IAEA chief confirms Iran’s nuclear facilities remained unaffected by Israel’s air strike

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi has confirmed that Iran’s nuclear programme remained unaffected by Israel’s recently conducted deadly airstrike.

“Iran’s nuclear facilities have not been impacted.@IAEAorginspectors are safe and continue their vital work. I call for prudence and restraint from actions that could jeopardize the safety & security of nuclear & other radioactive materials,” he posted on X.

The UN Secretary-General on Saturday called for an immediate halt to all escalatory actions in the Middle East, following overnight attacks by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on targets in Iran.

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN chief, said in a statement that António Guterres is “deeply alarmed” by the continued escalation across the region.

“All acts of escalation are condemnable and must stop,” the statement read.

The Secretary-General reiterated his urgent appeal to all parties to cease all military actions, including in Gaza and Lebanon, and to exert maximum efforts to prevent an all-out regional war.

He also called for a return to diplomacy.

According to media reports, explosions were heard in and near the Iranian capital, Tehran, at around 2:15 AM local time, followed by an announcement by the IDF that it had carried out strikes on military targets in the country.

The strikes reportedly ended about four hours later. The Iranian military said four of its soldiers were killed in the strikes overnight.