Russia says attacks on Iran's uranium enrichment facilities violate international law

ISTANBUL

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Saturday that attacks on Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities constitute a violation of international law and risk triggering a major catastrophe in the Middle East.

In a statement, Zakharova condemned what she described as massive strikes by the US and Israel on Iranian military, civilian, and nuclear infrastructure, accusing them of disregarding civilian casualties and potential radiological and environmental consequences.

She said the uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, which operates under safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was targeted again on the morning of Saturday, despite earlier claims that Iran’s nuclear program had been destroyed by US airstrikes last year.

"This is a brazen violation of international law, the charters of the UN and the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the Agency’s General Conference," Zakharova said.

She urged the international community, including the leadership of the UN and the IAEA, to deliver "an objective and uncompromising assessment of these irresponsible actions."

According to Zakharova, the attacks create "real risks of a catastrophe affecting the entire Middle East" and are aimed at undermining peace, stability, and security in the region.

Earlier, Iran said its Natanz nuclear enrichment complex was targeted again in a US-Israeli attack on Saturday morning, according to a statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said the Shahid Ahmadi Roshan enrichment facility in Natanz was struck as part of what it described as “criminal attacks” by the US and Israel.

The Natanz nuclear facility was previously targeted in a US-Israeli attack on March 2.

The nuclear facility was one of three sites targeted by US strikes in June last year during the conflict with Iran, alongside Fordow and Isfahan.

The US-Israeli strikes on Iran began Feb. 28, with Tehran retaliating with repeated drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.