IAEA chief Grossi concerned about possible Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday that he was concerned about a possible Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities and called for restraint. Despite rising tensions following Iran’s missile attack on Israel over the weekend, his agency plans to continue inspecting Iranian facilities today, Reuters reported.

Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel overnight on Sunday, but they caused no significant damage, partly thanks to the involvement of Israel’s foreign partners in its defence. Israel’s air defences repelled the attack with help from the US, Britain, France and Jordan. Tehran describes the weekend operation as retaliation for the 1 April attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Israel has not claimed responsibility, but is believed to be behind it. Seven members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed in the attack in the Syrian capital.

The Israeli military chief has promised a strong response to Iran’s attack, while the international community is trying to prevent the conflict from escalating.

Tehran closed its nuclear facilities on Sunday amid fears of possible Israeli retaliation, reopening them on Monday. The IAEA wants to send its inspectors there only today, once it is sure the situation has calmed down, Grossi told reporters in New York.

Iran says its nuclear programme is intended exclusively for peaceful purposes. The West, however, suspects Tehran of trying to build a nuclear bomb.