Strikes Near Bushehr Nuclear Plant Kill One; Petrochemical Units and Cement Facility Also Hit
A projectile from a US-Israeli strike landed near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant in the country’s south on Saturday morning, killing one security guard, state media reported. Iran’s official news agency IRNA confirmed the strike occurred around 8:30 am local time, adding that the plant’s core facilities sustained no damage.
The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran said on X that an auxiliary building was damaged and that one physical security staff member was killed. It noted this was the fourth attack on the Bushehr plant since the conflict began, while stressing that the main sections of the facility remained intact.
Iran separately informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that a projectile struck close to the plant’s premises, causing a nearby building to sustain damage from shockwaves and fragments. No increase in radiation levels was reported.
Iran warns of radioactive risk to Gulf capitals
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sharply criticised what he called a lack of international concern over strikes on the nuclear site. In a post on X, he drew a direct comparison to global reactions over hostilities near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant and warned that radioactive fallout from an incident at Bushehr would threaten Gulf Cooperation Council capitals far more than Tehran.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed deep concern, stating that nuclear power plant sites and surrounding areas must never be targeted. He warned that auxiliary buildings on such sites may house critical safety equipment and renewed his call for maximum military restraint to prevent a nuclear accident. Grossi also stressed the importance of adhering to the IAEA’s seven pillars for nuclear safety and security during armed conflict.
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The Bushehr plant, which runs on low-enriched uranium supplied by Russia and is operated with the help of Russian technicians, generates approximately 1,000 megawatts of electricity — enough to power hundreds of thousands of Iranian homes and businesses. It currently contributes between one and two percent of Iran’s total power needs. Iran has been working to expand the facility and in 2019 launched a project to add two additional reactors.
Petrochemical zone and cement plant struck
Saturday’s strikes extended well beyond Bushehr. US and Israeli missiles also hit multiple petrochemical plants in Khuzestan, a major energy-producing region in southern Iran. Explosions and rising smoke were reported across the Mahshahr Petrochemical Special Economic Zone following the strikes.
Iran’s Mehr news agency reported that the state-run Bandar Imam petrochemical complex which produces chemicals, liquefied petroleum gas, polymers, and other industrial products was struck and damaged. A provincial governor in Khuzestan confirmed to the Fars news agency that the Fajr 1 and Fajr 2 petrochemical companies, along with other nearby facilities, were also targeted.
Separately, Tasnim news agency, quoting Ahmad Nafisi, deputy governor of Hormozgan province in southern Iran, reported that a cement plant in the region was also hit on Saturday. No casualties were reported from that strike.