UN nuclear watchdog urges restraint in Middle East to avoid any nuclear safety risks

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Saturday called for restraint to avoid any nuclear safety risks in the Middle East as tensions escalate after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran.

"The IAEA is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, and urges restraint to avoid any nuclear safety risks to people in the region," the agency said in a post on the US social media platform X.

Noting that the agency is in permanent contact with countries in the region, the IAEA said: "So far, no evidence of any radiological impact."

It added that the agency will continue monitoring the situation and providing updates.

Israel and the US early Saturday launched a joint military operation against Iran, citing "threats" posed by the "Iranian regime." The strikes came after the latest round of US-Iran nuclear talks concluded in Geneva on Thursday, where both sides had described the atmosphere as serious and constructive under Omani mediation.

Last June, the US had struck three Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day Israel-Iran conflict.