Manzar Naqvi
KARACHI: As the Middle East reels from a rapidly widening conflict triggered by Israel and the United States’ bombing of Iran, the head of the UN atomic watchdog has warned of a looming nuclear safety crisis. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi urged all parties to step back from the brink as fears mount over the potential for catastrophic incidents involving nuclear facilities in the region.
Speaking from Vienna, Grossi confirmed that while Iran’s major nuclear sites, including the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant and the Tehran Research Reactor, remain intact, the overall situation poses a significant and growing threat to nuclear safety.
In Geneva, the UN Human Rights Council heard from Gulf States impacted by Iranian retaliatory strikes. These states condemned the attacks on their territories and called for an end to hostilities that could jeopardize the entire region’s stability. Missiles have landed in multiple countries, and casualties are mounting, with the World Health Organization highlighting damage to health facilities and civilian infrastructure.
As Iranian officials mourn the reported death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a strike on the Supreme Leader’s compound, they have vowed that U.S. military assets will be considered legitimate targets as long as the conflict continues. The IAEA chief’s call for restraint and the UN’s appeals for diplomatic solutions highlight the urgent need to prevent further escalation.
As the world watches closely, the hope remains that reason and diplomacy will prevail before the region is plunged deeper into chaos.
