The World Health Organization (WHO) have warned that Israel bombing nuclear facilities in Iran could have an impact people’s heath in the country and “across the region.”
Israel has said on Tuesday they are “on the verge” of destroying over “10 nuclear targets” in Iran which poses a real risk of a chemical and radiological contamination.
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has warned of a radiation risk following the bombing of the Natanz nuclear facility last week.
The head of the WHO Tedros Ghebreyesus warned on X, “The escalation of violence between Israel and Iran is extremely concerning — and is costing the lives of civilians, including children.
“The growing number of injured civilians are also distressing.
“WHO’s particular concern is the targeting of nuclear sites, which may have immediate and long-term impacts on the environment and health of people in Iran and across the region.
“We call on all parties to work towards peace. The most courageous choose peace.”
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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Rafael Mariano Grossi said they have been “ascertaining the status of Iran’s nuclear facilities and the level of radiation at relevant sites through constant communication with Iranian authorities.”
The United Nation atomic watchdog, the IAEA has warned that there have been “direct impacts” at the underground Natanz facility which has caused “both radiological and chemical contamination.”
The IAEA said on their website, “Within the Natanz facility there is both radiological and chemical contamination.
“Considering the type of nuclear material at this facility, it is possible that Uranium isotopes contained in Uranium Hexafluoride, Uranyl Fluoride and Hydrogen Fluoride are dispersed inside the facility.
“The radiation, primarily consisting of alpha particles, poses a significant danger if Uranium is inhaled or ingested.
“However, this risk can be effectively managed with appropriate protective measures, such as using respiratory protection devices while inside the affected facilities. The main concern inside the facility is the chemical toxicity of the Uranium Hexafluoride and the Fluoride compounds generated at the contact with water.”
Israeli ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter has said he wants the Iranian Fordo nuclear facility to be eliminated which is smaller than the destroyed Natanz nuclear site.
Leiter told Fox News, “This entire operation… really has to be completed with the elimination of Fordo.”
Last week ABC News interviewed Leiter over the US helping Israel to attack Fordo, he said they have only asked for help with defence.
Leiter said, “We have a number of contingencies… which will enable us to deal with Fordo.
“Not everything is a matter of, you know, taking to the skies and bombing from afar.”
