The only lasting solution to the crisis in Iran is a diplomatic one, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday.
“This means a credible transition for Iran, the definite halt to both the nuclear and ballistic programs and an end to destabilizing activities in the region,” she told reporters in Brussels.
“We must work hard to de-escalate and stop the conflict from spreading,” she added.
“Regarding the status of the nuclear installations in Iran, up to now, we have no indication that any of the nuclear installations, including the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, the Tehran Research Reactor or other nuclear fuel cycle facilities have been damaged or hit,” Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told an emergency meeting of the Board of Governors.
“Efforts to contact the Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities through the IEC continue, with no response so far. We hope this indispensable channel of communication can be reestablished as soon as possible,” he added.
The agency’s Incident and Emergency Centre, Grossi said, was fully operational and coordinating with regional safety networks. “So far, no elevation of radiation levels above the usual background levels has been detected in countries bordering Iran,” he said.
Warning against strikes on nuclear facilities
Armed attacks on nuclear sites, Grossi said, carry risks that extend beyond national borders.
“Let me again recall past General Conference resolutions that state that armed attacks on nuclear facilities should never take place and could result in radioactive releases with grave consequences within and beyond the boundaries of the State which has been attacked,” he said.
He urged restraint by all sides. “Consistent with the objectives of the IAEA, as enshrined in its Statute, I reiterate my call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation,” Grossi added.
The IAEA chief also said negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program must start again. “To achieve the long-term assurance that Iran will not acquire nuclear weapons and for maintaining the continued effectiveness of the global non-proliferation regime, we must return to diplomacy and negotiations,” he said.
Iran envoy cites Natanz
Separately, Reuters reported that Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA said the United States and Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday. Asked which facility was struck, the ambassador replied “Natanz,” according to Reuters.
The Natanz nuclear facility is Iran’s main uranium enrichment site and has long been central to international concerns about Tehran’s nuclear activities.
Grossi added that while no radiological release has been detected, the situation remains serious. “Let me underline that the situation today is very concerning. We cannot rule out a possible radiological release with serious consequences,” he said.
Iran calls for IAEA condemnation
During the session, Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA, Reza Najafi, called on the agency to condemn the attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
He rejected that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, calling them “completely false.”
Najafi said Iran’s response would continue, adding that such measures would remain in place as long as what he described as “aggression” continues.
Speaking to Euronews, Gideon Sa'ar said the operation would continue without a fixed end date.
“So there is no time like the operation there. There is no timeline that you're looking at. There is no timeline of this operation. Now, we hadn't gave to ourselves timeline,” Sa’ar said.
“Naturally, we want it to be as short as possible. This is clear. But we didn't put to ourselves any timeline,” he added.
Sa’ar described the campaign as coordinated fully with Washington.
“It’s not that they [the United States] support us. They are working with us hand in hand, working together to achieve the same goals we are. It's, it's a, it's a mutual operation,” he said.
Minister urges Iranians to shape future
Sa’ar framed the offensive as aimed at countering what he described as long-term threats to Israel while opening space for change inside Iran.
“I also tell the Iranian people they have an opportunity now. They have an opportunity to regain their freedom, which was denied by this murderous regime that repressed them so cruelly. And I hope they will be able to do it,” he said.
Sa’ar said Israel would not attempt to choose Iran’s next leadership.
“We are not, we are not intervening with who will be the next leader of Iran. That will be decided by the Iranian people themselves, hopefully in like free elections, that's the best thing that can happen,” he said.
“Our only requirement is that anyone who will be in power will not work to eliminate the state of Israel. This is enough for us,” he added.
Sa’ar confirmed that the strikes resulted in the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, whom he said directed repression at home and backed armed groups hostile to Israel.
“He was the supreme leader of Iran but it was a mega terrorist personally gave order for terror actions around the world,” Sa’ar said.
Sa’ar rejected criticism that the operation violates international law.
“This is totally justified by international law because international law justifies self-defense and someone who is… swearing and acting in order to eliminate another state. This state shouldn't wait until it will happen,” he said.
Duration uncertain
Sa’ar declined to predict how long the campaign would last.
“I don't want to be a prophet and to say how many days we are decisive to reach,” he said.
The Israeli military said on Sunday it would mobilize 100,000 reservists as strikes continue.
Sa’ar argued that any political shift in Iran would depend on domestic will rather than outside orchestration.
“Something is the most important thing here is connected to the will of the Iranian people. It's not something you can orchestrate from outside when you don't have a real will of the Iranian people,” he said.
