International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi on Monday said the agency has detected no abnormal radiation levels following ongoing military attacks in Iran and parts of the Middle East, but cautioned that the situation remains “very concerning”.
Delivering his introductory statement at an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Governors at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna on March 2, 2026, Grossi said the agency had activated its Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC) to monitor potential radiological risks arising from the conflict.
“All of us have been following with concern the military attacks in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Middle East,” Grossi said, adding that the IAEA had responded “in accordance with our mandate, by focussing on possible radiological emergencies derived from the military operations.”
He noted that the IEC is operational with a dedicated team gathering and assessing information despite communication disruptions caused by the conflict. The regional safety monitoring network has also been placed on alert and is coordinating closely with the agency.
“So far, no elevation of radiation levels above the usual background levels has been detected in countries bordering Iran,” he said.
Grossi said the IAEA currently has “no indication” that nuclear installations in Iran have been damaged, including the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, the Tehran Research Reactor, or other fuel cycle facilities.
However, efforts to re-establish communication with Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities remain unsuccessful.
“Efforts to contact the Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities through the IEC continue, with no response so far. We hope this indispensable channel of communication can be reestablished as soon as possible,” he said.
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The IAEA chief highlighted the broader regional risk, noting that several countries impacted by military strikes operate nuclear facilities or use nuclear applications. The United Arab Emirates operates four nuclear reactors, while Jordan and Syria run research reactors. He also referenced strikes reported in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
“These countries all use nuclear applications of some sort or the other. We therefore urge utmost restraint in all military operations,” Grossi said.
Recalling past General Conference resolutions, he stressed that “armed attacks on nuclear facilities should never take place and could result in radioactive releases with grave consequences within and beyond the boundaries of the State which has been attacked.”
Grossi reiterated that diplomacy remains the only sustainable path forward.
“To achieve the long-term assurance that Iran will not acquire nuclear weapons and for maintaining the continued effectiveness of the global non-proliferation regime, we must return to diplomacy and negotiations,” he said.
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Referring to recent consultations in Geneva, where he was invited to provide technical advice, Grossi acknowledged that “an understanding eluded the parties this time,” adding, “Diplomacy is hard, but it is never impossible. Nuclear diplomacy is even harder, but it is never impossible.”
He warned that while no radiological release has occurred so far, the risk cannot be dismissed.
“We cannot rule out a possible radiological release with serious consequences, including the necessity to evacuate areas as large or larger than major cities,” he said.
Grossi concluded by assuring member states that the IAEA remains fully engaged. “What I can assure you is that the IAEA is there, working with its Member States, and keeping the international community informed while being ready to react immediately if a breach in nuclear safety occurs.”
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