Russia slams West for ignoring attacks on Iran's nuclear sites

Russia's Permanent Representative to international organisations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, has told the IAEA Board of Governors that Western countries' deliberate silence in the face of attacks on nuclear infrastructure is normalising such strikes and accelerating a dangerous trend in 21st-century warfare.

"For a whole year, Western countries have been trying to sweep under the rug the fact of attacks on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, including the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. By doing this, Western countries have directly contributed to a situation where attacks on nuclear facilities have become normal in the 21st century," Ulyanov said at an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The Russian envoy also referenced attacks on the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, stating that the West's silence about both incidents makes such attacks a routine occurrence. He criticized the double standard of Western nations, which he said selectively condemn certain violations while ignoring others.

According to the report by TASS, Ulyanov's remarks came during a session focused on nuclear safety and security. The IAEA Board of Governors meeting was convened to address growing concerns over the safety of nuclear facilities amid ongoing conflicts. The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, Iran's first nuclear power plant, has been a subject of international attention, with Iran accusing Israel of sabotage and cyberattacks. The Zaporozhye plant, Europe's largest, has been under Russian control since early in the Ukraine war and has faced repeated shelling, with both sides blaming each other.

Ulyanov's statement highlights the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding nuclear infrastructure and the challenges faced by international bodies like the IAEA in ensuring the safety of such sites. The Russian envoy urged the international community to take a consistent stance against any attacks on nuclear facilities, regardless of the perpetrator or location.