Daijiworld Media Network - Vienna
Vienna, Jun 23: Amid rising tensions in West Asia following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, India has called for prioritizing the safety and security of nuclear facilities, warning of dire consequences for public health and the environment in the event of further escalation.
Delivering India’s statement at a special meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors on Monday, Ambassador Shambhu S. Kumaran, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna, underscored the urgent need for restraint from all parties involved.
“Ensuring the safety and security of nuclear facilities is a high priority, keeping in mind the possible consequences of such attacks for public health and the environment,” said Ambassador Kumaran.
He expressed deep concern over the recent military actions in the region, especially those targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. Kumaran called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to provide timely updates on any damage or radiation leaks from affected facilities.
The ambassador reiterated India’s consistent position on the importance of nuclear safety and called upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint, emphasizing that military confrontations involving nuclear sites pose grave regional and global risks. He also conveyed India's readiness to offer support through diplomatic or technical channels if needed.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held phone conversations with his Italian and French counterparts, condemning the U.S. strikes as violations of international law. He insisted Iran retains the right to defend itself under the UN Charter and urged the European Union to issue a clear response.
In response, both Italy's Antonio Tajani and France's Jean-Noël Barrot expressed regret over the escalation and called for a return to diplomacy, with Barrot denying any French involvement in the strikes.
The latest developments have intensified global anxiety about the potential fallout from attacks on nuclear sites, with observers warning that the risk of contamination or catastrophe is no longer hypothetical but dangerously plausible.
The IAEA has yet to release a full assessment of the damage caused by the strikes but is expected to report to the Board as the situation unfolds.