Iran's Nuclear Facilities Attacked Again, IAEA Continues to Call for "Restraint"

On March 27, Xinhua News Agency reported from Vienna (Reporter Meng Fanyu) that after two Iranian nuclear facilities were attacked on the 27th, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) posted on social media, stating that the agency's Director General Grossi "once again calls for military restraint to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident."

The IAEA stated that it has received reports from Iran indicating that a "yellowcake" production facility located in Ardakan, Yazd Province, was attacked that day, but there have been no reports of elevated radiation levels off-site; the Khondab nuclear facility near the capital of Markazi Province, Arak, was also attacked that day, but since the facility does not contain declared nuclear materials, no radiation risk was found. The IAEA is conducting an investigation based on Iran's report.

"Yellowcake" is a form of uranium oxide, typically extracted from crushed natural uranium ore. It is an essential intermediate product in the nuclear fuel production process but cannot be directly used in nuclear reactors; it is generally used for refining enriched uranium.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that the Israeli military conducted airstrikes on two Iranian nuclear facilities that day.

Earlier that day, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Gharib Abadi, posted on social media, criticizing Grossi for not condemning the attacks on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities and for failing to issue a serious warning regarding the impact of the war on Iran's safeguarded nuclear program and the potential consequences of using other destructive and illegal weapons.

Previously, the Natanz nuclear facility was attacked twice on March 1; a building within the Bushehr nuclear power plant complex was attacked on March 17; and on March 21, the Natanz nuclear facility was attacked again.