UN Chief Alarmed by Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure in Iran, Including Nuclear Plant

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is gravely concerned about attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran, including a nuclear power plant (PLTN) under construction, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday. Over the weekend, media reported that the US military had struck the construction site of the PLTN in the city of Darkhovin, Iran. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated it was looking into the reports, adding that it did not believe the attack posed any radiological risk. “The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran, including the nuclear power plant under construction and desalination installations,” Dujarric told reporters. “Moreover, across this region, we have seen attacks on power plants and desalination facilities in Kuwait and other locations. Such attacks are unacceptable and must cease immediately,” he added. The escalation of conflict in the region has impacted Iran, Bahrain, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, placing strain on trade systems, humanitarian access, transport costs, and the prices of fuel and essential goods, the spokesperson continued. “The Secretary-General reiterates that there is no military solution to this conflict, and he calls for increased diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful and lasting settlement,” Dujarric said. He added that any settlement must include the full restoration of international navigational rights and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as ensuring the protection of vital infrastructure upon which civilian lives depend. On the night of 18 June, Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum to end the conflict that had begun on 28 February. However, since 8 July, US forces have launched a series of attacks against Iran. US Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed the strikes were in response to Iranian actions against commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces retaliated with attacks on US bases in the Middle East. Subsequently, on 12 July, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until US intervention in the region ceased, following a fresh wave of reciprocal strikes between the conflicting parties. The following day, US President Donald Trump declared that the United States would act as the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also reimposed a US blockade on Iranian ports.