Iran calls nuclear site attacks a “war crime”

Iran has denounced as a “war crime” attacks on its nuclear facilities protected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Days after a military attack on two nuclear installations in Arak and Ardakan as part of the US-Israeli terrorist war on the Islamic Republic, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) issued a warning on Wednesday.

Even against a heavy water complex, assaulting nuclear facilities under IAEA supervision is an international offense and goes against international standards, according to AEOI spokesperson Behrouz Kamalvandi.

After being attacked during the 12-day conflict in June of last year, the Khondab heavy water complex in Arak was targeted once more. A yellowcake manufacturing plant in Ardakan, in the central province of Yazd, was also hit on the same day, according to Iranian authorities.

Kamalvandi emphasized, “Attacking nuclear facilities covered by IAEA safeguards is completely inconsistent with international principles and such an international offense, even against a heavy water complex, is definitely a war crime.”

According to Kamalvandi, Iran is consulting both domestic and foreign legal experts and has officially documented the instances. He stated that the vice president’s office for legal issues and the nation’s Foreign Ministry will handle the issue.

Additionally, he emphasized that Iran’s nuclear expertise and capabilities cannot be eradicated in spite of these strikes. “With these attacks, the enemy will undoubtedly fail to destroy Iran’s nuclear knowledge.”

Iran has maintained time and time again that its nuclear program is peaceful and carried out under close international oversight. Global accords on nuclear safety and protection are undermined by the nation’s insistence that any attack on protected nuclear plants violates international law.