Will US Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites Cause a Radiation Leak? Here's What Iran and IAEA Said

By / Geopolitics / Leave a Comment

☢️ Will US Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites Cause a Radiation Leak? Here's What Iran and IAEA Said

This handout satellite image courtesy of Maxar Technologies shows cargo trucks postioned near an underground entrance to Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), in Fordo, Iran on June 19, 2025. (AFP)


📰 Overview

In a significant escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict, the United States launched airstrikes on three key nuclear facilities in Iran—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—on Saturday, June 22, 2025. While the strikes were part of a strategic military campaign, they have raised alarm over potential radiation leaks, since the targets were known uranium enrichment sites.

🧪 Were There Radiation Leaks? Here's What Iran Said

According to Iran’s National Nuclear Safety System Centre, there is “no danger” to residents living near the sites.

"No signs of contamination have been recorded," the agency stated via state media.

Iranian authorities clarified that the sites did not contain radioactive material at the time of the strikes. The uranium stockpiles had been moved out prior to the attacks as a precaution.

Iranian official Hassan Abedini, deputy political head of the state broadcaster, confirmed:

“The enriched uranium reserves had been transferred from the nuclear centres… there are no materials left that would cause radiation and be harmful to our compatriots.”

🌍 What Did the UN’s IAEA Say?

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which monitors nuclear safety worldwide, released its own statement confirming that:

  • No increase in radiation was detected at Fordow, Natanz, or Esfahan.

  • No breach of containment structures was observed.

  • No environmental contamination was found, even after earlier Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities days before.

This aligns with IAEA’s long-standing position that nuclear facilities should never be targeted in armed conflicts, due to the extreme risks they pose to public safety and international stability.

🕵️‍♂️ What Were the US Targets?

  1. Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP) – deeply buried under a mountain

  2. Natanz Facility – Iran’s largest uranium enrichment centre

  3. Esfahan Plant – involved in uranium conversion processes

These sites have been under international scrutiny for years, especially after the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.

📢 What Did President Trump Say?

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes, calling them a “very successful attack” and warning that more precision strikes could follow if Iran does not agree to peace.

“If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed, and skill,” he said in a brief televised statement.

📷 Satellite Image

📸 Maxar Technologies released a satellite image showing cargo trucks near the underground entrance to the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, taken just three days before the strike (June 19, 2025).
This raised speculation about potential material transfers or last-minute evacuations.

🔍 Why No Radiation Despite Bombing Nuclear Sites?

  • Pre-strike evacuation: Iran had cleared key nuclear materials in anticipation of strikes.

  • Precision targeting: US bombers reportedly used bunker-buster bombs to minimize secondary damage.

  • Underground fortification: The design of the sites—especially Fordow—helps contain fallout internally in case of damage.

  • IAEA real-time monitoring: The UN agency's presence in Iran continues, and sensor data confirmed no unusual radiation spikes.

🌐 Global Implications

Though the risk of radiation appears low, the symbolic damage is immense. These attacks mark:

  • A military escalation involving a nuclear-armed superpower

  • A potential violation of international nuclear safety protocols

  • Increased tensions in global oil markets and Middle East diplomacy

🧠 Final Thoughts

While fears of a radiation leak following the US strikes were valid, both Iranian and international watchdogs have stated that there is no contamination risk at this time. The quick relocation of enriched materials and precision in US targeting likely prevented a nuclear disaster.

But this conflict underscores just how fragile global nuclear safety is—and why diplomacy around nuclear facilities remains critical.

🔗 External References & Sources



⚠️ Disclaimer

This article is AI-assisted and based on verified reporting from Hindustan Times, AFP, Reuters, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

📌 Original Source:

Hindustan Times article