IAEA Urges Restraint After U.S. Strike Reportedly Hits Iranian Nuclear Plant

According to Lianhe Zaobao citing AFP, the International Atomic Energy Agency called on all sides to exercise restraint on Sunday, July 19, after Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said the United States had struck a nuclear power plant under construction in southwestern Iran. Iran's state television quoted the Atomic Energy Organization as saying the U.S. military hit the Darhovin nuclear power plant with multiple shells in what it described as a violation of international law. The IAEA said it is investigating the reports and noted that the plant was still in an early stage of construction and contained no nuclear material during its last inspection. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said on X that the incident was believed not to pose any radiological risk, but he again called for military restraint near all nuclear-related facilities.