The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has warned that any Israeli strike on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility could lead to a devastating release of radioactive material, triggering a nuclear disaster with far-reaching consequences across the Middle East.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), delivered the stark warning on Friday during a UN Security Council briefing, as regional tensions continue to spiral amid Israel’s ongoing military operations against Iran.

While Grossi confirmed that no radiation has been detected from recent Israeli strikes—some of which targeted nuclear-related sites—he emphasized that the Bushehr facility in southern Iran remains the most dangerous potential target.

“A direct hit on the Bushehr nuclear power plant would cause a massive release of radioactivity,” Grossi said. “This is not theoretical. Countries in the region have contacted me directly, urgently voicing their concerns.”

Bushehr, which houses thousands of kilograms of nuclear material, has so far not been targeted. But Grossi warned that even attacks on the plant’s power supply lines could trigger a meltdown similar to past nuclear disasters.

“If the power is cut, the plant’s cooling systems could fail—leading to catastrophic consequences,” he cautioned.

In the worst-case scenario, large-scale evacuations and shelter-in-place orders would be required across vast areas, including key Gulf nations that lie within a few hundred kilometers of the facility. Populations could be forced to take iodine tablets to protect against radiation exposure, and major disruptions to food supply chains could follow, he added.

Bushehr is Iran’s first civilian nuclear power plant. Construction originally began under the pro-Western shah in the 1970s with the help of German engineers. Since the 1990s, the facility has been developed and maintained with Russian support.

Grossi appealed to all parties to avoid military escalation and called once again for dialogue.

“The IAEA is prepared to play its role in ensuring that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons through a strict and transparent inspection system,” he said, reiterating his willingness to mediate in person.

As the crisis deepens, Grossi's message was clear: diplomacy must prevail to avoid a disaster that could destabilize the entire region and beyond.