The US administration hopes Iran will allow UN inspectors access to its nuclear facilities, offering access to some frozen assets, including $6 billion in Qatar, in return. Technical consultations are set for June 21 in Switzerland.
US Vice President JD Vance defended the Iran deal, stating Donald Trump is Israel's sole global ally and reminding Israeli critics of substantial US defense aid. Vance criticized Israeli cabinet members for attacking the deal and Trump, suggesting they reassess their priorities.
President Donald Trump stated that the US aims to destroy highly enriched Iranian uranium, not keep it. Washington is monitoring three Iranian nuclear facilities with satellite intelligence, bombed in 2025, where the uranium is stored. Trump indicated the US will retrieve the material "at an appropriate time" and destroy it, asserting they "have plenty of It."
Civilian nuclear facilities are increasingly becoming targets in armed conflicts, raising concerns about potential radioactive releases and public health impacts. International efforts to protect these sites are underway, but a specific treaty is lacking.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi warned the UN Security Council on Tuesday about the repercussions of attacks on nuclear facilities in the Middle East, stating that targeting operational plants like Barakah in the UAE is unacceptable. He affirmed the agency's readiness to respond to emergencies in Gulf states and its support for diplomatic efforts and verification of Iran's nuclear facilities.
Russia strongly condemns alleged US-Israeli attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran and the UAE, warning of global catastrophe and regional instability. Moscow criticizes the IAEA's response as inconsistent.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned alleged US and Israeli bombings of Iranian nuclear facilities, calling them "irreparable tragedy." She also denounced attacks on the UAE's nuclear plant and criticized the IAEA's response to a drone incident at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
The New York Times reports that the US and Israel are actively preparing for potential military operations against Iran, with new attacks possible as early as next week. Plans reportedly include aggressive bombing and a special forces ground operation to secure enriched uranium.
Sources cited by the newspaper said Tehran could agree to suspend uranium enrichment, but not for 20 years as the US demands
IAEA experts have requested access to the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant's External Radiation Control Laboratory after a drone attack. The ZNPP said a Ukrainian drone targeted the facility, located outside the plant's perimeter. No injuries were reported and no critical damage to equipment was confirmed. Director General Rafael Grossi warned that attacks near nuclear sites can pose nuclear safety risks.
Russia condemns Ukrainian attack on Zaporozhye nuclear power plant that killed one employee, demanding IAEA and Director General Rafael Grossi take action against Kiev. Moscow calls the attack 'cynical' occurring days after nuclear safety conference, accusing Ukraine of disregarding nuclear safety and potentially creating radiological threats to pressure Western sponsors.
SEOUL, April 27 (Yonhap) -- The United States has restricted South Korea's acces...
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned at a briefing in Izhevsk about increasing physical threats to nuclear facilities, notably the Zaporozhye NPP and Iran’s Bushehr NPP. She urged strong physical security worldwide, stressed host-country responsibility, highlighted the IAEA’s leading role in international cooperation, and called for strict confidentiality of security data.
