IAEA: Military Escalation Threatens Nuclear Non-Proliferation System, World Security

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) VIENNA, June 23 (KUNA) - The International Energy Agency (IAEA) warned on Monday that military escalation threatens the collapse of nuclear non-proliferation system, as Iran's nuclear facilities are under direct attack.
This came in IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi speech before the emergency meeting of the IAEA's Board of Governors, which kicked off Monday at the Agency's headquarters in Vienna.
Grossi stressed that there is still an opportunity for the diplomatic path, to avoid potentially unprecedented levels of violence and destruction.
He added that Iran, Israeli occupation and the Middle East need peace, which requires returning to the negotiating table and allowing IAEA inspectors back access to Iran's nuclear facilities to verify stockpiles.
Grossi said that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told him on June 13 that Iran would take special measures to protect its nuclear equipment and materials, to which Grossi responded that the IAEA should be notified of any transfer of nuclear material inside Iran under the safeguards agreement.
Grossi noted that IAEA inspectors remain in Iran and are ready to carry out tasks, stressing that any special measures taken by Iran to protect its nuclear material must be carried out in coordination with IAEA, within the framework of its legal obligations.
Reviewing the fallout from the latest strikes, Grossi said the Fordow site, which has a 60 percent enrichment facility, had suffered damage, and that a full assessment of the underground damage had not yet been made but was expected to be serious.
He also noted to the attacks on facilities linked to uranium conversion at Isfahan site and the Natanz fuel enrichment facility.
Grossi said Iran had informed the IAEA that no rise in radiation levels had been recorded outside the targeted sites and stressed continued communication with the Iranian authorities and the IAEA's emergency center for follow ups.
He reiterated his warning of the danger of military attacks on nuclear facilities, as it could cause catastrophic radioactive emissions beyond the borders of the target country, calling for restraint and avoiding military escalation.
Grossi stressed that negotiation is the only way to ensure that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon and to maintain the effectiveness of the non-proliferation system, and that the IAEA is ready to play its full role to end this military escalation, calling on all parties to support the Agency's efforts. (end)
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