IAEA warns nuclear contamination risk from Israeli attacks on Iranian facilities

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned of risk of nuclear contamination from Israel's attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran.

Although the level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site after an Israeli attack has remained unchanged and at normal levels, there is both radiological and chemical contamination within the facility, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said on Friday in his briefing at an emergency meeting of the Security Council.

"The radiation, primarily consisting of alpha particles, poses a significant danger if inhaled or ingested. This risk can be effectively managed with appropriate protective measures, such as using respiratory devices. The main concern inside the facility is chemical toxicity," Grossi is quoted as saying by Xinhua News Agency.

He said the agency is not aware of any damage at Fordow, Iran's main enrichment location for enriching uranium to 60 percent, at this time.

No increase in off-site radiation levels was reported at the Esfahan nuclear site, where four buildings were damaged in the June 13 attack, while the main concern is chemical toxicity, said the agency.

The attacks on other nuclear facilities have made no radiological impact, he added.

But Grossi warned of serious consequences of an attack on the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, which is an operating nuclear power plant and hosts thousands of kilograms of nuclear material.

He added that any action against the Teheran Nuclear Research Reactor could also have severe consequences.