Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi filed a formal letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres warning that US-Israeli strikes near the Bushehr nuclear power plant risk "grave radiological contamination" across the region. [1]

The letter, sent to the UN Security Council and the IAEA, accuses the nuclear watchdog of inaction that "emboldens aggression" against civilian nuclear facilities. [2] Araghchi wrote that repeated strikes in the vicinity of Bushehr — Iran's only operational nuclear power plant — pose a risk that "radiation doesn't respect borders." [3]

The complaint comes as US and Israeli forces have escalated strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including targets within striking distance of Bushehr on the Gulf coast. Iranian state media reported that a key petrochemical complex near the plant was hit in overnight strikes. [4]

The IAEA has not publicly responded to the letter. Director General Rafael Grossi has previously called for restraint around nuclear facilities but has not accused either side of violating international law.

The letter is a calculated diplomatic move. By filing with the UN, Iran is attempting to internationalize the risk — making any future radiological incident a collective failure, not a bilateral one. It is also a signal to Gulf states that Iran considers their cooperation with US strikes as complicity in a regional catastrophe.

Whether the letter changes anyone's behavior is another question. The strikes continue. The deadline passes in 22 days. And Bushehr remains within range.

-- KATYA VOLKOV, Moscow