Russia 'outraged' by strikes on areas near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant

MOSCOW

Russia on Wednesday strongly criticized strikes on areas near Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said that a “new and extremely dangerous strike" was carried out on Tuesday in the immediate vicinity of the operating power unit No. 1 at the Bushehr NPP.

"We are extremely outraged by this reckless, irresponsible manifestation of a destructive course. One gets the impression that the aggressors are deliberately seeking to cause a large-scale nuclear catastrophe in the region in order to conceal and justify their criminal acts," the ministry said.

It emphasized that the US-Israeli actions have "already resulted in numerous casualties among the peaceful Iranian population."

"Washington and West Jerusalem must understand no less than we do – a hit on the Bushehr NPP would inevitably lead to irreversible humanitarian and environmental consequences," it stressed.

The ministry said "only by a miracle has a tragedy not yet occurred," warning that strikes are being carried out “increasingly closer” to the operating power unit.

"The lives of the station's personnel, including Russian specialists, are under constant threat. This is categorically unacceptable to us," it said.

The ministry demanded that "those who recklessly, irresponsibly, and without justification attacked Iran return to reason, cease their unprovoked aggression, including strikes on Iran's nuclear energy infrastructure."

The ministry pointed out that the Bushehr NPP falls under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, as well as facilities located in its immediate vicinity.

"We expect a clear, unequivocal position and decisive action from the IAEA, the UN, and their leadership to prevent further such attacks," it said.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Washington has provided no assurances that the Bushehr nuclear power plant would not be targeted.