Iran's nuclear chief says nation will not surrender, cites environmental risks of attacks

Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said on Sunday that the Iranian nation will never surrender, speaking at a conference titled "Ecocide: The Silent War Crime" in Tehran. According to Mehr News Agency (MNA), Eslami stated that Iranian combatants and the country's armed forces had delivered firm and harsh responses to the enemy.

Eslami emphasized what he described as a fundamental difference between Iran and its adversaries, saying that Iran's armed forces, guided by the teachings of Islam, target only military objectives and refrain from retaliating against civilians. He said recent attacks had targeted not only Iran's nuclear facilities, whose destruction could have serious environmental consequences, but also non-nuclear sites, including refineries, petrochemical complexes and irradiation centers affiliated with the AEOI.

According to Eslami, these facilities provide valuable services in healthcare, food safety and protecting public security. He said that attacking centers where radioactive sources are used to conduct measurements, control safety processes and monitor production demonstrated the attackers' disregard for human life, the environment and the rights of future generations.

The AEOI chief's remarks came amid heightened regional tensions following US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran has consistently stated that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, while Western powers have expressed concerns about its enrichment activities. The conference's title, "Ecocide: The Silent War Crime," reflects Iran's framing of attacks on nuclear and industrial sites as environmental crimes.

Eslami did not provide specific details about the extent of damage to the facilities or the timeline of the attacks. The report by Mehr News Agency added that the conference was held in Tehran and that Eslami's comments were part of a broader official response to the strikes.