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi formally addressed a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, denouncing US-Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, including the recent targeting of the Bushehr nuclear plant, according to Al Jazeera. The Iranian diplomat expressed deep concern over the potential fallout of such military actions. Writing in the letter, the text of which was shared on Telegram, Araghchi warned that these strikes "expose the entire region to a serious risk of radioactive contamination with serious human and environmental consequences." Highlighting the immediate dangers posed by the location of the strikes, he further noted, "The repeated attacks by the aggressors in the vicinity of the active Bushehr nuclear power plant are of great concern."Also Read: Ceasefire ahead? Last-ditch US-Iran peace effort is tied in knots As reported by Al Jazeera, Araghchi underscored the volatility of the current situation, stating that the "proximity of these attacks to an active nuclear facility creates an intolerable situation that poses a serious risk of radiological release." In alignment with these concerns, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, on Saturday also expressed "deep concern" over the strike near the facility, while confirming that no increase in radiation levels has been detected. In a statement shared on X, the UN's nuclear energy watchdog revealed it had been informed by Iran that a projectile struck close to the plant's premises earlier in the day, marking the fourth such incident in recent weeks amid the escalating West Asia conflict. The impact of the strike resulted in immediate casualties and physical damage. 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A tanker identified as the Kaifan was struck by an unknown projectile northeast of Oman’s Limah in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a July 21 report from UK Maritime Trade Operations. No ships were observed transiting the strait that day. Attribution of the strike and links to prior incidents have not been confirmed by the vessel’s owner.
Goldman Sachs has projected Brent crude averaging $80 per barrel in the fourth quarter and $75 in the following year, conditional on reduced Middle East tensions, while noting upside risks from potential shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz or Red Sea.
Brent prices rose above $91 per barrel amid recent U.S.-Iran exchanges and Houthi threats to Saudi shipments before edging lower on Tuesday. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that mediators had proposed a 10-day ceasefire to preserve an interim agreement.
Opening summary: Iran claims attacks on strait of Hormuz ships amid fresh US strikes Welcome to our live coverage of the latest developments in the Middle East crisis. Iran attacked a tanker in the strait of Hormuz early on Tuesday, forcing its crew to abandon the ship, as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis announced they were imposing an immediate maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea after the two sides traded fire last week for the first time in years.
A Houthi official said the Bab al-Mandeb strait – at the southern end of the Red Sea, through which about 12% of the world’s trade usually passes – would be closed to the Saudis in response to the kingdom’s “unjust blockade on Yemenis for over 10 years”.
Saudi Arabia said it would take “all necessary measures to protect its vessels in accordance with international law”. A 10 consecutive night of US airstrikes has not compelled Tehran to loosen its grip on the strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies.
But even as Iran’s president said the country had returned “full-scale war”, the Iranian interior minister travelled to Pakistan – a key mediator in the conflict – for talks. In key developments: The latest US strikes came hours after Donald Trump said Iran would pay “many times over” for killing US soldiers after multiple service members were killed in action over the weekend.
A tanker came under attack early Tuesday in the Hormuz strait off Oman, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed the attack as well as two other attacks on ships in the waterway on Monday.
The US military’s Central Command said its latest airstrikes were to “degrade” Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the strait and included hitting military command centres and missile and drone launch sites. Iranian media reported strikes in parts of the country including Bandar Abbas, Tabriz and Bushehr, home to the country’s only operational civilian nuclear power.
Iran’s launched attacks in response against Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, which all host US forces. Oil prices softened after hitting their highest levels in more than a month in the previous session. Brent crude futures eased 0.4% to $88.87 a barrel by 0052 GMT on Tuesday while US West Texas Intermediate crude for September delivery was steady at $82.
47 a barrel. Democrats have seized on the deaths of three US troops killed in Iranian strikes to urge Trump to urgently reverse his resumption of the war with Iran amid widespread anxiety over climbing casualties. The Lebanese army began taking charge of security in three southern villages, the US said, as a deal to secure an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah faced its first test on the ground.
US forces struck the tanker Settebello in the Gulf of Oman on June 10, killing three Indian crew members when munitions hit the engine room and adjacent areas. Maritime tracking data indicate the vessel had transported Iranian oil under US sanctions for several years and conducted offshore transfers prior to the strike.
The US military described the action as a precision operation, while reports note the ship was stationary at the time.