Projectile hit Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant as Tehran allows essential goods via Hormuz

TEHRAN: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Saturday that a projectile struck near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, killing one member of the site’s physical protection staff.

The IAEA, citing information from Iranian authorities, confirmed the incident occurred close to the facility but stressed there was no reported increase in radiation levels.

Iranian state media Tasnim said the main parts of the plant were unaffected and production continued normally.

The reported strike near Bushehr underscores the heightened risks facing critical infrastructure in the region. Bushehr, Iran’s only operating nuclear power plant with a 915-megawatt reactor, has been under close international scrutiny for safety amid military activity nearby.

While Iran has said the facility itself was not damaged, the incident has raised concerns among analysts and global watchdogs about the potential hazards of military actions near nuclear sites. The IAEA has repeatedly called for maximum restraint to prevent nuclear safety risks during the conflict.

In a separate move, Iran has allowed the passage of vessels carrying essential goods to its ports through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Tasnim reported.

A letter cited by the agency said ships bound for Iranian ports, including those in the Gulf of Oman, must coordinate with authorities and comply with established transit protocols to navigate the waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz, which under normal circumstances carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil trade, has seen disruptions amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran’s decision to allow essential goods vessels reflects efforts to mitigate supply pressures while maintaining tight control over the vital maritime route.

The evolving situation comes as global energy markets remain sensitive to developments in the Gulf and as maritime traffic through the Hormuz Strait continues to be a focal point of geopolitical tensions.