Photo: EPA
Iran has vowed to respond after accusing the United States of striking the construction site of the Darkhovin nuclear power plant, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran would take "appropriate measures" to protect its national interests following what he described as a dangerous attack on the country's peaceful nuclear infrastructure.
"The U.S. attack on the Darkhovin nuclear power plant under construction is a dangerous assault on Iran's peaceful infrastructure," Gharibabadi told state broadcaster IRIB. "Iran will take appropriate measures to defend its national interests and security."
Iran's Atomic Energy Organization earlier said U.S. forces had struck the construction site of the plant, located near the Iraqi border.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was reviewing reports of the overnight attack. The UN nuclear watchdog noted that the Darkhovin facility is still in the early stages of construction and assessed that the incident was unlikely to pose a radiological risk.
The IAEA also urged all parties to exercise military restraint around nuclear facilities.
The reported strike comes as the United States has resumed military operations against Iran-backed forces following the deaths of two U.S. service members in Jordan. Washington says the campaign aims to deter Iran and weaken its ability to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
