• IAEA's Rafael Grossi warns of potential nuclear disaster if Israel strikes Bushehr plant.
• The Bushehr nuclear facility contains thousands of kilograms of nuclear material.
• A direct hit could trigger regional evacuations and food supply restrictions.
• Grossi emphasizes the need for diplomatic solutions to avoid catastrophe.

Rafael Grossi, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has issued a stark warning regarding the potential catastrophic consequences of an Israeli attack on Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant. During a session of the United Nations Security Council, Grossi stated, "a direct hit would result in a very high release of radioactivity," emphasizing the dire implications for both Iran and neighboring regions, including Gulf Arab states, according to Newsweek, Channel News Asia, Al Jazeera, and Dawn.

The Bushehr facility, which is the Middle East's first civilian nuclear power plant, hosts "thousands of kilograms of nuclear material." Grossi pointed out that even damage to the electrical supply lines, which are crucial for its operation, could result in a meltdown, leading to severe radioactivity release. Grossi’s comments come amid Israel's ongoing military operations against Iran's nuclear capabilities, raising fears of a broader crisis, as reported by Channel News Asia, Al Jazeera, and Dawn.

In a worst-case scenario, Grossi cautioned that protective actions, including evacuating populations within several hundred kilometers and implementing food restrictions, would be required. This reflects the high stakes involved, given Bushehr's strategic location along significant economic trade routes. Several nations in the region have reached out to the IAEA expressing their concerns, according to Newsweek, Al Jazeera, and Dawn.

Grossi reiterated the necessity for diplomacy, stating that the IAEA is prepared to mediate talks and ensure that no nuclear weapons are developed in Iran. He emphasized the effectiveness of the IAEA's inspection system as vital to prevent nuclear proliferation. His call for peaceful negotiations aligns with increasing international anxiety over the potential for an extensive humanitarian crisis should military attacks on nuclear facilities continue, as noted by Channel News Asia, Al Jazeera, and Dawn.